Why This New Jersey Town Deserves More Attention
Situated along the Delaware River on New Jersey’s eastern border with Pennsylvania, Frenchtown is a lively destination recognized for its biodiverse natural surroundings, emerging artist scene, and award-winning restaurants. Its compact layout makes it easy for visitors to explore its shopping and restaurant districts on foot. If having a riverside brunch, paddling along the canal, or boutique hopping sounds like your ideal weekend away, Frenchtown should be the next town on your itinerary.
Exploring the Outdoors
As one of New Jersey’s iconic river towns, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails just minutes away from town. One of the most popular recreational trails is D&R Canal State Park, stretching 70 miles along the Delaware and Raritan Canal, frequently used for hiking, biking jogging, canoeing, fishing, and horseback riding. According to a state park survey, there are roughly 160 species of birds found in the park, the park serving as an important wildlife corridor linking forests and fields.
Other nearby natural attractions include Nishisakawick Creek, home to a 12-acre preserve, a one-mile hiking trail, a swimming hole, and a massive sycamore tree that offers visitors shade during the warm and sunny months. Just a short distance away, the much larger Frenchtown Preserve covers 150 acres of streams, fields, and woods, offering eight miles of hiking trails that range from easy to moderately challenging. Want to simply sit back and enjoy the river views? Sunbeam Lenape Park, in the heart of downtown, provides the perfect place to relax and look out over the Delaware River after a day of exploring the town.
History and Art Scene
Although Frenchtown was officially established as a town in 1867, colonial settlements had existed on the land for decades prior. The Frenchtown Cemetery, established in the mid-19th century, offers an interesting glimpse into the town's earlier history, with various graves dating back to the 1860s still visible today. Just an eight-minute drive from town, visitors can also venture out to the Uhlerstown Covered Bridge, a recently restored, historic bridge that has prominently stood since 1856.
Despite its small population of just 1,500 residents, Frenchtown has a surprisingly dynamic and diverse art scene. For artisan-crafted ceramics and pottery, Frenchtown Pottery acts as a welcoming workspace and studio. Those interested in contemporary art can explore the SFA Gallery, founded by John Schmidtberger in 2011, which features a range of artistic styles. The Art Yard supports contemporary creators as well, providing a space for artists to develop their craft and present their work through on-campus exhibitions. Make sure to check out the exhibition calendar for Makers Alley, which hosts annual exhibitions for emerging artists' work throughout the year.
Dining in Frenchtown
Frenchtown has a cozy culinary scene, with many local favorites scattered throughout town. Frenchtown Cafe is one of the most beloved, housed in a historic building dating back to 1897. This cafe is famous for its breakfast options, ranging from eggs benedict to French toast. Its lunch menu has quite a few gems too, offering eight kinds of burgers, six salads, french dip sandwiches, and tuna melts, among other options. The Bridge Cafe is another classic breakfast and lunch spot, serving breakfast sandwiches, burgers, and salads with views looking over the river.
In the mood for international cuisine? Bamboo House is a highly-rated Thai and Japanese restaurant, with the food prepared by Manhattan-trained chefs. For some carne asada or a burrito, Cocina del Sol is a fun Tex-Mex joint with a nice ambiance and a colorful outdoor seating area. After a satisfying lunch, stop by Sandy’s Scoops for a cone of homemade, small-batch ice cream, offering 18 flavors to choose from!
Shopping and Unique Finds
Frenchtown is the ultimate destination for those who enjoy browsing unique collectibles, antiques, and artisan goods. Most of the shops are concentrated within a few blocks, near Bridge Street, making it easy to explore them in one morning. Sunbeam General Store is a shopping staple, selling just about every kind of souvenir a traveler could need, ranging from fresh jams and candy to t-shirts, soaps, and jewelry. Modern Love is another fun boutique to pop into, selling modern goods that will complement your home.
Other cozy shops in town include Blue Raven Records, selling used and new records, and The Frenchtown Bookshop, which sells all kinds of genres ranging from fiction, children’s books, graphic novels, poetry, cookbooks, and more. Looking for some new clothes? Options are endless, including Lord Ivy, River Gypsy, and Country Chic Boutique & Consignment. Rest assured that there are plenty of other options to explore in town as well!
Final Thoughts
Frenchtown may have a small population, but it does not lack entertainment. From relaxing in Sunbeam Lenape Park along the river to meandering through an inviting bookshop or record store, this charming riverside town promises each and every visitor a laid-back, down-to-earth weekend escape. Just be prepared—you might not want to leave once you arrive!
