The New Bedford center point is approximately the area of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the area of Southcoast Health System.
When you're trying to decide the best time to visit New Bedford, keep in mind that the area experiences large differences between seasons. If you want to visit when you'll be able to enjoy all the attractions and activities, summer is the season for you. New Bedford enjoys average high temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s Fahrenheit from June through August. While you'll certainly find plenty of attractions to see and activities to do during a summer visit, you'll also have to pay top price for a hotel room.
When fall returns to New Bedford, the temperatures start to drop. While this season has reduced visitation, you'll find hotel room prices begin to decrease during this time. September still stays comfortable with average highs in the lows 70s, but October has highs in the low 60s, and November experiences highs in the low 50s. Keep in mind that travelers come to New Bedford to enjoy the fall colors, so you won't see significant hotel rate decrease until after peak leaf color passes.
Hotel prices continue to drop through the winter, so if you want the best deal, winter is the season to visit. However, make sure you're prepared for cold weather. Average highs from December through February in New Bedford are in the upper 30s and low 40s. The area also receives a total of around 25 inches of snow during these months. While you won't be spending any time at the beach with this weather, you can still find some indoor attractions to enjoy during your visit.
Spring takes its time arriving in New Bedford. March has average highs in the mid-40s, and the area still receives about 5 inches of snowfall. The area finally begins to thaw out in April and May, when average highs are in the mid-50s and mid-60s, respectively. If you plan your visit to New Bedford during the late spring, you can usually find some low prices remaining from winter, and the weather is decent enough to experience a few outdoor attractions.
New Bedford has several hotels that offer attractive discounts so that you can easily save money during your stay. For example, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New Bedford, which overlooks the harbor and is a six-minute walk from the New Bedford Whaling Museum, offers a savings of 15 percent or more to seniors who are 62 years and older. Members of the military are eligible for special rates, and AAA and CAA members will want to take advantage of their discounted rates. Plus, everyone can save with the free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast.
TownePlace Suites Wareham Buzzards Bay is a modern hotel 16 miles from the center of New Bedford. The hotel thanks military personnel and eligible government employees for their service by offering them special rates and offers. Additionally, AAA and CAA members will want to use their memberships to save on their room rates. Seniors 62 and older can save at least 15 percent during their stay. The pet-friendly hotel also has a complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi.
The value option hotels in New Bedford provide some of your favorite conveniences at reasonable rates. Residence Inn by Marriott New Bedford Dartmouth is off Interstate 195, 3 miles from Buttonwood Park Zoo and 5 miles from the New Bedford Whaling Museum. You can make yourself feel at home with a studio or suite that comes with a fully equipped kitchen, 37-inch flat-screen television, and free Wi-Fi. Before you check out the nearby attractions, be sure to fill up with the complimentary hot breakfast.
When you stay at Hampton Inn New Bedford/Fairhaven, you'll be 2 miles from the New Bedford Art Museum and 4 miles from the Buttonwood Park Zoo. You can make yourself feel at home in an inviting room that comes with free Wi-Fi, a mini-fridge, microwave, and a 32-inch flat-screen television. The hotel offers a fitness center and seasonal outdoor pool. Even if you don't have time to sit down and enjoy the famous waffles from the free hot breakfast, you can still get a weekday On the Run breakfast bag to make sure you start your morning right.
Located 2 miles from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and 5 miles from the center of New Bedford, Best Western Dartmouth Inn makes it easy to unwind when you're not exploring the area. The rooms include expanded cable channels, free Wi-Fi, a complimentary newspaper, and coffeemaker. The fitness center is the perfect place to break a sweat, and the heated indoor pool is where you need to go to relax.
When you want to learn more about the whaling industry in New Bedford, you must make a trip to the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The museum not only houses a large collection of logbooks from whaling ships, a half-scale model of a whaling ship, and five skeletons from whales that died accidentally or from unknown causes, but it also showcases an impressive number of fine art pieces from area artists.
Another interesting place to visit to learn more about animals is the Buttonwood Park Zoo. At the North America East section, you can view black bears, coyotes, bald eagles, and more. The North America West section contains cougars, bison, bobcat, and other animals. The zoo also has two Asian elephants, domesticated animals, and a variety of birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
When you want to explore the charm of a coastal city in Massachusetts, make plans to check out everything New Bedford has to offer.
Below are reviews of the city of New Bedford, MA from an actual visitor's perspective.
Great food, love the water.
Great historic city with a working waterfront and intriguing cultural scene. I'd like to come back and spend more time.
The food and entertainment!
A vibrant community, vital to the fishing industry. Museums and parks are fascinating place to visit.
New Bedford area was very nice.
New Bedford Whaling Museum, Seaman's Bethel, the water, the shops like Horror Family, just walking around, the public art, the Public Library, the harpoon motif on some of the wrought iron fences. Feeling like I'm experiencing the exact experiences of Herman Melville and all those historical labels and illustrations downtown.
Very friendly city with great restaurants!
The area is thriving with places to eat, shop and enjoy with the touch of whaling city ambiance. It's a great city for all to enjoy!