A series of walks sponsored by various organizations take both visitors and residents on a showcase of the rich history, natural beauty and unique attributes of New Bedford.
Planes, trains and automobiles can be great vehicles for travel but walking can be the best way to get up close and personal with the city’s fascinating attractions.
So step right up and learn about some of New Bedford’s walks:
Women Lead the Way: Lighting the Way: Historic Women of SouthCoast looks at the historic women who enriched New Bedford. From Hetty Green, the witch of Wall Street, to Sarah Ashley Delano, who preserved historic buildings in the city to Elizabeth Carter Brooks, the city’s first African-American educator, explore the historic impact of women from the region as you walk through downtown New Bedford. Learn more here.
Walk into History: Many of New Bedford’s houses are home to important chapters in the history of the city _ and the world. The New Bedford Preservation Society is hosting a series of walks to showcase the varied history of New Bedford. The tours are scheduled on Thursdays in conjunction with AHA! Nights. Homes on the tour range from mansions that reflect an era when New Bedford was one of the world’s richest cities to triple-deckers that housed (and still house) the city’s hard-working labor force. Learn more here.
Take the Blue Lane: View spectacular water views never before seen by taking The Blue Lane, 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. Don’t forget your camera, there’s lots of beauty to take in! Learn more here:
New Bedford Seaport Art Walk: This unique walk unites two of the city’s best-known assets, its working waterfront and its working artists. It is the first large format outdoor public art installation along the waterfront in the city. Each summer, ten to twenty sculptures are temporarily installed along MacArthur Blvd, City Pier, State Pier, and the Seaport Cultural District downtown. For more information, click here.
The City that Lit the World: Park rangers from the National Park Service lead thought-provoking and enlightening programs that encourage discourse and can include a quick walk through the historic district. “Lighting the World’’ features a compelling discussion about such topics as globalization, sustainability, ecology and history. These programs are held at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays in June and daily in July, August and September. For more, click here.
A Home for Everyone:Join a park ranger to look at what makes a town, city, state or country “home.’’ Discussion topics include the underground railroad, immigration, multiculuralism, community and equality. This program can include a short trek around the historic district. These programs are held at 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in June and daily in July, August and September. Learn more here.
A Garden Oasis:Have you visited Haskell Gardens yet? This beautiful urban oasis offers a spring garden tour from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 13. The gardens, located at 787 Shawmut Ave., bear the name of Allen C. Haskell, who started his business planting beautiful specimens and create interesting pathways and gardens. The property is now maintained by the Trustees of Reservations and open for the public to explore and enjoy. Click here for more information.
A Closer Look at the Museum: Docents lead tours throughout the New Bedford Whaling Museum that focus on some of the most historically significant artifacts and visitor favorites. These tours are free with museum admission and meet at the front desk. Tours are scheduled 11 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday and 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesdays. For more information, click here.
Inspired to lace up your sneakers and explore New Bedford? There’s so much to do and see. Click here for more options.
We hope to see you soon!
Sandy Quadros Bowles, Marketing Manager
Photo credit: Peter Pereira