First Friday in New Bedford:
An overnight New Bedford Experience
An after-hours museum party. A Saturday food tour. One very good weekend.
First Fridays each month this summer
This overnight package pairs a First Friday evening at the New Bedford Whaling Museum with a Saturday food tour, gallery time, and the kind of unhurried morning that makes a trip worth taking. Designed for visitors who want more than a day trip can offer.
Itinerary
Friday Afternoon — Check into The Fairfield Hotel
The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot puts you right on the harbor with a great free breakfast and views of the fishing fleet. Best of all, you’re just a five-minute stroll across the cobblestones from the world-famous Whaling Museum and the rest of the historic district.
Friday Evening — First Friday at The Whaling Museum
Experience one of the South Coast's liveliest monthly events at the Whaling Museum’s 21+ after-hours First Friday, featuring art, entertainment, signature drinks, and complimentary lite bites. Your evening includes a wine flight from Coastal Bubbles to be redeemed at your leisure; see below for each month's specific entertainment lineup.
Saturday Morning — Explore New Bedford and Whaling Museum Galleries
Breakfast at the hotel. No agenda. The Whaling Museum opens at 10 am — your Saturday gallery admission is included, so take your time. Your welcome bag includes dining suggestions if you'd like to explore before the tour.
12:00 PM — New Bedford Food Tour
Taste your way through Downtown New Bedford, visiting local restaurants that reflect the city’s remarkable cultural diversity. (Note: this tour focuses on non-seafood offerings.)
3:00 PM — Tour concludes in the historic district.
Choose Your Weekend
June 5 Monteiro Quartet
An intimate saxophone performance with a rare audience feedback component — part concert, part conversation.
July 3 The Jethros & Margaritaville Party
Kick off your Fourth of July weekend with tropical "Parrothead" vibes and waterfront views at the Whaling Museum’s harbor-side party. Enjoy a high-energy musical preview of Escape to Margaritaville followed by live music from The Jethros to set the summer mood. It’s a night of island rhythms, feel-good grooves, and "margarita magic" by the sea.
August 7 Putnam Murdock
A Berklee-trained singer-songwriter known for his blend of folk, Americana, and blues — and a familiar face on the SouthCoast music scene.
What’s Included
One night at the Fairfield by Marriott New Bedford (Friday)
Breakfast at the hotel (Saturday)
First Friday evening admission at the New Bedford Whaling Museum
Johnny Cake Hill wine flight from Coastal Bubbles, redeemable at leisure
Saturday gallery admission to the Whaling Museum with re-entry, at leisure
New Bedford food tour, Saturday 12–3 pm
Welcome bag with local goodies
What’s Not Included
Gratuity for food tour guide
Alcoholic beverages during food tour
Friday dinner
Transportation to and from New Bedford
First Friday in New Bedford is a partnership between New Bedford Food Tours and the The New Bedford Whaling Museum