Parks / New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
National Historical Park · MA
"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"
Official NPS page →Entrance Fees
This park is fee-free.
Upcoming Events
Ranger Talk: Whaling in New Bedford
Sep 2, 2026 · 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.
Visitor Center Open: Summer Schedule
Sep 2, 2026 · 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.
Walking Tour: Exploring Extraordinary Whales
Sep 2, 2026 · 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.
Walking Tour: Whaling in New Bedford
Sep 2, 2026 · 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.
Walking Tour: Women on Whaleships
Sep 3, 2026 · 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.
Ranger Talk: In the Footsteps of Douglass and Melville
Sep 3, 2026 · 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.
Walking Tour: Underground Railroad in New Bedford
Sep 3, 2026
Ranger Talk: A New Life In New Bedford
Sep 4, 2026 · 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.
Walking Tour: Blubber and Bones: The Products of Whaling
Sep 4, 2026 · 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.
Walking Tour: In the Footsteps of Douglass and Melville
Sep 4, 2026 · 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.
Living History: 1850's Ladies in the Garden
Sep 5, 2026 · 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.
Walking Tour: Underground Railroad in New Bedford
Sep 5, 2026 · 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.
Whaling Walking Tour: A New Life In New Bedford
Sep 5, 2026 · This tour is on 33 William Street, New Bedford, MA
1850 Ladies: Appley Ever After
Sep 5, 2026 · This Living History event takes place in the Visitor Center Garden at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford.
Walking Tour: Whaling in New Bedford
Sep 6, 2026 · 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.
Family Programming
Sep 6, 2026 · 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.
Walking Tour: The History of New Bedford Harbor
Sep 6, 2026 · 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.
Ranger Talk: Blubber and Bones: The Products of Whaling
Sep 9, 2026 · 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.
1850 Ladies: Putting Things Up
Sep 12, 2026 · This Living History event takes place in the Visitor Center Garden at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford.
1850 Ladies: Autumn Chores
Sep 26, 2026 · This Living History event takes place in the Visitor Center Garden at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford.
Things to Do
Become a New Bedford Junior Ranger
Welcome to New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s Junior Ranger program! The park is excited to have you become a steward and help continue to preserve and protect your national parks. At this park, you have two options for how to become an official Junior Ranger as well as earn other types of badges.
Nathan & Polly Johnson Virtual Tour
Nathan and Polly Johnson House Virtual Tour You will learn about the important history of this house and the role it played in many African Americans’ lives in New Bedford and far beyond.
Visitor Centers
- Visitor Center & Park Garden
Source: National Park Service.