Centre Street in New Bedford
During the summer, Rangers at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park lead a tour that covers a few blocks of the New Bedford historic district (you must take the self-guided New Bedford Historic District Walking Tour if you want to see the entire area). Tours are held from June through the end of September, though days may vary depending on the month. Call the Visitor Center at (508) 996-4095 for a schedule. The length of the tour is not specified on the National Park Service’s website for New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, but for what it’s worth, the tour I attended lasted about an hour and covered a little less than a half mile.
The focus is on the historical buildings, their occupants, and their connection to whaling in New Bedford. The guide I had was an older lady who grew up in New Bedford. She was highly animated and told stories as if she were conveying juicy gossip. She knew all of the scandals, which made the tour very interesting and well worth the time. Of course tour guides change, but I suspect the topics will remain the same.
Tour routes may also vary per guide, but you are certain to visit the Seamen’s Bethel on Johnny Cake Hill. As the name implies, this is a hill, and a decent-size one at that. You may also find yourself walking up Centre Street (see photo above), which is even steeper. Thus, if you have trouble walking, you might think twice about attending, or at least ask about the route before making a decision.
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Last updated on August 30, 2020
