New Bedford Whaling Museum

18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740, USA

Address:	18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740, USA
Phone:	+1 508-997-0046
Site:	whalingmuseum.org
Rating:	4.7
Working:	9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 29

Alec Loudenback

The museum is deceptively large with very well presented exhibits and artifacts. The museum has a focus on New England whaling, but does a fantastic job tying the narrative together with the rest of the worlds pursuit of the whale. For example, the museum features stories that talk about New Englands Portuguese heritage that in many ways stemmed from the industry. Definitely recommend for visitors in the area and would be worth making a trip from Boston or Providence.

Margaret Barthel

I came here as a kid quite a lot and really enjoyed it, and I recently went back again and had a completely different but no less memorable experience. Fantastic exhibits with a wealth of interestingly-presented information, especially about the diversity and tolerance of the New Bedford community, whose roots in Quaker beliefs about human dignity and equality made New Bedford not only a center of the whaling industry but also a hotbed of abolitionist thought.

Mark Kim

Its a fun place to learn about the whaling history and whales for both children and adults alike. The museums ginormous whale skeletons are impressive. There is a fun room for toddlers to play and a room with a 1/2 life-size model ship people can go on. Oddly, they have a collection of non-whale related antiques and paintings that take up about half of the museum - theyre fun, historical, but feels a bit out of place for a whaling museum.

Bernie Dodge

Very impressive and comprehensive museum. Start up the street at the National Park visitors center for a good overview of the whaling process before starting to explore the museum. The half-scale whaling ship is an experience you wont get elsewhere and the huge whale skeletons hanging from the ceiling will help you see what a daunting business it was. Dont miss the scrimshaw and glass works on display.

martin petri

My wife and I visited the museum last year and spent five hours in the museum until it closed. We left and wished we had another five or six hours to see the exhibits more thoroughly that we had to rush thru before the museum closed. The whaling ship exhibit was one of many exceedingly well exhibits that were shown. I recommend this museum to anyone who wishes to have a unique experience.

Daryl Carpenter

An absolutely stunning, beautiful museum that I seriously need to get back to some day. Features whale skeletons, a half-scale whaling ship model, figureheads, ship models, historical artifacts and paintings, an awesome scrimshaw collection, and plenty of great local history. Really great, enthusiastic curators Even the gift shop is nice! Worth checking out all the exhibits in detail.

Lexi White

I have loved this place ever since I was a kid! It is completely packed with as much information as they could in this museum. For kids there are fun things to see and touch, but if youre running around the pirate ship, there is so so much information to read! For the size that this place is, I felt like I was going to be there forever,

Kyle Mastro

Excellent museum. Great documentation of the rise and fall of the whaling industry in early america. While a reprehensible practice that museum does a great job of recording this industry and explaining the culture that produced this industry. It is a must see for anyone with interest in early American or New England history.

Adam Pearson

it was mothers day so I brought my mother there as a mothers day treat .my whole famile went . We were there for about 4 hours and still didnt have enough time to see what they had on display ...so much to see and read. had an awsome time with my whole family. Defintly a great time for all ages to see what it was like.

Carole Ferguson

Great place for grandchildren and children too. But be sure to go without young ones at some point so you can really read the history. Just fascinating. Hands on experiences are good for school ages kids but even four and five year olds love the ship. Killing a whale is challenge to explain to a young one.....

David MacIndoe

Great museum with a lot to see. It looks newly renovated and they have enough different things to keep you interested. Staff was friendly and tickets were reasonable. Its in a nice historic section of New Bedford where you can walk afterwards weather permitting. Also good food options within walking distance.

Emily Engler

I was amazed at how much there is to see at this museum. We spent four hours, and there was so much I didnt see. There are exhibits about whales and why they were hunted, about where the whalers traveled, art from the time, and much more. Huge whale skeletons hang in the lobby. I will certainly be returning.

Les R

Very nice museum full of local whaling history. The boat inside is pretty cool to see. The scrimshaw is beautiful art. Very informative and interesting. Be sure to check out the observation deck upstairs for amazing views of the New Bedford harbor.

Sherry Ott

Recently remodeled and it looks great! Take a walk through and learn about the history of whaling, he equipment used, and what life was like on board. There were many docents there who did a great job of doing little tours for anyone interested.

A Private User

Very nice museum, great for kids, exceeded my expectations. They have a very cool extra-large whaling ship replica, several whale skeletons hanging from the ceiling and a bunch of cool whale-related exhibits. I highly recommend a visit.

Jeff Holstein

Three floors with an observation deck overlooking New Bedford Harbor and it ships, can keep you intrigued for at least three hours. Viewing actual Right Whale skeletal displays and reproductions of Whaling Ships was fascinating.

Ken Levine

Beautiful museum showcasing the history of the whaling industry and how entire communities were built from it. Especially facinating historical perspectives on how whaling facilitated Azorean and Cape Verdean immigration to USA.

Fernando Rivera

Estoy hoy viendo por mi recamara / ventana la presiocidad de new bedford massachusett..Dlbg

Greg James

The museum was far more than Whaling,, it had a lot of City and Stare historical information. There industrial changes from whale oil, to textiles, to today. Could spend half a day in there and not see it all.

Lucy María McCully Espinosa

A local museum that puts a lot of thought into making exhibits about the local history. Some of the highlights are the whale skeletons that can be seen, as well as a model ship that kids can climb on.

Don Kent

Very interesting museum. Loaded with information and items on the whaling industry and on New Bedford in general. Seemed like the place just kept going, so much to see.

Bob Henderson

Lots of different items surrounding whales and whaling. Many different rooms of items. 2 hours is not enough time but thats all we had on the parking meter.

David Gray

Wonderful museum of the history of whaling. Includes the worlds largest model ship, a half-scale whaling bark, and an incredible scrimshaw collection.

Al Cervix

Awesome museum , caught us by surprise as we didnt expect it to be as large and in informative as it was . Can easily spend 1/2 day there . Loved it !

Charles Essi

Very great experience learning not only about the history of whaling but the economic and social development of our nation and the world.

Eric Pinho

Love this place. Bring my kids there all the time. They have a nice section dedicated to Portuguese whaling ships and their captains.

Bob Lawton

A beautiful building with an impressive depth of exhibits. New Bedford is rightfully proud to be home to this award winning museum.

Larry Ferns

Great place to visit. So much to see. We were there for 2.5 hours and could have sent more time. Lots of interesting things to see

Jake Jacobsen

Great place for a wedding great views. Great stop for history of whaling and its maritime history of New Bedford.