The New Bedford Whaling Museum is a world-renowned museum that brings to life the rich history of the whaling industry and New Bedford.

Located in the heart of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum features interactive exhibits, including the world’s largest whaling ship model; displays of fine and decorative arts; collections of cultural artifacts, rare antiquities, scrimshaw and logbooks; and five whale skeletons including the rare blue and northern right.

Google Map to New Bedford Whaling Museum

Click below to see what visitors are saying about their visit to the Museum.

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

Hours

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. 

May - September:
Daily 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Until 8:00 p.m. every second Thursday of the month*

October - April:
Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Until 8:00 p.m. every second Thursday of the month*

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

Admission

​Children aged 5 and under are FREE

*FREE on AHA! nights. See calendar for more details.

New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library:
791 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

Hours:

Wednesday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
First Saturday of each month: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Research Appointments required for admission to Library

Admission:

Members always free, non-members $14
All research fees must be paid at the Museum's admission desk prior to entering the Library

Directions

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: 791 Purchase Street, 3 blocks West up William Street, take a left on Purchase Street.
 

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). 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 and the Research Library are fully handicap accessible.
 

Travel to New Bedford by Bus, Boat and Airplane

Destination New Bedford