29 Second Street
Frenchtown, NJ 08825
908-996-4524
Municipal administration, clerk services, council information, public notices and local forms.
Delaware River · Arts · Independent Shops · Trails
Frenchtown, New Jersey
Frenchtown is a compact Hunterdon County borough on the Delaware River, known for its walkable historic center, independent shops, galleries, restaurants, river scenery and access to trails and open space.
The borough borders Alexandria Township and Kingwood Township in New Jersey and connects by bridge to Upper Black Eddy in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Frenchtown Guide
About Frenchtown
Frenchtown grew beside the Delaware River and Nishisakawick Creek, where ferries, mills, roads and later rail service helped shape the community. The borough was incorporated in 1867. Its present identity combines a residential river town with a highly visible downtown of small businesses, art spaces and visitor-oriented activity.
BoroughHunterdon County
RiverfrontDelaware River
Municipal neighborsAlexandria & Kingwood
ZIP08825
Municipal-boundary note: the 08825 postal area extends beyond the borough. NJTGO treats Frenchtown Borough itself as the scope of this town guide and does not automatically place every business with a Frenchtown mailing address inside the borough.
Government & public services
The borough Planning Board handles land-use matters, while municipal forms and permits provide access to zoning and development requirements.
The Borough provides tax and sewer billing information and online payment resources through its municipal website.
Education
902 Harrison Street · 908-996-2751
The borough district serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
Frenchtown students in grades 9–12 attend the regional high school in nearby Alexandria Township, together with students from several neighboring municipalities.
Arts, culture & downtown character
13 Front Street · interdisciplinary arts center with gallery programming and a theater.
Bridge Street, Race Street and nearby blocks support a changing mix of galleries, artist studios, photography, glass, fiber and design-focused spaces.
Books, records, apparel, gifts, home goods, art and specialty shops give the downtown a locally owned, walkable shopping identity.
Parks, trails & recreation
A roughly one-mile loop begins near Frenchtown Borough Park and follows the historic millrace and Nishisakawick Creek.
About 150 acres of woods, ravines and fields with hiking trails and Delaware River views. Parking is available from Horseshoe Bend Road.
The Delaware River edge supports scenic walking, community events and a strong connection to the regional river corridor.
Historic Frenchtown
The area was home to the Lenape before European settlement. In 1794, Paul Henri Mallet-Prevost acquired a large tract roughly corresponding to present-day Frenchtown. French-speaking families associated with the settlement helped give the community its name. The post office was established in 1839, a covered bridge opened in 1844, rail service arrived in the 1850s and the borough was incorporated in 1867.
Transportation changed over time, but the historic street pattern and river setting remained central to Frenchtown. Commercial revival based on antiques, galleries, boutiques and restaurants helped reinforce the downtown as a visitor destination.
Community & events
Frenchtown regularly hosts downtown and riverfront events such as Riverfest, Bastille Day activities, arts programming and community gatherings. Dates and formats can change from year to year.
Seasonal market activity has been hosted at Sunbeam Park, connecting residents and visitors with local vendors and producers.
The compact downtown makes it practical to combine shopping, dining, galleries, the riverfront and nearby trails in one visit.
Explore more of Frenchtown on NJTGO
Use the dedicated pages for current local businesses, food and drink, housing resources, lodging, classifieds and jobs.
BusinessesFood & DrinkPlan a VisitInformation checked in September 2026. Hours, programs, addresses, events and public information can change; verify time-sensitive details with the responsible organization.