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Voykit pocket guide · United States
Bristol
Spend a half‑day (4–6 h) in Bristol, Maine: visit Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, relax on Pemaquid Beach, and grab a bite at Reiley's Market.
Bristol is a tiny coastal town on the Pemaquid Peninsula, about 60 mi north of Portland. Its main draws are the historic Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, a small sandy beach, and a handful of local eateries. All sights cluster near Bristol Road, so a half‑day covers the highlights; an overnight stay is optional for a relaxed pace.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (warm beach days, fewer crowds)
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (cold water, limited daylight)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $70–$100 excl. bed · Mid $100–$150 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at The Cupboard | $2–$4 |
| Lobster roll at Reiley's Market | $10–$15 |
| Pemaquid Beach entry | $2 per person |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BGR · Bangor International Airport
- 40–50 mi north, drive via US‑1
Typical fares
- Bangor → Bristol (rental car, 1 day)
- about $45, 70 mi round‑trip (check rates)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is primary; bikes work on flat Bristol Road. Parking is easy except at Pemaquid Beach on hot days.
See and do
Known for
- Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
- Pemaquid Beach
- Historic boat landing and Bristol Days
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson, Maine | Drive north on US‑1, about 12 km (7.5 mi), 15 minDrive north on US‑1, about 7.5 mi (12 km), 15 min | ≈20 min round‑trip |
| Boothbay Harbor | Drive east on ME‑27, about 30 km (19 mi), 30 minDrive east on ME‑27, about 19 mi (30 km), 30 min | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- Bristol Inn
- Small inn near Anchor Inn, basic rooms
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excusez‑moi / Pardonexcuse‑moi |
| Thank you | Mercimerci |
| How much is it? | Combien ça coûte ?combien ça coûte |
| Where is the bathroom? | Où sont les toilettes ?où sont les toilettes |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Parking at Pemaquid Beach fills quickly in summer; arrive early.
- Beach water temperature 55–65 °F; cold for most swimmers.
Bristol is low‑risk; main concerns are traffic on summer weekends and cold water at the beach.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bristol yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
- Pemaquid Beach
- Historic boat landing and Bristol Days
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Bristol (Maine), revision 5331396 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5331396
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Bristol
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaît
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
US citizens: contact the US Consulate in Portland (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/bristol-maine). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.