National 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"
Current Alerts
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Source: National Park Service.
Upcoming Events
- Visitor Center Open: Summer ScheduleSun Aug 23 2026Located 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.
- Family ProgrammingSun Aug 23 2026Located 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 HarborSun Aug 23 2026Walking 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 BedfordSun Aug 23 2026Walking 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 BedfordWed Aug 26 2026Walking 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: Exploring Extraordinary WhalesWed Aug 26 2026Walking 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 WhalingWed Aug 26 2026Ranger 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.
- Ranger Talk: In the Footsteps of Douglass and MelvilleThu Aug 27 2026Ranger 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 BedfordThu Aug 27 2026
- Walking Tour: Women on WhaleshipsThu Aug 27 2026Walking 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 MelvilleFri Aug 28 2026Walking 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: A New Life In New BedfordFri Aug 28 2026Ranger 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 WhalingFri Aug 28 2026Walking 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 GardenSat Aug 29 2026Located 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.
- 1850 Ladies: Childish WaysSat Aug 29 2026This Living History event takes place in the Visitor Center Garden at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford.
- FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: WALL * ESat Aug 29 2026This movie will be at the park's garden on William Street
- Walking Tour: Underground Railroad in New BedfordSat Aug 29 2026Walking 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 BedfordSat Aug 29 2026This tour is on 33 William Street, New Bedford, MA
- Ranger Talk: Whaling in New BedfordWed Sep 02 2026Ranger 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: Appley Ever AfterSat Sep 05 2026This Living History event takes place in the Visitor Center Garden at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford.