Pets

Visiting With Your Pet

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is an urban park adventure waiting to happen. With historic streets, harbor breezes, and plenty of outdoor spots to explore, it is a great place to enjoy with your four-legged friend.

While pets are not allowed inside the Visitor Center, they are welcome in the Visitor Center garden and throughout the downtown area that makes up the park. Just bring a leash, a little patience, and a couple of waste bags, and you're ready for a great visit.

 

Know Before You Go

• Pets must be leashed at all times. Leashes must be six feet or shorter and pets must remain under control. This is required by park policy, City of New Bedford ordinance, and Massachusetts state law.
• Pets are not allowed inside the Visitor Center or in any NPS-managed indoor space.
• The Visitor Center Garden is open to pets during public hours but closes after dark.
• Do not leave pets unattended, either tied outside or in parked vehicles. Temperatures in cars can rise quickly, even on mild days.
• Be mindful of wildlife. Rabbits, squirrels, and nesting gulls live in and around the garden. Please keep pets out of garden beds and away from wildlife.
• There are no trash bins in the garden. Bring waste bags and pack out anything you bring in.
• A water refill station is located inside the Visitor Center and may be used to fill pet bowls or water bottles.

 

Things to Do with Your Pet

There are several ways to experience the park with your leashed pet:

• Walk the cobblestone streets and view 19th-century buildings, murals, and interpretive signs.
• Rest in the Visitor Center Garden, a peaceful spot with benches and native plantings.
• Visit the working waterfront, just a few blocks away, to enjoy harbor views and a little more room to stretch your legs.

 

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Visit

• Always clean up after your pet and carry out any waste.
• Keep pets close and calm, especially around children, other visitors, and wildlife.
• Never leave pets unattended in vehicles or tied outside.
• For assistance or questions during your visit, speak with a park ranger or stop by the Visitor Center at 33 William Street.

 

To explore pet policies across the National Park System or get tips for visiting parks with your pet, visit the official National Park Service Pets page.

 

Service Animals

Service animals are not considered pets and are welcome in all areas of the park, including inside the Visitor Center. The park complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which define service animals as dogs trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a person’s disability. Service animals must remain under control at all times.

To learn more, visit our Service Animals page.