CRANFORD, NJ

UNION COUNTY

 
 
 

Welcome to Cranford!

Cranford is home to more than 24,000 people who enjoy its many parks, recreational facilities, shopping areas and outstanding schools. Strategically located in the heart of Union County, the Township is served by the NJ Transit bus and Raritan Valley train line making it desirable for outbound and inbound commuters.

Established in 1871, Cranford is 4.8 square miles of wonderful neighborhoods and historic homes along the Rahway River, some dating back to the late 1800s. Township residents and visitors, young and old, can enjoy the many programs at the Community Center, Public Library, parks, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools or canoeing on the river. These are just some of the reasons Cranford is routinely rated in the Top 50 Best Places to Live in NJ and to raise a family.

Cranford Public Schools, a K-12 program, offer innovative programs and consistently receive high rankings both nationally and at the State. The town is also home to Union College main campus.

The town also has a strong commercial base. Downtown Cranford is well known for its many restaurants, unique specialty shops and has seen tremendous investment and growth in recent years with several Transit-Oriented Development projects. Smaller neighborhood shopping areas, like Centennial Village, are also revitalized with new restaurants and businesses. The Cranford Business Park, with easy access to the Garden State Parkway, major roads and Newark Airport, is home to several well-known national corporations.

However, Cranford’s best asset is its residents who take great pride in the town’s history and exemplify volunteerism and community spirit in the many civic organizations, clubs and committees.

 

Quick Facts:

Check out some “Quick Facts” here, or scroll down for a deeper look at the ins and outs of Summit!

  • 23,801 in 2022

  • Average time to NY Penn is 42 minutes via the Raritan Valley Train Line, which runs direct M-F, and with a connection in Newark 7 days a week.

  • Cranford Public School District ranked #37 in the state by Niche in 2023.

    7 Elementary and Middle Schools

    1 High School

    For more details on district rankings click here. For the Cranford Public School District website click here.

    Colleges

    1 County College

  • The mission of the Cranford Recreation & Parks Department is to provide leisure programs and activities for the citizens of Cranford. The benefits of leisure services are designed to meet the mental, physical and social needs of our residents in the community, while enhancing the overall quality of life.

    Visit the Cranford Recreation Department website here

Key Locations

Getting to Summit + Commute

Cranford’s location is ideal. The township is right off the Garden State Parkway (exits 137 and 136), and commuters have easy access to trains and buses into New York City. In addition, Cranford is close to nearby transit destinations.

  • Newark Penn Station – 10 miles

  • Amtrak at Metro Park – 7 miles

  • Newark Airport – 7 miles

NJ Transit Train:

  • NJ Transit rail service is available at the Cranford station, along the Raritan Valley train line, with service to Newark Penn Station and to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan via Midtown Direct. 

  • Please visit the NJ Transit website for scheduling and ticket information. For information on Cranford Commuter Parking Permits, please visit the Cranford Parking page.

  • Train ticket to New York Penn costs $8.50 per ride or $136 for a monthly flex pass. Click here for other fare options.

    • Express trains average at 42 minutes

    • Local trains average at 48 minutes

    • Earliest train usually at 5:08 AM

    • Latest train back usually at 1:45 AM

    You may access an interactive schedule here.

Train Station Parking:

  • Cranford offers parking permits to commuter residents and non-residents. 12 Hour Permits are available to commuters to park in the Cranford Train Station Lot.  Permits are sold annually or semi-annually. The yearly cost is $610 ($310 for bi-annual) for residents and non-residents in lots, garage, and on the street.

  • Parking information is available on Cranford’s town website. 

  • Parking for commuters is available Monday through Friday from 4:30 A.M. to 2:00 A.M. in the Kings Road Lot and Prospect Street Lot. The parking permit fee is $450.00.

NJ Transit Bus:

NJ Transit provides local bus service between Cranford and New York Port Authority on the 113 route.

Other Commute Options:

Cranford Schools

Cranford Public School District is a highly rated, public school district.   There are 7 elementary and middle schools and one high school.  Cranford Public Schools have 3,733 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1.

Cranford Public School District ranked #37 in the state by Niche in 2023.  For more details on district rankings click here. For the Cranford Public School District website click here

 Preschool: (Kindergarten)

Elementary and Middle Schools:

 

Cranford Recreation

Cranford, NJ is such a special place to call home. Read below for some of our favorite local traditions and events, plus information on recreation, art, the local dining/shopping scene, and more.

Cranford, New Jersey Fun Traditions + Annual Events:

  • The Cranford Canoe Club rents canoes and kayaks for trips on the Rahway River in Cranford. Open during the summer months. Discover the perfect blend of adventure and indulgence at the Cranford Canoe Club! Experience the fun of kayaking or canoeing on the Rahway River and then reward yourself with a cool treat of soft serve ice cream. More info available on their website.

  • Each October, scarecrows created by local residents, families, organizations, and Cranford businesses line the downtown streets of Cranford. The Scarecrow Stroll is one of Cranford downtown's biggest events of the year. Registration is free, and prizes are awarded to the top scarecrows in each category. More info can be found here.

  • Visit the Crane-Phillips House Living Museum, the “The Little House on the Rahway” built around 1840 by Josiah Crane. Take a walk back in time and experience this “American Treasure” listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Visitor’s info can be found here.

How to spend a perfect day in Cranford

  • 9:30am - Arrive in Cranford:

    • Arrive by NJ Transit train to Cranford Train Station or by car and park in one of the convenient Cranford town parking lots.

    • Enjoy coffee and breakfast at the quaint Cafe Paris, owned by a local family who moved to Cranford from France and has brought this charming atmosphere and delicious French bites to Cranford.

  • 11:00am - Start exploring the Cranford shopping scene:

  • 12:00pm - Grab Lunch at one of our favorites:

    • For a delicious variety of Korean wings, try Don Chicken. Our favorite is the soy garlic, or try a combo of a few interesting flavors.

    • For a casual American sit-down lunch, try the Cranford outpost of The Thirsty Turtle and enjoy a burger or salad in the fun atmosphere.

  • 1:00pm - Driving Tour:

    • Take a driving tour to learn about all of the different Cranford neighborhoods with a Price Group Buyer Specialist!

  • 3:00pm - Enjoy Cranford through nature or history:

    • Enjoy a day on the water at the Cranford Canoe Club. Rent a canoe or a kayak for a local relaxing trip down the Rahway River through Cranford.  Enjoy the beautiful local parks and charming homes that border the river running through town.

    • Enjoy a walking audio tour of historic Cranford highlighting the preservation of Cranford's architectural heritage.

  • 5:00pm - Treat Yourself:

    • Relax with a pint at local (hidden) dive bar The Riverside Inn.  Hint: follow the employee parking signs behind the Cranford Train Station to find this local fav.  With indoor and outdoor seating, make sure you check out the specials posted on paper plates over the bar.

    • Or enjoy some gourmet treats from local patisserie, Delice for a delicious variety of macarons and other treats.

  • 6:00pm - Get dinner before heading out at one of our favorite places: 

Then head back home, and reminisce on your amazing day spent in Cranford - and call your Price Group agent to start booking home tours!

Back in time…

The town of Cranford in Union County, New Jersey lies along the Rahway River, immediately west of Elizabeth. The first permanent settler, John Denman, arrived about 1699, and established the Denman Homestead in 1720.  A bronze tablet also identifies  Crane’s Ford, where, during the American Revolution, a light-horse troop was stationed to warn General George Washington at Morristown of British raiding parties. A secret tunnel in the cellar of Cory House (still standing) helped American soldiers evade the British. In the American Civil War era, Cory House was a stop along the Underground Railroad for sheltering fugitive slaves. Although originally called Craneville, the community was renamed Cranford and incorporated in 1871.