New Bedford Whaling Museum
Other Ideas: Harvard Museum of Natural History (HMNH); Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum (for kids and adults); Old State House Museum; Charles Hayden Planetarium - Now Open!; Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the world's foremost museum devoted to the historic interaction of humans with whales worldwide. The Museum explores the history of whaling worldwide and the rich cultures – and conservation issues – it inspired.There is something for everyone at every age – the experience of life at sea, decorative and fine art exhibits, interactive exhibits for children, lecture series, family programs, concerts, and much, much more. Kids are easily impressed by the mere size of the whaling hooks & harpoons as well as a 65 foot skeleton of a real blue whale.
A 22 minute silent film shows footage of an actual whale chase and capture; and there is a huge collection of scrimshaw (carvings from whalebone).
Special programs are available throughout the year for children. Visit the Museum during February or April Vacation Week for full days of activities. Right Whale Day celebrates a highly endangered species and raises awareness of the challenges these animals face in increasing their population.
View Calendar of Events.
The museum is stroller friendly and fully accessible.
Be sure to catch the museum's annual Maritime Heritage Festival in May of each year.
School Group Programs
Our standards-based school programs in the areas of history, language arts, culture and science directly address Massachusetts Department of Education Frameworks and are designed to offer hands-on, minds-on learning opportunities. Participate in one program and spend the morning at the Museum, or bring lunch and spend the entire day when you choose to attend one science program and one history, language arts and culture program.
| HOURS | ↑ top |
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*
May - September:
Daily 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Until 8:00 p.m. every second Thursday of the month*
Open holiday Mondays, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
| COST | ↑ top |
Regular $14
Seniors $12
Students $9
Children $6
Members and Children under 6 are free
| WEBSITE | ↑ top |
| LOCATION | ↑ top |
18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA map
Phone: 508-997-0046
| RELATED LINKS | ↑ top |
- Profiles
Info changes frequently. We cannot warrant it. Verify with New Bedford Whaling Museum before making the trek. If you find an error, please report it...