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A Look at Bahamas Vacation Resorts
Bahamas vacation resorts are great places to look into if you are interested in finding many activities all in one spot. In addition to providing its guests with a place to sleep, resorts often feature such amenities as golf courses, tennis courts,...
Best Florida Beach Vacations
Why choose a beach vacation in Florida? One good reason is because wherever you go in Florida, you're never more than 60 miles from the beach! Florida is also easy to get to, the temperature is pleasurable year round, it offers good value for your...
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina – is it a Family or Golfers Vacation Destination?
Before finding the answer to this dilemma, let’s take an overview of Hilton Head and its surrounding area. Conveniently located along the south Atlantic coast, Hilton Head Island combines breathtaking natural beauty, world-class golf,...
Mexico Baja California Sur - A Premier Tourist Destination
Baja California Sur, one of the thirty-one states of Mexico, is known the world-over for its numerous tourist spots - breath-taking in their beauty and teeming with widespread life. The state is a unique combination of varied topography - ranging...
Party on a Boat in Lake Tahoe
If you love being on the water and water sports, you should plan
a trip to Lake Tahoe. Not only is the scenery beautiful, but
there is miles and miles of lake for you to speed around on in
your boat. Depending on what type of boat you have, you...
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Renaissance of a Small Town
Bristol, Rhode Island located on a peninsula located between
Mount Hope and Narragansett bays is home to nearly 23,000
residents. A town rich in history, and as picturesque as can be
found in these United States. A town I've called home for nearly
48 years except for my four years in the Air Force, and a short
stint in nearby Warren, before returning to my roots and
settling back in Bristol in 1992.
In recent years Bristol has begun a transformation of its
downtown waterfront district from an old mill town to a thriving
tourist spot. Bristol's people and leaders have recognized the
need to improve the downtown area and rekindle the downtown
business district while still maintaining the charm of the
quintessential seaside village. Mills have been replaced with
upscale condominiums, old rundown buildings have been remodeled
when possible and existing structures have been incorporated
into an attractive shopping district. Much planning is done and
every effort is made to maintain the architectural integrity of
the downtown landscape.
While across this country many towns are experiencing
abandonment of their small mom and pop type businesses in favor
of the giant shopping malls, new unique shops are opening and
thriving in downtown Bristol. Where once stood empty rundown
buildings, we have day spas, dress boutiques, gift shops,
jewelry stores, restaurants, pubs, hotels, antique shops and
more. More importantly almost all are owned and run by small
independent business people with ties to Bristol and the
community.
Bristol has always been a great place to live and a wonderful
place to visit, and visiting is even easier now. There are
several B&B's available and a new harbor side hotel for lodging.
Once here, there is no need to leave as Bristol is home to many
dining establishments from diners to white tablecloth fine
dining. Depending on your mood, you can choose the authentic
Irish pub Aidan's, tea and scones at Basically British, fine
continental cuisine at Roberto's, or traditional American fare
and seafood at the S.S. Dion. The SS Dion is my favorite for
enjoying a great meal at reasonable prices and great service
with the most breathtaking sunsets. For breakfast enjoy the
freshest bagels at the Bristol Bagel Works or pastries at Café
LaFrance. Enjoy lunch on the waterfront at Quito's Seafood or JG
Goff's Pub. There are more fine establishments and part of the
fun is exploring the area and happening upon something special
or just seeing what strikes your fancy.
For the athletically inclined there are many water sports to be
found in our bays. You can rent a kayak to paddle around the
bay. If you own your own boat, Bristol is a great place to dock
for a meal or the day. You could also use your boat
Around The Jazz Internet: May 18, 2012
Ten albums for newbies, the hated Cabaret Card and composer/arranger Gil Evans' centennial.
The Harmonica-Playing Baron Of Belgium
Whistling guitarist and harmonica master Toots Thielemans has played in everything from Charlie Parker's band to commercials for Old Spice. In his childhood home of Brussels — really, throughout his homeland — the celebration of his 90th birthday is on.
Why One Saxophonist Covered His Idol
Steve Lehman's new album <em>Dialect Fluorescent </em>ends with a song called "Mr. E," a composition written by jazz legend Jackie McLean. But the connections run deep between Lehman and the alto saxophonist he considers a personal hero.
for
waterskiing in the waters around Bristol. Or you could join in
one of the many Regattas' if your choice of boating includes
sails. Colt State Park is a wonderful place to ride a bicycle or
walk on the many miles of paved paths that connect to a trail
that leads to East Providence. You may also choose to just
unwind and relax by the water or at the many picnic areas spread
throughout this treasure that Bristol calls its own.
Bristol is not a complete secret to the world, it is well known
for having the oldest, continuous 4th of July celebration in the
United States. Crowds of over 200,000 people have flocked to
witness our parade and see firsthand what arguably the most
patriotic town in America, has to offer. The town has even been
granted a special permit to paint the parade route roads with a
red, white and blue center stripe instead of the standard double
yellow line, year round. The 4th of July celebration actually
begins three weeks before with events nearly every night,
culminating with the parade and a spectacular fireworks display
over the harbor. To illustrate just how important the 4th of
July is to Bristol people, most real estate listings will use a
parade route location as a major selling feature for a home.
Bristol is also home to numerous museums. Brown University's
Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology featuring over 100,000
artifacts from the native peoples of the Americas, Asia, Africa
and the Pacific. The Herreshoff Marine Museum showcases the
history of Bristol as a leader in the yacht building industry.
The Blithewold mansion, originally the summer house of
Pennsylvania coal baron, Augustus Van Wickle, is open for tours
of the 45-room mansion and lush 33 acres of landscaped grounds
and gardens. The mansion is decorated for the holidays and
"Christmas at Blithewold" during the entire month of December is
a great time to visit this historic site.
Bristol has something to offer everyone, no matter what your
taste, you'll find it here. It can be a quaint seaside village
or a sophisticated cultural treasure chest, a quiet relaxing
stroll by the water or high energy activity on land or sea. If
you have never been to Bristol, you need to add it to your list
of must sees. If it has been a while since your last visit you
need to come back and enjoy the renaissance of Bristol
About the author:
Rick Ferreira is president of Lighthouse Systems Group, a
software development company specializing in the food
distribution industry. He lives in Bristol, RI with his wife
Lori. Rick and Lori's mutual love of the arts led them to create
Lori J Gallery, an
online art gallery dedicated to promoting the works of very
talented,
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