Top 10 Things To Do On Camden’s Waterfront

June 25, 2021

There is no better view of Philadelphia than from Camden’s Waterfront. Visitors, exercisers and dog walkers alike enjoy the brick pathway that lines the Delaware River. Home to many attractions and restaurants, there is more to do on Camden’s Waterfront than you might know.

Check out some of our favorite things and plan your visit soon!

1. Adventure Aquarium

Ranked by USA Today as a top 10 aquarium in North America, Adventure Aquarium offers guests an unforgettable experience. A quick commute from Philadelphia, the Aquarium features more than 15,000 aquatic species throughout 2 million gallons of water. Plan your day and walk on the world’s longest rope suspension bridge over sharks, feed stingrays, meet Genny and Button, two Nile hippopotamuses, and enjoy the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast.

2. Flying Fish Beer Garden

Adventure Aquarium’s Flying Fish Beer Garden is the only beer garden on Camden’s Waterfront. Sip some cool craft beer and enjoy the view of the Philly skyline. Hungry? The beer garden along with the Aquarium’s Marketplace Café offer good eats that are not only yummy, but also sustainably sourced. This is the only spot in town where you can enjoy Anchor’s Some Fin Special IPA with a Beyond Burger.

The Battleship New Jersey Memorial and Museum

3. The Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial

About a two minute walk south from Adventure Aquarium floats America’s most decorated battleship, the USS New Jersey (BB-62). The Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial provides a look at America’s military history with interactive history lessons. During your visit, climb into the 16 inch gun turret, and sit in Admiral William Halsey’s commander’s seat to fully experience the battleship.

In warm weather months, a tramcar runs so guests can be shuttled to and from Adventure Aquarium and the battleship.

4. Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

This beautiful music venue attracts many guests to its wide variety of music performances. From Taylor Swift to Jimmy Buffet, some of music’s best have performed at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. Plus, there is no better atmosphere than enjoying a concert on a summer night with a clear view of the Philly skyline.

5. The Benjamin Franklin Bridge

Drive, bike or walk “The Ben,” a suspension bridge connecting Pennsylvania with New Jersey. A pedestrian walkway along the south side of the bridge offers additional great views of the City of Brotherly Love and Camden. Looking for a challenging workout? The bridge’s incline helps burn some extra calories.

When you’re driving back to Pennsylvania from New Jersey, don’t forget there is a toll!

6. Hilton Garden Inn Hotel

Need a place to stay during your visit to Camden? Hilton Garden Inn Camden Waterfront Philadelphia offers relaxing accommodations with uptown style. Wake up to views of the skyline and enjoy a peaceful start to your day with a morning walk on the riverfront.

The hotel’s Water Street Grill offers a great happy hour spot with a full cocktail, wine and beer list!

7. RCA Pier Waterfront

If you haven’t been to Camden in the past few years, then you are probably not familiar with this part of the waterfront. The RCA Pier was part of a beautification effort and has transformed the former parking lot into a 2.2-acre of green space with walking trails, benches and trees.

Do you work in Camden, and want a little break from your office? Well, RCA Pier offers free WIFI!

8. The Riverlink Ferry

Visit Camden by boat using the RiverLink Ferry System. You can cruise from Philadelphia’s Penn’s Landing to Camden’s Wiggins Park for a different vantage point of both cities. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

9. Peter Pan Sculpture at Johnson Park

While Camden is far from Neverland, Peter Pan does have a permanent home at Johnson Park on Cooper Street. This statue is one of only five in the world. The others are located in Liverpool, Brussels, Newfoundland and Kensington Gardens in London. Sir George Frampton’s sculpture features a bronze Peter Pan surrounded by bunnies, fairies and other little creatures. Maybe those fairy penguins would like to take a walk to see Tinker Bell?

Johnson Park received a makeover as part of The Cooper's Ferry Development Association and Rutgers University’s Johnson Park Rehabilitation Project.

10. Cooper's Poynt Waterfront Park

Another popular green space in Camden is Cooper’s Poynt Park located just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge. The park features a multi-use trail used often by cyclists to enjoy skyline views. In 2020, this trail was designated as part of The East Coast Greenway, a 3,000 mile walking and biking route connecting people from Maine to Florida.

Public Transportation: Just minutes from Center City Philadelphia, Adventure Aquarium is accessible via public transportation: PATCO (City Hall stop), NJ Transit River LINE (Aquarium stop) and the RiverLink Ferry from the Spruce Street Harbor Park in Philadelphia.