Cranford

Cranford is a quaint river town nestled about 20 miles southwest of Manhattan. It was the popularity of canoeing along the Rahway River that earned Cranford this moniker in earlier days. Many came to the area as a vacation destination. Locally you’ll still hear that name today—and for good reason. Plenty still flock to the river for canoeing, kayaking, and even an annual rubber ducky race. There’s more to this scenic town than the river that runs through it. Cranford has a diverse restaurant scene, lots of opportunity to spend time outside, and an abundance of community events.

Cranford’s Mayor, Kathleen Miller Prunty, said the town has a long history of attracting and keeping folks looking for a good place to settle down. “Even many of those that leave end up coming back to raise their families,” said Prunty.

When Prunty first moved to town, she didn’t imagine staying long-term, but has now lived in Cranford for 43 years.

“I think it’s a comfortable and safe place to live, and we continually see it attracting young families,” said Prunty. “I have the pleasure of marrying many of these young people and appreciate the fresh perspective and life they bring to the town.”

A lively downtown area is also a draw. Caren Demyen, director of Cranford’s Downtown Management Corp. and the Office of Business and Economic Development said their walkable downtown area has solicited a second nickname for Cranford: “Hallmark town.” Many have remarked they feel as though they are walking around inside of a movie.

These days people crave the small-town look and feel of a place like Cranford, and it delivers. In fact, the beautiful architecture of the area has led it to be a filming location for several different films this year. As far as real estate goes, Prunty said Cranford offers “diverse housing stock,” with a little bit of everything from colonials to split-levels, Victorians, and Cape Cods.

That variety carries into the restaurant scene, as well. Like any good downtown area, Demyen said Cranford’s “vibrant range of restaurants is a big draw.”

“We have an eclectic mix of many different cuisines—Greek, Moroccan, Italian, French, and Mexican, to name just some,” said Demyen. “There is truly something for every taste.”

Demyen said Downtown Cranford also has an in-town movie theater, which is becoming increasingly rare these days. The Cranford Theater has remained a popular destination, and at the height of the pandemic, the theater stayed alive with some ingenuity in transforming a local municipal parking lot into a “drivein” theater.

Dreyer’s Farm is also popular in town, which has been part of the community since 1904. Dreyer’s offers seasonal produce, flowers, popular prepared foods, and bakery items. Locals love stopping in for apple cider doughnuts and fresh chocolate milk.

When it comes to outdoor adventures, besides river activities, Cranford boasts more than 15 small local parks and two major parks: Lenape and Nomahegan. Both have plenty of scenic trails and wildlife for those looking for a connection with nature.

While there’s so much to do and see, it’s the community events that really make Cranford special. The fall brings events and a parade centered around Halloween. Things really ramp up for the holiday season with Santa visits, shopping, horse and carriage rides, and festive décor to get everyone in the spirit.

Like other small towns, it’s ultimately the people that make these events so successful. There is a real sense of community that comes from a group of people who appreciate these events and all the work that goes into them.

“There’s a real sense of supporting local business and keeping the town spirit alive,” said Demyen. “Our events draw a ton of people into town because they love the opportunity to gather together.”

Undoubtedly, it’s something we all have come to cherish more than ever since the pandemic kept us apart for so long.

“It’s funny that for so long many people flocked to the big city. But since the pandemic, we’ve seen more and more people going the other way and leaving the city for small towns like Cranford,” said Prunty. “I think there’s a real appreciation for everything Cranford has to offer.”