Summer Activities
Summer in New Bedford is the best time to get outside and breathe in the salty sea air. The city has plenty of walkable parks and The Blue Lane, a designated pathway that spans New Bedford’s shoreline. Summer is also festival season in the city. From May through September, you’ll find festivals just about every weekend. Grab your sunglasses and iced coffee as we explore New Bedford in the summer.
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Walking Tours
During the summer, there is no shortage of guided walking tours in the city. At the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, park rangers provide guided tours that focus on a variety of topics relating to New Bedford’s history. On the second Thursday of every month from May through October, the New Bedford Preservation Society offers free walking tours. Each tour focuses on a different topic relating to New Bedford’s history. New Bedford Creative has mapped out three self-guided public art tours located in the Seaport Cultural District, along the waterfront, and in the North End. All of that walking is sure to spark an appetite. Schedule a New Bedford Food Tour and “eat like a local” as you pop into local restaurants, check out public art, and learn historical facts about the city from your tour guide.
Summer Sound Series
What’s better than dancing outside with a cold beverage in your hand as you watch the sun go down in the heart of downtown New Bedford? Every Friday night from June through September, the city sets up a block party for the Summer Sound Series, a series of free concerts. The concerts are attended by audiences of all ages and by locals and visitors alike. Grab a drink and a bite to eat from local establishments that are set up outside for the block party.
New Bedford Harbor Tours
View New Bedford by boat. On this two-hour ride, you’ll explore the same waters Herman Melville once sailed as you take in scenic views, watch commercial fishing boats come and go, and learn interesting facts about New Bedford’s history.
Cisco Bar and Kitchen
What’s better than dinner and drinks on the beach? At Cisco Brewers Kitchen and Bar, you’ll find over seven bars inside and outside, live music, fire pits, and a raw bar. It’s a waterfront party on the sandy patios. For cooler nights or rainy days, head inside and take in the surf-inspired décor and sushi made fresh to order. On Monday nights, Chef Kee hosts special dinners, such as tuna carvings and a 7-to-10-course Omakase dinner.
Feast of the Blessed Sacrament
This four-day festival, which is the largest celebration of Portuguese culture in the world, has taken place at Madeira Field in New Bedford for over 100 years. Enjoy traditional folk performances and five stages with American and Portuguese musicians, drink Madeira wine poured directly from barrels imported from Portugal, and savor a range of delectable Portuguese cuisine. Entry to the feast and the concerts are free. Food, beverages, and carnival games and rides require tickets. There is no dedicated parking lot for the feast, so be sure to check out parking options on the Feast’s website.
People’s Pressed
Quench your thirst with fresh pressed juice from People’s Pressed, a woman-owned independent juice bar. Their lineup of juices, smoothies, and acai bowls are the perfect grab-and-go options for hot summer days. Add the homemade almond butter to your bowl or smoothie and if you love it as much as we do, you can buy an 8-oz to-go container.
New Bedford Whaling Museum
Head indoors and spend a few hours in the largest museum dedicated to preserving and telling the history of the whaling industry in the world. The museum beautifully displays historical artifacts, art collections, and the largest indoor ship model that you can climb aboard and explore.
AHA! Nights
The second Thursday of every month is AHA! Night in New Bedford. This celebration of art, history, and architecture allows locals and visitors to experience the city’s creative spirit throughout the downtown area. AHA’s free programming is designed for people of all ages and includes performances, art exhibits, family-friendly activities, and much more. The full schedule of events hosted at various venues in the city is published on their website every month.
Parks, Beaches, and Playgrounds
Whether you need to get out and stretch your legs or you’re looking for a place to relax outdoors, the city has over 30 parks, playgrounds, beaches, and recreational areas that are perfect for burning off some energy. Walk, run, or ride a bike along the Blue Lane, a dedicated walking path that spans the city’s shoreline. Enjoy soft sand and scenic views at East Beach and Fort Taber Beach. Noah’s Place Playground, located next to Pope’s Island Marina, is a state-of-the-art accessible playground that offers fun for kids of all ages.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
Check out the zoo that was named “one of the finest small zoos in the United States” by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Visiting the zoo is a breeze thanks to onsite parking at Buttonwood Park. Explore indoor and outdoor exhibits, grab a bite at the Bear’s Den cafe, take a ride on the carousel and the Black Bear Express, and if you’re visiting with kids, enjoy sensory activities in the outdoor nature play area.
New Bedford Launch
We’re about to tell you about a truly hidden gem! Servicing recreational boaters, the New Bedford Launch ferries people to their vessels at moorings throughout the harbor. How does that benefit you as a visitor to the city? You can call up the launch to travel across the harbor to waterfront restaurants in New Bedford and Fairhaven. Captain Bob’s wealth of knowledge of the city’s working waterfront will entertain and educate you as he ferries you through the port to your destination.
Seaport Art Walk
New Bedford’s annual Seaport Art Walk was founded in 2013 by artist Jessica Bregoli, and is the city’s first large-format outdoor public art installation. Each summer, sculptures and murals are strategically placed along New Bedford’s working waterfront and Seaport Cultural District.
Rotch-Jones Duff House
Step back in time as you enter this National Historic Landmark. Built in 1834 for whaling merchant William Rotch Jr., this Greek Revival mansion is home to historical artifacts, rotating exhibits, lectures, and live performances. Summer is a phenomenal time to visit the mansion’s pristine outdoor rose garden, home to over 350 rose bushes.
Zeiterion Performing Arts Center
Enjoy a night out in the city and catch a show at the “Z.” Dating back to the 1920s, the Zeiterion has undergone a series of transformations and renovations. Today, you can step inside this historic theatre and enjoy a Broadway musical, a symphony orchestra, a captivating dance performance, stand-up comedy, and a variety of other performances.
Blue Lane Kayak Rentals
If you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity, head to West Beach where you’ll find Blue Lane Kayak Rentals. They have everything you need to get out on the water. Choose a one-, two-, or three-hour session on a single kayak, double kayak, or paddleboard. Parking at West Beach is by beach pass only but there is parking available at Hazelwood Park.
New Bedford Fire Museum
Climb aboard an antique fire truck and try on real fire gear as you tour a historic fire station that now serves as a museum run by retired and active firefighters, who proudly walk you through the history and offer entertaining stories as well. A preserved collection of antique equipment and memorabilia is on display inside the fire station that was once called Olde Station No.4. Located just outside the New Bedford Historical District, Olde Fire Station No. 4 was built in 1867 and is the city’s oldest active station and one of the oldest in Massachusetts.
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