New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is a National Historical Park in Massachusetts. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 2 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in New Bedford Whaling
We matched 2 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to New Bedford Whaling. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Lighthouses (2)
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At New Bedford Whaling the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 57° (ENE) at the June solstice and 121° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 303° (WNW) in June to 239° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 72° in summer but only 25° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:09 AM | 7:52 AM | 3:55 PM | 4:38 PM | 242° | 9h 30m |
| February | 6:40 AM | 7:19 AM | 4:38 PM | 5:17 PM | 254° | 10h 37m |
| March | 6:57 AM | 7:33 AM | 6:14 PM | 6:50 PM | 268° | 11h 54m |
| April | 6:04 AM | 6:42 AM | 6:47 PM | 7:24 PM | 284° | 13h 20m |
| May | 5:25 AM | 6:05 AM | 7:17 PM | 7:57 PM | 297° | 14h 32m |
| June | 5:10 AM | 5:52 AM | 7:38 PM | 8:20 PM | 303° | 15h 11m |
| July | 5:23 AM | 6:04 AM | 7:36 PM | 8:17 PM | 300° | 14h 54m |
| August | 5:53 AM | 6:31 AM | 7:07 PM | 7:45 PM | 290° | 13h 52m |
| September | 6:25 AM | 7:01 AM | 6:18 PM | 6:55 PM | 275° | 12h 30m |
| October | 6:56 AM | 7:34 AM | 5:26 PM | 6:04 PM | 259° | 11h 08m |
| November | 6:33 AM | 7:15 AM | 3:44 PM | 4:25 PM | 246° | 9h 51m |
| December | 7:04 AM | 7:49 AM | 3:30 PM | 4:15 PM | 239° | 9h 11m |
Computed for the park's reference point (41.6354, -70.9232); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From New Bedford Whaling, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from March through September. June gives the longest window (about 4.3 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 19° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 8 (city sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| March | 4:14 AM – 5:14 AM | 1.0 | 16° |
| April | 2:15 AM – 4:15 AM | 2.0 | 19° |
| May | 12:23 AM – 3:23 AM | 3.0 | 19° |
| June | 10:32 PM – 2:52 AM | 4.3 | 19° |
| July | 10:22 PM – 1:32 AM | 3.2 | 19° |
| August | 9:32 PM – 11:32 PM | 2.0 | 19° |
| September | 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM | 1.0 | 16° |
| October | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
8 Estimated Bortle 8 — City sky. Only bright constellations are visible; the sky glows orange or white.
Weather & best time to visit
In New Bedford, Massachusetts, you’ll experience all four seasons in their full glory! Summers are warm and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 56°F to 83°F, perfect for enjoying the coastal breeze. As the year turns, fall brings crisp, cool weather, with temperatures between 30°F and 70°F, offering the ideal backdrop for stunning autumn foliage. Winters are chilly, with temperatures ranging from 20°F to 45°F, occasionally bringing snow to the scenic city. By spring, the weather begins to warm up again
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show September as the clearest month (about 50% average cloud cover) and January as the cloudiest (69%). August is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Getting there
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center is centrally located in downtown New Bedford at 33 William Street. If you're arriving by car, take I-195 and use Exit 25, following signs for Downtown New Bedford. Parking is available in nearby garage or street parking around the visitor center. If you’re traveling by public transportation, the local SRTA buses service the downtown area, with stops close to the visitor center. Once in the area, the Visitor Center is a short walk.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Junior Ranger Program
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
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