View/download the Free Family Fun list here!
Azorean Maritime Heritage Society
- New Bedford, MA 02740
- 508-687-0906
- Visit Website
Founded in 1997, the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society promotes Azorean culture and shared whaling heritage by raising awareness and pride within New England's Azorean-American community. They maintain three authentic Azorean whaleboats—Pico, Faial, and Bela Vista—which are used for cultural, historical, and recreational events. Currently, there are only 63 Azorean whaleboats in the world: these are the only three in the… click for more details
Biking Trails and Paths
- New Bedford, MA
- Visit Website
Discover New Bedford and stay fit! The New Bedford Bike Committee bicycle tourism map has all the current bike lanes, and racks and the various attractions nearby in New Bedford.
Check out the biking map! click for more details
Buttonwood Park
- Brownell Avenue
- New Bedford, MA 02740
This 97 acre multi-use park was initially planned in the 1890’s by Charles Eliot of the famous landscape architectural firm of Olmstead, Olmstead and Eliot. Comprised of both active and passive recreation areas; with forest, fields and a large pond, it is also home to one of the finest small zoos in the country. Retaining its historic landscapes, the park… click for more details
East Beach
- East Rodney French Boulevard
- New Bedford, MA 02744
New Bedford beaches are available to the general public.
Seasonal Lifeguards 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Volley Ball Court – Restrooms – Outdoor Showers – Playground
Parking passes are available at the Parks, Recreation & Beaches office at 181 Hillman St. Building 3 or the City Clerk's Office at 133 William St. click for more details
Fort Taber Military Museum
- 1000 South Rodney French Boulevard
- New Bedford, MA 02744
- 508-994-3938
- Visit Website
Located on the southern tip of the city in Fort Taber Park and operated by the Fort Taber Historical Association, Inc., the museum preserves and interprets New Bedford’s long and rich military history. Walk through the museum and you will see artifacts from every major American War, the evolution of Clark's Point to Fort Rodman, as well as photos and… click for more details
Fort Taber/Fort Rodman Park
- South Rodney French Boulevard
- New Bedford, MA 02744
A 50-acre waterfront park that provides over a mile of ocean frontage located on scenic Clark’s Point which projects into Buzzards Bay. The park incorporates historical landmarks, offers many amenities and various opportunities for passive and active recreation. The centerpiece of the park is the historic Fort Rodman, built between 1857 and 1871 as part of the nation’s sea coast… click for more details
Hazelwood Park
- Brock Avenue
- New Bedford, MA
Hazelwood Park is a 23-acre park located on Clark’s Point, overlooking scenic Clark’s Cove. The park is offers both passive and active recreation areas. There is a historic bowling green, tennis courts, basketball courts, a playground, picnic areas, and a gazebo. The park hosts many entertainment functions throughout the year. Public beaches and a historic bath-house and pavilion are located… click for more details
Museum of Madeiran Heritage
- 27 Hope Street
- New Bedford, MA 02746
- 508-992-6911
- Visit Website
This museum displays art and cultural artifacts from the Island of Madeira: a fascinating collection of art and fine crafts including embroidery, lace, linens, pottery and weaving. Traditional costumes of Folkloric dancers are on display along with an authentic ‘corca’ or sled used to transport visitors from the village of Monte high atop a hill outside of Funchal, the capital… click for more details
Palmer’s Island
- New Bedford, MA 02740
Located in the Acushnet River at the entrance to New Bedford Harbor, this 6-acre island is designated for walking and other passive recreational uses, such as bird watching.
History of Palmer’s Island
Pre-dating the Pilgrims’ arrival in Plymouth by 18 years, English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold first surveyed the 6-acre island during his exploration of New Bedford Harbor in 1602. The island was… click for more details
Richard C. Wheeler Bay Learning Center
- 114 Front Street
- New Bedford, MA 02740
- 508-999-6363
- Visit Website
Discover your Bay at the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Richard C. Wheeler Bay Learning Center, a free environmental exploration center located in downtown New Bedford’s Historic District. The Bay Learning Center is your destination to learn about our local waters and how you can protect and enjoy them. click for more details
Seamen’s Bethel
- 15 Johnny Cake Hill
- New Bedford, MA 02740
- 508-992-3295
- Visit Website
Due to the Seamen's Bethel association for more than 175 years with the old New Bedford whalemen and other sailors who “Go down to the Sea in Ships,” it has become well known in the ports of every ocean on the globe.
What is a Bethel?
The term “bethel” comes from two Hebrew words, “Beth” and “El.” Beth means “House” and El… click for more details
Seaport Art Walk
- Pier 3/Fisherman's Wharf
- New Bedford, MA 02740
- Visit Website
This annual large format outdoor public art installation transforms New Bedford's working waterfront by local artists. Over a dozen pieces are temporarily installed along MacArthur Boulevard, the City and State piers, and in the city’s Seaport Cultural District. click for more details
Self-Guided Working Waterfront Dock Walk
- Fisherman's Wharf
- New Bedford, MA 02740
- 800-508-5353
This self-guided walking tour highlights various locations on the working waterfront and serves as a companion to the exhibits at the Waterfront Visitor Center (Wharfinger Building) and the information found on the interpretive wayside panels along the route. Map and guide is available at the Waterfront Visitor Center (52 Fisherman's Wharf) and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center… click for more details
The Blue Lane
- Rodney French Boulevard
- New Bedford, MA 02744
The Blue Lane is a cohesive designation for the city’s waterfront path from the CoveWalk and HarborWalk along the South End peninsula to the planned RiverWalk on the banks of the Acushnet River in the North End. Spanning the shoreline of the city as a signal to residents and tourists of a contiguous set of recreational pathways that allows travel… click for more details
West Beach
- West Rodney French Boulevard
- New Bedford, MA 02744
Due to Covid-19 the New Bedford beaches are only available for New Bedford Residents
Seasonal Lifeguards 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wheelchair Accessible – Restrooms – Outdoor Showers
Parking passes are available at the Parks, Recreation & Beaches office at 181 Hillman St. Building 3 or the City Clerk's Office at 133 William St. click for more details