FEBRUARY SCHOOL VACATION WEEK
Nautical Myths, Legends & Sea Creatures
Saturday, February 15 – Saturday, February 22, 2025
Set sail on an unforgettable adventure at the New Bedford Whaling Museum! Nautical Myths, Legends & Sea Creatures brings the magic of the sea to life with a week of interactive activities, storytelling, and hands-on fun for all ages. 🧜♀️ Come in Costume! Dress as a daring pirate, enchanting mermaid, or mysterious sea creature to fully immerse yourself in the adventure. Participation prizes will be awarded at the admissions desk! 📸 Photo Booth Available on select days to capture and share your unforgettable experience.
All activities are included as part of general admission to the New Bedford Whaling Museum, except for the 3D film screenings. Film tickets can be added to your admission purchase.
📅 VACATION WEEK HOURS
Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
DAILY ACTIVITIES
🎥 3D Theater Experience – scheduled on the half-hour starting at 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Immerse yourself in an underwater world with Turtle Odyssey, narrated by Russell Crowe. Follow the journey of Bunji, an Australian green sea turtle, as she navigates the vast ocean and encounters incredible marine life.
Museum Highlights Tour – 11:00 AM
Join a docent-led tour to explore must-see exhibits and hear captivating stories of the people, places, and creatures that shaped our coastal history. Meet near main entrance (Lobby). Tours are 45–60 minutes.
🗺️ Pirate’s Treasure Hunt – Ongoing all week! Get your treasure map at the admissions desk.
Come in Costume! Participation prizes will be awarded at the admissions desk.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Saturday, February 15
Daily activities, plus 📸 Photo Booth Available!
⏳ 2:30 PM – Sea Shanty Sing-Along at the Lagoda with ThreeB3lly Mary!
Hoist the anchor and raise your voices! Gather around the Lagoda for a high-energy sea shanty sing-along to celebrate the start of school vacation week with a splash. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-time chantey singer, join in the fun as we belt out lively maritime tunes that once echoed across the seven seas. Museum handouts provided—so no need to know the lyrics, just bring your best seafaring spirit! Costumes encouraged!
Sunday, February 16
Daily activities, plus special programs and 📸 Picture Perfect Photo Booth available!
⏳ 11:30 AM – Storytime & Photo Opportunity with a mermaid and a pirate from Ever After Storybook Entertainment! (90 minutes) in the Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level).
⏳ 2:00 PM – Storytime & Photo Opportunity with a mermaid and a pirate from Ever After Storybook Entertainment! (90 minutes) in the Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level).
Monday, February 17
Daily activities, plus special programs and 📸 Picture Perfect Photo Booth available!
⏳ 10:00 AM – Storytime & Photo Opportunity with a mermaid and a pirate from Ever After Storybook Entertainment! (90 minutes) in the Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level).
⏳ 2:00 PM – Storytime & Photo Opportunity with a mermaid and a pirate from Ever After Storybook Entertainment! (90 minutes) in the Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level).
Tuesday, February 18
Daily activities, plus special programs and 📸 Picture Perfect Photo Booth available!
⏳ 10:00 AM – Storytime & Photo Opportunity with a mermaid and a pirate from Ever After Storybook Entertainment! (90 minutes) in the Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level).
⏳ 10:00 AM – Whales: Not Just Mysterious Beasts of the Ocean
Join Associate Curator of Science & Research Robert (Bob) Rocha for an engaging educational presentation and exhibit tour through our Whales Today and Up From the Depths exhibits. Learn about whales while viewing the unusual and imaginative ways they were drawn and painted over the past 500 years. Appropriate for all ages! Meet at Whales Today (Lower Level)
⏳ 1:00 PM – Mermaids and Monsters: Myth or Reality?
Assistant Curator of History & Culture Marina Wells presents an engaging talk on the cultural depictions of mermaids, sea monsters, and pirates in the museum’s collection. Marina Dawn Wells holds a PhD in American Studies from Boston University. They are Assistant Curator of History & Culture and serve as the NBWM’s managing editor of Vistas: A Journal of Art, History, Science, and Culture. Appropriate for all ages! Meet at Whales Today (Lower Level)
⏳ 2:00 PM – Storytime & Photo Opportunity with a mermaid and a pirate from Ever After Storybook Entertainment! (90 minutes) in the Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level).
FREE ADMISSION DAY ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:
Wednesday, February 19 **FREE ADMISSION DAY!**
Daily activities, plus special programs!
⏳ 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM – What’s In Your Ocean?
Craft an ocean scene inspired by images from the Museum’s collections. Use your imagination to create a sea full of creatures real or imaginary, with ships full of whalers or pirates. For crafters of all ages. Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)
⏳ 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Step Inside the Whale!
Ever wondered what it’s like inside a giant humpback whale? Now’s your chance! Meet Salt, a massive 43-foot inflatable humpback whale. Step inside and explore her glowing, life-sized insides—featuring 3D organs, a towering spine, and enormous rib bones all around you. This immersive experience brings you face-to-face with the incredible anatomy of one of the ocean’s most majestic creatures! Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)
⏳ 2:30 to 3:30 PM – Picture Book Story Time & Craft-making
Calling all kiddos! Join us for an hour of story time and craft activities, led by staff from the New Bedford Free Public Library. Classroom 1 / Science Classroom (Main Level).
Thursday, February 20
Daily activities, plus ongoing 🗺️ Pirate’s Treasure Hunt and costume prizes continue!
⏳ 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM – What’s In Your Ocean?
Craft an ocean scene inspired by images from the Museum’s collections. Use your imagination to create a sea full of creatures real or imaginary, with ships full of whalers or pirates. For crafters of all ages. Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)
⏳ 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM – Picture Book Story Time & Lagoda Below Deck
Gather near the Lagoda Whaling Ship for story time. Climb aboard the Lagoda, the half-scale model of a whaling ship, and explore the captain’s quarters below deck. Bourne Building / Lagoda (Main Level)
Friday, February 21
Daily activities, plus ongoing 🗺️ Pirate’s Treasure Hunt and costume prizes continue!
⏳ 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM – What’s In Your Ocean?
Craft an ocean scene inspired by images from the Museum’s collections. Use your imagination to create a sea full of creatures real or imaginary, with ships full of whalers or pirates. For crafters of all ages. Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)
⏳ 10:00 AM – Whales: Not Just Mysterious Beasts of the Ocean
Join Associate Curator of Science & Research Robert (Bob) Rocha for an engaging educational presentation and exhibit tour through our Whales Today and Up From the Depths exhibits. Learn about whales while viewing the unusual and imaginative ways they were drawn and painted over the past 500 years. Appropriate for all ages! Meet at Whales Today (Lower Level)
⏳ 2:00 PM – Mermaids and Monsters: Myth or Reality?
Assistant Curator of History & Culture Marina Wells presents an engaging talk on the cultural depictions of mermaids, sea monsters, and pirates in the museum’s collection. Marina Dawn Wells holds a PhD in American Studies from Boston University. They are Assistant Curator of History & Culture and serve as the NBWM’s managing editor of Vistas: A Journal of Art, History, Science, and Culture. Meet at Whales Today (Lower Level)
Saturday, February 22
Daily activities, plus ongoing 🗺️ Pirate’s Treasure Hunt and costume prizes continue!
⏳ 2:30 PM – Sea Shanty Sing-Along at the Lagoda with ThreeB3lly Mary!
Hoist the anchor and raise your voices! Gather around the Lagoda for a high-energy sea shanty sing-along to close out school vacation week with a splash. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-time chantey singer, join in the fun as we belt out lively maritime tunes that once echoed across the seven seas. Museum handouts provided—so no need to know the lyrics, just bring your best seafaring spirit! Costumes encouraged! Bourne Building / Lagoda (Main Level)
THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAMMING PARTNERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT
