By Emily Winters
As a long-time Rutgers student and life-long South Jersey resident, I have some inside tips about local spots that I would like to share with the Rutgers community (especially to students who are new to New Jersey!). See the list below for some lesser-known spots near the Rutgers Camden campus! Most of these spots are easily accessible by using public transportation like the PATCO Speedline.
Collingswood, New Jersey:
While RUC is well known for its proximity to Philadelphia, did you know there are also some fantastic spots in New Jersey accessible by the PATCO speedline? One of these spots is Collingswood, New Jersey. A cute shopping district, Collingswood has several fantastic restaurants, antique shops, a record store, theaters, ice cream parlors, and more! Though you might find some of the restaurants on the pricey side, it’s also a nice area to browse or enjoy a nice fall day.
Small(er) Theater Companies in the Philadelphia Area:
As a South Jersey local, I’ve attended live theater in this area for many years. While some of the more well-known larger theaters like the Academy of Music can run expensive, small theater companies often offer student discounts, and can run as inexpensive as $15.
Philadelphia companies: Inis Nua Theatre Company, the Lantern Theater Company, the Arden Theatre Co
New Jersey companies: the Haddonfield Players, the Ritz Theatre Co
Fantastic Food Stuff:
Did you know that there are some fantastic restaurants in the Rutgers Camden campus area? Try Latin American Restaurant or the Nuanced Cafe, both on Market Street in Camden. Looking for pizza? Try the Market Street Pizzeria and Italian Bistro. I can also attest to some fantastic Philly restaurants, including Puyero, a restaurant serving up Venezuelan cuisine on Fourth Street
*Bonus! Looking for a farmer’s market? Try Tony Diamond’s in Camden, the Berlin Farmers Market (about 45 minutes deeper into South Jersey), the Columbus Farmers Market (40 minutes away in Burlington County). Also, every Saturday morning, Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia holds a farmer’s market where you can purchase fresh flowers, produce, houseplants, bread, honey, and much more!
Stay tuned for Part II of this list (featuring more restaurants, fall and winter events, farms, and hiking spots in the Philadelphia area!).
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