Battleship New Jersey

State: New Jersey. Type: museum ship (USS New Jersey, BB-62) permanently docked on the Camden waterfront. Launched December 7, 1942; commissioned May 23, 1943; decommissioned February 8, 1991. Opened as a museum ship October 15, 2001. Earned 19 battle stars and a Navy Unit Commendation, making it, per its own history, the most decorated battleship in U.S. Navy history.

The Battleship New Jersey is the museum-ship home of USS New Jersey (BB-62), an Iowa-class battleship permanently berthed on the Camden waterfront across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. Launched in December 1942 and commissioned in May 1943, the ship served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and later off Lebanon in the 1980s, giving it one of the longest active-service records of any U.S. battleship. During World War II it screened aircraft carriers during the Marshall Islands campaign, fought in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and supported the invasions of Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. It later returned to service for Korean War gunfire support and, in Vietnam, was the only U.S. battleship providing naval gunfire support, firing thousands of 16-inch and 5-inch shells during its 1968-1969 deployment. Decommissioned for the final time in 1991, the ship earned 19 battle stars and a Navy Unit Commendation over its career. It opened to the public as a museum and memorial on October 15, 2001, and visitors can now tour much of the vessel, from the main deck and anti-aircraft guns to the officers' wardroom.

The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial is located on the Camden waterfront in Camden, New Jersey, at 62 Battleship Place (with 10 Delaware Avenue also cited as an address), directly across the Delaware River from downtown Philadelphia.

Camden has a humid continental climate with cold winters and hot, humid summers; because much of the ship tour involves open-air deck areas, weather affects comfort more than it would for an indoor museum. Specific seasonal temperature figures were not confirmed from the sources used for this entry.

Spring and fall generally offer the most comfortable conditions for touring the ship's open decks, while summer, though busier, is also popular given school-holiday timing.

USS New Jersey (BB-62) was launched on December 7, 1942 and commissioned on May 23, 1943. In World War II it screened carriers during the Marshall Islands campaign, took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and supported invasions at Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. It returned to duty for the Korean War (1950-1953), providing naval gunfire support and sustaining two combat casualties during its first tour. During the Vietnam War it was the only U.S. battleship providing gunfire support, completing one tour from 1968-1969 and firing 5,688 rounds of 16-inch shells and 14,891 rounds of 5-inch shells. It was later reactivated and deployed off Lebanon during the country's civil war in 1983-1984. The ship was decommissioned for the final time on February 8, 1991, having earned 19 battle stars and a Navy Unit Commendation, described in its own history as the most decorated battleship in U.S. Navy history. It opened to the public as a museum ship in Camden, New Jersey on October 15, 2001.

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the ship daily, or join a guided tour offered at 12 p.m., covering areas such as the main deck, anti-aircraft gun positions and the officers' wardroom. The museum also runs specialty and behind-the-scenes tours at various times, and offers sensory-friendly visiting days for guests who need them.

Highlights include the main deck, the ship's anti-aircraft gun batteries, and the officers' ward room, along with interpretive exhibits throughout the vessel documenting its service in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and off Lebanon.

The ship is docked on the Camden waterfront at 62 Battleship Place, a short trip from Philadelphia via the Ben Franklin Bridge, the RiverLine light rail, or the PATCO Speedline plus a connecting ride or walk along the waterfront.

As of research, the ship was open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with last boarding at 4 p.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Guided tours run daily at 12 p.m.

Specific current ticket prices were not confirmed from the pages fetched for this entry; tickets are valid for 365 days after purchase and can be bought online or on-site. Confirm current admission pricing at battleshipnewjersey.org before visiting.

Most visitors spend two to three hours for a self-guided tour, or longer if joining the midday guided tour or a specialty tour.

Camden waterfront's location directly across from Philadelphia puts visitors within reach of the full range of Philadelphia hotels, from budget to luxury, a short trip across the Delaware River. Specific property names were not verified from the sources used for this entry.

The Camden waterfront entertainment district has some on-site and nearby dining options, with a much wider selection available a short trip across the river in Philadelphia. Specific restaurant names were not verified from the sources used for this entry.

Adventure Aquarium sits nearby on the same Camden waterfront, making the two attractions an easy pairing for a single day. Downtown Philadelphia's historic district is a short trip across the Delaware River.

The RiverLine light rail and PATCO Speedline both serve the Camden waterfront area; parking is available in several nearby lots (Clinton Street preferred parking, the Marina Lot, and the Waterfront Garage), each with separate posted rates.

Because the ship includes narrow passageways, ladders and open deck areas, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and be mindful of low overheads and steep stairs. The museum notes limited wheelchair access to certain areas (main deck, anti-aircraft guns, officers' ward room) via elevators under the forward and aft entry stairs; strollers and backpacks (unless medically necessary) and high-heeled shoes are not permitted aboard. For any emergency, dial 911.

Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are essential given the ship's ladders and uneven deck surfaces; a camera for the guns and deck views, and a light jacket for breezy waterfront conditions, are also worth bringing.

Book the midday guided tour in advance if you want a deeper dive into specific parts of the ship beyond the self-guided route. Plan for parking costs, since nearby lots charge $11-$20 depending on location. Pairing the visit with nearby Adventure Aquarium makes for a full waterfront day.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The museum's visitor information line is 856-966-1652 (or 866-877-6262), per its official site.

Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial - https://battleshipnewjersey.org

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.