Boston outdoors

Visitor Center Open: Summer Schedule

<p><strong>Visitor Center</strong></p> <p>The park’s Visitor Center is your starting point for exploring the stories, people, and history of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.</p> <p><strong>Hours:</strong></p> <p><strong>May 1 through November 30</strong><br /> Wednesday - Sunday<br /> 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM</p> <p><strong>December 1 through April 30</strong><br /> Wednesday - Saturday<br /> 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM</p> <p><strong>The Visitor Center is closed to public visitation on:</strong></p> <ul> <li>New Year’s Day</li> <li>Thanksgiving Day</li> <li>Christmas Day</li> </ul> <p><em>*The park may occasionally offer special programs, events, or activities outside regular Visitor Center operating hours. Check the park calendar and Visitor Center drop-down option under the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/nebe/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">Basic Information</a><strong> </strong>page when planning your visit.</em></p> <p><strong>Visitor Center Garden</strong></p> <ul> <li>Open daily from dawn to dusk.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Temporary Closures and Operational Changes</strong></p> <ul> <li>Severe weather, construction activities, public health concerns, emergencies, or security situations may require temporary changes to park operations, facility hours, or access to portions of the park to protect visitors, staff, and park resources.</li> <li>Temporary operational changes are shared through park alerts on the website, social media, phone greetings, and notices posted at key park locations.</li> <li>Please note that operating hours for National Park Service facilities may differ from partner organizations, businesses, and other locations within park boundaries.</li> </ul>

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NPS Photo

Black Heritage Trail Tour

<div class="nps-event-detail__header"> <ul class="nps-event-detail__basic-info usa-icon-list"> <li class="usa-icon-list__item"> <div class="usa-icon-list__content"> <div class="usa-icon-list__title">Free</div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="nps-event-detail__actions"> <div class="nps-event-detail__actions-inner"> <p><a class="usa-button usa-button--icon" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-heritage-trail-tour-tickets-153151587521?aff=oddtdtcreator" data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#myModal" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#myModal" data-remote="/common/commonspot/customcf/modals/modal_intercept.cfm?targetURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Fblack-heritage-trail-tour-tickets-153151587521%3Faff%3Doddtdtcreator">Register</a></p> <div class="nps-event-detail__action-info"> <p class="tablet:font-ui-2xs">Register in advance on Eventbrite</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="nps-event-detail__body"> <div class="nps-event-detail__body-section usa-prose"> <p>Join a Park Ranger from the National Parks of Boston to explore the rich history of the Black community in 1800s Beacon Hill.</p> <p>The Black Heritage Trail^® showcases residences and community buildings associated with a Black community that thrived on, and near, the north slope of Beacon Hill before, during, and after the American Civil War. Throughout that time, this community organized for equal rights and access to equal education. Community members championed the movement to abolish slavery and even housed freedom seekers on their journey along the Underground Railroad.</p> <p>This tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. Register for the tour in advance on <a id="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-heritage-trail-tour-tickets-153151587521?aff=oddtdtcreator|" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-heritage-trail-tour-tickets-153151587521?aff=oddtdtcreator" data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#myModal" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#myModal" data-remote="/common/commonspot/customcf/modals/modal_intercept.cfm?targetURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Fblack-heritage-trail-tour-tickets-153151587521%3Faff%3Doddtdtcreator">eventbrite</a>. It begins at the Massachusetts 54th Regiment across the street from the <a id="CP___PAGEID=6504906,massachusetts-state-house.htm,30224|" href="https://www.nps.gov/places/massachusetts-state-house.htm">Massachusetts State House</a> and ends at the <a id="https://www.maah.org/|" href="https://www.maah.org/" data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#myModal" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#myModal" data-remote="/common/commonspot/customcf/modals/modal_intercept.cfm?targetURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.maah.org%2F">Museum of African American History</a>, covering about 1.4 miles.</p> <p><strong>The Black Heritage Trail Tour runs Wednesday through Sunday at 10 am and 1 pm.</strong></p> <p>*In case of weather, Rangers will offer an indoor option in the basement of Faneuil Hall, also known as the "Find Your Park Space."</p> </div> </div>

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NPS Photo / M Bozio

Hourly Tour

<p><strong>Entrance to the historic house is by guided tour only, and all tours are free of charge.</strong></p> <p>What does this house reveal about our shared past? Here, history was made, and history was written. Highlighting the house and its remarkable collections (original to the Longfellow period), this conversational tour will explore links between colonial-era slavery and freedom, Washington’s headquarters at the start of the American Revolution, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poetic legacy, and the Longfellow family’s legacy of historic preservation.</p>

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NPS

Step into History Walking Tour

<p>Explore the city of Lowell through a ranger guided walk. Discover the many exciting topics that make Lowell special. From the natural environment to the Industrial Revolution to urban renewal, the city of Lowell has something for everyone.<br /><br /><strong>The Step into History Walking Tour is offered daily at 10:00 a.m. AND 1:30 p.m.<br /><br />Attendees should plan to meet at the Visitor Center front desk (246 Market Street) 15-minutes prior to the tour start time.</strong><br /><br />Visitors should plan for a 45-minute tour, all of which will be spent on your feet. Visitors can expect to walk as much a 1-mile on paved paths and are encouraged to bring water. This tour is free. Day of registration can be made at the Visitor Center front desk.</p>

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NPS Photo

Express Tour

<p><strong>Entrance to the historic house is by guided tour only, and all tours are free of charge.</strong></p> <p>Short on time? Tour the first-floor collections on this informal exploration of American history, culture, and identity.</p>

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NPS/Eric Hanson Plass

Faneuil Hall Talk

<p><span data-teams="true">Rangers provide FREE Faneuil Hall talks Wednesday through Sunday at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm. Each talk lasts about 15 minute. No registration is required.</span></p>

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NPS Photo/ M. Bozio

Old Slater Mill Tour

<p>Join a Park Ranger on a tour of the Mill that started the American Industrial Revolution. These 30 minute guided tours investigate the historical significance of Slater Mill, and what valuable lessons the building still teachings us. Tours begin at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM in front of the mill. Please arrive a few minutes early.</p> <p> </p> <p><u><em>Please Note:</em></u><em> </em><em>For visitor saftey, tours of Old Slater Mill will be modified or cancelled if the heat index is at or above 87 degrees Fahrenheit. A shortened 10 minute Ranger talk will be offered at the normal tour times. Visitors will have a brief period of access to the main part of the mill. For the latest weather information, call 401-725-8638.</em></p>

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Walking Tour: The History of New Bedford Harbor

<p>Explore the importance of New Bedford Harbor from the 1600s to the present day on this walking tour through one of New England’s historic working waterfronts. Learn how the harbor supported maritime trade, fishing, and whaling while contributing to major periods of American history, including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War era, and New Bedford’s rise as the world’s whaling capital. Discover how the harbor connected New Bedford to regional, national, and global networks that continue to shape the city today.</p>

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nps photo

Bunker Hill: Decisive Day Talks

<h2>Join a Ranger for a Decisive Day Talk!</h2> <p class="">Throughout the summer season, join Park staff or a volunteer outside of the Bunker Hill Lodge for a "Decisive Day Talk." These talks provide an overview of the Battle of Bunker Hill and its memory. Hear the stories of the colonial militiamen who constructed the redoubt where the Bunker Hill Monument stands today. Consider the experiences of British soldiers who sustained substantial casualties in pursuit of this position. Learn about the early inspiration for a Monument to commemorate this early battle of the American Revolutionary War and the individuals and community effort it took to construct.</p> <h2 class="">2026 Season (May 23 - September 27)</h2> <p class=""><strong class="">Tuesday through Sunday at 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm.</strong></p> <p class="">These talks are typically 15-20 minutes in length. If there is poor weather, these talks may be moved inside to the Bunker Hill Museum or cancelled.</p>

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NPS Photo

Concord's North Bridge: History and Memory

<p>At 11:00 a.m. meet a Park Ranger at the benches by the North Bridge for this daily 30 minute program. Learn about the momentous battle at Concord’s North Bridge, where the British Army suffered its first casualties of the war, and the legacy of this event in American History.</p>

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NPS photo

Iron Works House Guided Tour

<p>Join a Park Ranger and explore the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site Iron Works House and learn about the people who lived here for centuries before the house became managed by the National Park Service. This guided tour brings you into the first and second floors of a historic 1680s house.</p> <p>Tours last 30 minutes and are limited to 8 visitors. No advanced reservations are available. The tour is first come, first served.</p>

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NPS

Take Me Fishing

<p>Learn to fish with us this summer!<br /><br />Join park staff Sunday afternoons in June, July, and August for some FREE family fun. Catch some fish, learn about the river, and earn a Junior Angler badge. All fishing material and bait are provided. Activities available from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.<br /><br />Participants can drop-in at the Kelly House Barn at the Blackstone River State Park. This structure is located just down the towpath from the Kelly House Transportation Museum. Free parking is available at this site. <br /><br />Registration is not required and the program is free and open to all ages/skill levels.</p> <p>A portable toilet is available at this site.</p> <div data-ogsc="black"> </div>

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NPS

The Freedom Trail: Enemies to this Country Guided Tour

<p>In 1774 Paul Revere and his neighbors in the North End were forced to make difficult and dangerous choices. As sides were drawn, both Patriots and Loyalists labeled the other "enemies to this country."</p> <p>Join a National Park Service Ranger for a free 75 minute walk and decide who the real "Enemies to This Country" were in the months before the breakout of the War for Independence.</p> <p>Tours begin inside the Faneuil Hall Visitor Center and end at Old North Church, covering about 0.5 miles.</p> <h2><strong>2026 Season (May 23 - September 27) </strong></h2> <p><strong>Join a Ranger for Enemies to this Country Tour Wednesday through Sunday at 11 am.</strong></p> <p>*In case of weather, Rangers will offer an indoor option in the basement of Faneuil Hall, also known as the "Find Your Park Space."</p>

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NPS Photo M Bozio

Tour of USS CASSIN YOUNG (DD 793)

<h2>Join a Ranger for a Tour of USS <em class="">Cassin Young</em>!</h2> <p class="">Explore above and below the main deck of USS <em>Cassin Young</em> (DD 793), a Fletcher-class Destroyer that served in the Second World War and throughout the 1950s. Learn how such ships were built and see how the sailors lived, served, and made sacrifices aboard.</p> <p class="">Visitors will be able to see various parts of the ship on the tour, including: the Combat Information Center, the Plotting Room, Officer's Country (or Berthing Area), Ammunition Handling Room, Officer's Mess, Sailors' Berthing Area, Crew Mess, the Galley, Barber shop, and the Bridge.</p> <h2 class="">2026 Season (May 23 - September 27)</h2> <p class=""><strong class="">Tuesday through Sunday at 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm.</strong></p> <p class="">Tours begin on the deck of the ship and last for approximately 45 minutes. Tickets are available for FREE on a first-come, first served basis aboard the ship. Since this tour highlights small spaces, only 12 people are allowed per tour. Visitors must be over 48" in height to safely climb the ladders.</p>

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NPS Photo/M. Bozio

250th Deep Dive Tour: Headquarters of a Revolution

<p><strong>Entrance to the historic house is by guided tour only, and all tours are free of charge.</strong></p> <p>General George Washington’s Cambridge headquarters was a testing ground for many of the ideals, institutions, and questions that still define our nation. This conversational tour explores Cambridge Headquarters as a hub of revolutionary activity, where generals, enslaved people, paid laborers, poets, Indigenous diplomats, politicians, and soldiers shaped history - and how later generations would shape its memory.</p>

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NPS/Sam DiMatteo McKenzie

Sunday Funday on Georges Island

<p>Dive into the living history of the Civil War with historic lawn games and other hands-on activities.</p> <p>NOTE: <a href="https://www.bostonharborislands.org/ferry-tickets/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Ferry tickets</a> must be purchased to attend this event. Georges Island is accessible via public ferry. To purchase ferry tickets, please visit the Ferry Information page on the <a id="menur33i" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.bostonharborislands.org/ferryschedule/" href="https://www.bostonharborislands.org/ferryschedule/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#myModal" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#myModal" data-remote="/common/commonspot/customcf/modals/modal_intercept.cfm?targetURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bostonharborislands.org%2Fferryschedule%2F">Boston Harbor Islands partnership website</a>.</p> <p>Events may be effected by weather. Please ask the Boston Harbor Welcome Center for updates.</p> <p> </p>

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Boston Harbor Now

Suffolk Mill Open House

<p class="">Take a ride on one of the iconic <a id="CP___PAGEID=7217060,trolley-system.htm,26791|" class="" href="../../lowe/planyourvisit/trolley-system.htm">Trolleys</a> from the Boott Cotton Mills Museum or walk along the Merrimack Riverwalk to the <a id="CP___PAGEID=8168368,suffolk-mill-turbine-exhibit.htm,26791|" class="" href="../../lowe/planyourvisit/suffolk-mill-turbine-exhibit.htm">Suffolk Mill Turbine Exhibit</a>. Wednesday through Sunday from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. stop by to see a real Francis Turbine and learn how this technology revolutionized the textile industry in Lowell.</p> <p class="">Trolley will run Wednesday through Sunday from the Boott Cotton Mills Museum to the Suffolk Mill with return trips.</p>

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NPS Photo

Industrial Site Guided Tour

<p>Join a Park Ranger and explore the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site buildings to learn about the iron making process. Learn about the daily lives of the workers in the 1600s. Watch as waterwheels operate specialized machinery at the iron works.</p> <p>This free tour lasts 60 minutes. No reservations are required.</p>

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NPS

Old Harbor Life-Saving Station Open House

<p><span class="TextRun SCXW69517276 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW69517276 BCX0">D</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW69517276 BCX0">rop in anytime between 2 and 4 pm. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW69517276 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW69517276 BCX0">Built in 1898, Old Harbor is the last intact life-saving station of the original 13 on Cape Cod. A visit feels like stepping into a turn-of-the-century, working station while the crew is out on patrol. </span></span></p> <p><span class="TextRun SCXW69517276 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW69517276 BCX0">Race Point Beach, Provincetown. Beach fees may apply.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW69517276 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>

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Walking Tour: Whaling in New Bedford

<p data-start="540" data-end="852">Step into history and discover the story of New Bedford, the world’s whaling capital. Walk historic streets and explore how this bustling seaport connected New Bedford to a global maritime economy, where whalemen traveled around the globe and helped shape a city known for industry, commerce, and innovation.</p> <p> </p>

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nps photo

How to CAD Almost Anything! - Summer 2026

Running from Jun 3, 2026 to Jul 29, 2026

Ever wondered how musical instruments are designed? How can we generate a computer 3D model of a Trombone, an Ukelele or a Harp? What about designing a Morin Khuur (a traditional Mongolian violin)?

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MIT Events Calendar

Boston Duck Tours

Boston Duck Tours is a privately owned company that operates historical tours of the city of Boston using replica World War II amphibious DUKW vehicles. Boston Duck Tours first started running tours in Boston, Massachusetts on October 5, 1994.

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Image: Wikimedia Commons