New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Designation: National Historical Park
Location: Massachusetts
📘 Park Overview
"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all these brave houses and flowery gardens came from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. One and all, they were harpooned and dragged up hither from the bottom of the sea." H. Melville, "Moby-Dick"
🌤 Weather Information
In New Bedford, Massachusetts, you’ll experience all four seasons in their full glory! Summers are warm and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 56°F to 83°F, perfect for enjoying the coastal breeze. As the year turns, fall brings crisp, cool weather, with temperatures between 30°F and 70°F, offering the ideal backdrop for stunning autumn foliage. Winters are chilly, with temperatures ranging from 20°F to 45°F, occasionally bringing snow to the scenic city. By spring, the weather begins to warm up again
🚗 Directions
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center is centrally located in downtown New Bedford at 33 William Street. If you're arriving by car, take I-195 and use Exit 25, following signs for Downtown New Bedford. Parking is available in nearby garage or street parking around the visitor center. If you’re traveling by public transportation, the local SRTA buses service the downtown area, with stops close to the visitor center. Once in the area, the Visitor Center is a short walk.
Images
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center on a bright fall day.
Credit: NPS Photo
Semen's Bethel and Mariners' Home
Credit: NPS Photo
The sun setting over the Acushnet River in New Bedford.
Credit: NPS Photo/Jason Taylor
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Tuesday, Sep 22
Overcast
High: 65.3°F | Low: 52.2°F
Humidity: 70%
Wind: 14.1 mph
Rain Chance: 31%
UV Index: 5.2
Sunrise: 06:31 AM
Sunset: 06:41 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (89%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 52.2°F
Cloud Cover: 31%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Sep 23
Overcast
High: 62.8°F | Low: 52.1°F
Humidity: 63%
Wind: 16.3 mph
Rain Chance: 12%
UV Index: 5.1
Sunrise: 06:32 AM
Sunset: 06:39 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (95%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 49.6°F
Cloud Cover: 12%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Sep 24
Sunny
High: 63.1°F | Low: 53.1°F
Humidity: 65%
Wind: 16.1 mph
Rain Chance: 10%
UV Index: 5
Sunrise: 06:33 AM
Sunset: 06:38 PM
Moon: Full Moon (99%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 50.1°F
Cloud Cover: 10%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Small Craft Advisory issued September 22 at 1:58AM EDT until September 23 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA
Effective: Sep 22, 2026 1:58am
Expires: Sep 22, 2026 3:00pm
* WHAT...For the Small Craft Advisory, northeast winds 15 to 25
kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 3 to 5 feet expected. For
the Gale Warning, northeast winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to
40 kt and seas 5 to 8 feet expected.
* WHERE...Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound.
* WHEN...For the Small Craft Advisory, from 8 AM this morning to
5 AM EDT Wednesday. For the Gale Warning, from 5 AM Wednesday
to 8 PM EDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could
capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Gale Warning issued September 22 at 1:58AM EDT until September 24 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA
Effective: Sep 22, 2026 1:58am
Expires: Sep 22, 2026 3:00pm
* WHAT...For the Small Craft Advisory, northeast winds 15 to 25
kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 3 to 5 feet expected. For
the Gale Warning, northeast winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to
40 kt and seas 5 to 8 feet expected.
* WHERE...Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound.
* WHEN...For the Small Craft Advisory, from 8 AM this morning to
5 AM EDT Wednesday. For the Gale Warning, from 5 AM Wednesday
to 8 PM EDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could
capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Park Events
Winter Hours of Operation for the Park’s Visitor Center
The visitor center will be open to the public Wednesday – Saturday from 9 am – 5 pm. This change in hours begins November 30, 2025, and remains in effect until April 12, 2026. The visitor center will be closed on Sundays and Mondays.
In addition, the visitor center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Movie shown every half on the hour!
Location: We are located on 33 William Street, Downtown New Bedford
Date: Nov 30, 2025 12:00am to Apr 12, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Entangled Lives: The Search for Sanctuary
Join Park Rangers at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park for a powerful evening of reflection, dialogue, and discovery. Explore the intersecting legacies of two towering 19th Century figures: Frederick Douglass, the formerly enslaved abolitionist and orator, and Herman Melville, the literary craftsman behind Moby-Dick and Typee. Their writings and moral visions remain deeply entangled in our American Story, but. . .
Did their paths ever cross?
Did they ever meet?
Location: This program will take place at 33 William Street, downtown New Bedford
Date: Jan 2, 2026 12:00am to Jan 2, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Discover the powerful stories of freedom seekers and the communities that helped them thrive!
Discover the powerful stories of freedom seekers and the communities that helped them thrive!
Join us for a special Lunch & Learn event with Park Ranger Rufai Shardow from New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park as we explore courageous journeys along the Underground Railroad and the vital roles played by New Bedford and Fall River.
📅 Friday, February 13th
🕛 12 PM ET
📍 Fall River Heritage State Park
Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr Visitor Center
100 Davol St, Fall River, MA
Learn about historical figures like Frederick Douglass, Nathaniel B. Borden, and Andrew Robeson, and how their legacies continue to inspire.
Hosted by:
🟢 National Park Service
🟣 DCR Massachusetts
⚫ Collective for Bristol Black
Bring your lunch, your curiosity, and your heart. Let’s honor the past and empower the future. 💬 #UndergroundRailroad #LunchAndLearn #FallRiverHistory #BlackHistoryMonth #FreedomStories #NewBedfordLegacy
Location: This collaboration event will take place 100 Davol St, Fall River, MA
Date: Feb 13, 2026 12:00am to Feb 13, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center Open: Summer Schedule
Visitor Center
The park’s Visitor Center is your starting point for exploring the stories, people, and history of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.
Hours:
May 1 through November 30
Wednesday - Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
December 1 through April 30
Wednesday - Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Visitor Center is closed to public visitation on:
- New Year’s Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
*The park may occasionally offer special programs, events, or activities outside regular Visitor Center operating hours. Check the park calendar and Visitor Center drop-down option under the Basic Information page when planning your visit.
Visitor Center Garden
- Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Temporary Closures and Operational Changes
- Severe weather, construction activities, public health concerns, emergencies, or security situations may require temporary changes to park operations, facility hours, or access to portions of the park to protect visitors, staff, and park resources.
- Temporary operational changes are shared through park alerts on the website, social media, phone greetings, and notices posted at key park locations.
- Please note that operating hours for National Park Service facilities may differ from partner organizations, businesses, and other locations within park boundaries.
Location: Located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts, the Visitor Center is situated within the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. The building is accessible from William Street, with stairs at the front entrance and an accessible ramp located on the right side of the building through the Visitor Center garden. Cobblestone streets and sidewalks surround the area.
Date: May 1, 2026 12:00am to Nov 30, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Walking Tour: Exploring Extraordinary Whales
Did you know whales are some of the most extraordinary animals on Earth? From their immense size and remarkable adaptations to their communication and migration patterns, whales continue to inspire curiosity and scientific discovery.
Explore the extraordinary world of whales on a walking tour at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Discover how whales shaped New Bedford’s history, influenced global industries, and connected this port city to people and places around the world.
Location: Walking Tours begin at the Visitor Center. A ranger or volunteer will meet visitors either inside the Visitor Center or Outside in the Visitor Center Garden before the tour begins. The main entrance is located at the top of the front steps on William Street. An accessible ramp entrance is available on the right side of the building through the Visitor Center Garden.
Date: May 20, 2026 12:00am to Oct 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Walking Tour: Whaling in New Bedford
Step into history and discover the story of New Bedford, the world’s whaling capital. Explore how this bustling seaport connected New Bedford to a global maritime economy, where whalemen traveled around the globe and helped shape a city known for industry, commerce, and innovation.
Location: Walking Tours begin at the Visitor Center. A ranger or volunteer will meet visitors either inside the Visitor Center or Outside in the Visitor Center Garden before the tour begins. The main entrance is located at the top of the front steps on William Street. An accessible ramp entrance is available on the right side of the building through the Visitor Center Garden.
Date: May 20, 2026 12:00am to Oct 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ranger Talk: Blubber and Bones: The Products of Whaling
Step into the world of the whaling industry and discover how whale products supported everyday life during the 1800s. Explore how blubber, baleen, and bone became valuable resources used in homes, manufacturing, and industry, connecting New Bedford to a growing global economy.
Location: Ranger Talks begin at the Visitor Center. A ranger or volunteer will meet visitors either inside the Visitor Center or Outside in the Visitor Center Garden before the tour begins. The main entrance is located at the top of the front steps on William Street. An accessible ramp entrance is available on the right side of the building through the Visitor Center Garden.
Date: May 20, 2026 12:00am to Oct 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Walking Tour: Women on Whaleships
Explore the experiences of women on whaleships and discover how they contributed to life aboard nineteenth-century whaling voyages. Through journals, firsthand accounts, and historical records, learn how women managed shipboard responsibilities, assisted with navigation, served in medical roles, and connected with communities building relationships with other whaling families around the world.
Location: Walking Tours begin at the Visitor Center. A ranger or volunteer will meet visitors either inside the Visitor Center or Outside in the Visitor Center Garden before the tour begins. The main entrance is located at the top of the front steps on William Street. An accessible ramp entrance is available on the right side of the building through the Visitor Center Garden.
Date: May 21, 2026 12:00am to Oct 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ranger Talk: In the Footsteps of Douglass and Melville
Explore New Bedford through the experiences of Frederick Douglass and Herman Melville, who both walked the streets of this historic port city in 1841. After escaping slavery, Frederick Douglass settled in New Bedford, where he found employment, community, and opportunities that influenced his future work as an abolitionist, writer, and public speaker. Herman Melville also found inspiration in New Bedford’s maritime culture and whaling industry. His experiences contributed to the setting and themes later reflected in Moby-Dick, where he described New Bedford as a city shaped by maritime commerce and global connections. Their experiences reflect how New Bedford’s industries, waterfront, and community shaped lives while connecting this port city to the wider world.
Follow in their footsteps and learn how New Bedford shaped two influential figures whose writings and experiences continue to connect New Bedford to the world today.
Location: Ranger Talks begin at the Visitor Center. A ranger or volunteer will meet visitors either inside the Visitor Center or Outside in the Visitor Center Garden before the tour begins. The main entrance is located at the top of the front steps on William Street. An accessible ramp entrance is available on the right side of the building through the Visitor Center Garden.
Date: May 21, 2026 12:00am to Oct 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Walking Tour: Underground Railroad in New Bedford
Join us for an Underground Railroad Walking Tour exploring New Bedford’s connection to the Underground Railroad and the individuals who sought new opportunities and freedom in the city.
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of people, communities, and transportation routes that assisted individuals escaping slavery. During the 1800s, New Bedford became an important destination because of its maritime economy, employment opportunities connected to the whaling industry, and support networks that included free Black residents, formerly enslaved people, abolitionists, maritime connections, and established community networks.
On this tour, discover stories of people who built new lives in New Bedford, contributed to the city’s industries and neighborhoods, and shaped the history of the region. Learn how New Bedford’s role as an international port city connected people, commerce, and ideas during a period of major change in American history.
Walk through historic streets. Explore significant places. Discover stories that remain part of New Bedford’s history today.
Date: May 21, 2026 12:00am to Oct 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
33 William Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
🏤 Mailing Address:
33 William Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
📞 Voice Phone: 508-996-4095
✉️ Email: nebe_info@nps.gov