Think you know Bristol? Think again!
Bristol may be known as the city of bridges, balloons, boats, bikes, Brunel and Banksy, but there's lots more to the city, and we can’t wait to show you what’s on offer – we know you’ll love it!
Whether you're looking for a great day out with the whole family, a romantic break for two or an epic solo adventure, we know you’ll find just what you’re looking for here.
Fun things to do in Bristol
Let’s get started by reminding you of all the most famous things to do in Bristol: Clifton Suspension Bridge, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta and Banksy street art tours. These icons of the city showcase the best of the city’s heritage and talents and are not to be missed.
Explore the city’s bustling Harbourside with its mix of restaurants, bars, boat trips, museums, and maritime history Spike Island presents free exhibitions of contemporary art and is home to more than 70 artists’ studios. Arnolfini combines gallery exhibitions, live performances and independent cinema, while independent arts cinema Watershed regularly hosts talks, film festivals and special screenings; the venue also has a café and bar serving breakfast, lunch and evening meals. Learn more about the history and workings of the Floating Harbour at Underfall Yard Visitor Centre, while enjoying gorgeous views of the harbour and colourful houses of Cliftonwood.Find out more about Museums & Galleries in Bristol
Head up the hill to leafy Georgian Clifton to view collections of art, archaeology, Egyptology and natural history at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and marvel at both historic and contemporary art at Royal West of England. Do make time to visit Bristol Cathedral, which has been a place of worship since 1140.
Find out more about Museums & Galleries in Bristol
The city is also home to some top-notch sport, including two professional football teams: Bristol Rovers and Bristol City, with City playing home fixtures at Ashton Gate Stadium – also the home of Premiership rugby’s Bristol Bears. Cricket fans should check the latest fixtures for Bristol-based Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in Bishopston, otherwise sports fan can check our basketball team Bristol Flyers play at the SGS WISE Arena in Filton, or Bristol's ice hockey team Bristol Pitbulls at Planet Ice.
Indoor & outdoor activities
Bristol is packed with exciting options for all weathers and all ages.
Outdoor adventures in Bristol include walks or cycle rides along the Bristol to Bath Railway Path, the UK’s first inland surfing lake at The Wave, wildlife spotting at Leigh Woods, or paddleboarding and kayaking on the Floating Harbour. For panoramic views, head up Cabot Tower in Brandon Hill Park or explore the stunning trails of Ashton Court Estate, ideal for mountain biking, deer-spotting, or simply soaking up nature.
If you're in search of indoor things to do in Bristol, Get competitive with indoor sports, including mini golf at Treetop Golf, cricket at Sixes, shuffleboard and curling at King Pins, or bowling and batting at Roxy Lanes. Jump around in soft play and trampoline centres, including AirHop, or little ones will love zooming around a miniature city in Little Town Adventures.
Bristol also has plenty of historic churches, cinemas, theatres and shopping centres for you to explore.
Don’t miss immersive experiences like Wake The Tiger, the world’s first Amazement Park®, where creativity, art, and storytelling collide indoors.
Things to do with kids in Bristol
Bristol is bursting with family-friendly activities and things to do with kids. Start at We The Curious, where interactive science exhibits make learning fun for all ages. At Bristol Aquarium, children can come face-to-face with fascinating marine life from around the globe.
Take a voyage of discovery aboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain, where kids can dress as Victorian passengers or engineers and explore the ship’s historic decks. M Shed also offers hands-on exhibits telling the story of Bristol, with regular family-friendly events and workshops.
For outdoor fun, let the kids run wild at Blaise Castle Estate, with its playgrounds, woodlands and museum, or head to Windmill Hill City Farm to meet animals.
Find specific suggestions for fun things to do with toddlers and fun things to do with teenagers in Bristol
Things to do near Bristol
If you’re looking to venture outside the city, there’s no shortage of things to do near Bristol.
To the north of the city, Bristol Zoo Project is set among 50 acres and is home to bears, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, ring-tailed lemurs and more. Aerospace Bristol tells the story of Bristol’s world-class aerospace industry and gives you the chance to step aboard the last ever Concorde to fly.
Head south to explore Wookey Hole - a magical place of breathtakingly beautiful caves, adventure, and family fun. Just a short drive away, Cheddar Gorge offers dramatic landscapes, cave tours, and cliff-top walk, perfect for an adventurous day trip.
In nearby North Somerset, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is home to over 100 species and a huge indoor play barn, making it ideal for families. History lovers will enjoy a visit to Tyntesfield, a Victorian Gothic Revival house and estate managed by the National Trust. Or spend a day in Weston-super-Mare, enjoying the traditional British seaside, donkey rides, and amusements on The Grand Pier.
You can also explore Bath, just 15 minutes by train, for its Roman Baths, Georgian architecture, and boutique shopping.
Plan your trip
Our blog is also an excellent tool to plan what to do in Bristol. We’ve got guides, suggested itineraries, reviews and lots of local information to help you plan the best trip possible.
Don't just take our word for it
If we haven't been able to convince you yet that Bristol is full of things to do, then there are lots of other people who think Bristol is worth the trip. You can find the link to some of these below;
