Today, New Bedford is an authentic seaport city with a large fishing fleet and working waterfront. The seafaring traditions of its mariner forefathers still hold fast. As in Melville's day, the "Whaleman's Chapel," or Seamen's Bethel, remains an active house of worship. Across the street, the century-old New Bedford Whaling Museum houses the world's largest collection of whaling artifacts, including a ship model so large, you can climb aboard! Both places stand in the heart of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, a 13-block area of the downtown adjacent to the waterfront. The Park preserves and interprets the city's role as "Whaling Capital of the World" in 19th century America.

The city was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad, well known for helping slaves on their trek to freedom. Frederick Douglass found his freedom and his voice in New Bedford.

New Bedford history is filled with people whose real-life stories are as fascinating as Melville's fictional Captain Ahab. Hetty Green, the "Witch of Wall Street," was the richest woman in the world in 1916, worth $100 million. Albert Bierstadt, William Bradford and Albert Pinkham Ryder, great names in American art, called New Bedford home. Their legacy continues in the city's thriving arts community in places like the nationally recognized ArtWorks! At Dover Street.

New Bedford is homeport to the official vessel of Massachusetts. The 108-year-old schooner Ernestina brings to life maritime history and education to students of all ages.

The County Street historic area features great whaling era mansions that Melville imagined were "harpooned and dragged up hither from the bottom of the sea." The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum is one such mansion frozen in time. Visitors are transported back to 1834 and the opulence of New Bedford's golden age of sail. Also located downtown is the Zeiterion Theatre, a meticulously restored Vaudeville Era theatre. The Zeiterion is home to the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and also offers a wide array of stage entertainment from around the world.

The New Bedford Art Museum, located on City Hall Square, exhibits works from the vast 19th century art collection of the New Bedford Free Public Library as well as a broad range of local and traveling exhibitions. The New Bedford Fire Museum features a large collection of 19th century fire apparatus housed in old Station #4, built in 1867.

Buttonwood Zoo, in historic Buttonwood Park, is located in the city's west end. Newly expanded, the Zoo features "Berkshires to the Sea," a natural history journey of richly diverse wildlife and habitat that spans from the Berkshire Mountains to Buzzards Bay. Mountain lions, black bears and bald eagles give way to river otters, harbor seals and exotic shorebirds as the journey culminates at the ocean's edge. The Zoo's new Aquatics Environment Complex explores the flora & fauna of the region's ponds, streams and estuaries. The Zoo also features bison, Asian elephants and a traditional New England farm that features some of the rarest domestic breed animals in the world.

New Bedford also has small shops and galleries. Many restaurants feature New Bedford's legendary seafood and Portuguese cuisine. The summer season offers a full calendar of festivals, including Summerfest and the largest celebration of Portuguese culture in the nation, the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament. A monthly arts night, "AHA! New Bedford," happens every 2nd Thursday of the month featuring many free activities throughout the National Park and downtown showcasing the city's vibrant arts community. For more information, call the New Bedford Office of Tourism and Marketing 1-800-508-5353.