Fishing around for fun things to do? Use the South Coast commuter rail to explore New Bedford.
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According to the most recent
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Plaques along the waterfront illuminate New Bedford's maritime history.
David Lyon
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That mentality was already part of New Bedford's cultural DNA. From 1830 to 1860, most American whaling ships sailed from New Bedford. Commercial fishing took hold when the whaling industry waned around 1900. Simply put, New Bedford had the infrastructure — why let all those piers go to waste?
But the whaling industry has not been forgotten. The cobblestone streets, granite US Custom House, 'double″ bank building, and old candleworks recall that mid-19th-century heyday. Even the visitor center of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park occupies a handsome Greek Revival red sandstone structure. It was built in 1853 as a bank during the height of New Bedford's whaling fortunes. Stop in to pick up a map and get a swift overview of how whaling transformed New Bedford.
Whale skeletons seem to float in the two-story atrium of the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
David Lyon
A block away, the
This half-scale model of the whaling bark Lagoda is a prime exhibit in the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
David Lyon
On the museum's main level, a half-size model of the whaling bark Lagoda gives an idea of the complexity of a typical whaling vessel. An adjacent gallery holds the skeleton of a 48-foot sperm whale, the chief prey of New Bedford whalers. This 30-year-old male was found stranded on Nantucket in 2002. The toothed leviathan dwarfs the six-man whaleboat installed on a back wall in the same room. It is amazing that any whalers survived.
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The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center occupies a former bank building from the city's whaling heyday.
David Lyon
That sense of imminent mortality weighed on many a whaler. Central to the
The Seamen's Bethel, established in 1832, offered solace and comfort to whalers and other sailors.
David Lyon
Herman Melville visited the
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The Nathan and Polly Johnson House was a key location in New Bedford's anti-slavery struggle.
David Lyon
The Abolition movement burned bright in New Bedford, which had the highest percentage of African Americans in the Northeast. Among Rotch's neighbors in what is now called the County Street Historic District were Nathan and Polly Johnson, who owned a block on 7th Street. As free African American businesspeople, the Johnsons were leading anti-slavery activists.
They also opened their home to harbor men and women fleeing bondage. On Sept. 17, 1838, they took in a fugitive who would assume the name Frederick Douglass along with his wife, Anna. The Johnson house at 21 7th St. is now owned by the
The fried scallop plate at Moby Dick Brewing Co. comes with cole slaw and fried potato wedges.
David Lyon
From the park, it's only a 10-minute walk back to New Bedford's central historic district. Before leaving town, be sure to sample some New Bedford scallops. At
If you go …
One-way weekday fare on the MBTA commuter rail is $12.25 for adults, $6 for seniors and students. The MBTA offers a $10 Commuter Rail Weekend Pass for unlimited travel. On weekdays, 15 trains per day leave South Station for New Bedford (536 Acushnet Ave.)
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New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
38 Bethel St.
508-993-8894, fishingheritagecenter.org
Thurs.-Mon. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults $8, seniors and students $5, under age 12 free
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center
33 William St.
508-996-4095, nps.gov/nebe
Wed.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Check for schedule of tours. Free
New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hill
508-997-0046, whalingmuseum.org
Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $23, seniors $21, youth $13
Seamen's Bethel
15 Johnny Cake Hill
508-992-3295, seamensbethel.org
Open Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Donation requested
Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum
396 County St.
508-997-1401, rjdmuseum.org
Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., also Sun. noon-4 p.m. (closed Sun. after Oct. 13).
Adults $8, seniors and students $6, ages 7-17 $3, under age 7 free
Moby Dick Brewing Co.
16 South Water St.
774-202-6961, mobydickbrewing.com.
Mon.-Thu. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. noon-8 p.m. sandwiches and entrees $13-$45
The Whale's Tail Clam Bar
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52 Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 3
774-425-8980, whalestailnb.com
Open daily 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
sandwiches and baskets $12-$28
Patricia Harris and David Lyon can be reached at
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Patricia Harris can be reached at
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