The Most Charming River Towns In New Jersey
New Jersey, also known as "the Garden State," is a state known for its suburban-style communities, located between New York and Pennsylvania. Each community has its unique charms and special landmarks that make each one memorable. However, there are those few towns which stand out as very special places, with rivers flowing through them, making them exceptional spots to visit (and potentially live in!) for their location, history, amenities, and the vast amount of natural beauty and scenic charm to explore within the region. Check out these most charming river towns in New Jersey.
Lambertville
Situated on the Delaware River across from New Hope, PA, is the town of Lambertville, a community known for its antique shops and nicknamed "the Antique Capital of the World." One of the most well-known antique shops in town is the Golden Nugget Flea Market, an antique shop filled with treasured valuables and other people's future possibilities. Golden Nugget also hosts events for the whole family to enjoy while visiting town.
Since Lambertville is situated right on the Delaware River, people can enjoy boating, kayaking, and canoeing on the water, thanks to Big Bear Gear offering rentals of boats, kayaks, and canoes to its customers. However, customers must transport their rented boats themselves to their desired canal or river drop in Frenchtown. Another excellent activity in town is to enjoy a nice evening or event at the Riverside Ballroom, which sits on the Delaware River. Patrons enjoy a dinner featuring local ingredients and a marvelous view of the countryside and river throughout the night.
Bordentown
Just south of Trenton is Bordentown, another calm community sitting on the Delaware River. Bordentown is renowned for its rich history, particularly its pivotal role in the Revolutionary War, and boasts a vibrant downtown area with numerous local restaurants and shops for residents and visitors to enjoy. Being a city on the Delaware River, Bordentown has the Bordentown Yacht Club and the Yapewi Aquatic Club, both active boat clubs that allow their members to explore the Delaware River and Crosswicks Creek.
Further inland is downtown Bordentown and all its charms and wonders. One place to visit for a nice meal is Under the Moon Café in NJ, a wonderful restaurant that serves home-cooked meals, can host private events, and offers catering for weddings. Another delightful place to visit in town is the Artful Deposit Art Gallery on Farnsworth Avenue. Visitors can view the work of local artists and appreciate art through paintings and other media.
Millville
Millville is a city located on the Maurice River, which flows next to downtown. Millville is known for its glassmaking history and the influence it had on the industry during the 19th century. A calming place to explore the river is Captain Joseph Buck Waterfront Park, a nine-acre park featuring a boardwalk, gazebo, and a great spot for fishing, as well as good parking and picnic areas for a relaxing day in the sun. Another activity to accomplish in town is to go on a river cruise on the Maurice River and witness the beauty and wildlife of the commercialism-free river and the only working diked farm left in the state.
Outside of the river, Millville has a very friendly downtown with plenty of local businesses, amenities, and restaurants to visit. One of those amenities includes the Millville Army Air Field Museum, a former U.S. Military facility that used to be the Millville Army Air Field, serving as a training base during World War II, with over 1,500 pilots stationed and training at the base. The museum has plenty of exhibits honoring fallen pilots, the Tuskegee Airmen, a C-47 exhibit, a World War II Observation Tower, and an M60A3 Tank on display. Millville is an amazing community with the incredible Maurice River to explore as well.
Frenchtown
About 16 miles north of Lambertville is Frenchtown, a small Delaware River community known for its scenic views, artistic scene, and wonderful shops and restaurants. The riverfront in town, called Sunbeam Lenape Park, is a wonderful scenic spot in the community to take a hike in, take a walk by the Delaware River, and enjoy a relaxing sunny day by the water. Just south of downtown is the Big Bear Tubing and Kayak Center, where people can explore the beauty of the river.
Within the community is a lovely downtown similar to Lambertville, but Frenchtown is smaller and more laid-back than Lambertville. Unlike Lambertville, where people can drive into New Hope, PA, residents and visitors to Frenchtown drive into a more rural Pennsylvania community called Uhlerstown.
There are a few art galleries in the community, such as ArtYard, which is dedicated to curating art exhibitions and innovating in theatre, music, poetry, and film. ArtYard is a cultural treasure in the community, serving as a wonderful gallery that showcases the artistic talent of local artists within the town.
Toms River
Toms River is a coastal shore town with Toms River flowing through the community. The town is renowned for its waterfront location on the Jersey Shore, providing residents and visitors with access to some of the state's iconic beaches and historic parks, as well as its rich historical significance in shipbuilding and iron production. Besides exploring the shore, visitors and residents can also explore Toms River via the Toms River Yacht Club, a yacht club that's been around since 1871, promoting friendly competition and interests in sailing and boating on the river and the bay nearby.
Another excellent place to visit in town is the Cattus Island County Park, a 530-acre park in the community with a newly renovated Cooper Environmental Center, along with seven miles of trails, beaches, and plenty of areas to peacefully observe the wildlife within the park. The town also has the Robert J. Novins Planetarium, a place where residents and visitors can explore the stars, planets, and galaxies. It offers sky shows and full-dome movies and hosts birthdays and other events. Toms River is a wonderful coastal town to visit, no matter whether someone is going to the shore or exploring an iconic landmark within town.
Clinton
Further north in Hunterdon County is the town of Clinton, a community with the Raritan River flowing through the heart of downtown. A sight to visit on the Raritan River is the Red Mill Museum Village, a 19th-century wool mill which has been converted into a museum showcasing the history of wool production in town, as well as what life was like in the 1800s. The Mill also hosts weddings and other events for a memorable experience.
Across the river is the Hunterdon Art Museum, which, like the Red Mill, was once a stone mill built in the 18th century before being converted into an art museum. Today, the museum showcases incredible art from local and international talent, as well as hosts classes for those looking to improve their artistic skills, and hosts events, making for a memorable time.
A restaurant to visit in town is the River Mill View, a local restaurant giving its patrons excellent seats outdoors with views of the Raritan River, the Red Mill Museum Village across the river, and the rest of the vibrant community all around them, as they enjoy a lovely meal no matter the occasion.
Raritan
Less than 20 miles east of Clinton is the borough of Raritan, a community that has the Raritan River flowing through it. Raritan is known for its small-town charm, historic sites, and its proximity to New York City, which is 43 miles by car, but can also be accessed via train due to a train station in the community. A great place to explore and see scenic views of the river is the Raritan River Greenway Access, a 2.5-mile-long trail along the Raritan River, exploring the meadows and woods around the river and the community.
Just across the Raritan River is Duke Farms, an environmental sanctuary made to help build a more sustainable future for the next generation. The farm is run by the Dorris Duke Foundation, which has over 18 miles of trails, orchid trails, and diverse wildlife, and visitors can visit the Great Falls and the Hay Barn, which is now a sculpture gallery.
A landmark to visit in town is the Nevius Street Sitting Bridge, a historic 300-foot-long bridge spanning from Nevius Street to River Road, which has benches for those wanting to enjoy the Raritan River while on a morning or afternoon stroll, and it is the oldest metal-truss bridge in Somerset County. The Bridge itself was built by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company based in Canton, OH, and is currently maintained by Somerset County. The Bridge is also next to the old Raritan Water Power House, which is a historic building that has the look of a miniature castle.
Overall, each of these charming river towns has its special quirks, history, landmarks, and warm, welcoming atmospheres, wrapping residents and visitors in a home-like feeling. No matter the size of these communities, the rivers that flow through them or surround them make these towns special and memorable. These towns are also wonderful places to explore on weekends for those looking to temporarily escape larger cities for a more relaxed pace of life!
