Once the richest city in the world - and prominently featured in Melville’s Moby Dick - this former whaling capital is still the #1 fishing port in the United States. (That’s right, Alaska!) New Bedford’s Downtown feels like a true city – modern, distinct, and vibrant. And yet the Seaport Cultural District, nestled between the port and the downtown, is a walk back in time - its historic architecture and cobblestone streets lead to the New Bedford Whaling National Park and the Whaling Museum, the heart of the city’s historical heritage. Come for this taste of history – one of the few urban National Historic Parks in the country. Stay for the arts festivals, such as AHA!, the local breweries, and the incredible seafood and Portuguese fare. New Bedford is one of the region’s – and the nation’s – true gems.