New Bedford’s 10 best recreational walking paths (Part 1)

I love to take long walks and thought I’d put together my favorite walking spots in New Bedford. Here’s the first five, in no particular order. Stay tuned for part 2. 

1. New Bedford Harbor Walk – New Bedford Harbor Side

New Bedford harbor walk
Photo by Jenna Correia.

In 2012, the City of New Bedford received $352,800 in grant money to develop the harbor walk. It feels like it has always been there. The harbor walk provides a 6,200- foot long walkway with lighting at night, seating to take in some fresh air and hand railings. It’s a great place for a sunrise walk and a perfect stop on the way to Fort Taber – Fort Rodman.

2. Fort Taber- Fort Rodman

Nice aerial view of Fort Taber. Photo by Michael J Cabarles.

The park at Fort Rodman – Fort Taber provides a ton of family amenities – ice cream/lunch spot, tables to eat, a military museum, bathrooms and a historic fort. A walk around the southern most part of the fort provides a fantastic view of the New Bedford harbor – facing Fairhaven, the Atlantic Ocean and Clarks Cove – facing Dartmouth. After a walk, relax and watch all the boats go in and out of the harbor. 

Check our event calendar often because sometimes they open the fort for an amazing look around:

3. Buttonwood Park

Beautiful sunset at Buttonwood park. Photo by Maureen Muldoon.

Buttonwood Park is probably the most used part of New Bedford for recreational walkers. There is plenty of parking by the zoo, in the park or on Brownell Ave. near the pond. You can walk the outer limits of the zoo or walk around the inside of the park (or a combination of both). Either way there are a dozen monuments, a bird pond, a garden and some small trails. You’ll also likely catch a lot of activity in the baseball diamonds or in the vast open areas. 

The only issue with this walk is that it is a rectangle that runs parallel to four of the busiest streets in the city, Route 6, Brownell Ave., Rockdale Ave., and Hawthorne Street.  Know that there will be heavy vehicle traffic.

4. Downtown and the Waterfront

The downtown area is great for walking, learning some history, seeing some art and enjoying a great meal or drink. With a ton of cobblestone roads (don’t wear heels!) and historic buildings, you will appreciate the history of the city – especially since it is a National Historic Park. Stop by the visitors center on William Street to get some ideas.

William Street is the street you will appreciate the most – start at North Water Street at the JJ Banc Building then work your way past the Whaling Museum, the Custom House building and water fountain, Public Library and City Hall. Most of the historic homes have placards with the name of the original owner and the year it was built. 

5. CoveWalk – Clarks Cove

“Mural at The CoveWalk at Clark’s Cove in New Bedford.” Photo by Peggy Sue Carvalho.

The 5,500-foot CoveWalk sits atop the hurricane barrier on the Dartmouth side of the peninsula, overlooking Clark’s Cove. The CoveWalk was made possible with $5 million in state grant funding administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. It’s officially open today. 


Have a walk you enjoy? Share in the comment section!