Raritan, NJ Road Trips

It is home to about 8,000 people (2020 United States Census, 1 April 2020)

1 Nevius Street Bridge (Nevius Street at the Raritan River). 300-foot 2-span metal bridge built in 1886 with a wooden road bed, no longer open to motorized traffic, only pedestrians. On the National Register of Historic Places. (updated Oct 2025) 2 Raritan Public Library (General John Frelinghuysen House), 54 E Somerset St, toll-free: +1 908-725-0413, [email protected]. M-Th 9AM - 8PM; F 9AM - 5PM; Sa 9AM - 2PM, Su closed. The oldest wing of this house dates to 1756. It was bought by the lawyer and War of 1812 General John Frederick Frelinghuysen in 1801. This historic house served as a private residence until it was donated to serve as the public library in 1975. The library also contains the John Basilone Archives, commemorating a highly decorated local World War II hero. (updated Oct 2025) Raritan Water Power Canal, Orlando Drive. This 3-mile-long canal was built in the 1840s for industrial use. You can find a Power House and an informational marker along this route. The Power House is near the Nevius Street Bridge. Not to be confused with the much longer Delaware and Raritan Canal, which has lots of parkland along its banks but does not go through the town of Raritan. Neither Canal Park on Orlando Drive nor the canal appears to have its own website, but there is some basic information at the Borough of Raritan's Recreation site. (updated Oct 2025) 3 Relief Hose Company No. 2 Engine House, 16 Anderson Street. This firehouse was built in 1894 in Victorian High Gothic Revival style and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Espo's Restaurant & Bar, 10 2nd Street, ☏ +1 908-685-9552. M closed, Tu-Th 4:30-8:30PM, F noon-9:30PM, Sa 4-9:30PM, Su 11AM-8:30PM. Italian-American restaurant, takes no reservations. On the dinner menu, apps: $11.95-18.95; pasta: $19.95-28.95; other entrees: $23.95-39.95 plus a couple of market priced items; sides: $7.95-10.95. (updated Oct 2025) Mi Warike Chicken Restaurant, 46 W Somerset St, ☏ +1 908-210-9588. Peruvian restaurant (updated Nov 2025) Uncle Vinnie's Clam Bar, ☏ +1 908-526-9887. Italian-style seafood, no takeout. (updated Oct 2025)