Rate New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Historical Park
Operating Hours & Seasons
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center
Holidays: Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
Standard Hours
- Sunday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Monday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Tuesday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Wednesday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Thursday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Friday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Saturday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $0.00 – Fee Free
New Bedford Whaling National Historical is a fee free park. Fees are however collected at other privately owned and operated sites by self-supporting associations working cooperatively with the park, including partners. These sites rely on admission fees as they do not receive federal funding for operations and therefore do not accept the National Parks Pass for admission.
About
The City That Lit The World
"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"
Directions
From I-195 East or West take Exit 15 (Route 18 / Downtown). Take exit 15 to merge onto MA-18 S toward Downtown/New Bedford Continue straight onto MA-18 Turn right at the first set of lights, Elm St. Turn left onto Acushnet Ave Turn left onto William St Destination will be on the left
Visitor Centers
National Park Visitor Center
The National Park Visitor Center is located in the heart of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Stop by for a brief orientation and pick up all of the materials you will need before setting out to explore the park, its partners and all the City of New Bedford has to offer. New Bedford Waterfront Visitor Center
On New Bedford’s waterfront you can walk about an active commercial fishing port. The exhibits in the City of New Bedford’s Waterfront Visitor Center (Wharfinger Building) engage you in present-day commercial fishing, while outdoor displays at the water’s edge offer glimpses into New Bedford’s maritime past.
Weather
Summer temperatures range from 56-83F. Fall temperatures range from 30-70F. Winter temperatures range from 20-45F. Spring temperatures range from 30-70F.
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Nearby Businesses
