New Bedford Attractions
Located an hour south of Boston, New Bedford was the heart of the world's whaling industry in the 19th century. Workers in the numerous factories turned whale oil into candles and Whale bone into corset frames and umbrellas. It's said that in 1850, 80 per cent of the nation's whale ships sailed from New Bedford. The industry began to fail when oil was found in Pennsylvania and natural disasters wiped out a lot of the New Bedford fleet.
Today, the town still maintains its maritime ties through fishing but manufacturing and tourism are more integral to the local economy.
Today, the town still maintains its maritime ties through fishing but manufacturing and tourism are more integral to the local economy.
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Buttonwood Park Zoo
The Buttonwood Park Zoo was established in 1894 and is home to domestic and exotic animals from around the world. The Zoo has a rare and minor domestic animal breeding program, and is involved in conservation and research projects involving endangered and threatened species.
All values are in United States Dollars
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
| Adult | $ 6.00 |
| Students | $ 4.50 |
| Senior | $ 4.50 |
| Child 12 & under | $ 3.00 |
| Child 2 & under | FREE |
Parking
Free
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Fairhaven, Massachusetts
(Near New Bedford)
Fairhaven grew and prospered from the whaling ships that frequented its docks. The town dates back to the days of the Pilgrims and was the location of the first naval battle of the American Revolution in May of 1775.
New Bedford Fire Museum
The New Bedford Fire Museum is housed in Old Fire Station No. 4, the oldest active station in Massachusetts, built in 1867. Displays include a collection of antique and restored fire equipment, including fire trucks, fire alarm technology, uniforms and antique records.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is a whaling port that celebrates a historic time in New Bedford through historic collections, archives and recounts of this fascinating time. The National Park features a whaling museum, merchant's home, and schooner's decks. A self-guided walking tour and video presentation are available.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
33 William Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
United States
33 William Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
United States
Phone 1 (508) 996-4095
Fax 1 (508) 994-8922
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
New England Steamship Foundation, SS NOBSKA (Closed)
The New England Steamship Foundation were in the process of restoring SS NOBSKA, a coastal steamship. The ship was in operation from 1925 to 1973 and was formerly called the "Nantucket", servicing New England ports and islands.
The Friends of the Nobska were unable to raise the funds to finish the necessary work, and the Nobska was scrapped.
The Friends of the Nobska were unable to raise the funds to finish the necessary work, and the Nobska was scrapped.
Rotch-Jones-Duff House
The Rotch-Jones-Duff House is a Greek Revival style house, built in 1834. The house occupies a full city block with decorative arts displays, antique furniture, and is surrounded by gardens. The house was built for William Rotch Jr., a whaling merchant, whose personal belongings are also on display in the home. The gardens consist of a formal boxwood rose garden, a boxwood specimen garden, cutting garden and award winning Woodland Walk.
All values are in United States Dollars
Rotch-Jones-Duff House
396 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740-4934
United States
396 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740-4934
United States
Phone 1 (508) 997-1401
Fax 1 (508) 997-6846
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
| Adult | $ 5.00 |
| Students | $ 4.00 |
| Senior over 62 | $ 4.00 |
| Child 12 & under | $ 2.00 |
Seamen's Bethel
The Seamen's Bethel, built between 1831 and 1832, became famous as the Whaleman's Chapel in Herman Melville's novel "Moby Dick". The Bethel features a house of prayer and a memorial to New Bedford whalemen and fishermen, who have lost their lives at sea. The main chapel of the Seamen's Bethel has 31 black-framed cenotaphs which bear the names of the deceased.
South Dartmouth - Children's Museum (closed), Massachusetts
(Near New Bedford)
ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.
The museum offers hands-on educational exhibits in a variety of fields. Also located on the 60 acre grounds are hiking trails and picnic areas.
The museum offers hands-on educational exhibits in a variety of fields. Also located on the 60 acre grounds are hiking trails and picnic areas.
Waterfront Historic Area
The Waterfront Historic District contains a variety of historical buildings dating from 1765 to 1831. The Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE) has taken on the task of restoring and preserving many of the area buildings.
Waterfront Historic Area League / WHALE
128 Union Street, Box 10
New Bedford, MA 02740
United States
128 Union Street, Box 10
New Bedford, MA 02740
United States
Phone 1 (508) 997-1776
Fax 1 (508) 984-5523
Whaling Museum
The Whaling Museum offers permanent and changing displays on the history of whaling in America and documents New Bedford's role in the international whaling industry. There is a large scrimshaw collection, including a whalebone sleigh, a whaleboat, whale skeletons, displays on "Moby Dick" and a whaling film.
All values are in United States Dollars
Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford, MA 02740-6317
United States
18 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford, MA 02740-6317
United States
Phone 1 (508) 997-0046
Fax 1 (508) 997-0018
Hours
January 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
June 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| Adult | $ 10.00 |
| Students | $ 9.00 |
| Senior | $ 9.00 |
| Child 14 & under | $ 6.00 |
| Child 5 & under | FREE |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
