Middletown (Connecticut) – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (2024)

Middletown in a small city in Connecticut on the Connecticut River, about 20 miles (32 km) south of Hartford.

Understand

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Middletown lies on the Connecticut River about 15 miles south of Hartford. The town has a long history. At the time of the American Revolution, John Adams counted it as the most beautiful city in New England, but today almost nothing survives from that era. Present-day Middletown is a moderately-sized college and business town, with a few interesting remnants of 19th-century churches, graveyards, and mills. It is considered to be the southernmost city in the Knowledge Corridor region, which features an inordinate number of prestigious universities and 120,000 university students. Middletown features a large variety of restaurants (3 Mexican places, 3 Indian places, 2 Thai places, a Tibetan place and uncountable Italian places.)

There is one major college - Wesleyan University - located up the hill from downtown but aside from the restaurants and bars on Main Street, there aren't many things for college students to do right in Middletown. Where are the bookstores? The import clothing stores? Well, there may be one or two but they're hiding. To find the heart of Middletown you've got to do a little snooping around.

There are excellent resources here for those with an artistic bent. A few years ago Middletown was rated one of the 100 best art towns in America. The Buttonwood Tree is an intimate performance art space on the North End of Main St. Oddfellows Playhouse provides a start in the world of theater for kids of all ages. Then there's Kid City - sort of an exploratorium - a great place to take your kids on a rainy afternoon. For adults, the cultural offerings on the Wesleyan University campus (films, theater, a variety of music performances, and a gallery hosting art exhibits) are nearly all open to the public, and will probably trump these.

Middletown is also the home to Connecticut Valley Hospital, the major psychiatric facility for southern New England. So if you see a few questionable people on the streets, relax, they're outpatients and they're probably properly medicated.

Get in

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Middletown (Connecticut) – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (3)

Map of Middletown (Connecticut)

By car

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From Hartford -91 S to9 S first or second light on the highway take a right.

From the Shoreline -Take 9 N - left at the lights.

From the west (or New Haven) -Take Rt 66 E

From the east -get thee to Portland and go over the Portland Bridge

By bus

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The "M Link" Middletown/Meriden Connection Service provides service between Meriden and Middletown.Meriden has an Amtrak stop.

Dattco offers service between New Haven and Hartford stopping in Middletown.

Get around

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By bus (via Middletown Area Transit), by car or possibly on foot. Main Street is lined with parking spaces and meters, a free two-hour parking lot on Washington Street behind Main Street Market and there is a medium-sized parking lot at Destinta Theatres. Traffic does get busy during the work day and around dinner time.

See

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  • Kidcity Children's Museum, 119 Washington St, +1 860 347-0495.
  • Wadsworth Mansion, 421 Wadsworth St, +1 860 347-1064.
  • Oddfellow's Playhouse, 128 Washington St, +1 860 347-6143.
  • The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St, +1 860 347-4957.
  • Harbor Park.
  • Indian Hill Cemetery, 383 Washington St, +1 860 346-0452.
  • General Mansfield House, 151 Main St, +1 860 346-0746.

Do

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  • Destinta Theatres, 49 College St, +1 860 344-0077. Adult $9.75, child/senior $7.00, bargain matinee $7.00 (all shows before 6PM), student $8.25 (with valid id), Tuesday bargain night $7.00 (some restrictions may apply).
  • [formerly dead link] A New World Laser Tag, 423 Main St, +1 860 343-3899. Tu-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-9PM, M available for private parties only. $8.50 per person for one game. $7 per hour per person or $17 for three hours per person for Underworld Gaming and 20% off of five hours. A business party of up to 50 guests is $400 for two hours. A birthday private party of up to 50 guests is $700 for two hours. Call to get prices for parties of more than 50 guests. Laser Tag is a fun game for teenagers and other ages to play, relatively harmless.
  • The entrance to Wadsworth Falls State Park is in Middletown, though most of the park, including the falls themselves, is in Middlefield.
  • 1 Empower Leadership Sports & Adventure Center. - in

Buy

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  • Wesleyan Potters Shop, 350 South Main Street, +1 860 347-5925. Office hours: M—F 9AM-3PM; gallery/shop hours: W-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM, M-Tu by appointment only.

Eat

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  • Amici Italian Grill Restaurant, 280 Main St, +1 860 346-0075. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-10PM. Casual chic, classic Italian food, romantic or business atmosphere. Accepts reservations for any size party. $10-20.
  • Brew Bakers, 169 Main St, +1 860 852-0034. Counter-service offering breakfast, lunch and baked goods. Owned and operated by an award-winning Austrian chef.
  • Coyote Blue Tex Mex Cafe, 1960 Saybrook Rd, +1 860 345-2403. Casual Mexican fare, great Margaritas served in 16-oz mugs. No reservations.
  • Klekolo World Coffee, 181 Court St (across from the police station), +1 860 343-9444. M–Th 6:30AM–10PM, F Sa 6:30AM–midnight, Su 7AM–7PM. Very cool independent coffee shop and espresso bar. Lots of odd college kids mixed with locals provides an interesting atmosphere. International coffees and based drinks. Teas - black, green or herbal. (updated Mar 2020)
  • La Boca Mexican Restaurant, 337 Main St, +1 860 347-4777. Su–Th 11:30AM–9PM, F Sa 11:30AM–10PM (restaurant); Su–Th 11:30AM–1AM, F Sa 11:30AM–2AM (cantina). Casual restaurant and bar serving Mexican foods and drinks in the Cantina. Happy hour: M–F 3-6PM. $10-18. (updated Jun 2017)
  • [dead link] Tuscany Grill Restaurant, 120 College St, +1 860 346-7096. Open M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, and Su 4PM-10PM The lounge is open Su-Th until 1AM and F Sa until 2AM for drinks. Call for all reservations, any group and private parties of 10-100 guests. Tuscany offers fine dining and a chic atmosphere, serving Italian foods.
  • Typhoon Restaurant, 360 Main St, +1 860 344-9667. Open M-Sa, 11AM-3PM lunch and 5PM-10PM dinner, closed Su. Thai and assorted Asian foods. BYOB. $9-15.

Drink

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  • Eli Cannon's Taproom, 695 Main Street, +1 860 347-3547. Many beers on tap, good pub food, great atmosphere.
  • Harbor Park, 80 Harbor Drive, +1 860 347-9999. The place to be on a Summer night - on the deck at Harbor Park Restaurant, grooving to live music and watching the river traffic.

Sleep

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  • Inn at Middletown, 70 Main Street. A 100-room inn converted from the historic National Guard Armory.
  • Wesley Inn & Suites, 988 Washington St, +1 860 346-9251.

Stay safe

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Middletown is generally not a dangerous city, but the North end of the city can be a bit dangerous, especially at night. Also, Middletown is home to Connecticut Valley Hospital, which is the largest mental hospital in New England. Some of the patients are allowed to roam the city, but most of them are generally harmless and there have been few attacks by patients.

Although the Police Department is stationed on Main Street near and around popular restaurants, walk with others at night and be aware of local gang members and sexual offenders.

Go next

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The nearest large city is Hartford.

There are various towns surrounding Middletown, each providing a slightly different experience. Across the river is Portland. Which has many small delis and bakeries with a notable Italian influence. The next town over to the east is East Hampton. A formerly rural but increasingly suburban town offering Lake Pocatapaug as peaceful oasis during a hot summers day. Also bordering Middletown is Cromwell. More densely populated than Portland and East Hampton, Cromwell has more to offer in the way of restaurants, activities, and shopping, etc. Explore the neighboring towns and you might find something that interests you!

Routes through Middletown

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Middletown (Connecticut) – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (2024)

FAQs

Why is Middletown, CT called Middletown? ›

It was named in 1653 for its position between the upstream towns and the river mouth. The city, chartered in 1784, consolidated with the town in 1923.

What is Middletown known for? ›

Middletown is known as a great place for family and friends to meet, dine and enjoy the arts and culture. Downtown Main Street, is full of international restaurants, shops, entertainment and family-friendly places.

What city is close to Middletown CT? ›

Middletown shares borders with the neighboring towns of Cromwell, Portland, East Hampton, Haddam, Durham, Middlefield, Berlin, and Meriden.

What district is Middletown, CT in? ›

Connecticut's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in the central part of the state, the district includes the city of New Haven and its surrounding suburbs. Principal cities include: Middletown, New Haven, and Stratford.

Is Middletown CT a nice place to live? ›

Living in Middletown offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Middletown there are a lot of restaurants and parks. Many young professionals live in Middletown and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Middletown are above average.

Is Middletown Connecticut expensive? ›

Middletown, Connecticut's cost of living is 14% higher than the national average.

What is the race population in Middletown CT? ›

Middletown Demographics

White: 69.92% Black or African American: 14.96% Two or more races: 8.31% Asian: 5.1%

Is Middletown NY walkable? ›

This location is a Walker's Paradise so daily errands do not require a car.

What is the meaning of Middletown? ›

Middletown in American English

(ˈmɪdlˌtaun) noun. (sometimes lc) a typical American town or small city with traditional values and mores.

Does Middletown CT have a downtown? ›

The Connecticut River is the single most important asset in Downtown Middletown. The riverfront represents the competitive edge the downtown possesses over most communities. The river holds the key to the long-term economic revitalization of the downtown.

Is Middletown CT urban or rural? ›

Our city's forty-two square miles include rural, suburban and urban settings, an historic downtown and large city-owned parks and open spaces.

Is Middletown Connecticut a big city? ›

As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 47,481. Middletown, Connecticut is considered the southernmost city in the Hartford-Springfield Knowledge Corridor Metropolitan Region, which features a population of 1.9 million, the second largest metropolitan area in New England.

How did Middletown get its name? ›

Another writer believed that the city was named Middletown because it was the midway point of navigation on the Great Miami River, which was then considered a navigable stream. Another theory is credited to the city being roughly halfway between Dayton and Cincinnati.

Does every state have a Middletown? ›

There are other Middletowns across the United States, including California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia. The name Middletown is a form of the more proper Middleton.

Why is Middletown NY called Middletown? ›

Middletown, city, Orange county, southeastern New York, U.S., 60 miles (97 km) northwest of New York City. Settled in 1756, it was organized around the local Congregational church in 1785 and named for its midway location between the Hudson and Delaware rivers.

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