New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

View of the National Park Visitor Center
"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"
Map showing location of park.
Snow falls on the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center, framed by snowy evergreen branches.
Winter Hours 2024-2025
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park has announced winter hours of operation for the park’s visitor center. The visitor center, located at 33 William Street will be open to the public Wednesday - Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This change in hours begins December 1, 2024 and remains in effect until March 31, 2025. The Visitor Center will be closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. In addition, the Visitor Center will be closed on the following holidays Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center on a bright fall day.
Photo by NPS Photo
Semen's Bethel and the Mariners' Home on a sunny day
Photo by NPS Photo
The sun setting over the Acushnet River in New Bedford.
Photo by NPS Photo/Jason Taylor