56 Passenger Charter Bus
newbedfordcharterbus.com is a comparison and referral website, not a local company. We do NOT own or operate vehicles. Use our online quote form to view pricing and vehicle choices from independent transportation providers through a national booking platform. Read more: terms and referral details
Charter Bus Rentals in New Bedford, Massachusetts
Finding group transportation in New Bedford, Massachusetts just got a whole lot easier. Fill out one quick form and instantly compare party buses, charter buses, minibuses, and sprinter vans from a network of bus companies serving the South Coast. No account needed.
No phone tag. Just a wide range of bus options, sample photos, and prices from providers, right on your screen!
Your Top Choice for Bus Rentals in New Bedford
Newbedfordcharterbus.com puts every bus option you need right in front of you, without the runaround. Forget calling five different companies, waiting on callbacks, and trying to compare quotes that never quite line up. This website gives you a smarter way to book New Bedford charter bus rentals by connecting you to a large network of independent transportation providers serving the South Coast region.
You share your trip details once, then browse different buses, different packages, and different prices all in one place.
Newbedfordcharterbus.com is a website that helps you rent buses online, not a bus company. Bookings are made through a national booking platform, and an independent local provider supplies the vehicle. Newbedfordcharterbus.com does not own, operate, dispatch, or maintain any vehicles. You get TONS of different bus types, TONS of different packages, and TONS of options to fit YOUR trip.
Whether you're organizing a wedding shuttle, a school field trip to the New Bedford Whaling Museum (18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740), or a corporate group transfer to T.F. Green Airport, you can compare buses for your itinerary. No account needed! Yes, it's really that easy!
Our Charter Bus Options in New Bedford
What types of buses can you find through Newbedfordcharterbus.com in New Bedford? Plenty! Compare minibuses, party buses, full-size charter buses, sprinter vans, and school buses from a large network of independent providers serving New Bedford and the surrounding South Coast area, all in one place, with example photos and provider pricing side by side.
Vehicles shown above are NOT the exact makes and models available for every trip. We are NOT a transportation company and do not own or operate vehicles. Photos are examples only and may show stock or typical vehicles, not the exact vehicle offered for your reservation. Fill out the online quote form or call 774-425-8490 to view current vehicle options, photos, availability, and pricing. Confirm the exact vehicle details and amenities before booking.
Popular New Bedford Bus Amenities Available
Reclining Seats
Onboard Restroom
Individual Climate Control
Onboard Wi-Fi
Power Outlets
Overhead Storage
Under-Bus Luggage Storage
TV Monitors
PA System
Amenities listed above are common features that MAY be available on buses. Because we are a referral website and do NOT own or operate buses, exact features vary by vehicle, provider, and availability. After you submit your quote request, you can browse vehicle options, pricing, and available details on the results page. To confirm the exact amenities included with a specific vehicle offered for your trip, call 774-425-8490 before booking.
Get Bus Rental Pricing in Minutes!
New Bedford Charter Bus Rental Pricing & Rates
For quick and easy New Bedford bus rental pricing, Newbedfordcharterbus.com is the only tool you need. Enter your travel date, pickup location, and passenger count into the 30-second online quote tool and instantly see vehicle options, example interior photos, and pricing from a network of bus companies serving the area, no account needed, no waiting on callbacks, no guessing.
Wondering what a charter bus rental costs in New Bedford? Pricing depends on your bus type, trip length, group size, and the time of year you're booking. A compact minibus for a quick local transfer will cost far less than a full-size 56-passenger motorcoach for a multi-day trip.
Get the ball rolling with one quick form online, or call 774-425-8490 and a live agent will walk you through your options and build a custom quote around your itinerary. Yes, it's really that easy!
| Type of Vehicle | Cost Per Hour Weekdays | Cost Per Hour Weekends | Cost Per Day | Cost Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 Passenger Charter Bus | $205 – $385+ | $225 – $410+ | $1,650 – $2,950+ | $6.20 – $8.95+ |
| 35 Passenger Minibus | $225 – $370+ | $255 – $385+ | $1,815 – $2,415+ | $6.20 – $8.95+ |
| 30 Passenger Minibus | $205 – $365+ | $240 – $380+ | $1,670 – $2,335+ | $5.90 – $8.60+ |
| 28 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $355+ | $220 – $370+ | $1,540 – $2,255+ | $5.65 – $8.25+ |
| 25 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $350+ | $195 – $365+ | $1,420 – $2,180+ | $5.40 – $7.90+ |
| 20 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $340+ | $190 – $355+ | $1,300 – $2,080+ | $5.15 – $7.50+ |
| 18 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $330+ | $190 – $350+ | $1,210 – $1,990+ | $5.00 – $7.25+ |
| 15 Passenger Minibus | $180 – $310+ | $180 – $330+ | $1,150 – $1,880+ | $4.75 – $6.95+ |
| 15-50 Passenger Party Bus | $248 – $426+ | $265 – $460+ | $1,827 – $2,954+ | $6.75 – $9.95+ |
| Sprinter Van with Driver | $190 – $373+ | $218 – $466+ | $1,395 – $2,848+ | $5.00 – $6.95+ |
| Sprinter Limo | $190 – $340+ | $190 – $355+ | $1,300 – $2,080+ | $5.15 – $7.50+ |
| School Bus | $205 – $365+ | $240 – $380+ | $1,670 – $2,335+ | $5.00 – $7.60+ |
| ABOVE PRICES ARE JUST EXAMPLES. Your final price and vehicle options depend entirely on your specific trip details. To get an instant price quote for your trip, request an online quote or call 774-425-8490. | ||||
Bus Rentals Available For Any Event
Charter Bus Services We Offer in New Bedford
For easy booking of any kind of group transportation in New Bedford, Newbedfordcharterbus.com has you covered. Browse group transportation services for airports, concerts, corporate events, employee shuttles, government and military needs, long-distance trips, private events, prom, religious groups, school field trips, sports teams, and weddings, all from a large network of independent bus companies serving New Bedford and the South Coast.
New Bedford Airport Transfer Shuttle Bus Services
With one search on Newbedfordcharterbus.com, you can find and book airport shuttle buses serving New Bedford and every major airport in the region. The closest major airports to New Bedford include T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Warwick, Rhode Island, about 30 miles west via I-195, and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), roughly 60 miles north via I-93. Both routes carry heavy traffic during peak travel windows, so riding together in a private charter bus can keep your group together and out of the parking garage scramble.
At Logan, private buses use lower-level terminal curbs, with pickup locations marked by terminal, giving your group one terminal-specific meeting point.
Flying out of Cape Cod Gateway Airport (HYA) in Barnstable? A minibus gives your group one vehicle for that 45-minute run down Route 6. Need a larger group transfer from a downtown New Bedford hotel to Logan?
Compare full-size charter buses with undercarriage luggage bays and overhead storage for your group's bags. Fill out one quick form to compare airport shuttle options from a network of bus companies serving New Bedford, or call 774-425-8490 any time!
New Bedford Concert Bus Rentals
Need concert transportation in New Bedford? Whether your group is heading to a show at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center (684 Purchase St, New Bedford, MA 02740) right in the heart of downtown, or making the drive up to Fenway Park (4 Jersey Street, Boston, MA 02215) in Boston for a stadium-level concert, Newbedfordcharterbus.com makes it simple to find a bus for the show before it sells out.
Concert nights in New Bedford can get hectic, downtown parking on Purchase Street and Union Street fills up fast, and rideshare surge pricing after the final encore is no fun for a big group. A concert party bus rental keeps everyone together, eliminates the parking scramble, and gets the party started on the way there. Compare party buses with color-changing LED lighting, a premium Bluetooth sound system, a full-length bar, and wraparound perimeter seating for your night out.
Fill out one quick form to compare concert bus options in New Bedford today! At the Zeiterion, event drop-offs are welcome at the main entrance on Purchase Street, giving your group one shared arrival point near the theater.
New Bedford Corporate Shuttle Services
No more splitting your team across rental cars and rideshares for the next company event. Newbedfordcharterbus.com makes it easy to find and book corporate charter bus rentals in New Bedford for team-building events, client dinners, conference transfers, and everything in between. Whether your company is headquartered near the New Bedford Business Park off Shawmut Avenue or you're shuttling a delegation to a conference at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) (415 Summer St, Boston, MA 02210), you can compare bus options for your itinerary.
Compare full-size charter buses in the network with WiFi, power outlets, reclining seats, and onboard restrooms for longer rides up I-93 or across the Cape Cod Canal bridges. Need something smaller for an executive transfer? Sprinter vans are in the mix too.
Share your trip details once, compare corporate shuttle options from a network of providers, and book right online. No account needed!
Employee Shuttle Services in New Bedford
It just got easier to manage employee commutes and workforce transportation in New Bedford. Whether your company needs a daily shuttle between a remote parking lot and your facility near the New Bedford Industrial Park, or you're coordinating recurring employee transfers across Bristol County, Newbedfordcharterbus.com connects you with a large network of independent bus companies to build a custom shuttle program around your schedule.
Commuting in and out of New Bedford along Route 18, I-195, or Route 140 during peak hours is a genuine challenge for employees, and losing productive hours to traffic adds up fast. An employee shuttle bus lets your team use commute time for emails, prep, or simply decompressing before the workday starts. Recurring routes, custom pickup windows, and multiple stops can all be included in your quote.
Get the ball rolling with a live support team at 774-425-8490 to put together a long-term plan for your workforce's needs. Yes, it's really that easy!
New Bedford Government Bus Rentals
Whatever your agency or branch needs in New Bedford, Newbedfordcharterbus.com can help you compare government and military charter bus rentals through a network of independent transportation providers. From municipal agency shuttles for the City of New Bedford to group transfers for personnel at area military installations and reserve centers across Bristol County and Cape Cod, you can compare bus options for public-sector and defense transportation.
Government and military trips often come with strict scheduling requirements, specific pickup and drop-off protocols, and headcounts that shift on short notice. Newbedfordcharterbus.com helps you organize those trip details through the booking platform. Whether you need a single minibus for a small team or a fleet of full-size coaches for a large deployment or ceremony, fill out one quick form to compare options, or call 774-425-8490 and a live agent will help you put together a custom package. No account needed!
New Bedford Long-Distance Bus Rentals
Moving a group beyond New Bedford for an overnight trip, multi-day excursion, or cross-state journey? Newbedfordcharterbus.com makes it easy to find long-distance charter bus rentals from a network of providers. Whether you're heading north to Boston, south to New York City, or west toward Hartford or Providence, compare full-size 56-passenger motorcoaches with reclining seats, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, and undercarriage luggage bays for the trip.
Long-distance travel from New Bedford most commonly follows I-195 west toward Providence or I-93 north into Boston. Planning a multi-day trip? Compare bus options with climate control, flatscreen TVs, and a PA system to make the ride part of the experience, not just the means to an end.
Fill out one quick form to compare long-distance bus options from New Bedford, or call 774-425-8490 any time for a custom quote!
New Bedford Event Transportation Services
Book a private event bus in New Bedford and stop worrying about how everyone gets there and gets home. From milestone birthday celebrations at downtown New Bedford restaurants and bars along Acushnet Avenue to family reunion shuttles between the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum and a private banquet hall, Newbedfordcharterbus.com makes it easy to find the right vehicle for your group and your occasion.
Private event transportation in New Bedford comes in all shapes and sizes through the network, a 15-passenger minibus for a small birthday outing, a 25- to 50-passenger party bus for a bachelorette night through the Whaling City, or a full-size charter bus for a large group heading to a private venue across the South Coast. You choose the bus that works for YOUR event, YOUR headcount, and YOUR schedule. Fill out one quick form to compare private event bus options from a network of New Bedford providers, or call 774-425-8490 today!
Prom & Homecoming Bus Rentals in New Bedford
Newbedfordcharterbus.com connects you with a large network of party buses and charter buses in New Bedford perfect for prom night, so your group arrives in style and everyone gets home safely. New Bedford-area schools like New Bedford High School (230 Hathaway Blvd, New Bedford, MA 02740), Dartmouth High School, and Old Rochester Regional High School all hold prom events during the same narrow spring window, which means the best prom party bus rentals in the area book up fast.
Do not wait. Prom season in New Bedford fills the calendar from late April through May, and the most popular bus types, especially 25- to 50-passenger party buses with LED lighting, premium sound systems, and a full-length bar, disappear months before the big night. Booking early means better prices, better vehicle selection, and zero last-minute stress.
Fill out one quick form to compare prom bus options in New Bedford, or call 774-425-8490 today and lock in your date before it's gone!
New Bedford Religious Group Bus Rentals
Keeping a congregation, youth group, or faith community together on the road is easy with Newbedfordcharterbus.com. Whether your group is traveling from a New Bedford parish to a regional retreat, a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima in Lewiston, Maine, or a faith-based conference in Boston, you can compare bus options for your itinerary. Religious group transportation through Newbedfordcharterbus.com means your congregation travels privately, comfortably, and on a schedule that respects your event's timing.
New Bedford has a rich and diverse faith community, from historic Portuguese Catholic parishes along Acushnet Avenue to evangelical congregations and interfaith organizations throughout Bristol County. Whatever your denomination and wherever your group is headed, a live support team at 774-425-8490 is available every single day of the year to help you find the right bus, build a custom route, and put together a package that works for YOUR group and YOUR budget. No account needed. Yes, it's really that easy!
New Bedford Charter Bus Rentals For School Field Trips
Get online pricing in seconds for school field trip bus rentals in New Bedford, no phone tag, no waiting on callbacks, no guesswork. Teachers and trip coordinators across Bristol County can compare bus types, photos, and pricing from a network of independent providers in under 30 seconds, with no account required. Whether you're taking students to the New Bedford Whaling Museum for a deep dive into maritime history or heading up to the Museum of Science in Boston for a hands-on science day, you can compare bus options by group size and budget.
ADA-accessible buses are available through the network too, just mention it when you request your quote. Minibuses hold up to 35 passengers and work great for smaller class groups, while full-size 56-passenger motorcoaches offer room for larger grade-level trips, backpacks, and equipment in overhead storage. Fill out one quick form to compare school trip bus options in New Bedford, or call 774-425-8490 any time!
New Bedford Charter Bus Rentals For Sports Teams & Sporting Events
Booking sports team transportation in New Bedford just got easier with Newbedfordcharterbus.com. Whether you're coordinating travel for a youth hockey team heading to a tournament at Gansett Wraps Ice Arena (181 Tarkiln Hill Rd, New Bedford, MA 02745), shuttling a fan group to a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park, or moving a college athletic squad to an away competition across New England, you can compare bus options for the trip.
Compare full-size charter buses with undercarriage luggage bays and overhead storage for equipment bags, gear, and everything your team needs on the road. WiFi and power outlets are options for coaches and athletes on longer trips up I-93 or across I-195. For buses heading to Fenway, the Red Sox direct oversized vehicles away from Storrow Drive because of vehicle restrictions, and note that local street backups typically begin about an hour before games.
Fan groups heading to Fenway or a New England Patriots game at Gillette Stadium (1 Patriot Pl, Foxborough, MA 02035) have a designated lot-based arrival point: oversized vehicles park in Lot 52, event-goer drop-offs and pickups use Lot 15, and Route 1 drop-offs or pickups are prohibited. Fill out one quick form to compare sports bus options from New Bedford today!
New Bedford Charter Bus Rentals For Weddings
Rather than spending your wedding day wondering whether your guests found parking, book a New Bedford wedding shuttle bus and help guests travel together between the places on your itinerary. From hotel pickups along Route 18 to shuttles between the ceremony and reception, a private wedding bus gives your guests one shared ride between stops instead of separate cars.
New Bedford and the surrounding South Coast have stunning wedding venues, from waterfront spaces overlooking Buzzards Bay to historic downtown event halls along Union Street. Navigating downtown New Bedford parking on a Saturday night, especially near the Whaling Museum district and the Zeiterion, is genuinely stressful for out-of-town guests. A private wedding shuttle gives guests a shared ride between venues.
You can even personalize your bus with custom décor, a PA system playlist, or a slideshow on the flatscreens. Compare wedding bus options from a network of New Bedford providers, fill out one quick form or call 774-425-8490 today!
Fast, Free Quotes
Book Your New Bedford Charter Bus Today
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01
Submit Your Request
Use the online quote tool to share your trip details, including the date, passenger count, and pickup/drop-off locations. It only takes a minute to fill out.
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02
Compare The Options
Your request goes to a national booking platform, where you compare pricing and vehicle photos of available buses to find the right fit for your group.
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Lock In Your Bus
Pick the vehicle that fits your group and complete your booking right on the platform. Now you can relax!
Have Questions? We're Here to Help You!
Learn More About New Bedford Charter Bus Rentals
Newbedfordcharterbus.com helps you compare bus rental options; it is not a transportation company and does not rent, own, or operate vehicles. When you submit the quote form, your trip details go through a booking company so you can review pricing and available vehicles for your date. You compare the options and book through the process shown with your quote.
Newbedfordcharterbus.com is a website that helps you rent buses online. Fill out one quick form, or call 774-425-8490, to compare buses, photos, packages, and prices from a large network of independent transportation companies serving New Bedford. Bookings are made through a national booking platform, and an independent local provider supplies the vehicle. Newbedfordcharterbus.com does not own, operate, dispatch, or maintain any vehicles, and does not employ drivers. No account needed!
T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Warwick, Rhode Island is the closest major airport to New Bedford, located approximately 30 miles west via I-195, typically a 35 to 50-minute drive depending on traffic. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is roughly 60 miles north and is often the preferred choice for travelers with more flight options. You can compare airport shuttle options from Newbedfordcharterbus.com's network to keep your group together for either transfer.
Rush hour in New Bedford typically runs 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays, with the heaviest congestion along Route 18, I-195, and the Coggeshall Street Bridge corridor. Summer weekends also see significant slowdowns on Route 6 and Route 28 as beach traffic heads toward Cape Cod and the Islands. When possible, plan group departures outside these windows, or add 20 to 30 minutes of buffer time if your itinerary requires travel during peak hours.
A charter bus can bring your group to the ferry terminal serving both islands. The New Bedford/Martha's Vineyard Ferry operated by Seastreak New Bedford terminal departs from State Pier (49 State Pier, New Bedford, MA 02740), making New Bedford one of the most convenient South Coast embarkation points for island-bound groups. Your charter itinerary can bring the group to the terminal together and schedule a coordinated pickup around the return crossing.
Build your bus itinerary around the ferry's current schedule and your group's return time.
Yes! ADA-accessible bus rentals are available through Newbedfordcharterbus.com's network of independent transportation providers serving New Bedford. If your group includes passengers who use wheelchairs or have other mobility needs, simply mention it when you fill out your quote request or when you call 774-425-8490.
A live agent will help match you with a vehicle equipped with a wheelchair lift, widened aisles, wheelchair tie-downs, and other accommodating features for your group.
Absolutely! Newbedfordcharterbus.com connects you with a large network of independent bus companies serving cities across the South Coast and all of Massachusetts. Whether you need a bus in Fall River, Taunton, Brockton, Plymouth, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, or anywhere else in the region, you can compare options for your trip. Browse the full list of cities we serve to find group transportation near you!
Find TONS of bus options through the network! Compare party buses with a full-length bar, color-changing LED lighting, a premium Bluetooth sound system, flat-panel TVs, and wraparound perimeter seating. Full-size charter buses are available with reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, and undercarriage luggage bays.
Minibus options include overhead storage, power outlets, WiFi, and more. Compare amenities side by side and mention any must-haves when you request your New Bedford bus quote!
For most trips in New Bedford, booking two to three months in advance is a smart starting point, but the earlier you lock in your date, the better your vehicle selection and pricing will be. Prom season (late April through May), summer weekends, and major local events like New Bedford's Feast of the Blessed Sacrament in August, the largest Portuguese feast in the world, fill up transportation calendars fast. Waiting until the last minute almost always means premium pricing, limited availability, or both.
Call 774-425-8490 today and secure your bus before your date is gone!
Travel to Any Destination!
Travel to Popular New Bedford Destinations by Charter Bus
If you're looking for things to do in New Bedford, the Whaling City delivers, from world-class museums and working waterfront attractions to vibrant arts districts and stunning coastal parks. Here are eight of the most popular destinations in New Bedford that groups love to visit by charter bus, complete with useful local details your trip coordinator will find useful!
Use the previous and next buttons, the left and right arrow keys, or swipe to browse eight destinations.
New Bedford Whaling Museum
The New Bedford Whaling Museum is one of the most visited cultural attractions in all of southeastern Massachusetts. The museum spans more than 20,000 square feet of gallery space and houses an extraordinary collection of scrimshaw, whaling artifacts, ship logs, and the 66-foot-long skeleton of a blue whale. The half-scale replica of the whaleship Lagoda, the largest ship model in existence, is an absolute showstopper for school groups and history enthusiasts alike.
The museum's field-trip directions bring buses to Bethel and William Streets, where buses may park on Bethel Street if space is available. After drop-off, buses proceed to the free Whale's Tooth Lot at 532 Acushnet Avenue, giving school groups a defined arrival point and a free place for the bus to wait. Call the New Bedford Whaling Museum at (508) 997-0046 to confirm group arrival logistics before your visit.
Zeiterion Performing Arts Center
The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center is New Bedford's premier live performance venue, housed in a beautifully restored 1923 theater in the heart of downtown. Locally known as "The Z," this 1,200-seat venue hosts Broadway touring productions, nationally touring musical acts, comedy shows, dance performances, and community events throughout the year. The ornate interior, with its original plasterwork, dramatic lighting, and tiered seating, makes every performance feel like a special occasion.
Charter buses can drop off groups on Purchase Street directly in front of the main entrance. Overnight or extended parking for larger vehicles is best arranged in the Elm Street Parking Garage (48 Elm St, New Bedford, MA 02740), approximately a three-minute walk from the theater. Check current show schedules at zeiterion.org.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William St, New Bedford, MA 02740) encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District in downtown New Bedford, preserving the 19th-century streetscapes, cobblestone streets, and waterfront architecture that defined the city during its peak as the whaling capital of the world. The park's visitor center on William Street is an excellent first stop for group tours, with guided walks, orientation films, and interpretive programming tailored to school groups, history clubs, and general visitors. The park closes the visitor-center driveway to public use, so a bus group needs to use a drop-off point outside the driveway.
The cobblestone streets throughout the historic district are navigable on foot from there. This park is free to enter and open year-round, making it an ideal anchor stop for any South Coast group itinerary.
Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum & Clark's Cove
Fort Taber Park (1000 S Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford, MA 02744) sits at the southern tip of the New Bedford peninsula, overlooking the entrance to Buzzards Bay and the Elizabeth Islands beyond. The park encompasses the historic Civil War-era Fort Taber and its companion Fort Rodman, both of which were active military fortifications from the 1860s through World War II. The on-site Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum displays military artifacts, uniforms, and historical exhibits documenting the fort's service across multiple conflicts.
The surrounding park offers sweeping coastal views, walking paths, and picnic areas, making it a favorite for group outings and historical tours alike. Charter buses have ample parking in the large lot off South Rodney French Boulevard. The park is open daily and admission to the grounds is free.
Buttonwood Park & Zoo
Buttonwood Park Zoo (425 Hawthorn St, New Bedford, MA 02740) is one of the oldest zoos in the United States and one of New Bedford's most beloved family destinations. Founded in 1894, the zoo is home to more than 200 animals representing over 100 species, including bison, bald eagles, red pandas, river otters, and a beloved Asian elephant named Emily. The zoo sits within the larger Buttonwood Park, a beautifully landscaped Frederick Law Olmsted-designed green space featuring a pond, walking paths, playgrounds, and sports fields.
Charter buses can drop off groups at the main entrance on Hawthorn Street, with ample parking available in the adjacent lot. The zoo is open daily and offers group admission rates for school groups and organized tours. Contact the zoo at (508) 991-6178 to arrange group visits in advance.
Acushnet Avenue Cultural Corridor
Acushnet Avenue is the cultural and culinary heart of New Bedford's vibrant Portuguese-American community, one of the largest and most culturally intact Portuguese communities in the entire United States. Stretching northward from downtown through the North End neighborhood, this corridor is lined with authentic Portuguese bakeries, seafood restaurants, specialty grocery stores, and cultural institutions that reflect the city's deep maritime and Azorean heritage. Charter buses can navigate Acushnet Avenue with a drop-off near Madeira Field or along the commercial stretch between Acushnet and Belleville Avenues.
Standout stops include Antonio's Restaurant (267 Coggeshall St, New Bedford, MA 02746) for traditional Portuguese cuisine and local bakeries producing fresh pão de Deus and pastéis de nata. August brings the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, the largest Portuguese feast in the world, to Madeira Field, drawing enormous numbers of visitors over four days.
New Bedford Harbor & Working Waterfront
The New Bedford Working Waterfront along Pier 3 and the downtown harbor remains one of the most economically productive fishing ports in the entire United States, consistently ranking among the top commercial fishing ports in the country by dollar value landed. A charter bus group tour of the waterfront offers a rare and authentic look at a living, breathing working harbor, with fishing draggers, sea scallop vessels, and support infrastructure that few American port cities still have at this scale. The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel St, New Bedford, MA 02740) provides interpretive exhibits on the commercial fishing industry and its cultural significance to the region.
Charter buses can drop off along the harbor approach roads near Pier 3. Combine a waterfront visit with lunch at Freestones City Grill (41 William St, New Bedford, MA 02740) for a complete downtown New Bedford experience.
Lloyd Center for the Environment
The Lloyd Center for the Environment (430 Potomska St, Dartmouth, MA 02748) sits just minutes from downtown New Bedford along the banks of the Slocums River in neighboring Dartmouth, and it is one of the most distinctive environmental education destinations in southeastern Massachusetts. The center manages more than 55 acres of salt marsh, upland forest, and shoreline habitat, with interpretive trails, a nature center, and programming focused on coastal ecology, marine biology, and environmental stewardship. School groups from across Bristol County regularly book field trips here for hands-on outdoor learning experiences tied to the Massachusetts science curriculum.
Charter buses can access the property via Potomska Street, with a dedicated parking area near the main building. The Lloyd Center offers guided group programs for all ages, contact them at (508) 990-0505 to schedule a group visit well in advance of your travel date.