Bristol mumsnetters please help me plan my visit

[Celeriacacaca]

I've never been to Bristol before and am planning a trip for the four of us (DH, DS 18, DD 16) for two nights between Christmas and New Year. I'm looking at the Premier Inn, Finzels Reach, as did want to stay on the barge but it's full. Is Finzels Reach a good place to be based? What are the must not miss things to do? Also what's the best way to see the Clifton suspension bridge? So many questions....

Bristol is grim for driving and parking so I'd take a bus to into Clifton (the 8 or 9 I think) and walk across the bridge. There's a little museum about it on the far side that's really good. Then potter round Clifton and go to one of the nice cafes the camera Obscura and cave near the bridge are also both worth a visit IMO

Finzel's Reach is fine by the way, not the most exciting part of town perhaps but good for getting to other parts of the city!

There's loads to do in Bristol - what sort of things does your family like? You could go Banksy spotting, there's tons of museums, great foodie places, etc etc!

The teens might like to go on a street art tour - Bristol is the BEST for some really amazing pieces all across the city Where The Wall Tours

And Baba Ganoush, slightly off the beaten track but still walkable, is top rated again and again for their middle eastern fare. It's street food but indoors and with hearty portions.www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186220-d12073200-Reviews-Baba_Ganoush_Kitchen-Bristol_England.html

There's a market with the most amazing food court area - basically a long street with loads of food options and communal outdoor seating really quirky and interesting options.

Think it's called Nicholas Market I'll just Google....

St Nicholas Market.

Finzels Reach is pretty central. The Premier Inn at Finzels reach is brand new, so it’ll be a nice one to stay in. Be prepared to walk a lot around the city centre, parking is limited and expensive so it’s not worth moving your car from the hotel car park (if you’re bringing one) but there’s plenty to see whilst walking around. I’d suggest doing the harbourside loop and taking a look at the M Shed and stopping at the pubs on the way and checking our Whapping Wharf for some great food and taking a look at the SS Great Britain.
You can get the bus up to Clifton (or do the hilly walk up Park Street) and walk across the bridge for free, there’s not really anything on the other side though. The Avon Gorge Hotel and attached pub (I forget the name) have a huge terrace with great views of the bridge, food and drinks are a premium for this reason. Clifton Village is great for a wander around if you like quirky shops and amazing jewellery and there’s a great fish and chip shop there as well.
Depending on age restrictions, there’s a great comedy magic theatre called Smoke and Mirrors next to the hippodrome which I’d highly recommend. I’ve always had a great time there.

There was a recent thread on this, might find it if you search my name.
What kind of things do you all like to do?
I'm not very familiar with teenagers so not sure what to suggest!

Park Street is a popular shopping place for young folk, if they fancy that? Depending on what your kids enjoy, you might want to check out We the Curious, which is the science museum. I enjoy it as an adult. 😁 Same goes for Bristol Zoo.

We have a temporary roller rink instead of an ice rink, this year in Millennium square, which is very near to where you're staying. Definitely second the street art tour.

If the weather is good, then a stroll round the harbouside is great. Or take a trip on one of the ferries.

Thanks all, some great suggestions there. And thanks for parking/driving tip too.

The walking tour sounds great, as does the magic/comedy club and Banksy spotting. Can't wait!

I would not say Finzels reach is particularly inspired but there is a micro brewery there called left handed giant which is good and does good pizza. They are also due to open Bocabar any day now.

Teens may enjoy the burger boat place (three brothers?) which is v close to there.

Everything is v close and it's a lovely place to mooch around. A fair few quirky places up park street and high street shopping at Cabot circus. I see lots of people on the street art tours gawping at the banksy at the bottom of park street (just near the lovely ice cream shop).

Is the King Street Premier Inn location better Fredy?

You're a bit closer to the centre and waterfront King St (Milennium Sq, aquarium, arnolfini closer to walk, also 8/9 bus stops) , I'd probably suggest that. There's also a fire station opposite Finzels Reach.

We did the Street Art tour last summer and it was great.

The Premier Inn at Lewins Mead is very central and good. The downside is that there's no parking so you'd need to use the multistory nearby which is expensive. OTOH it's pretty close to the train station - an uber is only about £6-7 or 2 minutes walk from the bus station.

Thanks Really, that's very helpful. I would have been hiring a car to get there but think it's probably not worth it now and train is better.

If you take a walk around the harbour side you can take a ferry across from opposite the SS Great Britain for a couple of quid to make a nice circuit from millennium square to M Shed.

Headfirst bristol website good for whats on

We ate out at Al Bacio on Queen Street last weekend. Fab little Italian in Clifton. Would definitely recommend the observatory also.

There quite a lot of bars around King Street so could be quite rowdy/party atmosphere, especially if it’s dry weather. If that doesn’t bother you, then it’s more central for walking around.

For teenagers www.thewave.com/. And across the suspension bridge is Ashton Court where you can hire mountain bikes and there are trails also pitch and putt.

Open top bus tour of the Christmas lights?
www.bristolinsight.co.uk/xmas/

Also worth checking out the ferry trips, a lovely way to travel and see the sights
www.bristolferry.com/

Kings street Premier Inn is only about 10 mins walk away from Temple Meads Train Station

I think Finzels Reach is a good place to stay. Few new bars and cafes there and you’re right on the water for pleasant walks to other central places. Wapping Wharf is a great place to go in the evening. Lots of restaurants in shipping containers. There’s always a nice atmosphere.

You might want to check out Stokes Croft which is super grungy for the teens - but perfectly acceptable for the parents too.

There should be a lot on between Christmas and new year ... bristol film festival has some unusual location showings;

www.bristolfilmfestival.com/events?action=tribe_photo&tribe_paged=2&tribe_event_display=photo

Friends that have stayed with me have also really enjoyed this;

www.thebristolfoodtour.com/

Check out bristol247 as they generally keep pretty up to date.