Attractions in New Bedford, Massachusetts

Historic Homes & Buildings

Abijah Hathaway House 508-991-6200
66 North Second Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
This beautiful historic home is a wonderful example of the Greek Revival style of architecture that was very popular and fashionable during the mid to late Nineteenth... more info map
Benjamin Rodman Mansion 508-991-6200
50 North Second Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Built by Benjamin Rodman, a prominent New Bedford businessman and an influential member of the community, this Federal style mansion is also an example of the Quaker... more info map
Bourne Counting House
One Merrill's Wharf, New Bedford, MA 02740
A room on the top floor of this beautiful and large granite building features panoramic views of the New Bedford Harbour; this building was built by whaling vessel... more info
Butler Flats Lighthouse 508-996-4095
New Bedford Outer Harbor, New Bedford, MA 02744
East Rodney French Boulevard
The beacon from this historic lighthouse could be seen for over five miles as it provided navigational guidance to sailors returning home from the perils of the sea. more info map
First Baptist Church 508-992-6343
149 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
This classical Greek and Federal style building has features including an imposing steeple and a ship-lad front façade; the steeple also served as a navigational aid... more info map
Grinnell Mansion 508-993-2621
379 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Built by architect Russel Warren, with granite used from the same quarry as the Bunker Hill Monument in Boston, this mansion was the first Greek Revival mansion built in... more info map
New Bedford City Hall 508-979-1400
133 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
The oldest operating elevator in the country, which was installed in 1906, is located inside of this neoclassical brick and brownstone building; both the city offices... more info map
Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum 508-997-1401
396 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Designed by Richard Upjohn, the founder of the American Institute of Architects, this historic Greek Revival mansion was named after the three families that have... more info map
Saint Anthony of Padua Church 508-993-1691
1359 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02746
One of the largest crosses in the world is featured in this French Renaissance church that was built from Springfield red stone; another prominent feature of the church... more info map
Seamen's Bethel 508-992-3295
15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740
New Bedford Port Society
Known as the "Whaleman's Chapel" in Herman Melville's classic novel "Moby Dick," this chapel features thirty black framed cenotaphs that bear the names of the whale men... more info map
U.S. Custom House 508-994-5158
37 North Second Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Designed by Robert Mills, who was the architect of the Washington Monument, this white granite Greek Revival building is the oldest continuously operating Custom House... more info map

Historic Sites & Monuments

Colonel Claghorn Memorial 508-991-6200
Waterfront Park
Dedicated in 1936 by the Daughters of the American Revolution, this monument commemorates Colonel George Claghorn, who was a Revolutionary war patriot, Naval... more info map
Holocaust Memorial 508-996-4095
Veterans Memorial Buttonwood Park, New Bedford, MA 02740
Rockdale Avenue & Maple Street
Featuring a large bronze hand rising from an inscribed stone pedestal, this stark monument is a memorial to the millions of Jews and others who were murdered by the... more info map
Lewis Temple Memorial 508-991-6275
613 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Outside the New Bedford Public Library
This magnificent statue honours Lewis Temple, who was a blacksmith who revolutionized the whaling industry with his invention of an iron toggle harpoon tip in 1848. more info map
New Bedford National Historic Landmark District
Lower Downtown New Bedford
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and reminiscent of the Nineteenth Century, this historic district features cobblestone streets, gas lamp style... more info map
Schooner Ernestina 508-992-4900
89 North Water Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
New Bedford State Pier
The only remaining wooden sailing ship that brought immigrants to the US, this historic schooner was launched in 1894 and has served as a fishing schooner and a packet... more info map
Whaleman's Memorial 508-991-6275
613 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Outside the New Bedford Public Library
The inscription on this large bronze and granite statue reads "A Dead Whale or a Stove Boat;” the statue depicts a harpooner shown at the bow of a whaleboat, and pays... more info map

Libraries & Research Centers

New Bedford Public Library 508-991-6275
613 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
One of the largest collections of whaling log books in the world is housed at this library that also features the largest collection of historical and genealogical... more info map

Museums & Galleries

Frugal Woman's Museum, A
52 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
This mini-museum features the largest collection of Hetty Green memorabilia and materials in the nation; Hetty Green was known as the "Witch of Wall Street," and was the... more info map
Gallery Upstairs, The 508-979-5888
204 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Admission is free to this art gallery that regularly features monthly exhibitions of the works of local and regional artists that represent not only artists who are... more info map
Gallery X 508-992-2675
169 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
This gallery is known for its “public hangings,” events in which the art of over thirty participating artists are hung in public spaces during festivals and events,... more info map
John Magnan Studio 508-999-5051
23 Centre Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
With hours being listed as “by chance or by appointment,” this gallery features the work of sculptor John Magnon, who has been featured on the program Sunday Morning... more info map
Museum of Madeiran Heritage 508-994-2573
27 Hope Street, New Bedford, MA 02746
This museum preserves art and artifacts of the Portuguese Island of Madeira, with exhibits that include photographs, carvings, colourful dance costumes, a three... more info map
New Bedford Art Museum 508-961-3072
608 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
New Bedford's rich and historic art collection is housed at this museum, as well as Nineteenth and Twentieth Century paintings by New Bedford and regional artists; the... more info map
New Bedford Fire Museum 508-992-2162
51 Bedford Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Located in an authentic fire station house that was built in 1867, this unique museum preserves the history of fire fighting techniques and equipment, while featuring... more info map
New Bedford Whaling Museum 508-997-0046
18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740
"The largest museum in America devoted to the history of the American whaling industry and its greatest port," the New Bedford Whaling Museum brings to life the whaling... more info map
Pegasus Artisans Gallery and Studio 508-999-6265
27 Seventh Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
This gallery features the unique works of many area artists, artisans, and craftsmen. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday from... more info map

Parks, Gardens & Zoos

Brooklawn Park 508-991-6210
Ashely Boulevard & Acushnet Avenue
One of the major parks in New Bedford, this park offers baseball and softball fields, basketball and tennis courts, a wading pool, an ice rink, and a children's... more info map
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park 508-996-4095
33 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
A variety of Greek Revival buildings and attractions are located in this thirteen block, twenty acre National Park that includes the Waterfront Park, Rotch-Jones-Duff... more info map
Prince Henry the Navigator Park 508-993-1770
Pope's Island, New Bedford, MA 02740
In the middle of New Bedford Harbor
This park features a large granite and bronze statue of Prince Henry overlooking the New Bedford Harbour, and offers grassy areas for picnicking, a rocky shoreline,... more info map
Veterans Memorial Buttonwood Park and Zoo 508-991-6175
425 Hawthorn Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
This park and zoo is New Bedford's premier recreation centre, with features including over one hundred fifty animals representing over thirty five different species,... more info map

Tours & Cruises

Whaling City Launch Service 508-269-5815
New Bedford Waterfront
One may enjoy harbour and waterfront tours aboard a twenty six foot boat that is the actual vessel, legend has it, that took Herman Melville on a whaling cruise, which... more info map

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