Delanco

Crossing the Rancocas-Delanco Bridge brings you into Delanco Township. In this small riverfront community, you can see how an old English Quaker village and ferry crossing from the late 1600s evolved into a modern suburb that blends residential comfort, outdoor recreation and industry.

Most folks in Delanco live along Burlington Avenue, a primary thoroughfare similar to any main street you'd find throughout the US. After crossing the bridge into town, you'll see well-trimmed trees, lampposts with seasonal banners and a mix of homes and businesses in brick and wood-frame buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s lining the roadway. If you turn onto Coopertown Road from this section, you'll pass large warehouse distribution centers, a few farms and a solar panel array. Among the most prominent corporations here is Burlington, the national clothing retailer founded a few miles away in Burlington Township. The company operates a large distribution center nearby, after Coopertown Road turns into Delanco Road and intersects with Route 130, a busy highway thoroughfare lined with car dealerships and shopping centers.

Homes in the heart of the town and farther down Burlington Avenue in a slightly larger suburban area range from around $250,000 for a unit in a twin duplex to approximately $375,000 for a historical or contemporary Colonial Revival home. Next to the old town quarter, Newton's Landing, a modern 55-plus community built along the Rancocas Creek waterfront in the early 2000s, features spacious Colonial-inspired townhouses and single-family homes that range from $250,000 to $455,000.

The community's youngest kids learn the basics of reading, writing and math at M. Joan Pearson Elementary School, which Niche gives a C-minus rating. After kids complete 8th grade at Walnut Street Middle School, which also gets a C-minus from Niche, they leave the Delanco Township School District for Riverside High School in Riverside Township. There, students can participate in various sports, activities and clubs. Niche gives the school a C-plus with higher marks for its clubs and activities. Participating in extracurriculars can offer students fantastic opportunities, including trips for statewide sports competitions and cultural exchange programs in foreign cities like Quebec and San Juan.

If you own a boat, you can dock it at the Hawk Island Marina, where it'll be ready for your next excursion on the water. On Delaware Avenue, a neighborhood road nestled along the Delaware River waterfront, you can stroll along the sidewalk, in the grass or on the narrow rocky beach while enjoying a sunset. Bring snacks and drinks to picnic on the tables planted beneath the tall trees. If you stay along the riverfront heading east, the West Avenue Nature Trails welcomes visitors to explore a largely undisturbed forest by the river. On the other side of the community along Rancocas Creek, folks living in Newton's Landing can walk on trails from their planned community to Pennington Park, a 140-acre county recreational site with an extensive trail network that's welcome to dogs and cyclists. Bring your furry friend and meet other dog parents at either of the two dog parks -- or bring your trowel and seeds to grow something nutritious and green at the park's community gardens.

In the main commercial stretch of Burlington Avenue, right after you cross Rancocas Creek and Hawk Island Marina, you can order pizza, subs, soups and more at Lou's Deli, a beloved hometown eatery. Farther down the block, the Ice Cream Bar pleases patrons on warm summer days that call for a cold, sweet treat. There aren't a ton of businesses around here, but a few stores like Browne's Jewelers and Hagan-Rossi's Florist & Home Décor are intertwined with the community, as they're involved in their neighbors' engagements, weddings, birthdays and funerals. For groceries or a quick meal, residents can visit fast-food franchises, local diners and supermarkets like Aldi and Acme along Route 130.

Commuters living in Delanco can rely on NJ Transit and PATCO light rail trains and buses to reach jobs in the downtown Philadelphia area about 20 miles away. If you'd rather drive your car, you can travel to the city by taking Interstate 295 or the Burlington Pike to one of the area's many bridges.

Written By

Christopher Suarez

Photography Contributed By

Chris Pirone

Video By

Mark Barakat