Frenchtown – Best Small Town!

Frenchtown, NJ used to be one of Hunterdon’s best kept secrets – but not any longer!  Frenchtown boasts a vibrant arts scene, Victorian architecture, a rich history, and was recently recognized by USA Today as one of “America’s Top 10 Best Small Towns for Shopping.”  And, with the recent expansion of Art Yard, Frenchtown’s reputation as a center for art and culture continues to grow. The town is compact and walkable. It is a magical little town on the banks of the Delaware River. It is the perfect place to spend a day or a weekend. Galleries, restaurants, cafes, and specialty shops line Bridge and Race Streets, and the D&R Canal State Park stretches along the river for a scenic stroll or bike ride.

Shopping + Treasure Hunting 

The Sunbeam General Store, located in the historic Gem Building is a destination for “unique products that are sure to stimulate a sense of wonder.”  Some of the cool products include locally made jams and honey.  You can also find penny candy, fossils, ancient coins, toys, tools, t-shirts, jewelry, soaps, beauty products, and more!   

Housed in a splendid Victorian, The Frenchtown Bookshop carries a curated selection of books for all ages – children’s picture books, young adult, fiction, poetry, nature, cookbooks, graphic novels, and books on making just about anything. ​ The bookshop hosts local authors and talks on topics like art, nature, and hiking.

Dalla Terra, meaning “from the earth” in Italian, brings together nature and design offering unique home decor and gifts in an inspiring, artfully designed space.

Modern Love houses a curated collection of items for “the nest we call home” including gifts, home goods, and plants. Women’s clothing and accessory shop Lord Ivy is home to  “good design to express your authentic self.” 

Rock Art Revival is a gallery and shop specializing in the art of Rock ‘N Roll – including posters, apparel, jewelry, vinyl, books, and collectibles.   Newcomer Blue Raven Records specializes in new and used vinyl.

Antiques + Arts

Talented artists and makers gravitate to Frenchtown, and the small town boasts numerous art and craft galleries.   SFA gallery is a contemporary art gallery founded in 2011 by painter John Schmidtberger.  Makers Alley is an art and craft collective that supports artists & craft makers creating quality work across all artistic and craft disciplines.  Heart of the Home brings “the best in American craft” to Frenchtown including wearables, jewelry, and home and garden items. Frenchtown Pottery is a workspace and a retail storefront for handmade ceramics.

Housed in a former service station, Merge Gallery is an antique shop and art gallery, offering vintage furniture, antiques, fine art, sculptures, and an ever-changing collection of treasures. The gallery is home-base to local artist and collector Christopher Hiltey.  Looking for more vintage shops? Find more information here: Your Guide to Thrifting in Hunterdon.

ArtYard, a contemporary art center, consists of an exhibition space, theater, and residency program, dedicated to “presenting transformative artwork, fostering unexpected collaborations, and incubating original new work.”  The creative heart of Frenchtown hosts indoor and outdoor exhibitions, live theater, concerts, and special events. 

Discover more Art Centers and Galleries here: Welcome to Hunterdon’s Art Scene!

Let’s Eat!

Nestled in this tiny town are culinary gems for every palate. The Frenchtown Cafe offers breakfast and lunch in a picture-perfect setting.  The scrumptious dishes use ingredients locally grown and sourced from farms around the area. 

Frenchtown is brimming with wonderful locally owned cafes and coffee shops including The Bridge Cafe, Perfect Day Coffee, and Early Bird Espresso and Mercantile

Sandy’s Scoops features homemade small batch ice cream made with local ingredients. 

Cocina Del Sol serves Tex-Mex, and Bamboo House serves Thai and Japanese dishes. 

Along the River

Lastly, Frenchtown is one of the famed Delaware River towns, so don’t leave town without walking across the Uhlerstown-Frenchtown bridge!  The nearby D&R Canal State Park, often called the “towpath” stretches along the Delaware River for over 60 miles. The towpaths were originally built for mules to tow barges along the canal. Today, the towpaths are enjoyed by walkers and bicyclists.  A round trip loop along the towpath from Frenchtown to Lambertville is a popular bike ride due to the flat terrain and great options for exploring, dining, and shopping.  Discover more outdoor activities in Frenchtown here: Discover the Outdoors of Frenchtown.

For more information visit lovefrenchtown.org or HunterdonMainStreets.com.