NEW BEDFORD — The New Bedford Whaling Museum has recently experienced a significant surge in visitors, reaching its highest attendance levels in over 10 years.
The museum reports that, compared to the same period in 2024, overall visitation during the first quarter of 2025 rose by 16.2% across all categories. Notably, the number of school groups touring the museum jumped by 27.9% year over year.
“While we can point to certain tactics that led to this success, what it comes down to is that we offer an incredible experience that resonates with visitors of all ages and backgrounds,” said Museum CEO Amanda McMullen.
According to statistics in the General Manager’s report at May’s MBTA Board Meeting, the recently opened South Coast Rail could have been a major component to the increase.
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“Improving and expanding public transportation in Massachusetts isn’t just about connecting commuters to their jobs, but also connecting people to arts and culture and leisure activities,” said Dani Caisse, Communications Director for the MBTA.
“People across Massachusetts deserve Commuter Rail trains that give them the freedom of choice and a network that serves all types of trips for all kinds of people.”
A woman pushes a young girl in a carriage into the Lagoda room at the New Bedford Whaling Museum
The museum reports that since the pandemic, attendance has soared by 380%, while its annual fund has grown by 35% over the past decade. This growth is attributed to strategic marketing, active outreach to schools and homeschoolers, and ongoing investment in new exhibits and programs.
The museum also hosted three traveling exhibitions in 2024, which reached more than 58,000 people around the country, expanding the reputation of the region, the museum said.
Caisse also said the MBTA is excited that so many Greater Boston residents have taken advantage of the MBTA’s newest transit expansion to visit New Bedford.
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There have already been several offers to excite tourists to New Bedford including an experience created by Mass Adventures utilizing the train and introducing guests to the Whaling Museum and New Bedford restaurant scene with the New Bedford Food Tours.
“We hope to see even greater transit service on the South Coast in the future,” Caisse said.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: South Coast Rail drives visits to New Bedford Whaling Museum
