Things to do in Bristol in April

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Overview

April is a good time to visit Bristol. The weather is usually cold and breezy, with temperatures ranging from 36—49°F (2—9°C).

Bristol has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your April trip to Bristol. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to April. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Bristol in April. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout April, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Best events and things to do in Bristol in April

Top experiences in April
We couldn't find any experiences in April
Holidays in Bristol in April
April
  • Easter Sunday (April 5)
  • Easter Monday (April 6)
  • Tax Day (April 15)
  • Patriots' Day (April 20)
Other notable holidays
  • St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
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Weather in Bristol in April

Temperatures on an average day in Bristol in April

The average temperature in Bristol in April for a typical day ranges from a high of 49°F (9°C) to a low of 36°F (2°C). Some would describe the temperature to be cold. The general area may also feel breezy.

For comparison, the hottest month in Bristol, July, has days with highs of 74°F (23°C) and lows of 62°F (17°C). The coldest month, January has days with highs of 32°F (0°C) and lows of 20°F (-7°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Bristol in April based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in April
49°F
highs
36°F
lows

General weather summary

Cold, breezy
Feels like
36%
Chance of rain
0.165 in
Amount
13.7 mph
Wind speed
79%
Humidity
13.4 hrs
Daylight length
5:56 AM
Sunrise
7:20 PM
Sunset
40%
Cloud cover
Jacket
What to wear
What to wear in April
With an average high of 49°F (9°C) and a low of 36°F (2°C), it generally feels cold and breezy. There might also be a small chance of rain. With that in mind, most people would dress in something warm like a jacket
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Best attractions for Bristol in April

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Bristol has to offer for travelers in April, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Bristol that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Bristol for April.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
1. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
4.8
(3213)
Sights & Landmarks
Park
Historic 1827-lighthouse features panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean & a nearby learning center.
Slide 1 of 8
What a beautiful place to drive and visit. Its a beat down the beaten path, but once there, the views are gorgeous. The line to check out the lighthouse was long, so I didnt get in to see it, but its really the same view just up higher. Bring some lunch, find a spot on the rocks and enjoy the beautiful scenery. It really is worth a trip to see!
If you like lighthouses this is a neat place to go. It is open to walk up for a small donation during the season. There is also a lot of area to walk around outside, a fisherman museum, picnic tables, and an art gallery. Requires a small fee to enter the park.
Breathtaking! Nice easy drive from Portland going up Route 1. Good destination with a stop in between at Red's for lunch. Bring extra cash to go up the lighthouse. They charge $1/person to go up because the $4/person entrance fee does not go to the operation of the lighthouse.
If the staff that was there would have been nicer i would have given them a 5 star. We were there 10/23/25 I know itbwas closed to go into but they allowed some others inside and up in the lighthouse but not anyone else. When I walked up to the door one of the men told my wife, he said its way past Columbus day and we are closed. Rude just plan rude . But besides his rudeness it still was beautiful.
A Delightful Coastal Gem with History, Hospitality, and Scenic Beauty What a memorable visit! From the moment we arrived, the friendly lady at the entrance made all the difference—she was incredibly knowledgeable, warmly greeted us with fascinating tidbits about the lighthouse, and even gave my pup a treat, which made her tail wag non-stop. The admission fee is very reasonable—around $4 per person (ages 12+) to access the park, including the Fishermen’s Museum, Art Gallery, Learning Center, restrooms, and picnic spots. If you’d like to climb the tower, there’s a suggested $1 donation per person, which helps maintain this historic beacon. Speaking of history, the tower standing today dates back to 1835, replacing the original 1827 structure that deteriorated due to poor mortar quality. It still houses its original fourth-order Fresnel lens, one of just six still active in Main. The keeper’s house, now the Fishermen’s Museum, offers charming exhibits on maritime life and lighthouse lore. Facilities are well-maintained and visitor-friendly. There are restrooms available on the grounds, the lawn is clean, and the entire park feels cozy yet spacious. If you’re traveling in an RV, you’re in luck—there’s plenty of parking, including ample room for larger vehicles. Craving a bite? Next door is a charming restaurant—Sea Gull Restaurant & Gift and other nearby cafés and seafood places. One friendly warning: people use the road to walk and exercise on so be mindful—safety first. All in all, a perfect blend of awe-inspiring coastal scenery, rich history, friendly faces (and dog treats!), and thoughtful amenities. A must-stop on any Maine road trip
For our 25th wedding anniversary, we spent 9 days touring Maine and then Boston, visiting nearly a dozen lighthouses along the way. This is the only one we took the time (and were able) to climb, and explored the visitor center for quite awhile, too. Well worth the time spent! It's a scenic area, and the docent was extremely knowledgeable - unsurprised she competed on and placed second on Jeopardy! In the museum, Joe was extra-friendly and enthusiastic. It's clear the community has a great love of the lighthouse and associated buildings, given how quickly they had restorations done after a damaging storm in 2024. The nearby gallery featuring local artists was also a treat. If you are a lover of lighthouses and in the area, make some time to enjoy all Pemaquid Point has to offer - and even if you aren't consider stopping by.
Beautiful place, great views. I was there too early to climb the lighthouse, but it is open certain times during the day. There's beautiful grounds to walk around, and a cool museum inside. I want to see all of the lighthouses of Maine, was glad to mark this one off my list. $4.00 parking fee.
This is our favorite Lighthouse. My first visit was in 1965. My whole family has visited this area on vacation many times over the years. Beautiful views of ocean. They've added some seating at the top. They are also adding plantings on the upper rock areas; I assume for erosion.
Pemaquid Beach Park
2. Pemaquid Beach Park
4.7
(337)
Park
Outdoor Activities
Slide 1 of 8
A beautiful beach that was extremely fun for the kids. Tons of little hermit crabs for the kids to catch and release. Many tidal pools for the kids to discover sea life in. The beach is large enough to not be overcrowded and the amenities are top notch. A must see beach.
Clean, quaint, and family friendly beach. Facilities are clean. Snack are/Eatery also adds to the pleasant character of the Pemaquud Beach Park.
Quiet beach with beautiful copper colored flecks of granite in the sand. Peaceful, clean, and a great place to spend the day.
Finally found an awesome sandy beach to dip our feet in the water. It was much needed and very pleasant!
I went to Pemaquid Beach Park a couple weeks ago. Beautiful location if you're looking to relax on the beach. Sandy, gentle surf, not too crowded, even a snack bar. Also, I appreciate that they ask people to practice social distancing and wear masks.
Beautiful Beach, upgraded changing rooms and bathrooms! New snack bar that is very good and busy! Beach rentals along with T-shirts and Sweatshirts for sale! We love it here!
During the open season, there is a fee to enter this beach, which allows them to have the bathhouse open and shop as well as the food. The beach is very open with soft sand that doesn't burn your feet. Even if the parking lot of crowded the beach never feels it. Out of season the beach is free and open to the public, But be warned there are no bathrooms.
Nice beach! It can get a little crowded, but there is a lot of room to spread out. Bathrooms were pretty nasty. Mimi's, the snack and ice cream bar stayed busy during its limited hours.
Bristol Swimming Hole
3. Bristol Swimming Hole
4.7
(20)
Recreation center
Nature & Parks
Slide 1 of 8
This is a really pretty place to stop and cool down during a hot summer day. The new fish ladder is cool too.
f you’re heading to or from the lighthouse, this is such a perfect little stop — just be prepared to share it with the local geese who clearly think they own the place. The first thing that caught my eye was the fish ladder — I’ve never actually seen one right on the side of the road before. It’s fascinating to watch, especially knowing these ladders are built to help fish migrate upstream past the dam. Speaking of the dam, from what I’ve learned, this swimming hole has been a local hangout for decades. The dam creates a calm, inviting pool where locals and travelers alike have cooled off on hot summer days for generations. It’s a simple setup, but there’s something special about knowing people have been enjoying this same spot for years. There’s a small parking area right off the road, making it easy to pull over for a quick dip or a picnic. No lifeguards here, so it’s swim at your own risk — but the water is great on a warm day, it’s hard to resist. A porta potty is conveniently on-site if you need it, and the surrounding little towns are full of charm with great places to grab a bite or explore after your swim. Whether you’re here for the history of the dam, the novelty of the fish ladder, or just to relax in a peaceful spot surrounded by nature, this is a great spot worth the stop.
The project to preserve the Bristol swimming hole and improve the fish ladder is nearly complete. But they still need help with funding. Please give if you can. This is an important ecological project that will improve our lives and preserve the habitat for many species of fish.
The hole was the best experience we had it was incredible
Didn't see any "alewife" fish- but being newly restored/constructed- they will find it next year!!! Still a cool place to check out!
The new fish ladder is a wonderful addition to the river. The fish seem to really like it and that is what really matters.
Small dam with à fish ladder along à scenic stream.
Very dark water. Lots of tiny fish. Nice little area.
Pemaquid Art Gallery
4. Pemaquid Art Gallery
4.6
(9)
Art gallery
Museums
Slide 1 of 7
An excellent spot to see true Maine art by local artists. The gallery and Pemaquid Lighthouse Park are a must stop on any trip to Midcoast Maine!
I loved the local artists unique styles! Great pieces on display for purchase.
A cute little spot! The work of a couple dozen local artists hangs here - primarily paintings, but there are some very cool wooden pieces on display as well. The attendant was happy to talk to us about the history of the artists and the area. The art on display largely draws on the local landscape, so expect a lot of rocky shorelines, estuaries, that sort of thing. Note that the gallery itself is absolutely free to come into and wander around, and the paintings are (mostly?) for sale if you find yourself especially taken with one. Shipping is quite expensive - we were quoted 25% of the sale price of the artwork - so make sure you've left some room in your bag!
Photo of this lighthouse on windows software. Finally got to see it in person. Gallery was informative.
A great place to see the beautiful work of local artists.
(Translated by Google) Another lighthouse, a beautiful place that requires a detour, about 40 minutes round trip. does not justify the deviation. (Original) עוד מגדלור, מקום יפה שדורש סטיה מהדרך, הלוך חזור כ 40 דק'. לא מצדיק את הסטיה.
(Translated by Google) The Pemaquid Art Gallery, located near the lighthouse, is a charming space showcasing the talents of local Maine artists. Its rooms, although small, are filled with paintings, watercolors, and photographs that capture the beauty of the coast, its landscapes, and maritime life. The variety of styles and techniques makes each work unique, and the peaceful atmosphere invites you to enjoy the art at a leisurely pace. A perfect complement to a visit to the lighthouse. (Original) La Pemaquid Art Gallery, ubicada cerca del faro, es un encantador espacio que exhibe el talento de artistas locales de Maine. Sus salas, aunque pequeñas, están llenas de pinturas, acuarelas y fotografías que capturan la belleza de la costa, sus paisajes y su vida marítima. La variedad de estilos y técnicas hace que cada obra sea única, y el ambiente tranquilo invita a disfrutar del arte sin prisas. Un complemento perfecto a la visita del faro.

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