Not sure where to go? Flip a coin–tails says you’ll wind up at the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, which you might recognize from the back of the Maine state quarter. Guarding the rocky coastline between 2 bays, the structure has been a local fixture since 1827, and it’s home to a maritime museum, a learning center, and an art gallery. The Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site is home to a reconstructed 17th-century fort, plus a museum with artifacts from the area’s long history of settlement.
Fishing is a local pastime in Bristol, and a number of agencies offer boat charters for deep-sea excursions. Kayaking is also popular, and the many inlets, bays, and rivers around Bristol will give you numerous opportunities to get up close and personal with the region’s coastline. Winter brings activities like ice fishing and nordic skiing, and an annual festival each February revives the time-honored tradition of ice cutting – the removal of surface ice from lakes and rivers, using hand saws and other manual tools.
Bristol’s climate is somewhere between continental and maritime, which means the warm summers can get a little muggy, with overcast days relatively common all year round. June, July, and August tend to be the best months for avoiding rain, although you still might encounter the occasional summer storm. Since it’s right on the North Atlantic, Bristol’s winters are cold, with highs in the 20s and 30s from December through February. A Bristol vacation rental with a fireplace or a hot tub will help you stay warm during the region’s chillier winter months.
Between Johns Bay and Muscongus Bay on the Atlantic Ocean, Bristol is largely defined by its rugged coastlines, which are dotted with long stretches of sandy beach. The scenic La Verna Preserve offers 120 acres of shoreline and coastal woodlands, and it’s known for its walking trails, birdwatching, and glimpses of the local wildlife. Areas around the broad, slow-flowing Pemaquid River are popular with birdwatchers. Your Bristol vacation rental will put you right at the center of one of the most pristine parts of the north Atlantic coast.
The nearest airport is in Wiscasset, ME (ISS), located 10.5 mi (16.8 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you can also fly into Rockland, ME (RKD-Knox County Regional), which is 21.5 mi (34.6 km) away.
Our 2021 property listings offer a large selection of 531 vacation rentals around Bristol. From 452 house rentals to 212 cabin rentals, find a unique house rental for you to enjoy a memorable holiday or a weekend with your family and friends.
Yes, of course. Vrbo has 452 Houses in Bristol. Our other popular types of vacation rentals in Bristol include:
But you can also enjoy a great stay in one of our other vacation rentals including Condos/Apartments and more.
Yes, you can select your preferred vacation rental with pool among our 21 vacation rentals with pool available in Bristol. Please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available.