Frenchtown just may be the ideal place to put down roots if you’re looking for a location that offers plenty to do. The walkable borough features charming streets lined with historic buildings that house shops, restaurants and galleries. Whether you prefer shopping, volunteering or learning how to throw a clay pot, you’ll never have to worry about being bored when you live in Frenchtown. In fact, one of these options may become your new favorite activity.

Sample the Local Cuisine

Frenchtown is home to casual eateries that offer down-home cooking and upscale restaurants that offer inventive menu offerings. Try the Long Island Duck Breast at Frenchtown Inn or the Baked Ham, Peach and Brie Melt at Lovin’ Oven. For vegetarian and vegan meals, Frenchtown Fresh is the place to visit. You’ll love their garbanzo bean burger and vegan Reuben and tuna sandwiches. Cocina del Sol offers your favorite Mexican dishes, while The Bamboo House will satisfy your cravings for Japanese and Thai food.

Become a River Ambassador

Volunteering is an excellent way to give back to your community and meet your neighbors. As a River Ambassador, you’ll lead river cleanups, welcome river visitors, and share educational programs. River Ambassadors staff tents at key Delaware River locations on Saturdays and Sundays from late June through early September.

Take a History Tour

There’s no better way to learn about Frenchtown’s history than with a tour lead by borough historian Rick Epstein. Frenchtown Walking Tours offers several tours, including the Downtown, Uptown, Cemetery, and Bad Luck & Poor Choices Tours. Depending on which tour you take, you’ll learn about the Frenchtown fire in 1878, famous residents of the 1800s, or the unfortunate residents whose bad choices led to disaster.  

Walking tours take about two hours and cost $15 per person. Register for your tour on the Frenchtown Walking Tours website.

Sign Up for a Pottery Class

If you’ve always wanted to give pottery a try, now’s the perfect time. Lisa Naples Clay Studio, one of the latest additions to Frenchtown’s business district, offers classes for adults and children (ages 8 to 18). Classes will start in September for both children and adults.

During the Tuesday evening class for adults, you learn how to make pottery from slabs of clay, while the Wednesday morning class will focus on animal sculpture. Thursday morning students will learn to make simple, functional forms using soft slabs. Each 10-week-long series of classes costs $450, in addition to the cost of clay. If you want to practice on your own, sign up for the Open Studio program, which offers 24/7 access to the studio for $150 per month. Visit the website for information on upcoming classes for kids.

Immerse Yourself in Art

The arts have a strong presence in Frenchtown, thanks to several galleries and installations. During your stroll through downtown Frenchtown, you’ll want to make time to visit Schmidtberger Fine Art Gallery, Merge Gallery, Decoys and Wildlife Gallery, and The Art Parlour. 

Now through September 15^th, ArtYard, the town's premier contemporary art center, is hosting its inaugural installation of the Very Small Gallery. These miniature installations are hidden in the walls of ArtYard’s new building and can be seen via several peepholes. The first installment by collaborative artists Richard Selesnick and Nicholas Kahn depicts costume balls. 

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Staying active isn’t difficult when you live in Frenchtown. You’ll get plenty of exercise exploring downtown Frenchtown or running or walking the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park trail that passes through town. Four public parks offer space for residents to picnic, watch birds, hike, ice skate, fish, or play soccer or softball. Two nature preserves, Nishisakawick and Frenchtown Preserves, provide hundreds of acres of land to explore by foot or by bike.

Does Frenchtown sound like the perfect place to live? If you’d like to become one of the town’s newest residents, check out Country Classics at Frenchtown. This new community features 19 single-family attached homes for sale, located off Harrison Street. Visit our website to learn more about this outstanding opportunity!