The Surprising New Jersey Town That Makes An Excellent Weekend Getaway

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway in the Garden State packed with small-town charm, you can’t go wrong with Frenchtown. Resting along the banks of the Delaware River, this small but inviting community awaits travelers with colorful Victorian architecture, a thriving arts scene, quality restaurants, and unique boutique shops to explore.

Frenchtown is a river town located in Hunterdon County and received its name from early French-speaking settlers, some of whom fled the French Revolution. Today it’s home to only a little over 1,000 residents, but attracts visitors from all over the state.

It’s a beautiful town to stroll through and explore, with its picturesque architecture and river views.

A creek flows through the town and feeds into the Delaware River, where you can go tubing, rafting, and kayaking in nearby Milford Township.

Start your morning in Frenchtown with a cup of coffee (or tea!) from Early Bird Espresso & Mercantile, a much-beloved local coffee shop on Bridge Street, where you’ll also find an assortment of pastries, and coffee beans to bring home with you.

Wander a little further down Bridge Street, and you’ll come across the Frenchtown Cafe, where you can grab a delicious lunch or breakfast in a historic building estimated to have been built in 1897.

After your meal, stop by and browse the shelves at Frenchtown Bookshop. This independent bookshop is family-owned and features a diverse selection of books, along with unique “book-adjacent” gifts.

Frenchtown has quite a few boutique shops with interesting merchandise to peruse – for example, Modern Love is a specialty shop worth visiting with an eclectic assortment of items.

Also, Sublime is a gift shop on Bridge Street that was voted the best gift shop in Hunterdon County in 2022!

For those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss LibbyBeans, a confectionary selling candies, chocolates, baked goods, and more.

Art enthusiasts will love rounding out the trip with a visit to ArtYard, a contemporary art center with a campus of four buildings, all within walking distance of Frenchtown’s center. ArtYard has rotating indoor exhibits, and a permanent outdoor installation. There’s also a theater where attendees can enjoy musical performances, dances, plays, film screenings, and more, so be sure to check ArtYard’s calendar to see when the next event is.

For more information about Frenchtown businesses to visit and upcoming town events (including festivals), visit the Frenchtown Business & Professional Association website or Facebook page.

Have you visited Frenchtown? What was your favorite part of this bucolic riverfront town?