https://busybostonmoms.com/tags/new-bedford/ Recent content in New Bedford on Busy Boston Moms Hugo -- gohugo.io en-us Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://busybostonmoms.com/posts/weekend-plan-buttonwood-park-zoo/ Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://busybostonmoms.com/posts/weekend-plan-buttonwood-park-zoo/ <img src="https://busybostonmoms.com/images/weekend-plan-buttonwood-park-zoo/Heroimg.png" alt="Featured image of post 🐆 Weekend Plan: Buttonwood Park Zoo" /><p><em>A done-for-you day trip—no overthinking required.</em></p> <h1 id="-quick-snapshot"><strong>📍 Quick Snapshot</strong> </h1><ul> <li><strong>Location:</strong> <a class="link" href="https://www.bpzoo.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" >Buttonwood Park Zoo</a>, 425 Hawthorn St, New Bedford, MA</li> <li><strong>Best for:</strong> toddlers/little kids</li> <li><strong>Drive time:</strong> 1 hour from Boston</li> <li><strong>Total Cost:</strong> $ (or free if you use a library pass!)</li> <li><strong>Hours:</strong> Daily 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.</li> <li><strong>Time needed:</strong> 1-2 hours</li> <li><strong>Best days to go:</strong> Sunday</li> </ul> <h1 id="-the-plan"><strong>🗺️ The Plan</strong> </h1><p>🚨 <strong>Know Before You Go</strong></p> <p>If you’re a member of SAILS or Old Colony Library Networks, you can get a pass for free admission for up to four people. The pass can’t be used on Saturdays, Monday holidays, or school vacation weeks, so I suggest getting a pass for Sunday. Our whole family got in for free this way!</p> <p><strong>⏰ Morning (Start Time: 10 a.m.)</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Parking:</strong> Free and plentiful right outside the zoo</li> <li><strong>Do this first:</strong> Get tickets for the Black Bear Express and/or the carousel, if you’re interested in either (each one is $3 per person)</li> <li><strong>Don’t miss:</strong> Hudson the baby lynx! He was born in May and is too cute. The indoor exhibits and the seals are also a lot of fun. Finally, kids will love the different play areas, including Charlie’s Nature Play space.</li> </ul> <p>👉 <em>Mom tip:</em> They have a lot of different keeper chats throughout the day. Check out the sign right by the entrance to see what’s planned for the day you go.</p> <p><strong>🍴 Lunch Plan</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Eat at:</strong> Bear’s Den Cafe—it’s right onsite so super convenient and very affordable.</li> <li><strong>What to order:</strong> Any kid would be happy with their menu, they have all the favorites like dino nuggets, pizza, cheeseburgers, and more!</li> </ul> <p><strong>🎯 Afternoon Activity</strong></p> <ul> <li>Head to: The playground at Buttonwood Park, right across the parking lot</li> <li>What kids will love: Plenty of space to run around, and fun play structures</li> <li>How long to stay: 20-30 mins</li> </ul> <h1 id="-what-to-bring"><strong>👜 What to Bring</strong> </h1><ul> <li>Water bottles</li> <li>Snacks</li> <li>Sunscreen</li> <li>Stroller / wagon</li> </ul> <h1 id="-real-mom-notes"><strong>💡 Real Mom Notes</strong> </h1><ul> <li>What surprised me: The variety of different animals, and how much there was to see in the indoor buildings</li> <li>What I’d do differently: Go to a keeper chat early, by the time we made our way through we were too tired.</li> <li>Who this is <em>really</em> best for: Families with kids who are excited by animals but are too small for a big zoo</li> </ul> <h1 id="-pair-it-with-another-stop"><strong>🧩 Pair It With Another Stop</strong> </h1><ul> <li><strong>Nearby add-on:</strong> <a class="link" href="https://www.whalingmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" >New Bedford Whaling Museum</a></li> <li><strong>Makes it a full day:</strong> 3D movie + time in the kid’s corner</li> </ul> <h1 id="-save-this-plan"><strong>📌 Save This Plan</strong> </h1><p>Copy + paste into your Notes app or come back here later when you need an easy day.</p> <h1 id="-want-more-easy-plans"><strong>🔁 Want More Easy Plans?</strong> </h1><p>I share new done-for-you weekend plans every week → follow @BusyBostonMoms for your next one.</p> <p>—</p>