Single-family homes, townhouses and local restaurants all coexistalongside the Delaware River in Bristol, a city of almost 10,000 residents 20 miles north of Philadelphia. Bristol traces its roots back almost 350 years, and in the past operated as a hub of manufacturing thanks to the presence of shipyards, textile mills and more on the river. “It’s a very historic type of area, meaning things like a home façade can’t be changed,” says Jake Toyberman, an associate broker and Realtor with Homestarr Realty. “There have been numerous amounts of new construction and condo developments. You see some condos and rehabbed homes coming on.”
Today, Bristol has evolved into a bustlng city, complete with a vibrant downtown. Riverside parks host concerts and annual festivals while several main thoroughfares are lined with local restaurants and, throughout much of the city, older homes intermingle with contemporary establishments to give Bristol character and life. “The nice feature is you are close to the water,” Toyberman says. “It’s an up-and-coming area.”
With its proximity to the water its no wonder why residents love living in Bristol.
Enjoy the bounce houses at the Bristol Township Touch A Truck event in Bristol.
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Residential homes close to the river
Much of Bristol is residential, its houses intermingling with local restaurants minutes away from the riverfront. Its gridded streets are lined with a mixture of mid-century single-family homes and townhouses with a median price of about $350,000, a price point that is below the national median. “They’re all older homes, for the most part,” Toyberman says. “If someone’s really wanting to start out in an affordable area, this could be an ideal opportunity.” Single-family homes are mostly Cape Cods and ranch-style homes, with some split-levels, Victorians and colonial-styles mixed in, and most range from about $300,000 to $400,000. Townhouses typically cost between $250,000 and $350,000.
Residents can expect cold winters in the Bristol area, and the snowy season can last from November to March.
Enjoy the condominiums with a river view in Bristol.
Gaze upon the Row homes with covered porches in the Bristol.
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Local restaurants on several main streets
Close to the river, Mill Street and Market Street parallel each other southward to Radcliffe Street, which runs close to the riverside. Residents can find many local restaurants there as part of Bristol’s active waterfront area, ranging from international flavors and taprooms to casual cafes and breakfast spots. “The downtown has some vibrancy to it,” Toyberman says. “It’s definitely been picking up over the last few years. You have some older establishments, like dive bars, but you also have some newer establishments as well. It’s essentially an up-and-coming area.” On the east side of the city, Farragut Avenue is also lined with local stops, including several pubs. Grocery shoppers can head to several area markets, or to multiple nearby chain stores including Aldi and Giant.
Dog and Bull Brew and Music House has delicious craft beers in Bristol.
Order some lunch at one of the vendors in the Bristol Amish Market in Bristol.
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Exploring Burlington Island in the Delaware River
Bristol Township Municipal Park is close by and offers sports facilities, a splash pad, trails and a stage, which is fronted by an open field for concerts. Multiple small state parks and recreational facilities sit nearby, including the Grundy Ice Arena. Several trails run through the area, like the Bristol Spurline Trail that extends from Delaware Canal State Park, and the Silver Lake Nature Center encompasses over 450 acres of land north of Bristol. Burlington Island sits in the Delaware River just off the banks of Bristol. The island spans around 300 acres, and with almost a third of its acreage taken up by a small lake, is popular for recreation on the water or dry land. The river itself is a common site for recreation, as well.
Sit by the water and enjoy the view at Bristol Lions Park.
Walk along the paved walking path at the Bristol Waterfront.
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Annual festivities on the waterfront
Bristol Waterfront Park, known locally as the Wharf, is a hub for the city and its community. The Bristol Lions Club Summer Concert Series hosts a variety of bands at the Lions Park Gazebo on the Wharf’s grounds on many Sundays during the summer, and visitors can also fish, view monuments, eat outside and more at the park. Annual festivals, including Juneteenth and Celtic Heritage Day celebrations, take place at the waterfront park, as well. The borough also hosts a Sunday Stroll on many weekends, where locals can wander Mill Street and interact with vendors, listen to live music and more.
A nice turnout for the Bristol Township Touch A Truck event in Bristol.
Friendly vendors with creative crafts at the Bristol Borough Sunday Stroll in Bristol.
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A three-school pipeline for Bristol students
The Bristol Borough School District provides educational services to students in the area, scoring a B-minus with Niche. The district encompasses one elementary school, which earns a B-minus, one C-plus-rated middle school and one high school, which receives a B-minus. The private Our Lady of Grace Catholic School sits less than 10 miles north and scores an A with Niche. The Gene and Marlene Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks campus of Bucks County Community College sits just north of Bristol.
Keystone Elementary School is in Bristol offers a diverse academic cirriculum.
Welcome to Pennwood Middle School serving the Bristol community.
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Commuting to larger cities north and south of Bristol
Bristol Pike runs through parts of the city on the north side. Drivers can find on-ramps to Interstate 95 less than 3 miles away from central Bristol, while access points to Interstates 295 or 276 are both less than 5 miles west. Trenton is about 11 miles north and Philadelphia is just over 20 miles south, meaning both cities are within driving distance for commuters. “There’s easy living and amenities,” Toyberman says. “It has easy access to the highways up to New York, down to Washington, D.C. and to New Jersey. It’s very commuter-friendly.”
Bristol is also linked to Trenton and Philadelphia by a SEPTA station, providing rail transit to both cities. SEPTA also operates buses along multiple thoroughfares. “It’s centrally located, so you can just hop over to any point when needed,” Toyberman says. “It’s really a great location.”
Decreasing crime rates in Bristol
According to the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System, the Bristol Borough Police Department recorded slight decreases in both property and violent crime from 2023 to 2024.
Written By
Adam Cheek
Photography Contributed By
Mitchell Birnbaum
Video By
Daniel Willingham
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tabitha Heit,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Bristol, PA sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Bristol, PA over the last 12 months is $360,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 5617 Beaver Dam Road, a beautifully updated and affordable 3-bedroom home located in the heart of Bristol Township. This rare gem was nearly rebuilt just eight years ago and has been newly refreshed in 2025, offering a perfect blend of modern comfort and timeless charm. Inside, you’ll find recessed lighting, hardwood flooring, and central air conditioning that enhance the home’s warm
Charming Colonial on Prestigious Radcliffe Street – Just Steps from the Delaware River! Welcome home to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath Colonial perfectly situated across the street from the Delaware River with scenic glimpses throughout. Enjoy the perfect blend of historic charm and modern convenience—just minutes from Historic Bristol Borough’s waterfront dining, shops, and
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Be the first to see this nicely updated and well maintained 2 story home in West Bristol. This home has 3 Big Bedrooms and 2 full remodeled baths with the Primary Bedroom located on the first floor. Living and dining rooms are open and airy with beautiful wood floors. Kitchen has freshly painted cabinets, new tiled backsplash, updated counter tops, all appliances, a mounted TV, new
Welcome to 5617 Beaver Dam Road, a beautifully updated and affordable 3-bedroom home located in the heart of Bristol Township. This rare gem was nearly rebuilt just eight years ago and has been newly refreshed in 2025, offering a perfect blend of modern comfort and timeless charm. Inside, you’ll find recessed lighting, hardwood flooring, and central air conditioning that enhance the home’s warm
Charming Colonial on Prestigious Radcliffe Street – Just Steps from the Delaware River! Welcome home to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath Colonial perfectly situated across the street from the Delaware River with scenic glimpses throughout. Enjoy the perfect blend of historic charm and modern convenience—just minutes from Historic Bristol Borough’s waterfront dining, shops, and
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