Things to Do in Collingswood NJ
Collingswood doesn't always get the credit it deserves as a day-trip destination near Philadelphia — but that's part of its charm. This walkable South Jersey town has a genuinely thriving independent scene along Haddon Avenue, with locally owned shops, restaurants, and a relaxed pace that makes an afternoon here feel like a real escape. No mall parking, no chain-store sameness, no agenda beyond enjoying yourself.
If you're looking for a reason to make the trip, Time Lapse at 689 Haddon Avenue is a great place to start.
Start (or End) at Time Lapse
Time Lapse is an independent vintage and collectibles shop with a rotating inventory that spans the best of 1980s and 1990s pop culture — and plenty from the decades that followed. On any given visit you might flip through crates of vinyl records, browse a selection of Pokémon cards, dig through retro video games, or discover a shelf of VHS tapes that feel like a time capsule in the best possible way.
We also carry vintage toys and action figures, role-playing game books and accessories, out-of-print books and comics, and vintage clothing with genuine character. The inventory changes constantly as new pieces arrive from estate sales and private collections, so there's always something worth looking at — and always a reason to come back.
Our staff loves talking about this stuff as much as selling it. Ask what came in recently, or just browse at your own pace. Either way, you're welcome here.
A Walkable Afternoon on Haddon Avenue
Haddon Avenue is built for the kind of outing where you don't have a strict plan. Grab a coffee, wander into Time Lapse, browse the other independent shops along the street, and stop for lunch or dinner at one of the many locally owned restaurants that have made Collingswood a genuine dining destination in South Jersey. The whole stretch is easy to walk, and the town has a friendly, unhurried energy that makes it easy to linger.
It's a particularly good outing for families, couples, and anyone who appreciates a town that's kept its independent spirit intact. Teenagers tend to love it too — especially once they find the Pokémon cards.
Getting Here
Collingswood is easy to reach from Philadelphia via the PATCO Speedline — the Collingswood station puts you just a short walk from Haddon Avenue, making it a genuinely car-free day trip from Center City. If you're driving in from South Jersey or the Philadelphia suburbs, street parking near the main shopping district is generally easy to find.