Welcome to NEW BEDFORD WHALING NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established on November 12, 1996. This 13 block, 20 acre area of the city of New Bedford is one of the newest of the nation's 378 National Park Service areas and commemorates the history and heritage of New Bedford as the world's leading port for the whaling industry. The legislation establishing the park, directs the National Park Service to "preserve for the benefit and inspiration of the people of the United States certain districts, structures, and relics associated with the history of whaling and related social and economic themes in America." Be sure to check our Expanded Web pages for additional information. Also, visit our Kids pages created by our "Whaler Rangers." VISITATION: Highest in the summer months (June-September) and lowest in winter months (December-March)   ADDRESS: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park 33 William Street New Bedford, MA 02740   TELEPHONE: (508) 991-6200 or (508)996-4095 Visitor Center (508) 996-4469 or (508)996-4165 Headquarters   OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS: Visitor Center - Daily, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00p.m, all year; closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day   LOCATION: New Bedford, a city of about 100,000 people, is located on the southeastern coast of Massachusetts where the Acushnet River empties into Buzzard's Bay. The city is served by Interstate 195 which connects Providence, Rhode Island (about 30 miles to the west) and Cape Cod (about 20 miles to the east). New Bedford is also connected to Boston (about 50 miles north) by state highway Routes 140 and 24.   CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING: The summers are mild while the winters can be cold with wind, ice, and snow. Normal temperature in January is 30.6 F and in July 73.5 F. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, and dress according to the weather.   TRANSPORTATION: New Bedford is located 1 hour south of Boston and 45 minutes east of Providence. From Interstate 195 in New Bedford take exit 15 ("Downtown" exit) and proceed 1 mile to the first set of traffic lights. Turn right at the lights onto Elm Street. The Elm Street garage is located on the right, just beyond Bethel Street. The Visitor Center is one block South of the Elm Street garage. The fee for parking in the garage is $3.50 per day. There is also a limited amount of two-hour, monitored street parking available in the downtown area.   FEES, COSTS, RATES: There is no fee charged at the Visitor Center or for any programs conducted from the Visitor Center. There are fees charged at many of the partner institutions within the park. You should contact each site for specific costs, or link to the individual web pages from this site.   FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:   Visitor Center/Exhibits: Volunteers are on hand to assist you in planning your visit to the park. There are several self-guided walking maps available at the Visitor Center. A 7-minute park orientation video is shown regularly. The Official National Park Service Map and Guide for the is available at the Visitor Center.   Programs, Activities: Daily walking tours of historic New Bedford are offered during the summer months. During other times of the year walking tours may be available on weekends. Check at the Visitor Center for times of these tours. The park also operates a bookstore located in the Visitor Center. Eastern National, a non-profit cooperating association that returns an annual profit directly to the park, is responsible for book sales in the park.   Lodging /Camping /Dining/Transportation/Shopping: Numerous facilities related to these services are located in the immediate area. For more information contact the City of New Bedford at 800-508-5353. Information can also be obtained from the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce, 794 Purchase Street, P.O. Box 8827, New Bedford, MA 02742; Phone: (508-999-5231), the New Bedford Area Visitor Guide, and the Bristol County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 70 North Second Street, New Bedford, MA 02741; Phone: (508-997-1250).   Accessibility: Much of the historic downtown area is wheelchair accessible, including the New Bedford Whaling Museum; the Visitor Center is not yet adapted for this purpose.   Special Needs: Non-English speaking translations of some of the tour maps are available at the Visitor Center.   RESERVATIONS / PERMITS: No reservations are needed to visit the park.   BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS: Plan to spend a full day at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Start your visit at the Visitor Center at 33 William Street where a park ranger or volunteer can help you plan your day. Be sure to visit places such as the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum, the Wharfinger Fish Auction Building (Waterfront Visitor Center) and see a working waterfront, the Schooner Ernestina (if it is not at sea), the Seamen's Bethel, and various other attractions in the area. If planning to take a walking tour call the park ahead for schedule information.   SPECIAL EVENTS / PROGRAMS FOR 1998 There are numerous special events and programs scheduled throughout the city and national park during the year. To find out more see our Calendar of Events   VISITOR ATTRACTIONS IN THE NATIONAL PARK DISTRICT: Bourne Counting House - Not currently open to vistiation One Merrill's Wharf New Bedford, MA 02740   Old Dartmouth Historical Society New Bedford Whaling Museum 18 Johnny Cake Hill New Bedford, MA 02740 508-997-0046 The Whaling Museum Web Pages   Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum 396 County Street New Bedford, MA 02740 508-997-1401 or 508-996-4158   Schooner Ernestina New Bedford State Pier PO Box 2010 New Bedford, MA 02741-2010 508-992-4900 Schooner Ernestina Web Pages   Seamen's Bethel New Bedford Port Society 15 Johnny Cake Hill New Bedford, MA 02740 508-992-3295   ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS: New Bedford Fire Museum (Open seasonally) Bedford and Sixth Street New Bedford, MA 02740 508-992-2163   New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant Street New Bedford, MA 02740 508-961-3072   Nearby National Park Service Units Adams National Historic Site Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Boston African-American National Historic Site Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Boston National Historical Park Cape Cod National Seashore Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site Longfellow National Historic Site Lowell National Historical Park Minute Man National Historical Park Roger Williams National Memorial Salem Maritime National Historic Site Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site Touro Synagogue Historic Site   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Write Superintendent, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740; call the park at (508) 996-4095; send eMail; or check our Expanded Web pages.