This summer, instead of following the hoi polloi to the east end or upstate New York, consider the quaint undiscovered hamlet of Frenchtown, located about 90 minutes from midtown Manhattan. This once bustling industrious river town along the Delaware is like a throwback in time, a sweet taste of New England right in your own backyard.
The boro of Frenchtown got its start back in 1794 when a French-speaking Swiss native bought and settled the town. In the decades that followed, trade in farm products, ferries that carried both people and cargo, and eventually the Belvidere Delaware Railroad came through town, further fueling its rapid growth. Now the river is used for recreation, and hotels that were once busy transit points, are restaurants with covered porches and original mahogany bars to while away your summer evening.
Get Outdoors
There’s a myriad of ways to get yourself into the Delaware River. Now through just after Labor Day, head to Delaware Tubing Company for tubing, rafting, and kayak rentals. 1.5 miles north of town, it’s accessible by bike, or a 30-minute walk along the scenic tow path. You can always splash around like the locals do, don your water shoes and scamper in the Nishisakawick creek by the playground or the shady picturesque spot where it feeds into the Delaware on the South side of town.
Rent a bike at Cycle Corner (or bring your own on the bus). Ask helpful owner Dave for directions to the tow path along the Pennsylvania Canal; the covered wooden bridge, the old industrial barns- and mills-turned-houses, and Tinicum State Park make for a delightful ride. Or take the tow path on the NJ side north to Frenchtown’s sister village of Milford about 20-minutes up the road. The Milford Station Bakery is a great place for a rest before exploring the town. Want a little romance with your outdoorsy weekend? Cycle Corner has tandem bikes for rent, as well as bikes with kid’s trailers for a family-friendly ride.
Eats + Drinks
For a quaint village, Frenchtown offers a mighty selection of quality dining. The Lovin’ Oven serves modern American cuisine in a loft-industrial setting and a beautiful shady patio. The food is great but you MUST leave room for most delicious homemade desserts you have ever had.
For breakfast or lunch with a view, check out The Bridge Café in what was once the old railroad station. The food is delicious, as are their old fashioned handmade doughnuts.
For dinner, first make a pitstop at Frenchtown Wine and Liquor for a bottle of vino or a cool six- pack, then try the BYOB Mexican eatery Cochina Del Sol (downstairs in the basement at 10 Bridge St). Or, see and be seen at a table on the porch of the award-winning Frenchtown Inn (7 Bridge St) where the bartender SarahBeth will make you the cocktail of your dreams.
Stay in Frenchtown
Rittenhouse Inn (49 Kingwood Av) is the newest bed and breakfast in town offering respite in one of 6 suites in their beautifully restored Victorian house for $200/night. This family run operation will make you feel at home with rocking chairs and board games adding to the exceptionally cozy atmosphere.
The National Hotel (31 Race St) has lovely rooms and suites for families, friends, or couples (weekends $159-$209/night) with continental breakfast. The B&B in town, Widow McCrea House, has five elegantly furnished rooms from $145/night, plus a pet- and family-friendly cottage with its own private patio for $350/night. If you don’t mind a little walk, there are several Airbnb’s in the area.
Insider Tip
Do not get back on the bus without peeking your head into Country Chic, the resale shop that also sells goodies from local artists. Those in the know flock here from far and wide for good reason. This once-NYC-fashionista has gotten a thousand-dollar suede Gucci handbag for $34, perfect fitting Joe jeans for $10, and several lovely designer cashmere sweaters for about $30.
How to Get to Frenchtown from NYC
Transbridge Bus Lines goes directly to Frenchtown from PABT in about two hours. $47.50 round trip. Buy your ticket at the PABT ticket counter, or pay the driver with exact cash from local stops. At the discretion of the driver, it’s an additional $7 each way to bring a bicycle, although if you place it under the bus and retrieve it yourself, the drivers often waive the fee.
Photo: Violette79, Martin Thomas
Also see our guide for a romantic weekend in Frenchtown
Stacey Wolf James is a psychic and astrologer with a commitment to sustainability and an addiction to travel. She is the author of five published books including Never Throw Rice at a Pisces, the first wedding planning guide for brides who like astrology. When she’s not soothing her globe-trotting soul, she’s on back country roads with her Harley-riding husband or strolling their two bulldogs around Frenchtown, New Jersey. Read more about her: staceywolf.com.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram