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- Mt. Laurel
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Mount Laurel, New Jersey, is a suburban community in the greater Philadelphia area.
It is also written as Mt. Laurel in some publications.
This town is home to nearly 45,000 people and received ongoing accolades for being one of the best places to live in the state.
Mount Laurel also took the #16 spot on Money Magazine’s 50 Best Places to Live report in 2020.
One of the benefits of staying in Mt. Laurel is that you get to sleep in a safe place while being just a few miles from Philadelphia’s big-city amenities or less than an hour to Seaside Heights on the Jersey Shore.
You also have immediate access to the New Jersey Turnpike, which can get you to New York City in less than two hours.
Don’t let the name be misleading because there is no mountain in Mount Laurel.
The name comes from a hill that was 167 feet tall and the abundance of the green, glossy laurel plant on that hill.
The very same plant was used to make crowns in Ancient Greece if that visual helps you understand what it is.
Mount Laurel is ideal for families or people who want a less urban experience during the visit.
There isn’t robust nightlife, but there’s a great sense of community, plenty of parks, and one of the best amusement parks on this side of the shore.
Warnings & Dangers in Mt. Laurel
OVERALL RISK: LOW
There's a low overall risk here, but there's also not a lot to do here if you aren't visiting friends or family.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
NJ Transit runs through Mount Laurel, and new routes were added in 2021. You can also get taxis or rideshares. Having a rental car is a good idea since you are near major interstates and highways too. All options are low risk.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Given that there isn't a downtown area or many crowded spaces here, the risk would be low. The risk will go up at the shore or in Philadelphia, so plan accordingly.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Mount Laurel not only gets its fair share of winter or severe weather throughout the year, but much of the town is also in a flood zone, leaving it more prone to flash flooding. You'll need to stay weather aware here, especially during hurricane season, which runs from June through November.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
This is another low risk, with robbery rates well below the national average, and they have also been lowered by nearly 600% since 2013.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Being this close to Philadelphia, there's a medium risk, but there's no reason that Mount Laurel would be a target. You can check the emergency management plan for the town and Burlington County online, plus review the latest Terrorism Advisory Bulletin from Homeland Security.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
The scams risk is low here for a tourist as most are targeted at residents. The latest scams will be shared on the police department's social media pages. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs will also update statewide scams and give you information on how to report a scam attempt.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Women also have a low risk here, and it's a family-friendly location for moms traveling with kids. It's not the place to be if you want to enjoy nightlife.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
The water supply for Mount Laurel comes from the Mount Holly System of New Jersey American Water. The treatment plan in this region has received national recognition for producing safe water. The 2022 Water Quality Report shows full compliance. It's really the risk of flooding contamination or water main breaks that could impact your trip. Check the city's social media sites to get that information before and during your visit.
Safest Places to Visit in Mt. Laurel
Mt. Laurel doesn’t have its own tourism website, but you can find information on VisitSouthJersey.com.
If you’re trying to choose a hotel, you might want to consider the Mt. Laurel options listed in this guide.
Since Mount Laurel is highly residential, you will likely have to leave the town to find more exciting things to do.
Here are some of the options in town and nearby.
One of the biggest attractions in Mt. Laurel is The Funplex, similar to a theme park with indoor and outdoor activities.
A waterpark, pool, roller coaster, and bumper boats are just a few things to do outside.
Inside you can ride go-karts, visit the arcade, or go bowling.
You can visit the Mount Laurel Historical Society website to explore historic districts or historic buildings under the protection of historical markers.
The society is based in the historic Farmer’s Hall.
The Air Victory Museum is three miles from Mt. Laurel and celebrates the history of aviation during times of peace and war.
Planes, engines, uniforms, and ordnance artifacts are on display.
Look for family group discounts before you buy tickets.
Just 10 miles away in Cherry Hill is the living history museum at the Barclay Farmstead.
The home was built in 1816, and the surrounding grounds are brought to life through an immersive experience of life on the farm two centuries ago.
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest is 20 miles from Mt. Laurel.
The 38,000-acre property has hiking trails, campsites, fishing, and a historic village of Whitesbog.
Places to Avoid in Mt. Laurel
You don’t need to worry about dangerous neighborhoods or bad parts of town here.
This is a safe neighborhood to explore, but it’s also best to stay on the main roads and avoid driving through neighborhoods.
You definitely want to choose a hotel that is on the southeast side of the New Jersey Turnpike.
The motels on the north side can be sketchy.
Choose a good value over the lowest price.
Also, if you’re considering staying in Ramblewood, you should know that the entire region is in a floodplain and would be one of the first to flood in a major rainfall or tropical storm.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Mt. Laurel
- Mt. Laurel does have its own police department. You can reach them at (856)234-8300 or follow them on Facebook @mountlaurelpd. The email address is commentspd@mountlaurelpd.org.
- Sign up for Nixle alerts, so you can get updates on crime scenes, developing weather, and other safety issues in the community. You’ll get the information at the same time local news outlets do.
- You can also get Swift 911 alerts that will deliver weather watches and warnings right to your mobile device. Follow the Mount Laurel Emergency Operations Department on Facebook @MountLaurelOEM.
- If you’re there during a major snow event, be patient with the roads. City crews only handle city streets, and state crews handle the state streets. They don’t always work in tandem. You can help the snow plow be faster by not parking on the street.
- The New Jersey Turnpike runs the length of the city, and that’s a toll road. Most rental vehicles will come with an EZ Pass to pay the tolls as you go without having to stop. Even if you don’t have an EZ Pass, you can still drive the freeway. The state will track you down to get the tolls, so to avoid penalties, sign up for an EZ Pass account online. I had to use one in Florida, and it was easy to sign up for and use.
- PSE&G is the power company in this region. If you are there during a power outage, you can report it to 1-800-436-PSEG(7734). On the PSEG website, there’s a map where you can check other outages. Most hotels will have backup generators.
- Before you consider a beach day, check the weather and surf forecasts. For example, the day I am writing this, there is a Small Craft Advisory on the water and a likely chance of severe weather. This wouldn’t be a good beach day. You want to know that before you make the 50-minute drive.
- The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issues fishing licenses. You can purchase that online and be sure to get the right license for your activities. Saltwater and freshwater fishing have different licenses, and there might be stamps that cost extra for things like trout.
- Use 511 NJ to check traffic conditions around the state. You can see live cameras, set alerts for designated routes, and see real-time traffic.
- Parts of Mt. Laurel can flood, and even I-295 has been known to get underwater when heavy rain falls. Never drive through a flooded roadway, no matter how safe you think it appears to be. Even just six inches of water can carry a car away or knock you over. Plus, those floodwaters are going to be filled with toxins and pollution.
So... How Safe Is Mt. Laurel Really?
Like many New Jersey towns, Mt. Laurel Police haven’t released official crime data since 2020.
By all accounts from my in-depth investigation, there hasn’t been a surge of violent crime here as many other cities have seen, leaving the violent crime rate about one-third of the national average.
Even the theft rate is a good 30% lower than the national average, at least it was in 2020.
That was also the height of the pandemic when stores were shut down.
In 2022 and 2023, I noticed a trend of shoplifting and thefts of opportunity, like a wallet stolen from a purse left in a cart.
That’s one reason I always carry my purse on my arm or across my body.
It only takes a few seconds to steal a purse.
If I ever do choose to put my purse in the cart, I always secure it with the seat belt meant for a child by the cart handles.
Mt. Laurel also has an engaged community sharing home surveillance cameras to help catch criminals in neighborhoods.
In a broader sense, Mt. Laurel wouldn’t be ranked one of the best cities in America by Money Magazine if there were a larger crime concern.
It’s a suburban family-friendly destination and far enough from the much higher crime rates in Philadelphia.
How Does Mt. Laurel Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Mt. Laurel | 76 |
| Los Angeles | 56 |
| Oakland | 57 |
| New Orleans | 57 |
| Baltimore | 56 |
| Boston | 67 |
| Washington DC | 56 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
| Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
Useful Information
Visas
International travelers are required to have either a visa or visa waiver paired with a current passport that doesn't expire for at least six months. You can start your visa process using the Visa Wizard on the U.S. State Department website.
Currency
Only the U.S. Dollar can be used here. The Philadelphia airport will have currency exchange options, but you will get the best value from your home bank. Using a credit card offers the best fraud protection.
Weather
This region gets four distinct seasons. Winters can be cold and snowy, so bring all your winter accessories and snow boots. Summers are going to be hot and humid. You also have plenty of beaches in this region, so bring those accessories. Sunscreen, bug spray, and sunglasses will be helpful too.
Airports
Philadelphia International Airport is just 27 miles from Mt. Laurel. Trenton also has an airport 34 miles away, but the Philadelphia option is much bigger.
Travel Insurance
We always recommend travel insurance for places that get a mix of severe weather risks throughout the year. You should also consider extra car insurance if you'll be driving throughout this region, as the drivers are fairly aggressive here and there's a lot of traffic.
Mt. Laurel Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 5 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 23 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 19 | 14 | 8 |
| Low °C | -4 | -3 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 8 | 3 | -1 |
| High °F | 41 | 45 | 52 | 64 | 73 | 82 | 86 | 84 | 79 | 66 | 57 | 46 |
| Low °F | 25 | 27 | 34 | 43 | 52 | 61 | 66 | 64 | 57 | 46 | 37 | 30 |
Having heard mixed opinions about safety in certain areas, I did my research before visiting Mt. Laurel. I’m glad to say that I encountered no safety issues during my stay.
Mt. Laurel exceeded my expectations in terms of safety. Whether hiking in the mountains or exploring the town, I always felt secure. It’s a destination I would recommend to others.