Adventure Aquarium in Camden NJ

[Banshee]

So we were thinking about taking the kids but we weren't sure. Camden is not known for beign the nicest city around my mom was in Cooper Hospital for about 2 week's and it was down right scary getting there. Anyone been to the Adventure Aquarium? Is it nice? Does it seem to be in a safe area? They have dumped a lot of money into the Aquarium and the waterfront area to improve it. Any info is appreciated! Thanks.

 

[Philagoofy]

It's been a year or 2 since we were there but it was nice. There seems to be ample parking. They were revamping an old building into condos right around there so maybe they are trying to spruce up the area. It used to be that you could take a ferry from Phila waterfront, not sure if that's still available but it looks like you're in Jersey already anyway.

I think it would be a nice time for you & your children. Lots of exhibits, some outdoor. We did get lost trying to get back to the bridge to PA but maybe I'm just not good at reading road signs. We ended up in some desolate areas but finally found our way ok with no problems. Hope you enjoy!

 

[Banshee]

Thank you!

 

[luvwinnie]

I was there about 8 yrs ago and it was perfectly safe.

 

[Mkrop]

We went in Oct and if you drive straight there and and do it during the day, you should be fine.

The Aquarium itself is very cute. Not huge like Baltimore but we were very surprised by how much they did have there. DH was convinced he was not going to like it after being to Baltimore but he did.

My concern about going in the summer would be all the field trips but maybe the weekend wouldnt be too bad. We went rainy Halloween weekend and I thought it was going to be packed but it was great. MIL and FIL just took DS9 to the Franlkin Insitute to see King Tut and they went into the heart and they said the place was packed with field trip kids running around with no supervision. They liked it but said it was more crowded and that was just this past Monday afternooon.

 

[Stucas]

AA is great! The drive through the area is very direct, no going off onto any crazy streets. Where the aquarium is its very safe. They have redone the whole place and it looks fantastic (its so great DFi and I were going to get married there, but it was just out of our budget ) One thing is though, it has an odd layout so make sure you get a map so you don't miss anything. I'v been numerous times since the remodel and all times but the most recent I missed the upstairs to the right. Its a space for kids so it should not be missed. Also don't forget to go outside at the doors of the rotunda, there are sea lions and penguins!!



-Lauren

 

[java]

Yes I agree get a map! But now the parking is right at the aquarium- a nice big lot. The area itself is fine. And really while Camden is not someplace I would vacation. And I think it still has the highest murder rate in the country... I have never felt unsafe there on a Sunday afternoon at the aquarium. We joined before it underwent the renovation and went to some really great classes they offered there. (a behind the scenes shark tour was incredible!)
Have fun and the funny thing is my son just asked yesterday if we could go next week(he's 13 and loves it)

 

[Dopey Sharon]

And I think it still has the highest murder rate in the country

No, that honor goes to it's neighbor, Philly!

Although Camden isn't the #1 murder city, it's still not a place I would want to get lost in.

Even though I only live about 20 minutes away, I've never been to the aquarium or any area around it, but I hear it's not a bad area. Just stay on the main roads and don't get lost!

 

[Banshee]

We went in Oct and if you drive straight there and and do it during the day, you should be fine.

The Aquarium itself is very cute. Not huge like Baltimore but we were very surprised by how much they did have there. DH was convinced he was not going to like it after being to Baltimore but he did.

My concern about going in the summer would be all the field trips but maybe the weekend wouldnt be too bad. We went rainy Halloween weekend and I thought it was going to be packed but it was great. MIL and FIL just took DS9 to the Franlkin Insitute to see King Tut and they went into the heart and they said the place was packed with field trip kids running around with no supervision. They liked it but said it was more crowded and that was just this past Monday afternooon.

I wanted to do the National Aquarium in MD but my Dh suggested AA. Would you go to AA or NA? or are they both equally nice?

 

[Mkrop]

I wanted to do the National Aquarium in MD but my Dh suggested AA. Would you go to AA or NA? or are they both equally nice?

I like both but for different reasons.

Baltimore is huge and beautiful, the fish are amazing. Prekids we went and absolutely LOVED it. Downside, far drive, and they do not allow strollers and it is huge. We went when we had DS5 and DS6 or 7 months. We did not know about the no stroller thing and DS had never been in a front carrier, he was actually too big, and was too little for the backpack thing, (they give both of these free) he also was having problems keeping his head up (this wound up being an issue later, we didnt know we just thought he was late doing it) Anyway DH wound up carrying our little chubbo through the entire place and he fell asleep, which may him extra heavy and then DS5 kept wanting to run to every tank so I was chasing him.

Now we just did AA for the first time in Oct and now my boys are 9 and 4. I dont recall the deal about strollers but I dont think we brought one but it was much more reasonable a place to manuever and DS4 does have walking and endurance issues. It is very nice and smaller than Baltimore but it was a quick last minute day trip (soccer got rained out) and like I said we were all pleasantly surprised by how nice it was and how many differnt fish, and other animals they have there. DS9 also went there for his class field trip in May and he loved it!

 

[Cindy B]

I wasn't that fond of it since the remodel to the Adventure Aquarium.

I remember when it was built and touted for local fish. That idea bombed, so they revamped a 2nd time. Then the Adventure people took over. Basically its been through 3 rehab/closesures since the early 90's. (I think it opened in 1991 or 1992).

The newest owners took out some space and made odd flooring configurations. There are some definite missteps as well such as not having a moving walkway with the tube area. Its a small room, tube tank, dark hallways and tons of people--- causes a a lot of dizziness. If the management put a tiny lit bit of moving walkway, it would ease up on traffic!

They also changed stairwells, eateries so there is an odd flow of traffic now.

Some of the exhibits are the same even with the rehab.

It's ok. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit it and I live only about 15 minutes away. I got free tickets and I almost felt like it wasn't worth it with free tickets.

Parking used to be diferent. There was an attached parking garage or you could park in a nearby YMCA lot for a very low cost. I'm not sure how it is now.

That area of Camden is fine. There's the ball park, the Tweeter and this all in the same general area. Just stay on the main roads and you will be fine.

 

[Philagoofy]

I wanted to do the National Aquarium in MD but my Dh suggested AA. Would you go to AA or NA? or are they both equally nice?

Except for the long drive, I'd choose the aquarium in Baltimore. Just seems a little nicer. Great view of the harbor also.

 

[Banshee]

Wow, No strollers. I dont know our DD is 7 month's and is a little chunkie monkey. She hasn't been in a backpack type carrier either. hhmm something to think about now. Thanks for the info.

 

[Mkrop]

Wow, No strollers. I dont know our DD is 7 month's and is a little chunkie monkey. She hasn't been in a backpack type carrier either. hhmm something to think about now. Thanks for the info.

Call and ask bc it has been several years but they have a lot of esculators in Baltimore. I cant remeber about Camden though, sorry, after we got burned in Baltimore I started calling palces to be sure but I dont recall calling Camden bc DS was older.

 

[Mkrop]

Wow, No strollers. I dont know our DD is 7 month's and is a little chunkie monkey. She hasn't been in a backpack type carrier either. hhmm something to think about now. Thanks for the info.

Camden it seems strollers ok:
http://www.adventureaquarium.com/index.cfm?sectionID=5,0,0,0


Baltimore still not allowed:
http://www.aqua.org/strollerpolicy.html

I mentioned it bc I did see in your sig the 7mo old and thought oh gosh I hope they know beforehand.

Also I think both places are timed entrances. You buy a time to get in. So if you dont buy your time before and you just show up you get whatever time is available. Like I have heard of people showing up at 9 and not getting entrance until noon.