This is the best museum I've ever been to! You walk in and are wowed by the amazing whale skeletons and life-size models of flukes of various whales and the heart of a blue whale. So amazing to see! The museum also gives insight into the long whaling industry in New Bedford and all over the world (Azores, Japan, Cape Verde). There were several art galleries comprised of scrimshaw, abalone, ship models, and paintings from the time period. Enjoyed all the history of the area too - from the Pilgrims, to the Puritans and Quakers, to King Philip's War. There was also a very large scale boat and harpoons. Definitely a must-see and will be going back!

Thoroughly enjoyed the visit. So much new than just whaling, history of area, of state, of country. Highly recommend.

We had a fantastic tour with Larry Lutvak. He really brought the history to life for us and even played sea shanties while we were on the model ship and re-enacted ship life in the 18th century. 5 stars, this is a must see on your New England holiday!

Spent 3hrs in this museum. Felt like a maze! Plenty of sections to check out. However, it still felt like it was missing something. Lots of history pertaining different countries on whaling. Paintings and artworks during their voyage. Japan’s colorful painting tells a story. One of the sections has little passport stamps and scavenger hunt for children (adults can join in on the fun!) Side note: there is a small gift shop. If you are a magnet hunter, this isn’t the place. Not very exciting magnets that speaks for this museum unfortunately. Small selection 😕

I brought a date to the New Bedford Whaling Museum and we had a great time. Lots to look at, some very interesting things and things I won't post here because unlike my other social media, my guides account is the only one I keep PG-13. I could make some comments about the whale genitalia on display, but I'll keep my thoughts to myself 😇 LOL. I took particular interest in the giant whale heart sculpture due to my own heart condition. anything to do with hearts always attracts my attention. Of course there were plenty of model ships and full size boats. There's also a half scale whaling boat which is the centerpiece of the museum. You can climb on and look around. I saw lots of kids really enjoying it. We were there talking and meandering around for about 2 1/2 hours and didn't see everything though we were admittedly taking our time admiring everything. My only complaint was the admission price. Not sure how it chocks up comparatively to other museums but it seemed high to me at $19 per adult ticket. Other than that I had a great time and I plan to go back eventually and see what I missed. Saw a lot of reviews saying kids were not so welcome by staff. I did not see any group tours or kids on guided tours, but lots of kids with parents seemed to be enjoying themselves. I regret that I didn't take more pictures.

Fantastic place to spend a few hours! I was totally impressed with this huge collection of historical info, artifacts, and exhibits. There is so much to see and learn here. I don't want to give too much away because you'll be blown away with some of this museum's surprises. There's fun for the whole family, so bring the kids.

Really awesome, fun museum where you learn so much about such an important NE industry.

Went here as part of a group event with no real expectations, however I was blown away! The museum looks small from the outside and main lobby, but seemingly goes on forever. It is meticulously maintained, and all of the interactive exhibits worked as they should. I don’t think I would recommend it for a family simply because there isn’t a whole lot that I think kids would be interested in; although there are a few exhibits geared directly toward engaging children. Overall, I think it was great and I would highly recommend it.

This museum looks much smaller from the outside, it is very large! The inside has whale skeletons, many types of boats used in whaling, local artwork, and lots of historical information. Background on how the Portuguese influenced whaling via people from the Azores was very interesting. It is a short walk from the museum to get something to eat and to walk around the harbor.

This place is a lot bigger than it looks we ended up spending about 5 hours and could have easily spent more time looking at all the exhibits. Absolutely amazing, and definitely well worth the $

Hands down one of the best museums of New England. Learn about whales, whaling. See art and artifacts of various artists from the whaling era and the mill town that New Bedford is and world’s largest ship model on which you can go on and explore. Had a great time 🐋🐳 Do catch the film 🎥 which sheds light on the rich history of New Bedford as the world’s whaling capital and as a mill town.

This is much more than a whaling museum. There are historical artifacts and art. They even have a 3D movie theater. Wife and I visited expecting to stay no more than 2 hours. Stayed more than four and still didn't see everything. Don't want to spoil any surprises, so I'm not going to mention any exhibits. Young and old will find many things of interest here. It also looks like they have a few rotating / on loan exhibits too. I would not miss the chance to visit!

great place to chat with friends! it is important to know the history of the formation of the first energy sources and methods of their extraction.

Lots of different exhibits. Way bigger than it looks. Make sure to give yourself time to explore every room. Also learned some pretty cool facts from a young docent on the ship.

Amazing Museum! So much to see-do the movie and take the tour!! Gift shop is worth a look.

This is a must place to visit when you're visiting New Bedford. It is full of great artifacts and very well laid out. You can truly spend hours and hours in this place. The scrimshaw collection is the best that I have ever seen. A true gem of a museum!

Loved it more than we anticipated. So sad what happened to the whales but so cool to see the things they made from them. A ton of things to see and read to make time! Definitely a "we have to come back" place if you really want to see and read EVERYTHING. Staff were all very lovely. They have a scavenger hunt for the kids and our 3yo daughter had such a great time completing it. They have a cute kids section where they have things to explore, such as a giant whale heart to go inside.

Definitely a must-see if you’re in the area. I was originally planning on only going to the NPS museum a block away but I’m so glad I came here as well. There are a ton of unique info, artifacts, and exhibits that one could spend hours viewing. It’s really interesting how the giant whale skeleton in the lobby has been dripping oil for years, which is being collected in a glass jar on the wall. The museum also does a good job of spotlighting other cultures that practice whaling, instead of just the regional New England whaling industry.

Lovely museum. It has a few complete whale skeletons and a rich history of whaling and the local area. Takes about 1-3 hours to get through depending on how much you like to read the exhibit signs.

Absoposilutely a must see if you are visiting New Bedford, even if you are a card carrying member of GreenPeace! Exhibits, history and art for young and old from top to bottom in a beautiful, modern facility. We had to leave after two hours and there was still plenty more to see. It's located right in Historic New Bedford so no shortage of pubs and restaurants nearby.

This is an amazing museum dedicated to whaling. There are skeletons, models, ships, educational displays, and lots of beautiful art. You can easily spend a couple of hours here. Excellent for children and adults alike.

A really nice museam. Lots of great information and cool displays. It's small enough to visit for half a day but covers the history of whaling nicely. The half scale model of a whaling ship is excellent and you get to go on it! Inside tip, there is a few free parking spots right in front. Knocked of a star because the audio tour is very disorganized.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is an exceptional destination for anyone interested in maritime and whaling history. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, providing a deep dive (pun intended) into the whaling industry and its cultural significance. From interactive displays to fascinating artifacts, visitors can truly appreciate the magnitude of this historical period. This museum has a welcoming atmosphere for visitors of all ages. There’s even a scavenger hunt to keep everyone entertained while walking around the exhibits. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a whale lover, or simply looking for an enriching experience, the New Bedford Whaling Museum is a must-visit. It offers a unique glimpse into the past and leaves visitors with a deeper appreciation for the legacy of whaling. There was even a couple who even rented out the museum for their wedding after hours.

Haven’t been to the whaling museum since I was a child, figured I would bring my son there for the first time. He loved going onto the boat and looking at the whale exhibit. If your into history this is a great place !

Truthfully, thought I'd be bored but actually it was amazing! You get more than just fishing and whaling but life and culture. I would definitely go back!

If you are into the stories of Herman Melville, this is the place to be. But it's not just about whales. Visiting here you will be introduced to the entire whaling industry. Of course, this was a different era - and many things were done differently than they are now. But don't be offended and think these were bad things. This museum tells the story of life in a past time. That's what history is. Learn from our past. And by visiting here, that is exactly what you will do. This facility is amazing. Two to three hours is the least time it will take to fully appreciate what is offered here. Go and enjoy yourself.

A very cool and interesting place to visit. I have gone twice with my kids now (4 years old and 18 months old) my kids had an absolute blast. So much to learn

My husband surprised me with a trip here for an early Valentine's celebration. I love all things ocean-related, and whales are one of my favorite animals. I was hesitant about the museum briefly because I knew the general history of whaling and what it meant for the whales, but this museum lays it out without any gratuitous gore. It also covers the biology of whales, how we study them, the history of whaling and whalers from multiple cultures, the products made from whales, and galleries of artwork from locals, amongst other things. The outside of the building starts with one of my other favorite animals: a giant squid. (I'd love to see a specimen or model of one of these inside the museum!) The whale specimens when you enter the building are truly spectacular. The half-scale model of a whaling ship is also incredible, and the employee on board was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. My husband read that it would take a little over an hour to experience the entire museum, but we probably spent 3 hours and could have stayed longer. I'd definitely bring my parents and/or friends here when they visit the area.

This is a hidden gem of New England, worthy of a detour. An example of museum done right: you will find something there whether you are a history buff, a parent looking to entertain and educate your kids, or just a normal geek interested in random knowledge. The collection is remarkable. Make sure to check the library, they have some great books, including some rare and old ones.

So much more than a whaling museum. At first blush I thought whaling was all that there was but 4 hrs later I knew about the industrial history of New Bedford, the rich cultural history, is evolution, and the people who came and contributed in countless ways. Yes there was a great detail on Whaling and so much more. Well worth the visit. Wished we made an overnight visit so that we had more time to explore the area. And, by the way, the public library around the corner has a great art collection.

What a great museum...so much to take in...room after room of great exhibits...easy to spend alot of time there! Check it out when in New Bedford!

Been wanting to come here for a few years. Fantastic museum. All ages will enjoy.

Great Museum for kids and adults (older kids). Volunteers are wonderful and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed the scale model of a ship for kids to explore.