This is a wonderful museum and it is great for all ages. They tell the story of Native Americans, the impact of Europeans, the slave trade and contributions of ex-slaves, the development of industrial mills, as well as the whaling industry. There are works of art, historical artifacts, multimedia presentations, and scientific displays that would interest everyone. The whale skeletons are phenomenal. This is a museum to which we could return many times and still enjoy.

This museum was actually larger than I expected and had a great variety of exhibits. It’s true that it’s great for all ages. There were exhibits geared towards younger audiences and lots of information to read for individuals interested in New Bedford’s history — including things related to the textile industry. There was much more to see than simply things about the history of whaling, so that was a pleasant and welcome surprise.

The museum is a hidden little gem. Very interesting displays and artifacts, including some things that you can touch and experience. Loved boarding the half scale vessel and learning about whale ship living conditions. The whale skeletons and replicas of the heart and fins are amazing. Even though the gift shop items were way too expensive, I would definitely visit again

Although we only live one hour away, this was our first visit to the museum. The whale skeletons and models of a whale heart bring an awareness of just how large these creatures are. Displays of whale teeth, baleen, bones and more were fascinating. We happened upon a tour being led by Larry, and we were so glad we joined it. Larry is a wonderful guide with a wealth of information about whales, sailors, the ships themselves, New Bedford, and all sorts of interesting facts and trivia. He even played some sea shanties and explained why they were important to the sailors. At the end of the tour, Larry mentioned that the new director of the museum planned to emphasize the art work, possibly at the expense of, what we believe is the true purpose of the museum - to show how New Bedford was built on whaling. It would be a shame if this happens. We were pressed for time and missed some of the exhibits, as you need a minimum of three hours to truly take it all in. You would be very fortunate if on your visit, Larry is giving tours that day! He was remarkable in his knowledge and passion for all things New Bedford.

The tour led by Larry, a passionate volunteer, was just great. Anecdotes, stories of a period and industry that I knew very little about. It allowed me to immerse myself in the life of whalers! My 2-year-old daughter had fun looking for the whales hidden in the museum.

The Whaling Museum has three floors of exhibits. An elevator is available for those having trouble with stairs. It is suitable for families. There is a half scale model of an actual whaling boat which you can board. The displays are clear and some include a short video on the topic. There is a 3D movie in a small theater which is shown periodically during the day. There are numerous docents who are very friendly and add to your enjoyment of the visit. A great couple hour visit!

First off, A THANK YOU for preserving such a unique period of American history. Every facet of the whaling experience is shown here, from the oils used to the ship replicas. The scrimshaw room is fascinating with incredible artwork. Too much to talk about so all we can say is make this a MUST stop if interested in this topic. Our 8 photos attached are just a sampling. We enjoyed the gift shop too. Note for seniors, they give discounts for both AAA and your age. Sweet!!

If you have any interest in learning about whaling, or even local / national commerce before the age of shale oil, do yourself a favor an dedicate at least two hours to visit here (maybe more). It's one of the best museums I've ever been in, given its focus (and this is comparing to the NYC met and Chicago's field museum). They cover whaling almost as well as in Moby Dick. They discuss national and international trade extensively. They explain the multitude of engineering / fuel uses for whales and the related impact on their survival as various species. There are guides there who are more than willing to chat with you and answer a multitude of questions you didn't know you had. There really is no way to see all of it in one visit, i.e. too overwhelming, so it's worth a second trip if in the area. It's just outstanding.