Enjoy family-friendly attractions spread out along the rejuvenated waterfront of a city that was praised by the poet Walt Whitman.
Camden is a city on the east banks of the Delaware River in the state of New Jersey. First settled by Europeans in the 1600s, during the 19th century Camden grew to become an important industrial city, shipbuilding port and home of world-famous Campbell’s Soup. Discover a superb waterfront regeneration program and some of the charms that appealed to Walt Whitman.
Much of what you’ll want to see is set in the vicinity of the Camden Waterfront. Start at Benjamin Franklin Bridge, a 1.3-mile-long (2.1-kilometer) suspension bridge that connects the city with Philadelphia.
Stroll south on the esplanade to Wiggins Park & Marina, for major city attractions, free concerts, picnic areas and excellent views of Philadelphia’s Center City skyscrapers. The Adventure Aquarium has hippos, penguins, sharks, stingrays and turtles, among other aquatic animals. From late March to December, Camden Children’s Garden offers horticultural activities and experiences for visitors of all ages.
Continue to the marina and Wiggins Waterfront Riverstage for outdoor live music events. In the summer, the free Sunset Jazz Series welcomes big-name performers such as Maceo Parker. Nearby, the BB&T Pavilion is an open-air concert and performing arts venue in summer and an indoor theater in winter. Step aboard the Battleship New Jersey, a naval ship that served in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Downtown Camden is the city’s commercial center. Find historic landmarks, including Camden County City Hall and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Learn about the life of Walt Whitman on a guided tour of Walt Whitman House. Sample bourbon, brandy, rum and whiskey on a tour of Cooper River Distillers.
Fly into Philadelphia International Airport. Multiple bridges connect the two cities. Buses and ferries travel between Camden and Philadelphia. A light rail network runs from Camden Waterfront to the cities of Burlington and Trenton.
