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Downtown Neighborhood Guide New Bedford, MA
About
Downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts, is a vibrant and historic neighborhood known for its rich whaling history and stunning waterfront views. This area hosts the popular New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. It's often bustling with events and activities at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center. The neighborhood is serviced by major roads, including U.S Route 6 and Interstate 195, making it accessible for locals and tourists alike.
What You Will Love About Downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts
- The accessibility to a variety of dining, shopping, and art venues in the heart of the city.
- The rich history of the whaling industry, well-preserved in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the Whaling Museum.
- The culturally vibrant atmosphere brought on by performances and events at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center.
What's Nearby
Downtown New Bedford is close to the idyllic Buttonwood Park Zoo, only a 10-minute drive away. Active types will appreciate the proximity to the Fort Taber Park, which offers scenic beach views and walking trails. For those interested in further maritime exploration, the New Bedford Harbor is a stone's throw away.
Lifestyle
The downtown lifestyle in New Bedford is one of culture, history, and harbor-side living. With coffee shops, boutiques and galleries, the area encourages a relaxed yet engaging lifestyle. It is perfect for those who enjoy an active community, as the neighborhood often hosts block parties and festivals, and it's an excellent location for history buffs and maritime enthusiasts.
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Explore the Neighborhood
There are 122 restaurants, 24 grocery stores, and 10 parks within a mile of the Downtown neighborhood.
International C FoodRetail, Food and Beverage Retail, Fish Market, Grocery Store, Meat and Seafood Store
•0.3 miles
50 Homers Wharf
Maritime InternationalRetail, Warehouse or Wholesale Store
•0.4 miles
276 MacArthur Dr
- Lucky Seven Grocery
Retail, Food and Beverage Retail, Grocery Store
•0.6 miles
639 County St
- PriceRite
Retail, Food and Beverage Retail, Grocery Store
•0.7 miles
39 South St
- Bizarro Food Mart
Retail, Food and Beverage Retail, Grocery Store
•0.7 miles
556 Kempton St
- Price Rite of S. New Bedford
Retail, Food and Beverage Retail, Grocery Store
•0.7 miles
39 South St
- Biltmore Package Shop
Retail, Food and Beverage Retail, Liquor Store
•0.1 miles
650 Pleasant St
- Brother's Artisanal Jerky
Retail, Food and Beverage Retail, Liquor Store
•0.2 miles
11 William St
- The New Bedford Farmers Market
Retail, Food and Beverage Retail, Farmers Market
•0.2 miles
71 8th St
- International C Food
Retail, Food and Beverage Retail, Fish Market, Grocery Store, Meat and Seafood Store
•0.3 miles
50 Homers Wharf
- Mark's Beverage
Retail, Food and Beverage Retail, Liquor Store
•0.5 miles
642 County St
- Lucky Seven Grocery
Retail, Food and Beverage Retail, Grocery Store
•0.6 miles
639 County St
No ProblemoDining and Drinking, Restaurant, American Restaurant, Mexican Restaurant, Burrito Restaurant, Tex-Mex Restaurant
•813 Purchase St
- The Baker
Dining and Drinking, Bakery, Restaurant, American Restaurant, French Restaurant
•562 Pleasant St
- Braza Rotisserie
Dining and Drinking, Restaurant, American Restaurant, Latin American Restaurant, South American Restaurant, Brazilian Restaurant, Portuguese Restaurant
•562 Pleasant St
- Commons
Arts and Entertainment, Casino, Dining and Drinking, Restaurant
•778 Purchase St
- Paddy's Hotdog Shop
Dining and Drinking, Restaurant, Hot Dog Joint, Fast Food Restaurant, Sandwich Spot
•753 Purchase St
- Urban Grille
Dining and Drinking, Restaurant, American Restaurant, Portuguese Restaurant
•774 Purchase St
- Family Dollar Store
Retail, Discount Store
•771 Purchase St
- 767 Exchange
Retail, Vintage and Thrift Store
•767 Purchase St
- Modern Exchange
Retail, Vintage and Thrift Store
•185 Union St
- Rite Aid
Retail, Drugstore
•0.1 miles
824 Purchase St
- Walgreens
Retail, Drugstore
•0.1 miles
862 Purchase St
- WOOF! WOOF! Pet Boutique & Biscuit Bar New Bedford
Retail, Pet Supplies Store
•0.1 miles
255 Union St
New Bedford/Wings Court Farmers' MarketLandmarks and Outdoors, Park
•0.1 miles
Union St
- Custom House Square
Landmarks and Outdoors, Park
•0.1 miles
21 Barkers Ln
- New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Landmarks and Outdoors, Park, National Park
•0.1 miles
33 William St
- Camp Frederick Douglass
Business and Professional Services, Child Care Service, Landmarks and Outdoors, Campground
•0.2 miles
25 S Water St
- New Bedford Historical Society
Landmarks and Outdoors, Historic and Protected Site
•0.2 miles
21 7th St
- Schooner Ernestina
Landmarks and Outdoors, Historic and Protected Site
•0.4 miles
10 State Pier
Tl6 The GalleryArts and Entertainment, Art Gallery
•100 William St
- Paradise Mcfee Gallery
Arts and Entertainment, Art Gallery
•104 William St
- Commons
Arts and Entertainment, Casino, Dining and Drinking, Restaurant
•778 Purchase St
- New Bedford Art Museum
Arts and Entertainment, Museum, Art Museum
•608 Pleasant St
- Judith Klein Art Gallery
Arts and Entertainment, Art Gallery
•752 Purchase St
- Oko Arts
Arts and Entertainment, Art Gallery
•0.1 miles
528 Pleasant St
ShimmerBusiness and Professional Services, Health and Beauty Service, Hair Salon, Retail, Cosmetics Store
•187 Union St
- Your Father's Mustache
Business and Professional Services, Health and Beauty Service, Barbershop
•747 Purchase St
- Child Care Works
Business and Professional Services, Child Care Service, Daycare
•0.1 miles
105 William St
- Rose House Salon
Business and Professional Services, Health and Beauty Service
•0.1 miles
341 Acushnet Ave
- Cameo Beauty Salons & Wig Btq
Business and Professional Services, Health and Beauty Service, Hair Salon
•0.1 miles
75 William St
- Buzi Salon spa services & more
Business and Professional Services, Health and Beauty Service, Hair Salon
•0.1 miles
341 Acushnet Ave
Solstice SkateboardingRetail, Sporting Goods Retail, Bicycle Store
•102 William St
Backstage Dance AcademySports and Recreation, Gym and Studio, Dance Studio
•0.1 miles
77 William St
- Track + Channel
Sports and Recreation, Gym and Studio
•0.1 miles
12 N 6th St
- Boutique Fitness
Sports and Recreation, Gym and Studio
•0.1 miles
516 Pleasant St
- FTS Guns
Retail, Sporting Goods Retail
•0.1 miles
700 Pleasant St
- Power & Grace Yoga
Sports and Recreation, Gym and Studio, Yoga Studio
•0.1 miles
1 Johnny Cake Hl
Pour Farm TavernDining and Drinking, Bar, Restaurant, BBQ Joint, American Restaurant
•780 Purchase St
- Travessia Winery
Dining and Drinking, Restaurant, Winery
•760 Purchase St
- 222 Union Restaurant and Bar
Dining and Drinking, Bar, Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, Gastropub, American Restaurant
•0.1 miles
222 Union St
- Quarter Deck Lounge
Dining and Drinking, Bar, Cocktail Bar, Lounge
•0.1 miles
674 Pleasant St
- The Garden
Dining and Drinking, Bar, Dive Bar
•0.1 miles
133 Union St
- Hungry Whale Pub
Arts and Entertainment, Comedy Club, Dining and Drinking, Bar, Dive Bar, Restaurant
•0.1 miles
674 Pleasant St
New Bedford Whaling Research LibraryCommunity and Government, Library
•791 Purchase St
- New Bedford Free Public Library
Community and Government, Library
•0.1 miles
613 Pleasant St
- Pace Headstart Program
Community and Government, Education, Preschool
•0.8 miles
247 Smith St
- Casa Da Saudade Library
Community and Government, Library
•0.9 miles
58 Crapo St
- New Bedford Police Department
Community and Government, Government Building, Law Enforcement and Public Safety, Police Station
•572 Pleasant St
- New Bedford Fire Department
Community and Government, Government Building, Law Enforcement and Public Safety, Fire Station
•0.3 miles
868 Pleasant St
- US Drug Enforcement Admin
Community and Government, Government Building, Law Enforcement and Public Safety, Police Station
•0.3 miles
848 Pleasant St
- New Bedford Fire Prevention
Community and Government, Government Building, Law Enforcement and Public Safety, Fire Station
•0.4 miles
1204 Purchase St
- Bristol County Sheriff
Community and Government, Government Building, Law Enforcement and Public Safety, Police Station
•0.4 miles
108 Court St
Southcoast Laboratory Services - St Luke's HospitalHealth and Medicine, Hospital
•0.8 miles
101 Page St
Downtown Apartments and Rentals
51 Rental properties in Downtown, New Bedford, MA.
Cost of Living
| Category | Compare to State Avg. | Compare to National Avg. |
|---|---|---|
| housing | 0% | 16.7% |
| utilities | 0% | 25.4% |
| food | 0% | 2% |
| transportation | 0% | 6.7% |
| healthcare | 0% | 4.8% |
Downtown Transportation
Very Walkable
Bikeable
Some Transit
Srta Bus Terminal
Other
134 Elm St
Ais
Other
89 N Water St
Cuttyhunk Ferry Company
Other
66 State Pier
Source: foursquare.com
Srta Bus Terminal
Other
134 Elm St
Ais
Other
89 N Water St
Cuttyhunk Ferry Company
Other
66 State Pier
Source: foursquare.com
Downtown Schools
- 1/10
Grades 7-12 • Public
- 3/10
Grades PK, K-5 • Public
- 1/10
Renaissance Community School For The Arts
Grades PK, K-5 • Public
- NRNo Rating
Nativity Preparatory School Of New Bedford
Grades 5-8 • Private
- NRNo Rating
Grades 4-12 • Private
- 5/10
Global Learning Charter Public School
Grades 5-12 • Charter
- 4/10
Grades K-8 • Charter
Neighborhoods Around Downtown
| Neighborhood | StudioAvg Rent | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| Central New Bedford Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Acushnet HeightsNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| South CentralNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| West EndNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| North Bedford Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| County Street Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| South EndNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Acushnet Heights Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Hicks Logan-SawyerNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Rockdale NorthNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Wamsutta Mills Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Whitman Mills Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| North EndNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Myrtle Street - Sawyer StreetNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Howland Mill Village Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Bedford Landing Waterfront DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Merrills Wharf Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Buttonwood Park Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Fort Taber Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Hazelwood ParkNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Moreland Terrace Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Working WaterfrontNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Neighborhood | 1 BedAvg Rent | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| Central New Bedford Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Acushnet HeightsNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| South CentralNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| West EndNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| North Bedford Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| County Street Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| South EndNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Acushnet Heights Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Hicks Logan-SawyerNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Rockdale NorthNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | $1,862 | -- |
| Wamsutta Mills Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Whitman Mills Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | $1,755 | -- |
| North EndNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Myrtle Street - Sawyer StreetNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Howland Mill Village Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Bedford Landing Waterfront DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Merrills Wharf Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Buttonwood Park Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Fort Taber Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Hazelwood ParkNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Moreland Terrace Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Working WaterfrontNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Neighborhood | 2 BedsAvg Rent | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| Central New Bedford Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Acushnet HeightsNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| South CentralNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| West EndNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| North Bedford Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| County Street Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| South EndNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Acushnet Heights Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Hicks Logan-SawyerNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Rockdale NorthNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | $2,172 | -- |
| Wamsutta Mills Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Whitman Mills Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | $2,350 | -- |
| North EndNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Myrtle Street - Sawyer StreetNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Howland Mill Village Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Bedford Landing Waterfront DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Merrills Wharf Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Buttonwood Park Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Fort Taber Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Hazelwood ParkNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Moreland Terrace Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Working WaterfrontNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Neighborhood | 3 BedsAvg Rent | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| Central New Bedford Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Acushnet HeightsNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| South CentralNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| West EndNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| North Bedford Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| County Street Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| South EndNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Acushnet Heights Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Hicks Logan-SawyerNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Rockdale NorthNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | $2,350 | -- |
| Wamsutta Mills Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Whitman Mills Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | $2,600 | -- |
| North EndNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Myrtle Street - Sawyer StreetNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | $1,800 | -- |
| Howland Mill Village Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Bedford Landing Waterfront DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Merrills Wharf Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Buttonwood Park Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Fort Taber Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Hazelwood ParkNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Moreland Terrace Historic DistrictNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |
| Working WaterfrontNeighborhood in New-bedford, Massachusetts | -- | -- |