Cooper Grant - Camden, NJ Area Guide

The Cooper Grant neighborhood boasts diverse architecture and a rich history that dates back to the late 1600s when English Quaker William Cooper first settled in the Camden area. It transformed from a transportation hub to a vibrant residential neighborhood, and with a population that shifted from nearly all white-collar workers to a mix of white and blue-collar workers, Cooper Grant has maintained its historic architecture and distinct feeling.

Unlike some of the bigger museums in Philly, the Walt Whitman House does not become overly crowded, allowing you ample time to walk through and get a feel for the poet's home. Take in a free art exhibit at the Stedman Gallery, housed at Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts, mingle with neighbors at the annual neighborhood block party, or celebrate July 4th at the annual Freedom Fest held along the Camden Waterfront.

A lack of establishments characterizes the restaurant and nightlife scene in Cooper-Grant and Camden as a whole. Residents wanting to stay close to the neighborhood can choose from small joints such add Golden Dragon Restaurant on North 7th Street, which specializes in a sizzling seafood combination or casual nearby options that include The Victor's Pub on Market Street along Camden's Waterfront. In addition to stunning views of the Philly skyline, this local pub features Trivia Tuesdays, happy hour specials, friendly service and bar food that includes everything from appetizers, such as nachos and crab and artichoke dip, to burgers and steak sandwiches.

For more adventurous options, travel across the Ben Franklin Bridge to experience the diverse selection of restaurants, bars and clubs in Philadelphia. Amada, a tapas restaurant on Chestnut Street, serves a menu of flavorful small plates that include grilled octopus, olives with manchego cheese, spicy potatoes and garlic shrimp. The restaurant gets crowded, so be sure to make a reservation.

When you crave a cold craft beer and upscale nibbles, take a trip to Khyber Pass Pub on South 2nd Street in Philadelphia. In addition to burgers and sandwiches, this gastropub serves tasty appetizers, including fresh-popped bacon grease popcorn, fried green tomatoes and cornmeal crusted oysters. Other menu items include vegetarian and vegan options, such as vegan pulled pork sandwiches or grilled vegan sausages.

The BB&T Pavilion lies just a few blocks south of Cooper-Grant, along the banks of the Delaware River. With its 25,000-seat capacity and indoor/outdoor space, this entertainment venue hosts national headliners ranging from the Foo Fighters to Miranda Lambert. For a regular night on the town, residents of Cooper-Grant need to travel into Philly for an array of music venues and clubs, such as Union Transfer, a music venue on Spring Garden Street, or the Barbary, a hip dance club on Frankford Avenue.

With four major interstates and three major roadways located nearby, residents of the Cooper Grant neighborhood have a variety of options for commuting or traveling by car. Interstates 676 and 295 transport you to other areas in New Jersey, while Interstates 76 and 95 connect you with areas of Philadelphia, Philly's northwestern suburbs and points south, including Delaware and Maryland.

Parking in this neighborhood requires a residential parking permit or a visitors pass from the Camden Parking Authority. Without a pass or permit, the vehicle is subject to any limitations outlined on nearby signs. For example, some spots only allow parking for one hour unless you have a parking permit.

Residents can leave the car parked and arrange Uber service, call to arrange taxi service or walk to catch public transportation, such as New Jersey Transit buses, New Jersey Transit's RiverLINE train service and Port Authority Transit Corporation's high-speed PATCO train service into Philadelphia. Bike or walk on the south walkway of the Ben Franklin Bridge or in area bike lanes. The Cooper Grant neighborhood has pedestrian crosswalks and solid brick sidewalks that make walking convenient and safe.

The Cooper Grant neighborhood provides ample green space for residents to enjoy soaking up some sunshine and fresh air. Smaller community parks include Community Park on Pearl Street and Johnson Park on Cooper Street, which hosts yoga in the park during the summer. Wiggins Park and Marina, located between the Battleship and Adventure Aquarium, welcomes children, leashed pets and families to enjoy its ample green space along the banks of the Delaware River. While there, catch a free concert or take part in the Sunset Jazz series held every year in summer.

A trip to the Camden Children's Garden is well worth the price of admission. This quirky attraction hosts periodic events in addition to putting on shows at its amphitheater. Ample picnic space, a train ride, butterfly house and a carousel make this a favorite for local kids.

Although the Cooper Grant neighborhood resides just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, living in this historic district generally carries a lower cost of living. The average rental rate in Cooper Grant runs around $1,390. You can expect to pay between $5 and $6 for a pint at local pubs like The Victor’s Pub.

A one-way ticket from Cooper Grant into Philadelphia typically costs $2.25 on PATCO and $5.50 on New Jersey Transit. Gas prices in the area generally cost approximately 4 percent less than the national average.

This small residential neighborhood lacks any major shops or boutiques. Walk a few blocks south to visit chain stores, such as Villa Shoes or Rite Aid and CVS Pharmacies, located near the South Jersey Health Care Center.

When you want to shop at a boutique or specialty store, hop over to Philly to browse in nearby stores, including Scarlett Alley on Race Street. This lovely store, named by Allure magazine as the best beauty boutique in the city, stocks hard-to-find gifts, home goods, jewelry, accessories and spa products, such as Little Giraffe robes and Niven Morgan Jean Baptiste body lotion. Third Street Habit, an upscale clothing shop on North 3rd Street, carries clothing and accessories from designers such as BB Dakota, Bella Dahl, Ella Moss, Dolce Vita, Love Sam, Oliveve and Pamela Love.

Residents can stock their pantry at area markets such as Agramonte Grocery, Arecibo Groceries, William Grocery and Market Gourmet. For fresh produce and other specialty goods, take a short walk or drive across the Ben Franklin Bridge to visit the Fair Food Farmstand.