Top 15 Must-Do Activities in New Bedford, MA

For several decades preceding the Civil War, this town on the South Coast stood as the world’s premier whaling port.

Whaling significantly influenced every facet of life in New Bedford, resulting in the preservation of over a dozen city blocks as a national park dedicated to safeguarding this rich history.

Among those who passed through New Bedford during its whaling prominence was Herman Melville (1819-1891). In his work Moby-Dick (1851), he illustrated the wealth generated by the industry: “…nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses; parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford.”

Modern New Bedford, characterized by a substantial Portuguese-American population, hosts the largest commercial fishing fleet in the United States, along with the largest seafood auction on the East Coast.

1. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, designated in 1996, encompasses thirteen city blocks, numerous historical landmarks, a variety of museums, and the charming Historic District of New Bedford.

Wander along cobblestone streets to experience an industry that has largely faded from contemporary life, with informative ranger-led tours operating on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

In addition to appreciating the historic townscape, visitors may tour a whaler’s mansion, observe the preserved schooner Ernestina-Morrissey at the docks, and visit the chapel where seafarers like Melville prayed prior to embarking on their lengthy voyages.

This site offers multifaceted insights into New Bedford’s history, highlighting influential figures such as the renowned abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass (c. 1817-1895), along with numerous esteemed artists associated with the area.

2. New Bedford Whaling Museum

This world-class museum, spanning multiple edifices on an entire city block, provides insights into all facets of the whaling industry in New Bedford and globally.

Established in 1903, the New Bedford Whaling Museum has curated extensive collections, including thousands of logbooks from whaling voyages, numerous pieces of scrimshaw, and at least five fully preserved whale skeletons.

Dedicate ample time to traverse its 20 exhibit galleries, rich with the history, culture, and science of whaling.

A notable exhibit in the Bourne Building features a half-scale model of the Lagoda, a merchant vessel constructed in 1826 and adapted for whaling in 1841.

The museum also boasts an impressive art collection, including works by New Bedford painters such as Albert Bierstadt, William Bradford, and Albert Pinkham Ryder.

3. Seamen’s Bethel

Whalers would frequent this chapel located atop Johnny Cake Hill prior to embarking on their extensive expeditions.

As Melville noted, “In this same New Bedford there stands a Whaleman’s Chapel, and few are the moody fishermen, shortly bound for the Indian Ocean or Pacific, who fail to make a Sunday visit to the spot.”

The often turbulent lifestyle of whalers raised significant concerns, leading to the chapel’s establishment in 1832 by the New Bedford Port Society for the Moral Improvement of Seamen.

On the walls, you may see the names of New Bedford whalers, and later all fishermen, who lost their lives at sea. Melville himself attended services here during the winter of 1840-41, and his pew in the southeast corner is commemorated with a plaque.

4. Fort Taber Park

Located at the southern tip of the peninsula, this beautifully landscaped 50-acre park overlooks Buzzards Bay.

The park features more than a mile of oceanfront, steeped in military history. Fort Taber Park derives its name from a temporary earthwork fort constructed while the stone Fort Rodman was being built.

Primarily intact, Fort Rodman was completed in 1863 and remained operational until the conclusion of World War II. Visitors can explore the fort and battery structures, and a small museum displays artifacts, uniforms, and photographs from the fort’s active years.

During summer, Fort Taber Park hosts numerous events, including outdoor concerts, food trucks, and military reenactments.

5. Waterfront Visitor Center

Located at Pier 3, the Wharfinger Building serves as the city’s visitor center. This charming building, with its gambrel roof and brick construction, is a modern structure that originated as a Depression-era WPA project in 1935.

Initially the office for the wharf manager, it soon transitioned to New Bedford’s official fish auction house following an expansion.

After the fish auction evolved to an electronic format, the Wharfinger Building became the Waterfront Visitor Center.

Exhibits detail the commercial fishing industry’s past, present, and future, making it the go-to location for information on ferry trips, cruises, and various experiences.

For those interested in the daily life of a modern fishing harbor, informational leaflets are available for a self-guided Waterfront Dock Walk.

6. Dining

New Bedford’s Portuguese heritage is prominently showcased through a variety of Portuguese and Portuguese-American dining establishments.

Experience traditional fish and seafood dishes such as grilled sardines, croquettes, salted cod, and fisherman’s stews, alongside tender rotisserie chicken and flame-grilled steaks.

Notable local favorites include Churrascaria Novo Mundo, Antonio’s Restaurant, Tia Maria’s European Café, and Inner Bay Café & Grille.

In a city renowned for its fishing fleet, New England classics like lobster rolls, clam chowder, and sautéed scallops are undeniably exceptional.

7. Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum

Visitors have the opportunity to tour a stately whaler’s residence, a Greek Revival mansion constructed in 1834. The Rotch-Jones-Duff House was built by shipwrights for William Rotch, Jr., who continued the lineage of New Bedford whalers.

This residence was designed by English immigrant Richard Upjohn (1802-1878), who was later responsible for numerous Gothic Revival churches across New England and New York.

Although minor alterations have occurred over time, the Greek Revival aesthetic of the house remains largely intact, exemplified by the elliptical echinus profiles on the baseboards and corner blocks.

The interiors reflect a mid-19th century ambiance akin to the lifestyle of a prosperous whaling family when the Rotch family resided here.

Outside, one can find a stunning garden that incorporates elements from all three phases of private ownership, including a magnificent 19th-century lattice pergola.

8. Zeiterion Performing Arts Center

Historically, New Bedford boasted 17 theaters downtown, of which only one remains today.

The sole survivor, the spacious Zeiterion Theatre, opened its doors in 1923 as the Star Theatre, and currently serves as the home of the esteemed New Bedford Symphony Orchestra.

Additionally, the New Bedford Festival Theatre also calls this venue home, establishing it as a vital center for live arts in the South Coast region.

The theater features diverse live performances, including music of all genres, opera, plays, comedies, musicals, dance, stand-up comedy, and regular film screenings. It serves as one of the main stages for the renowned New Bedford Folk Festival each July.

9. New Bedford Museum of Glass

During its 19th-century industrial zenith, New Bedford emerged as a hub for glassmaking, spearheaded by The Mount Washington Glass Company (later Pairpoint), which relocated here from Boston in 1870.

The New Bedford Museum of Glass holds an extensive collection of over 7,000 artifacts, showcasing numerous local glass examples from this company, as well as pieces from the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company (1826-1888) and various other regional manufacturers such as Tiffany and Steuben.

The collection encompasses ancient glass, intricately engraved European glass from the 17th to 19th centuries, and contemporary glass art from renowned artists such as Dale Chihuly. Recently, the museum has moved to the beautiful James Arnold Mansion (1821) located in downtown New Bedford.

10. Hurricane Barrier Harbor Walk

In the 1960s, New Bedford constructed a hurricane barrier to protect its fishing fleet anchored in the inner harbor. As of 2015, it is possible to traverse this impressive structure, which extends for three-quarters of a mile.

The Hurricane Barrier Harbor Walk runs along the eastern side of the peninsula, starting at the East Rodney French Boulevard boat ramp and extending across the harbor past Palmer Island.

To the north, visitors can view the Palmer Island Lighthouse (1849), alongside a constant flow of commercial and private vessels navigating through the harbor.

The Hurricane Barrier Harbor Walk connects to the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail, featuring a total of 3.5 miles of paths in New Bedford, including another hurricane defense along the New Bedford Covewalk at the head of Clarks Cove to the west.

11. Buttonwood Park Zoo

This delightful seven-acre zoo located on the west side of New Bedford is widely celebrated as one of the best small zoos in the United States.

The zoo is situated within the picturesque Buttonwood Park, designed in the 1890s by the esteemed Olmsted, Olmsted & Eliot firm. Its origins trace back to a conceptualized zoo and menagerie.

After its closure in the 1990s, the Buttonwood Park Zoo underwent a complete renovation, currently showcasing over 200 species of animals across five distinct areas.

Exhibit zones include North American East (featuring river otters, beavers, and black bears), North American West (bison, cougars, and bobcats), Aquatics (shorebirds and harbor seals), Elephants, and a small collection of domestic animals.

12. East Beach

New Bedford boasts several public beaches, with East Beach being the largest, curving towards Fort Taber Park at the southern end of the peninsula.

A delightful summer attraction, East Beach features a long, wide expanse of sand, making it a haven for beachcombers with an abundance of shells.

Notably, the scenery is impressive, providing a clear view of Butler Flats Light (1898), in addition to the many fishing boats and ferries navigating in and out of New Bedford.

East Beach is supervised by lifeguards until September 7, and like the rest of the peninsula’s coastline, it is accessible via the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail.

13. Cuttyhunk Ferry Company

From New Bedford Harbor, one can access ferries to several destinations among The Islands, including Tisbury and Oak Bluff (Martha’s Vineyard) and Nantucket.

Moreover, New Bedford serves as the primary departure point for the scenic Cuttyhunk, part of the Elizabeth Islands, home to approximately 50 residents.

The Cuttyhunk Ferry Company provides year-round services aboard the M/V Cuttyhunk, a vessel akin to those used for whale watching, completing the crossing in under an hour.

During the summer months, it is possible to embark in the morning, spend the day hiking across the island, enjoying its vistas, and relaxing on its beaches before returning in the mid-afternoon.

A small coffee shop operates aboard the M/V Cuttyhunk, and the company also offers sunset and seal-spotting cruises.

14. New Bedford Art Museum/Artworks

Housed within a magnificent former bank building downtown, the New Bedford Art Museum has significantly contributed to the dynamic local art scene for over 25 years.

At the time of writing, the museum was undergoing a long-term expansion to double its exhibition space. Predominantly focused on contemporary art, this institution features long-term exhibitions showcasing local and regional artists across various disciplines.

An array of events occur throughout the year, including AHA! (Art, History & Architecture), a lively cultural event held downtown on the second Thursday of each month. The museum store is also a delightful stop for those seeking unique shopping opportunities.

15. New Bedford Folk Festival

New Bedford’s most notable annual event is a two-day folk festival, cherished for over a quarter of a century.

Conducted in July, the New Bedford Folk Festival showcases esteemed and beloved performers across genres such as folk, Celtic, blues, and Americana, including contemporary singer-songwriters.

The festival features more than 75 performances on seven stages, supplemented by workshops, over 80 craft vendors, a beer garden, and a food court.

Noteworthy recent performers include Beau Soleil, Patty Larkin, Dar Williams, Susan Werner, Tom Rush, and The Stray Birds.