Activities to do in Bristol: A Visitors Guide

Bristol is one of the UK’s most enchanting and vibrant cities. With its expanding and world-renowned cultural scene, its rich history, and popular nightlife venues, there is something for everyone in Bristol.

The city is particularly known for its maritime past and its role in sea trade. It had a considerable influence and impact on Britain and the world’s history.

This article will list some of the most quintessential Bristol activities that visitors can try out. Through these activities, they will be able to learn more about the city itself, its culture and its people.

Most of the attractions listed below are family-friendly and can be adapted to fit your personal needs and preferences.

Now, without further ado, here are some of the key activities to do during your stay in Bristol.

Activities to do in Bristol

Here are some of the activities that visitors will enjoy when staying in the city. These are just a few ideas, there are of course, many more activities to discover and participate in for those interested in finding out more about Bristol.

Watch a quintessential British play at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre or participate in one of the theater’s free family activities

The Bristol Old Vic company is known for its excellent and world-class plays and performances.

Visitors can watch one of the company’s wonderful performances in a restored Georgian theater. The theater is the oldest continuously working theater in the English-speaking world which is another reason why visitors should stop by and make sure to check it out.

The Bristol Old Vic company always has new and exciting plays on offer. Fans of theater or visitors who want to immerse themselves in the cultural landscape of the UK should definitely book tickets for a show.

Those visiting with small children can participate in one of the theater’s free family activities such as their painting, drawing, costume design or story time sessions.

Visitors who do not manage to get their hands on some theater tickets or are unable to participate in one of their free activities can still visit the location by booking a guided tour.

The guided tours are a must for visitors who really want to explore the theater’s backstage, admire its Georgian architecture and learn more about the venue’s history.

Other visiting options include the Front of the House exhibitions that are usually free to access. Visitors with a bigger budget can hire the entire venue or rent it out for special occasions such as a wedding.

Try out Bristol’s nightlife 

Not traveling with children or family? Not to worry, Bristol has got a lot to offer including a large range of nightlife activities.

Visitors can, for example, visit a land-based or online casino real money where they can play with real money. The city’s most famous casinos include The Grosvenor Casino Bristol and the Rainbow Casino Bristol.

Not only is The Grosvenor Casino Bristol a great venue to have an exciting gambling night, it is also located in one of the city’s most famous neighborhoods.

The gaming venue can be found in the city’s historic Harborside which was once filled with hundreds of merchants from all around the world and dozens of sailors.

If casino gaming is not for you, then there are a number of nightclubs and bars to choose from.

There are many fun, original and unique bars in the city. One of the most beloved and original ones is the HMSS bar (Her Majesty’s Secret Service Bar). 

It is a hidden bar that you have to secretly enter by grabbing a phone outside the venue. The bar itself is very small and can get very busy, so make sure to get there early in the evening.

As for nightclubs, here are four of the best places to visit: The Island, Lakota, the Crofters Right, and Cosies.

Board Brunel’s SS Great Britain ship

This is a great activity for those interested in Bristol and more generally speaking Great Britain’s history, those traveling with children or those simply interested in an immersive experience.

Visitors will have the opportunity to board a ship that has not only had a huge impact on British history but on world history as well. Aboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain ship, visitors will be offered a memorable visual, auditory and olfactory experience.

They will be able to immerse themselves in a Victorian atmosphere and experience what passengers at the time experienced themselves.

This activity has a five-star review on TripAdvisor and was awarded the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023.

There are many other activities to visit in Bristol such as visiting the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the Cabot Tower, going on one of Bristol’s ferry boats, and stopping at different art museums.

The activities listed in this article are just a few of the many wonderful options available in the beautiful city of Bristol.