Haddonfield

 

In 2018, Reader’s Digest recognized Haddonfield as New Jersey’s most charming small town. Haddonfield is a peaceful and historic town with a thriving arts scene in an incredibly convenient location, giving it a little something for everyone. The borough is located southeast of Philadelphia in New Jersey’s Camden County. It was named for Elizabeth Haddon, who settled here soon after its 1682 founding. Many colonial buildings remain from the town’s early development, and in the 1970s, it has become one of the first New Jersey communities to establish a historic preservation district. The town also has a fascinating archeological past, as the first complete dinosaur skeleton found in North America was unearthed here in the 1850s. While the real thing was moved to Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences, a 12-foot replica of “Haddy” still stands in the town’s center.

 

Philadelphia Center City: 25 minutes by car / 17 minutes by public transportation

 

Haddonfield has more than 200 shops, restaurants, and art galleries--many of which are located in its beautifully-preserved Colonial buildings. The Indian King Tavern, built-in 1750, is particularly significant, as it was the site where New Jersey legislators formerly decided upon the state’s independence from British rule in 1777. Today, the tavern houses a museum that provides a fascinating insight into the town’s storied past.

 

Haddonfield has a population of around 11,500--a surprisingly large number of which are lawyers. The town is the legal center for South New Jersey, with close to 400 attorneys maintaining offices here. Sports stars from Philadelphia’s major league teams also reside within the community, along with many high-ranking professionals. Young families are well-represented among Haddonfield’s population, attracted by outstanding schools such as National Blue Ribbon recipients Elizabeth Haddon Elementary and Haddonfield Memorial High. There are also a number of outstanding private schools, including Haddonfield Friends School, which was established in 1786.

 

Kings Highway is one of southern New Jersey’s premier shopping and dining destinations. There are many boutique stores and specialty retailers. Highlights include delectable Italian dishes at TRE Famiglia, delicious American-style seafood at Two Fish BYOB, Mediterranean dishes at Zaffron, and modern twists on classic American eats at Bistro at Haddonfield.

 

Haddonfield has a number of attractive green spaces and ponds. The 33-acre park surrounding Hopkins Pond has a bird sanctuary and tree-lined trail. 32-acre Pennypacker Park contains the site of Haddonfield’s famous Hadrosaurus discovery. The private Tavistock Country Club was established in the 1920s and offers its members an 18-hole golf course and fine dining in its clubhouse.

 

It seems there’s always something going on along Haddonfield’s historic Kings Highway, from Revolutionary War reenactments to food truck festivals. Seasonal highlights include July’s Crafts & Fine Arts Festival, September’s classic car show, October’s fall festival, and live performances for New Year’s Eve. Haddonfield also has a weekly farmers market each Saturday between May and November.

 

There is a thriving local arts scene, which is on open display during April’s outdoor sculpture month. Talented local artisans display their work around the town, and there are a number of events aimed at kids. A permanent children’s outdoor sculpture zoo was added as part of the 2019 event.