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Discover the underwater world of whales, the dramatic story of whaling and its impact, and the maritime history of Southcoast Massachusetts at the New Bedford Whaling Museum – located in the heart of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Marvel at five massive whale skeletons, the world’s largest ship model (Lagoda), and America’s longest painting. Explore whale science and conservation, learn how Yankee whalers sailed the seven seas, enjoy works by internationally-known maritime artists, and have fun in the 3000 sq. ft kids’ Casa dos Botes Discovery Center. Beginning in April 2017, admission includes maritime exhibits in the historic Mariners’ Home (1790). A film titled A Brief History of Whaling is currently on view in the Cuffe Kitchen Exhibition room on the main level. Allow two to three hours for a good visit.

Hours  |  Directions  |  Admission  |  Groups   |  Audio Tours  |  Host Your Event  | Birthday Parties  |  What People Are Saying  |  Family Take-Along Guide  pdf  |  Museum Visitor Guide pdf  | How to get to Reading Room  pdf |  How to get to Discovery Center pdf  |  Family Fun Video on YouTube (2:21)  |  Downloadable Museum Calendar pdf

Museum Tours

Free with Museum admission. Regular rates apply.

Highlights Tour
Daily during summer  – 11 am Group tours led by docents throughout the Museum focus on some of the most historically significant artifacts and visitor favorites. Tours leave from the front desk.

Museum Hours

April through December
Daily 9 am – 5 pm
Select Galleries open until 8 pm every second Thursday of the month*

January through March
Tuesday – Saturday 9 am – 4 pm
Sunday 11 am – 4 pm
Select Galleries open until 8 pm every second Thursday of the month*

Open holiday Mondays, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day

*AHA! night

The Museum changes its hours seasonally. We do not have control over the accuracy of other publications and websites that choose to display our hours.

Research Library’s Grimshaw-Gudewicz Reading Room Hours

Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm 
First Saturday of each month 10 am – 4 pm

Researchers are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with Librarian Mark Procknik: (508) 997-0046 ext. 134, or mprocknik@whalingmuseum.org. For more information about the Research Library click here. Admission Members always free, non-members $17.

Admission

Children aged 3 and under are FREE

Tickets include admission to the Mariners’ Home. Extend your admission to include the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum for an additional $5.

*FREE on AHA! nights. Select Galleries open until 8 pm every second Thursday of the month. See calendar for more details

Directions

New Bedford Whaling Museum 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740

New Bedford is located one hour south of Boston and 35 minutes east of Providence.
Online Driving Directions (Google maps)

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 2A – 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.

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). Learn more about the MobileNOW! App – used for downtown metered spaces. Free two-hour parking is available along Johnny Cake Hill.

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 approximately 500 feet on your RIGHT.

Accessibility: the Whaling Museum is fully handicap accessible.

Visitor Survey

Southeastern Massachusetts Convention & Visitors Bureau 

NEW! Harborview Webcam and Today’s Weather

Travel to New Bedford by Bus, Boat and Airplane

Bonanza Bus Lines Daily service from New Bedford to Hyannis and Cape Cod, also to Providence and Newport, Rhode Island, New York and beyond. 508-990-3366

Dattco Bus Lines New Bedford to Taunton to Boston 800-453-5040

Southeastern Regional Transit Authority  For local bus information 508-999-5211

Seastreak Martha’s Vineyard New England Fast Ferry www.seastreak.com 866-683-3779 A one hour passenger service to the island of Martha’s Vineyard aboard a state-of-the-art high speed catamaran offers daily round trips, year-round. The ferry departs from New Bedford State Pier. Ferry parking is located nearby with a continuous Shuttle Bus to and from the terminal, and through the National Park district adjacent to the waterfront.

Cuttyhunk Ferry Company, Inc. – M/V Cuttyhunk  508-992-0200 www.cuttyhunkferryco.com Passenger ferry service to Cuttyhunk Island.

For recreational boaters:  Are you planning to drop anchor in New Bedford and need an overnight berth? Contact the City of New Bedford’s Pope’s Island Marina 102 Pope’s Island New Bedford, MA 02740 508-979-1456 www.portofnewbedford.org

New Bedford Regional Airport 1569 Airport Road New Bedford, MA 02745 508-991-6160 www.newbedford-ma.gov/airport/nbair.html

Cape Air 1475 Airport Road New Bedford, MA 02746-1368 800-352-0714 www.capeair.com Enjoy fast, frequent flights to and from New Bedford Airport and points within New England including Boston, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.