A small New Jersey borough is making national headlines after being recognized as one of the country’s standout destinations for arts and culture.
Frenchtown, in Hunterdon County, has been named the Best Small Arts + Culture Town in the United States for 2026 by Travel + Leisure, as part of the magazine’s annual America’s Best Small Towns list.
Located along the Delaware River, Frenchtown was recognized for its thriving arts community, walkable downtown, independent businesses, galleries, restaurants and strong local character. Travel + Leisure also highlighted the town’s access to outdoor recreation, including the Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath.
Among the places singled out was ArtYard, an artist-run cultural campus that offers galleries, performances, workshops and community programs. The town is also home to the Frenchtown Bookshop, independent galleries, studios and locally owned shops.
The recognition comes during an especially active cultural year for Frenchtown. The community is hosting its first Frenchtown Literary Festival, while the long-running Riverfest continues to bring residents and visitors together through art, music and community activities.
Travel + Leisure requires towns included in its annual list to have fewer than 30,000 residents and to stand out in their category through attractions, events, accommodations or other reasons to visit.
For one of New Jersey’s smallest river towns, the national recognition is a significant one: Frenchtown is now officially Travel + Leisure’s top small arts and culture town in America for 2026.
Sources: Travel + Leisure; News 12 New Jersey; ArtYard; Frenchtown Borough
By NJ RADAR Team