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New Bedford Whaling Museum:

Address:
   18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA, 02740

Hours (June - December):
   Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
   Until 9 p.m. every second Thursday of the month

Winter Hours (January - May):
   Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
   Sunday noon - 4 p.m.
   Until 9 p.m. every second Thursday of the month

Admission:
   Museum members and children under 6 free
   Group rates by appointment
   Adults $10
   Senior citizens and students $9
   Children ages 6–14 $6

New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library:

Address:
   791 Purchase Street, New Bedford, New Bedford, MA, 02740

Hours:
   Tuesday - Friday noon - 4
   First Saturday 10 - 4

Admission:
   Members always free, non-members $10
   Free for all on the first Saturday of every month

Accessibility: the Whaling Museum and the Research Library are fully handicap accessible.

Download our:
Visitor Guide
Library Brochure
Museum Floor Plan

Directions to the Museum

New Bedford is located one hour south of Boston and 35 minutes east of Providence. From the west: Take the Mass. Turnpike to Exit 11A for Rte. 495 South to Exit 7B - Rte. 24 South to New Bedford to Exit 12 - Rte. 140 South to Exit 2E - Rte. 195 East - Cape Cod to Exit 15 - Rte. 18 New Bedford Historic District to Downtown exit. Turn right on Elm Street and take second left - Bethel St., which becomes Johnny Cake Hill. Museum is on second block. From north/central: Take either Rte. 495 South or Rte. 128 South (whichever is closest to Rte. 24) and follow directions listed above. From the south: Take Rte. 95 North to Rte. 195 East, then follow directions above. From Cape Cod: take Rte. 495 North to Rte. 25 to Rte. 195 to Exit 15 - Rte. 18, then follow directions above. Directions to the Research Library:

The Research Library, at 791 Purchase is located 3 blocks West up William Street, and take a left on Purchase Street.

Google Map to NBWM

View directions and map as a printable PDF.

Parking Alternatives

Metered Street Parking is available throughout the central business district (downtown), curbside parking is available for hourly-metered parking for a nominal fee (follow instructions on the meter).

The Elm Street Garage is located one block north of the National Park Visitor Center (at North Second and William Streets) and two blocks from the Whaling Museum. Vehicle height limit: 6'3". Directions to Elm Street Parking Garage: From I-195, take Exit 15 (Route 18 South - Downtown). Take RIGHT at the first traffic light onto Elm Street. Garage is approx. 500 feet on your RIGHT.

The Custom House Square Parking Lot is located at the corner of William Street and Acushnet Avenue. Directions to Custom House Square Parking Lot: From I-195, take Exit 15 (Route 18 South - Downtown). Take RIGHT at the first traffic light. Proceed up Elm Street and turn LEFT at fourth block (Acushnet Avenue). After proceeding straight through the next intersection (William Street), turn LEFT onto Barker's Lane; Custom House Square parking lot entrance is on your LEFT. Pay-and-display machine is on your RIGHT (not in the green guard shed). National Park Visitor Center is located diagonally across the street from the Custom House.

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