Camden

Understand

Nearly all attractions in Camden are found along the Camden waterfront, which offers family-friendly activities and scenic views of Philadelphia across the Delaware River. The downtown area contains the Rutgers University-Camden campus and the city's small central business district. The Camden waterfront and downtown areas are considered safe and are patrolled by police. Although the rest of Camden is plagued by urban blight, poverty, and gang-related drug violence, you will be safe as long as you stay in the waterfront and downtown areas and take sensible precautions.

Getting there

By bus New Jersey Transit handles bus routes into the city. Megabus. Direct service to Camden from Pittsburgh, State College, and Harrisburg. Many more cities have service to Philadelphia just across the river.

By car From Philadelphia, take the Ben Franklin Bridge or Walt Whitman Bridge to New Jersey. Camden is directly across from Philadelphia. From New York and Northern New Jersey, take the Turnpike to Route 73 North (Exit 4). Take I-295 South to Exit 26. Follow the signs for I-676 and Camden. From Delaware, take the Delaware Memorial Bridge to New Jersey. Take I-295 North to Exit 26. Follow the directions from New York and Northern New Jersey.

By plane The nearest major airport is the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL IATA), which is about 20 minutes away. From the airport, you may either take a cab (which will be costly), or use public transportation. By train, take the SEPTA Airport Line to the Jefferson Station, then travel five blocks to the 8th and Market PATCO station. From there, take the PATCO Hi-Speed Line into Camden.

By train The PATCO Hi-Speed Line is a rail line that operates between Center City Philadelphia and Lindenwold, New Jersey. The train operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, albeit with very infrequent trips between about 2AM and 6AM. Fares to downtown Camden (City Hall and Broadway stations) are $1.40 from Philadelphia and $1.60 from other stations in South Jersey. The River Line is a light rail line serving 20 stations between Trenton and Camden, following the Delaware River in New Jersey. Trains run every 15 minutes during rush hour, every half hour at other times. Trains run until 1AM on Saturday and 10PM (very early!) on other days. The line connects with the PATCO Hi-Speed Line at Camden's Walter Rand Transportation Center. One-way fare between Trenton and Camden is $1.50. There are discounts for senior citizens, children and families. Monthly passes are available.

By boat 1 RiverLink Ferry, Columbus Blvd and Wa

Getting around

By car This is the easiest way to get around Camden. There is ample parking in the waterfront area, which is where all of the day time attractions are found.

By foot Most of the worthwhile attractions in Camden are clustered in the Riverfront and Rutgers University areas, so walking is an option, once parked and decided on where you will visit. It is very nice to walk around the waterfront, especially on a beautiful day.

By taxi Fortuna Taxi Service, 1435 River Ave, #B, +1 856-757-9590 Fortuna Taxi Service, 2817 Sherman Ave, +1 856-365-8373 Independent Cab, 1437 Haddon Ave, +1 856-966-3233 Gonzalez Cab Incorporated, 792 N 30th St +1 856 338-1743

By public transportation There are bus lines operated by New Jersey Transit that run throughout Camden. The NJ Transit RiverLine runs near the waterfront. The Walter Rand Transportation Center is a big transit hub, from where you can get the PATCO train to Philadelphia, as well as the RiverLine. The closest PATCO station to the waterfront attractions is at City Hall (at the intersection of 5th and Market Streets), but it is a good 10 minutes' walk down Market from the aquarium and further still from the music hall; if you do not want to walk, a better bet for a visitor from Philadelphia would be to disembark at PATCO's Broadway stop (which is part of the Walter Rand complex) and catch the RiverLine to the Aquarium or Waterfront Entertainment Center stop.

See

1 USS Battleship New Jersey Museum (Battleship New Jersey), 62 Battleship Place, ☏ +1 856 966-1652, toll-free: +1-866-877-6262, [email protected]. The U.S. Navy’s most decorated battleship: Discover the dangerous and exciting life of a sailor on a guided tour aboard the “Big J.” Hear tales of its missions in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War and Persian Gulf War, then experience combat firsthand as you engage the new 4-D Flight Simulator, a jaw-dropping ride that lets you fly your own Seahawk plane into a dog fight with the enemy and land on the water next to the battleship. Then, tour the radar and sonar-tracking stations featuring dramatic videos of actual Tomahawk missile launches. You can spend the night on board the ship as part of the overnight encampment program. Adults $30, Seniors and Children 12 and under $25, Veterans $20. (updated Dec 2025) 2 Walt Whitman House, 328 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (Mickle Blvd.), ☏ +1 856-964-5383. W-Sa 10AM–noon and 1–4PM; Su 1-4PM. Visits by guided tour only., Call for tour schedule. The only house famed poet Walt Whitman ever owned is a National Historic Landmark. The small house, now a museum dedicated to the legacy of this great American poet, contains a giant collection of original letters, personal belongings, photographs and furnishings. Not far from the house is historic Harleigh Cemetery, Whitman's final resting place. Free. Donations accepted. (updated Mar 2017) 3 Wiggins Park and Marina, Mickle Blvd. at the River, ☏ +1 856-541-7222, +1 856 216-2118. Located between the Adventure Aquarium and the Battleship, Wiggins Park & Marina features a 50-slip marina, a promenade along the Delaware River and outdoor concerts on its Riverstage for summer strolls and barbeques, or views of the River and Philadelphia skyline year-round. A hot spot for free concerts and Waterfront festivals, including the annual Sunset Jazz Series, boaters can also dock boats up to 30 feet long for the day, week, month or sea

Eat

There is food available at the Aquarium and at the BB&T Pavilion. Some other places are the following:

1 Market Street Pizzeria, 1 Market Street, ☏ +1 856 541-4100. Family-friendly pizzeria and Italian bistro. On the entrance side of the Victor Lofts. It is such a popular place for Rutgers students, surrounding businesses and aquarium visitors. Their pizzas are made with Grandee cheese. Special pizzas are really special. Not cheap but reasonable. $2.50 single slices, everything else $8-20. (updated Apr 2016) 2 Market Gourmet, 1 Market Street, ☏ +1 856 361-7006. At the Victor Lofts. Popular with locals and students, it is rather like a Wawa: a convenience store with good sandwiches and other deli-esque fare. Great grocery selection, with imports from the owners' native Turkey alongside more typical convenience-store fare. Very friendly people. Seating and Wifi available. Their Nescafe cafe hot drinks are worth to try. (updated Apr 2016) 3 Cooper Court, Cooper Hospital/University Me