Philly/South NJ? (childrens' musuems, hotels)

[Derby]

I am going to visit my brother and SIL in PA and want to stop in Philly on the way home to go to the Please Touch Museum. I was also thinking about going to the Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill and the Adventure Aquarium in Camden. My membership to our children's museum here in Richmond will get me into the two children's museums for free and I can get 50% off passes to the aquarium. I also want to visit family in Wenonah and Woodbury Heights, NJ. I was wondering if anyone had been to the NJ museum or aquarium and how they were and also where a good (and safe!) place to stay would be. I am planning to stay at a Hilton because we have Hilton points to use but I'm not sure where the best place to stay is. Thank you!

 

[MM27]

The aquarium is nice and they have a decent parking lot, but the city of Camden is not. If you have a direct way there and out it's fine, but you don't want to end up lost in Camden. Camden has the highest crime rate in the US.

 

[Kim&Chris]

The aquarium is nice and they have a decent parking lot, but the city of Camden is not. If you have a direct way there and out it's fine, but you don't want to end up lost in Camden. Camden has the highest crime rate in the US.

Agreed. The aquarium is beautiful since the remodel, but it is in an awfully bad area. OP, if you go.....there's a parking garage next door to the aquarium - use it!! You'll be fine. Get there early.

The Garden State Museum is cute if your kids are around the ages of 3-6 or so. Any older & they will be bored.

 

[Derby]

Agreed. The aquarium is beautiful since the remodel, but it is in an awfully bad area. OP, if you go.....there's a parking garage next door to the aquarium - use it!! You'll be fine. Get there early.

The Garden State Museum is cute if your kids are around the ages of 3-6 or so. Any older & they will be bored.

Yes, I have heard about Camden.. though my mom was born there so it can't be too bad. I have a 2 year old. I will definitely park in the garage and hopefully my GPS won't get me lost!

 

[mjkacmom]

Yes, I have heard about Camden.. though my mom was born there so it can't be too bad. I have a 2 year old. I will definitely park in the garage and hopefully my GPS won't get me lost!

Mapquest it also - our GPS got us lost in Camden 2 years ago, at night. I was not a happy camper!

 

[Derby]

Mapquest it also - our GPS got us lost in Camden 2 years ago, at night. I was not a happy camper!

Thank you for the advice! I definitely will.

 

[Trentmom]

Looks like any Hiltons that are in NJ, are in North Jersey, which is not anywhere near Woodbury Heights or Wenonah.

If you decide to stay elsewhere, there are two nice hotels in Deptford, which are about ten mins from Wenonah.

I believe one is Residence Inn and other is Fairfield Inn. They are affiliated with Marriott Hotels I believe.

Plus, there is a nice restaurant to eat right there.

Have a good time

Be out of Camden before it gets dark out

 

[hentob]

Camden is terrifying and I believe that the National Guard needs to take up residence there for a few months

DO NOT stay in Camden.

That said, the aquarium is nice. Take the ferry over from the PA side.

On the Philly side, Please Touch and Franklin Institute ROCK!

Priceline a 4 star in Philly. You will not be disappointed. Under $100 will get you a great hotel. Save your Hilton Points.

Have fun

 

[Cindy B]

Camden is terrifying and I believe that the National Guard needs to take up residence there for a few months

DO NOT stay in Camden.

That said, the aquarium is nice. Take the ferry over from the PA side.

On the Philly side, Please Touch and Franklin Institute ROCK!

Priceline a 4 star in Philly. You will not be disappointed. Under $100 will get you a great hotel. Save your Hilton Points.

Have fun

I taught in Camden for four months.. and I learned a lot! Believe it or not it has improved TONS lately.

There are no hotels (unless you want some by the hour ones) in Camden itself. There are hotels in Cherry Hill and Mt. Laurel. If you price line Mt. Laurel you will do well. Cherry Hill will be fine as well--although there are a few under renovation right now

 

[JustineMarie]

Camden isn't as bad as it used to be. I agree about the Children's museum in Cherry Hill being only for kids in the range of 3 - 6. Any older and they would be really bored.

I live in Wenonah, and the 2 Deptford hotels are really close, and they are nice. Fairfield is right next door to a Pizzeria Uno's, plus they are both about 1/2 mile to the onramp to get to Philly. Fairfield has an indoor pool, not sure about the Residence Inn.

 

[princesspumpkin]

Can you use your points at Homewood Suites? There's one in Mt. Laurel.