The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial is a piece of seafaring history and an educational center all in one. It is a great place for families to visit for both a fun and educational trip. If you are on the fence on if you should Visit Battleship New Jersey, check out this list of 4 Reasons to Visit Battleship New Jersey.

The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial is nestled on the Camden Waterfront right across the river from Center City, Philadelphia. The location makes Battleship New Jersey a great place to add to visit if you are visiting Philadelphia. It is also a great place to visit if you are in South Jersey. Which we all know that it is no secret that I love visiting South Jersey, especially since we lived in the area for almost 10 years.

There is a lot of history to learn about and explore when you visit Battleship New Jersey.

4 Reasons to Visit Battleship New Jersey

Learn About the Battleship New Jersey’s Long and Decorated History

As the most decorated battleship in American history, the New Jersey served as late as the Vietnam War in which it actually played a vital role and as part of the Cold War reserve fleet during the Reagan Presidency. It was only one of four of its kind and is easily the most famous. It was the flagship of Admiral Halsey during World War II. You’ll learn about this and so much more history in relation to the nation’s most decorated battleship.

Self-Guided Tours Packed with History

The audio guides are not only informative about the battleship itself, but also about the times and other shops at the time. The tour is said to last about an hour and a half, but to soak it all in, you can spend three hours on the self-guided tours. Visitors are happy that they take the extra time though, so it’s worth getting there early to get the most out of it. If you want a more detailed tour, there are guides to offer these as well, along with more detailed information regarding the battleships long history.

The Battleship is Really Good with Kids

The staff is very friendly and good with kids. Kids are given ranks and things to report on to make them feel like part of the crew. While the kids may not be interested in all of the historical tidbits, they will enjoy playing crewmates on the massive ship. There are also many special events just for kids aboard the battleship. These usually consist of a special educational tour, along with refreshments and plenty of fun activities for the kids to enjoy.

Sleep Over on the Battleship

Probably the coolest thing about the Battleship New Jersey is that you can camp out on it. Youth groups and families alike can enjoy the Battleship’s overnight encampment program. The overnight program includes dinner and a tour of the many areas inside the battleship. It’s a more hands-on personal experience. You get to live like a sailor for one night stowing your gear in the lockers and sleep in the bunks once used by the real sailors. You can even have your child’s birthday party overnight aboard the ship!

If you are looking to take a vacation to New Jersey, make sure you check out these insider tips to visiting New Jersey.