Old York Estates

Lawrence Township, New Jersey is known for its historic architecture and friendly community. The town is centrally located—about five miles from Trenton, seven miles from Princeton, 37 miles from Philadelphia, and 60 miles from New York City—providing residents additional opportunities for entertainment and employment beyond those already in town. D.R. Horton offers a range of single-family new construction homes in Lawrence Township and the surrounding area. All of our homes for sale in Lawrence offer spacious open floorplans and smart home technology.

Why choose Lawrence Township, New Jersey

Lawrence Township is an inviting place for families, professionals, and retirees looking for a home that combines small-town charm with modern conveniences. It has more than 30 parks, plenty of employment opportunities, great restaurants and shopping, and a community-focused lifestyle. The township provides regular programming to connect residents, ranging from seasonal celebrations and events to sports leagues and summer camps, making it easy to meet others with similar interests.

With a suburban lifestyle and several major employers in Lawrence Township, it’s easy to balance work and play in this suburban area. Located in Mercer County, Lawrence Township also provides access to Trenton, Princeton, New York City and Philadelphia, so have options to commute to or enjoy time in a larger city. For air travel, Newark International Airport, about 48 miles away, offers convenient options for domestic and international flights.

Community life in Lawrence Township, New Jersey

Lawrence Township and the surrounding areas throughout Mercer County offer events like festivals, holiday celebrations, local concerts, and plenty of fun activities for all ages throughout the year. The area’s friendly atmosphere and busy calendar make it easy to get involved and become an active member of the community.

Lawrence Township hosts many typical holiday celebrations, like an annual Egg Hunt for Easter in the town’s Central Park. The Easter Bunny comes to visit with eggs and prizes for all. For Memorial Day, the town hosts a Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in honor of veterans and fallen heroes who gave their lives for our country. On Independence Day, Lawrence Township’s celebration features food trucks, children’s entertainment, and a firework display. Though not attached to a holiday, Lawrence Township’s Community Day acts as a fall festival each October, transforming Central Park into a lively gathering featuring live music, food vendors, yard sale and artisan tables, and a pet adoption site. There are also bounce houses, wagon rides, face painting, “touch a truck,” and a pumpkin painting contest, ensuring everyone has something to enjoy as the community gathers together.

The town offers more unique holiday celebrations each year, as well, like the annual Halloween House Decorating Contest. Residents register their home with the town’s Recreation Department to be included on the town’s Monster Map, which is released with encouragement to take a tour around town—if you dare—and vote for the coolest or creepiest display. Lawrence Township has a similar contest in December where residents can compete for the best decorated home in the Holiday House Decorating Contest. Recognition for designs ranges from Best Block to Best Classic Design to Children’s Choice. Also during the holiday season, the annual Deck the Town Hall Tree Lighting features holiday decor, a trackless train ride, face painting, holiday music, cookie decorating, and hot chocolate. Children receive a little gift, but the magic of the evening is for the whole family. The town also operates a holiday-themed Jolly Trolley in the winter, complete with hot cocoa.

Lawrence Township offers additional community celebrations in Lawrenceville, a village within the township. You can enjoy shopping small, dining out, or admiring the historic architecture in Lawrenceville’s Main Street District, which is a National Historic Landmark, or attend a number of local events hosted by the Lawrenceville Main Street organization. Foodies appreciate the Lawrenceville Main Street Restaurant Week, which features special menus and pricing at local restaurants. In the summer, it’s easy to find a concert as the Lawrenceville Main Street Community Foundation hosts a regular concert series, “Music In the Park,” every Thursday throughout the summer months. Spring for the Arts and the Fall Arts Fest are also popular events held in Lawrenceville. Featuring music, a Kids Zone, and local artisans—including some from the local school—these festivals are meant to feel like bustling street fairs with something everyone can enjoy.

There are plenty of things to do outside of community events, as well. The Lawrence Township Recreation Department provides year-round programs for residents that encourage social interaction and an active lifestyle. With spring break camps, swim lessons, walking groups, and classes and workshops ranging from beginner pickleball to intermediate tennis, there are options that appeal to a wide array of interests and skill levels.

If a trip to a museum or a short educational outing are more your style, Lawrence Township has that too. You can tour restored, historic homes dating back to the 1700s through the Lawrence Historical Society, giving you a glimpse into the town’s past and the life of previous residents. For a more traditional museum environment, the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey is located in Lawrence Township. Featuring all kinds of military uniforms, weapons, and photographs, the museum showcases the contributions of New Jersey natives to our nation’s military. If learning about your area’s ecosystem is more your style, you can check out the Lawrence Township Anne Demarais Nature Center. With a historic home on the property and 45-acres of woods and meadows near the Shabakunk Creek, there is plenty to do and explore on site. For a more in-depth experience, you can attend one of the nature programs or camps hosted by the Recreation Department at the Nature Center.

For an outdoor experience more focused on local produce or farming, Cherry Grove Farm offers classes and activities, so you can learn to make cheese, forage, or work with bees. You can also purchase any of their award-winning cheeses from grass-fed cows or pasture-raised meats in the farm store. You can also support local farms and creators at the Trenton Farmers Market, located on Spruce Street in Lawrence Township. It is New Jersey’s oldest continuously running farmers market and features fresh produce, baked goods, meats, and artisan items. If you’re more of a do-it-yourself person, Lawrence Township offers a great community garden program. Residents can apply for up to two 20x20 garden plots and plant their choice of flowers and vegetables, within rules and guidelines.

With a wide variety of events and activities, Lawrence Township provides opportunities for all interests, from history to sports. The connected community offers lots of ways to get to know your neighbors while having fun, which helps solidify the area’s balance between suburban comfort and recreational opportunities in central New Jersey.

Outdoor fun in Lawrence Township, New Jersey

Lawrence Township is home to more than 30 parks, many of which have playgrounds, trails, or waterways. The town’s extensive park system and programming offer a wide range of opportunities for residents to get outside and get active.

There are several parks in Lawrence Township that feature basketball or pickleball courts and soccer fields. Central Park is the largest developed park in Lawrence Township, and it features three lighted tennis courts, separate pickleball courts, a soccer field, an additional field for soccer in the fall and lacrosse in the spring, three baseball fields, and a football field named after Lawrence’s own National Football League Hall of Famer, Elvin Bethea. For younger children, there is also playground equipment.

Mercer County Park, which encompasses over 2,500 acres across three towns, including Lawrence Township, also offers a variety of fields and recreational facilities. In addition to the 17 athletic fields, the park includes an ice skating center, three sand volleyball courts, hiking and biking trails, dog parks, a rowing center, and cricket pitches. There is also a boathouse and fishing on Lake Mercer.

Mercer Meadows is another large park in the area where many folks enjoy going fishing or gathering together. Stony Brook, Willow Pond, and Rosedale Lake are tranquil settings for casting a line or observing wildlife, as eagles, osprey, and other varieties of waterfowl are frequently seen in the area. With forests, fields, meadows, and grasslands, the park is home to many types of wildlife, including some rare and threatened species.

The trails at Mercer Meadows are suitable for hiking, biking, or horseback riding. The Equestrian District is part of the park and offers riding lessons and ring rentals, with several beautiful trails to ride, including some that pass through Curlis Woods and travel along the edge of Curlis Lake. The Lawrence Hopewell Trail, a 20-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail, runs through Mercer Meadows but extends beyond the park area to connect Lawrence Township to Hopewell Township. The trail is intended to serve as both a recreational trail and a reasonable alternative to driving between townships.

The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park (D&R Canal State Park) offers another popular multi-use trail in the area. The D&R Canal State Park Trail is a 70-mile wide, flat pathway open for a variety of uses, including hiking and biking. If you want to get off the main path, the park has additional trails and loops to take residents through a variety of terrains and distances. In the winter, some of the trails, such as the Six Mile Run Reservoir Site, are popular for cross-country skiing. The D&R Canal itself is also open for water activities like kayaking and fishing. The Delaware River, which feeds the D&R Canal, also runs through Washington Crossing State Park less than 10 miles from town. You can kayak, canoe, and fish on the Delaware River. The park also offers learning opportunities, historic buildings, and an artifact museum, as well as miles of trails for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

You can also find several golf courses in Lawrence Township and the surrounding area. The Cobblestone Creek Country Club in Lawrence provides a private course known for its challenging layout and beautiful scenery. Mercer Oaks Golf Course, about five miles away in West Windsor, offers two public 18-hole courses suitable for players of various skill levels. The Hopewell Valley Golf Club, about a ten-mile drive, has a well-maintained championship course, locker rooms, and a driving range that’s open to the public.

With its combination of local parks, nearby natural areas, and easy access to diverse recreational activities, Lawrence Township offers residents numerous opportunities to engage in outdoor recreation throughout the year. The township's dedication to maintaining green spaces and recreational facilities ensures that residents can easily find ways to stay active and connected to nature.

Businesses and economics in Lawrence Township, New Jersey

Lawrence Township has a strong local economy and is home to multiple major corporations. Bristol-Myers Squibb and the Educational Testing Service (ETS) are both headquartered in Lawrence Township, and the town supports over one thousand small businesses.

Education and healthcare are both important industries in the area. The Lawrenceville School, a private, co-ed prep school, and Rider University, which guarantees free tuition for qualified in-state students, are both in the township, and Princeton University is just seven miles away. Likewise, there are several major medical centers and hospitals in the area, including Capital Health Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

Lawrence’s proximity to Trenton, a five-mile drive, allows residents to access government and corporate jobs in the state capital. Additionally, nearby access to major highways and public transportation makes it simple to commute to Princeton, Philadelphia, and even New York City, increasing the employment opportunities in different industries.

What makes Lawrence Township a great place to live

Lawrence Township is a connected community that thrives on regular events and activities. Its parks and historic district impart a beauty and character that is unique to the township. While the friendly community and beauty of the area are reason enough to make Lawrence Township home, the area’s convenient location and economic opportunities provide additional draws. With major corporations headquartered right in town and easy access to bigger cities like Trenton and Philadelphia, residents have plenty of options for employment.

New construction homes Lawrence Township

D.R. Horton's new homes in Lawrence Township are great for people at any stage of life. With access to job opportunities, good schools, and many activities and conveniences, D.R. Horton single-family homes in the township offer something for everyone. Browse our listings of homes for sale in Lawrence Township, NJ today.