The City of Egg Harbor was planned shortly before the Civil War by a group of German investors from Philadelphia, Pa. as a refuge for those being persecuted in the anti-immigrant violence known as the Know-Nothing movement. It was incorporated in 1858. The City's name dates back to 1614 when a Captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, a Dutchmen, sailed his ship from New York to explore the New Jersey Coast. When he entered the mouths of two rivers, Captain Mey and his men were amazed at the great number of eggs piled on the banks. Thus, the name "Eyren Haven" which in Dutch meant "The Harbor of Eggs."

Get around

The size of the town is such that walking is a good option. I would suggest that you get a copy of the Walking Tour of Egg Harbor City map at George Senn Co., Inc 212 Phila. Ave. EHC (609-965-0149), rent a bike at Egg Harbor True Value 208 Phila. Ave. EHC (609-965-0815) Call first to reserve one. If it is raining, rent an umbrella at Falciano's Florist & Gifts, 144 Phila. Ave. EHC (609-965-8200)

Attractions

 • Bike ride. It is 23 miles round trip from Egg Harbor City to Batsto Village . Go Northeast on Philadelphia Ave (CR-563) past the City lake. At Weekstown turn right onto CR-563/Green Bank Rd. Continue across the Mullica River Bridge. Turn left at River Rd. Continue to follow River Rd. At CR-542/Pleasant Mill Rd. turn left. This will take you through part of Warton State Forest . The traffic along 542 is a little heavier but there is a marked bike path along the road. Batsto Village will be on the right. The route is scenic and the ride is level.
 • The Roundhouse Museum contains memorabilia and items historically significant to Egg Harbor City. Permanent displays include Liberty Glass, C.P. Leek & Sons boats, Dr. Smith's Health Spa, and items from the clothing and wine industries. Rotating displays have included local connections to the Civil War, County Fairs, rail-roads, "Grandma's Kitchen", "Grand pop's Tools", fire and police departments and the U.S. Postal Service. The museum also holds city census records, old city tax records dating from 1862, and the beginning of local genealogies available for study. The museum's hours are every Wednesday from 1:00PM to 5:00PM and Saturday from 1:00PM to 4:00PM. Admission is FREE! Supported by the Egg Harbor City Historical Society, monthly meetings are held on the last Monday of each month at 7:30PM. The meetings include a special presentation each month with refreshments served after the meeting. The public is cordially invited to attend. For further information, call (609)-965-4677. To visit the museum enter Egg Harbor City on the White Horse Pike (US-30), proceed to Philadelphia Ave. and go north four (4) blocks to Campe Street. Turn left onto Campe and go 2 blocks to the baseball fields on London Ave. Turn right and proceed to the museum on the left beyond the fields.
 • Renault winery 72 Bremen Avenue - Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215 ph: 609-965-2111 Renault Winery is located just outside of Egg Harbor City and offers an enchanting European atmosphere in an intimate dining setting. Wine tasting and tours are available. See the Antique Glass Museum which houses a priceless champagne & wine glass collection dating back to medieval times.
 • Butterhofs Shady Brook Farm has a road side farm market on Route 30 that still offers family friendly service. History is in abundance at this fourth generation farm. In crop year 2000, Butterhofs Shady Brook Farm decided it was time for our youth to have an opportunity to visit a traditional farm and gain hands-on experience at all levels of running a family farm operation. A wealth of historical perspective can be relayed to students, since the Butterhof's are a fourth-generation farm family. They have been growing food for our tables since 1854 at Butterhof's Farm, located in the nation's first National Reserve, the Pinelands, which encompasses almost 1.1 million acres. Students have the opportunity to take a hayride through 60 acres of cropland, where they see and learn what it takes to grow and harvest fruits vegetables and field crops. Students can participate in the seasonal pick-your-own programs, where they learn the agronomic practices necessary to produce strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, flowers and pumpkins. Finally, students can test their skills as they traverse through a three-acre corn maze and participate in an agricultural scavenger hunt. At the end of the session, students, teachers and chaperones can use the on-site picnic facilities, where they can nourish their bodies and digest the cornucopia of new facts they have learned about New Jersey and its agriculture industry

Activities

 • Historical Society Gifts on Sale - Sesquicentennial Celebration Tapes and DVDs, Souvenir Books and Cookbooks. Purchase at Roundhouse Museum, Wed. and Sat., 1-4 p.m
 • Rent Canoes, Kayaks, and Tubes at Bel Haven Canoes, Kayaks, and Tubes 1227 Route 542 Green Bank, NJ 08215 (609)-965-2205 1-800-445-0953

Dining

American
 • Harbor Diner, 613 White Horse Pike. 609-965-0797.$ Traditional NJ Diner
 • Billy's Oak Grove Inn 609-965-2374. $$ A small pub with great food, it has been in the same family since 1945.
 • Lower Bank Tavern, 1509 Route 542. 609-965-6936.$$
 • Old Bay Restaurant & Bar,236 Philadelphia Ave. 609-804-1400. $$

Mediterranean
 • Joseph's at the Tuscany House Hotel, Bremen Ave. 609-965-2111.$$

Lodging

Budget
 • The City Lake Campground
 • Holly Acres R.V. Park offers a peaceful camping experience, while still being close to area attractions, such as the casinos, beaches, and shopping.

Splurge
Tuscany House Hotel, Bremen Ave. 609-965-2111.

Get in

By plane
Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) .There is train service from Philadelphia International Airport to Egg Harbor City.

By train
The Atlantic City Rail Line operates between the seaside resort city of Atlantic City and Philadelphia, serving points in between.

By car
From Philadelphia: Atlantic City Expressway to the Egg Harbor Exit (17). Left onto Route 50.

From North Jersey: Garden State Parkway South to Exit 44.Sharp right onto Moss Mill Road (Alt. #561), follow five miles to red light. Turn left onto Philadelphia Ave.

From Atlantic City: Route 30 West approx. 16 miles.

From South Jersey: Garden State Parkway North - Exit at food and fuel service area, mile marker #41. Proceed to north end of service area. Follow signs to Jimmy Leeds Rd. At traffic light turn left, at fork bear right and continue on Route 561, continue five miles to red light. Turn left onto Philadelphia Ave..

By bus
New Jersey Transit bus #554 stops in Egg Harbor City.

Shopping

 • Almost Heaven is must see if you are in Egg Harbor City. It is the cutest Gift Shop with a great garden out back.
 • Star Camera Company Hand made large format wood cameras, wet plate and Daguerreian Era Cameras. All cameras and equipment are custom made by R.R. Morgenweck Ambrotypist.
 • Blended Eras Antiques & Collectibles Antiques and Collectibles of All Types
 • Captain Howards This is the place to get all of the fishing stuff.

Links

 • Egg Harbor City website 
 • We Love Egg Harbor City