How Crowded Is New Bedford Whaling in May?
May is an average month at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, running about 0.9× the park's average month — roughly 8% of the year's visitors come in May. That puts it between the July peak and the January low. Overall our best-time score rates May as "Good" for a visit. Typical May weather averages a high near 68°F and a low around 50°F, with about 3.7" of precipitation. You'll get about 14.3 hours of daylight to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
May is average at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (about 0.9× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good". The single best month overall is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. May sits at about 0.9× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1998–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-06-20.