Cherry Hill, NJ Area Guide

Cherry Hill's roots stretch back to the late 1600s, when the area was part of rural Waterford Township and served as a quiet agricultural center and mill town. After joining Camden County in 1844, the area was known as Delaware Township for more than a century before rebranding in 1961, borrowing the name from Abraham Browning's historic Cherry Hill Farm. Two landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places offer glimpses into that early history: the Barclay Farmstead, an 1816 Quaker farmhouse that now operates as a living history museum with interpretive trails, and Croft Farm, a 1753 farmhouse that once served as a stop on the Underground Railroad and today functions as an arts center surrounded by nature trails.

The township's transformation from farmland to suburban hub accelerated in the mid-20th century, marked by the opening of Garden State Park and, in 1961, the Cherry Hill Mall — the first enclosed shopping mall on the East Coast, a distinction that still defines the township's commercial character. Pennypacker Park preserves a different kind of history: the site where the world's first nearly-complete dinosaur skeleton, Hadrosaurus foulkii, was discovered in 1858. Springdale Farms remains the last working farm in Cherry Hill, connecting residents to the area's agricultural past through its market and seasonal pick-your-own events.

Cherry Hill offers a well-rounded dining scene that reflects both its South Jersey roots and its proximity to Philadelphia. Marlton Pike serves as a reliable corridor for diverse cuisines, with options spanning Italian, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cooking. The Cherry Hill Mall area anchors a cluster of sit-down restaurants and casual spots, making it easy to find a meal after shopping or during an evening out. Route 70 adds more variety, with bakeries, delis, and specialty eateries woven alongside retail. Residents who value farm-fresh ingredients benefit from Springdale Farms, the township's last working farm, which supplies local restaurants and operates its own market — a genuine connection between the land and the table.

Cherry Hill is a car-friendly suburb where most residents drive to get around, with Route 70 serving as the main east-west corridor and I-295 (the New Jersey Turnpike extension) cutting through the township and providing fast access to Philadelphia, Trenton, and points south. Route 38 and Kings Highway (Route 41) offer additional north-south and regional connectivity. For those who commute without a car, PATCO Speedline service is available at the Woodcrest station, offering a direct rail link into Center City Philadelphia in roughly 30 minutes. NJ Transit bus routes also serve the area. Philadelphia International Airport is about 20 minutes away by car, making it the most convenient option for air travel. Sidewalks are present throughout many neighborhoods, though the township's spread-out layout makes walking for errands less practical outside of a few commercial corridors.

Cherry Hill maintains over 50 municipal parks, giving residents a strong network of green space close to home. Cooper River Park, along the shore of Cooper River Lake, offers a boat launch, mini-golf, bike paths, athletic fields, and picnic areas — making it one of the township's most active outdoor destinations. Pennypacker Park carries a unique distinction as the site where the world's first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton was discovered in 1858, and visitors can still explore the historic marl pit. Croft Farm, a National Historic Landmark built in 1753, features the 1.45-mile Croft Farm National Recreation Trail, winding through meadows and forest along a designated birding and wildlife viewing corridor. The Barclay Farmstead rounds out the options with interpretive nature trails and garden plots on a historic Quaker property.

Renting in Cherry Hill reflects its position as one of South Jersey's more established and sought-after communities. One-bedroom apartments average around $1,994 per month, with studios closer to $1,657 and two-bedroom units averaging approximately $2,428. These figures sit below the statewide New Jersey average, offering relative value compared to northern parts of the state while remaining above what renters would find in neighboring townships like Maple Shade or Merchantville. The township's median household income of over $108,000 reflects a financially stable residential base, and the local economy benefits from strong retail, healthcare, and professional services sectors anchored by major employers in the broader Philadelphia metro area.

Cherry Hill Mall, which opened in 1961 as the first enclosed mall on the East Coast, remains one of New Jersey's most visited retail destinations. Anchored by Nordstrom and Macy's, it draws shoppers from across the region with more than 90 stores and adjacent dining. Nearby, Market Place at Garden State Park and Garden State Pavilions offer additional big-box and specialty retail options in an open-air setting. Route 70 runs through the township with a steady stretch of storefronts, boutiques, and specialty shops. For a more local experience, Springdale Farms serves as Cherry Hill's last working farm, hosting a seasonal market and pick-your-own events that connect residents directly with the surrounding agricultural heritage.