Camden can be explored through several clearly distinct themes: a large underwater world, gardens and parks, the history of shipbuilding, and theater. As you plan your trip, you can compare these places based on what interests you most. The green spaces’ acreage also gives a concrete sense of their different sizes.
Aquarium and Gardens
Adventure Aquarium in Camden offers an underwater experience with more than 15,000 aquatic animals, including two penguin species. Named attractions include Shark Bridge and Shark Tunnel; there are also several touch exhibits. The offerings span both wildlife and distinctive exhibition and experience areas.
At Shark Bridge, guests walk just inches above sandbar sharks, sand tiger sharks, and nurse sharks. This close encounter sets the bridge apart from the other aquarium attractions mentioned. Those interested in sharks will find a special focus here within the aquarium’s offerings.
Camden Children’s Garden is located on the Camden Waterfront and covers four acres. Visitors can explore gardens and a butterfly house there. This gives the Garden its own emphasis alongside the aquarium’s wildlife: the focus is on planted areas and the butterfly house.
Parks and the Waterfront
Wiggins Park covers 51.22 acres and is located in Camden at Riverside Drive and MLK Boulevard. Compared with Camden Children’s Garden’s four acres, this is a much larger stated area. The two places therefore differ both in size and in their described features: a park on one hand, gardens and a butterfly house on the other.
On the Central Waterfront, RCA Pier was converted into a two-acre public park. Its acreage offers another point of comparison: the park is smaller than the Children’s Garden and considerably smaller than Wiggins Park. Together, the three figures show different scales, without implying that the sites form one shared area or that they should be visited in any particular order.
Wiggins Park Marina on the Camden Waterfront offers temporary berths for short stays. If you plan to use this option, check berth availability again before your trip.
Shipbuilding History, Theater, and Historic Connections
The Camden Shipyard and Maritime Museum features exhibitions and offers educational programs on local and regional shipbuilding history. Its subject matter therefore extends beyond individual ships to include the development of shipbuilding in Camden and the region.
The South Camden Theatre Company performs classic plays and original works at the Waterfront South Theatre. The venue seats 96 and is described as intimate. The theater adds a program of classic repertoire and the company’s works to the maritime and historical themes.
Johnson Park is designated as a state and federal historic landmark. This designation marks another historic connection in Camden. It is a distinct form of cultural interest alongside the museum’s exhibitions and the theater’s performances.
The regional perspective offers another historical connection: Pomona Hall in Camden County is an 18th-century Georgian-style residence. It is associated with the Cooper family, who were among the early settlers in Camden.
Discover more destinations: Berlin, Pine Hill, Pennsauken Township, West Collingswood Heights, Gloucester City, Clementon, Bellmawr, Winslow Township.
For the main travel overview: Camden.
