There are so many things to do in New Bedford. Yet this coastal Massachusetts town is better known as a working port — it boasts the country’s highest-grossing commercial fishery — than as a tourist destination. And that’s a shame, because it’s well worth a visit. If you make your way there, here’s how you might spend two very full days.

Day 1: New Bedford Old and New, From Whaling Days to Street Art

A Whale of a Museum

New Bedford was once one of the most significant whaling centers in the world, so it makes sense to start with a visit to the terrific New Bedford Whaling Museum. This massive structure is home to a dazzling collection of items related to whales, the whaling industry, and the history of New Bedford. Highlights include a half-size replica of the bark Lagoda,

… whale skeletons …

… and a reel that plays a film of the 1,275-foot-long 1848 Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World.

But there are all sorts of things here: New Bedford glass, scrimshaw, whaling implements, whale boats, whale art, whale models, and items brought back from whaling voyages.

When I last visited, the Whaling Museum was showing a gorgeous exhibit on the art and culture of seaweed collecting — a fascinating and little-known intersection of art and natural history (you can read about it here). No matter what’s on view when you visit, make sure to head out to the rooftop and take in a view of the town.

The Whaling Museum is huge, and you’re likely to spend the better part of a day there (if you need lunch or a snack, pop out and have a bite at Tia Maria’s European Cafe).

Once you’ve had your fill of museum-going, it’s worth heading to the back of the museum to learn about a local abolitionist, merchant, and activist at tiny Captain Paul Cuffe Park.

Where Whalers Once Walked

Then it’s time to take a walk around the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, which is filled with many fine nineteenth-century buildings. New Bedford was the wealthiest city per capita in the U.S. in its heyday, so there’s some fabulous architecture. Keep an eye out for the 1832 Seamen’s Bethel (where Herman Melville himself once prayed) …

… the 1831 Merchants and Mechanics Bank (built with one set of doors for rich people and one set for poor) …

… and the 1854 “Old Bank” (now the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park Visitor Center).

Note that both the Visitor Center and the Seamen’s Bethel are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so if you want to visit the interiors, plan your timing accordingly.

Walls That Tell New Stories

As you walk around, make sure to take in the many nearby murals and street art.

At this point, it’s time for a rest and dinner. For something quick and delicious, have tacos or a burrito at funky No Problemo.

Day 2: Freedom and Flowers, From Abolition Row to Harbor Views

Abolitionists in New Bedford

Start the day at Abolition Row Park …

… which stands just across the street from the Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson House. It was here that Frederick Douglass (pictured above) first found freedom when he escaped from slavery in Maryland.

Right next door is the town’s original Friends’ Meetinghouse, once a hotbed of abolitionist activism and likely a stop on the underground railroad.

More Than Just a Library

From here, you can walk or drive to the New Bedford Public Library.

Built in 1837 as the city’s town hall, this Gothic Revival masterpiece has been functioning as a library since the early 1900s. It’s worth popping in to see the fabulous interior …

… and to take a look at the vast art collection, which includes works by the likes of Albert Bierstadt, John James Audubon, Ralph Fasanella, and Charles Dana Gibson.

If you can, try to pay a visit when the Art Room is open — you’ll find everything from some of the works above to a 1931 bowling trophy.

Out by the Harbor

After lunch by the water (or perhaps just an ice cream at Acushnet Creamery) …

… enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the port from a small motorboat hosted by New Bedford Harbor Tours.

This is a great way to learn about New Bedford history, the fishing industry, and the buildings, bridges, and lighthouses that line the shore (in 2023, you can also see the staging area for giant wind turbines that will soon be headed out into Buzzards Bay). You can take an even deeper dive into this harbor tour here.

To stretch out your sea legs, drive down for a stroll or a bike ride along the New Bedford Harbor Walk, which runs along the top of the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier (a 3.5 mile seawall built in the 1960s).

A New Bedford Garden Escape

Finally, head up for a late-afternoon amble through the Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens, six acres of green space …

… funky greenhouses …

… and spectacular plants.

You’ll also find a wonderful collection of rare trees and shrubs, all planted by Mr. Haskell in the late 20th century when he ran a highly successful nursery here.

Looking for other things to do? If you have more time — or just want alternative options — you could check out the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Gardens Museum (visit when the roses are blooming), the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, or Fort Taber Park. There are also several public beaches if you want a swim or a walk.

New Bedford has certainly seen better days — the city has never revived the fiscal glories of its whaling successes or its booming textile mills and glass factories. But it’s come a long way from the urban decay of the late 1900s, and now it’s a quirky, creative, and fun place to spend some time. Enjoy!

Looking for more New England coastal ideas? Don’t miss Camden, Rockland, and Hope — three charming Maine towns worth stacking onto any Northeast itinerary.