As I started this thread and no-one has mentioned Bristol's famous folk or land-marks, here goes.
John Cabot:- Sailed to North America (Newfoundland) 1497 - a replica of his ship The Matthew is in Bristol Docks
Isambard Kingdom Brunel:- Designed/Built the Great Western Railway, Clifton Suspension Bridge, Great Britain (first ocean going screw-propeller steam ship, in Bristol Docks today) plus loadsa non-Bristol related stuff
Avon Gorge, 250ft high cliffs alongside the A4 Portway and River Avon between Bristol and Avonmouth
St Mary Redcliffe church (not a cathedral, but with a spire of 292ft) described by Queen Elizabeth the 1st as "the fairest, goodliest most famous parish church ...."