In 1858, Haddonfield, New Jersey, became something of a celebrity for being the site where the first intact dinosaur bones were discovered. But there’s more to this charming Camden County town than dinos—with over 200 shops and galleries set in storybook architecture, it has a lot to offer for a day trip. My kids were excited to see the dino spot, but we also loved exploring the history and art of the town, especially the Outdoor Sculpture Garden. It’s no wonder Haddonfield is on our list of the best downtowns to visit in New Jersey — read on for more about what we did during our day trip to Haddonfield, dinosaurs and all. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)
Visit a National Historic Landmark
In 1858, William Parker Foulke made a discovery in Haddonfield that forever changed how scientists understood dinosaurs. He uncovered the first nearly intact dinosaur ever found anywhere in the world and named Hadrosaurus foulkii. My kids were curious about it, so we drove to the end of Maple Avenue, a quiet street lined with homes, to find where the dinosaur bones were discovered. The small area has a picnic table, a few toy dinosaurs, and some plaques, but just knowing we were on hallowed ground where dinosaurs actually roamed really blew us away. The spot was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1994, and there is a rendering of the dinosaur and facts about it and the discovery on the boards in the spot (the actual bones are on permanent exhibit at The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia). After visiting the Hadrosaurus foulkii site, we went downtown to the corner of Kings Highway and Lantern Lane to say “hello” and take some pictures with the recreated sculpture, affectionately known as “Haddy”. It’s one of the many sculptures you’ll find around town, but it also commemorates the dinosaur discovery that put Haddonfield on the map worldwide.
Visit the animals at the Sculpture Zoo
If you’re looking for a great place to take a break, learn something new, and let the kids explore, the Children’s Sculpture Zoo is the perfect spot. Located in Tatem Memorial Garden, the zoo features bronze statues like “Tumi,” the giraffe, and “Murph,” the gorilla (also known as the guardian of the zoo), scattered throughout the grounds. My youngest loved taking pictures with the sculptures and examining them up close, while my older kids enjoyed scanning the QR codes to learn fun facts about each sculpture. The zoo is part of the Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust (HOST), which collaborates with Haddonfield to enhance the downtown area with outdoor sculptures, turning the town into a hub for juried outdoor art. We also downloaded the Sculpture Map to check out the sculptures around town.
Head downtown
As you travel down Kings Highway, also known as one of the oldest roads in New Jersey, you will see that this Camden County village is loaded with historic architecture and a neighborly feel. In the 1940s, the Haddonfield Civic Association encouraged business owners to adopt a “colonial” appearance for their shops, and now that look remains today. The brick buildings, wide shop windows, and red awnings give downtown Haddonfield a classy and refined look. Haddonfield has kid-friendly spots like Happy Hippo Toys, a store filled to the brim with games, trains, books, and any toy any age could possibly dream of. My kids loved this spot and were drawn to the front store window with a story about a skirmish that happened right outside the shop in 1778. The story is not far off since in 1777, the New Jersey Assembly, fleeing from the British, met in session at the Indian King Tavern down the street to declare that New Jersey was now a state and no longer a colony. The tavern also hosted the legislature when they adopted the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey. The 300-year-old tavern is now a free museum that offers tours and lectures about this vital part of state history and special events, like a re-enactment of the famous Haddonfield Skirmish on the first Saturday in June.
Philadelphia Water Ice is popular in Haddonfield since it’s so close to Philly. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Don’t skip dessert
If you’re on the hunt for something sweet in Haddonfield, you can find it at Gelato Dolceria, Gracie’s Water and Ice Cream, and Brain Freeze Ice Cream Parlor. We decided to check out Brain Freeze, which served Philadelphia Water Ice in delish flavors like cherry and root beer. We were intrigued to sample this South Jersey specialty, which tasted like Italian ice but slightly more flavorful. For more solid meals, try The British Chip Shop with its fish and chips, afternoon tea, and Gass & Main, which serves fun New American dishes like chips and caviar and the “World’s Best Hot Dog.” We stopped at Passariello’s Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen (kids’ choice) and had fresh salads and pizza.
What to know before you go
Haddonfield is located about 20 minutes from Philadelphia and is accessible via the PATCO High Speed Line, which travels directly to the city. Driving to Haddonfield is convenient, with metered parking available on Kings Highway; however, many side streets offer free parking. The town is very walkable, making it easy to navigate with a stroller and the entire family. There are over 200 shops and galleries to explore in Haddonfield, along with year-round events such as the Annual Crafts & Fine Art Festival in the summer, the Halloween Night Market in the fall, Candlelight Shopping in the winter, and the Haddonfield Music Festival in the spring.
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