
WELCOME TO MY HOMETOWN CONNECTICUT -
MIDDLETOWN

DIRECTIONS/LOCATION -
Middletown is a city located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, 16 miles south of Hartford. Follow route 91 South from Hartford, route 72 South from New Britain and the west, and 9 North from the beach area.

In 1650, Middletown was incorporated as a town under its original Native American name, Mattabeseck. It received its present name in 1653.
Middletown was included within Hartford County upon its creation on May 10, 1666. In 1784, the central settlement was incorporated as a city distinct from the town. Both were included within newly formed Middlesex County in May 1785. In 1923, the City of Middletown was consolidated with the Town, making the city limits extensive.
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Middletown, the the hub of Middlesex County, is located right on the Connecticut River, with easy access to major highways, airports, railroads and other modes of transportation. The city's forty-two square miles include rural, suburban and urban settings, with an historic downtown and large city-owned parks and open spaces.
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Upcoming Events...click below
Recreation and Community Calendar
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Here's some information to help
you plan your visit to Middletown.
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Driving onto Main Street in Middletown is like driving back in time...That's because what you'll find is a vibrant, true Main Street filled with about a 1/4 mile of local businesses, restaurants, banks and more, that is reminiscent of days-gone-by.
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So, if you'd like a pleasant experience, start
at one end of Main Street...and take your
time exploring it from one end to the other.
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Why not start with O'Rourke's the-
"diner icon". Then, head down to Amato's...
another historic family owned
toy store!. Of course there's much more...have great day!
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ATTRACTIONS
The Buttonwood Tree,
605 Main Street, 860-347-4957.
This local
arts venue/used
bookstore sponsors
about 250 cultural events
per year,
including concerts, literary
readings, storytelling, and
exhibitions. www.buttonwood.org
Center for the Arts, Wesleyan University
(North Campus), 860-685-3355. Central Connecticut’s hub for world-class and cutting-edge arts experiences, CFA offers music, theater, and dance performances, as well as gallery exhibitions. For a calendar of CFA events visit wesleyan.edu/cfa.
Connecticut aMAIZEing MAZE,
278 Chamberlain Rd., 860-346-3360. You can stroll through two miles of winding paths in a living, growing cornfield, with a different theme each year.
General Mansfield House/Middlesex Historical Society, 151 Main St., 860-346-0746. A restored 1810 Federal-style home with exhibits of Civil War artifacts and decorative art.
Harbor Park.
Located right on the bank of the Connecticut River, this park is the site for Wesleyan’s boat house—the warehouse for the Wesleyan Crew team's equipment. The park also serves as the background for Wesleyan’s annual Black Arts Festival in the spring.
Mattabesett Blue Trail,
Seven Falls Roadside Park, .8 miles south of Aircraft Rd. (exit 10 off Rte. 9) on Rte. 154. Hike up ledges to caves and good views of the city or climb Bear Hill.
Middletown Roller Skating Rink,
547 Main St., 860-704-0064. One of the old-time amusements still left on Main Street. www.middletownrink.com
Oddfellows Playhouse,
128 Washington St., 860-347-6143. This nonprofit youth theater and performing arts program serves more than 2,500 central Connecticut young people each year though classes, workshops, full productions, and special events, including a summer circus. Wesleyan students often volunteer here. www.oddfellows.org
Russell Library,
123 Broad St., 860-347-2528. A delightful place to read and catch up on the latest books, magazines, and newspapers.
Vinnie’s Jump and Jive,
424 Main Street, 860-347-6971, ext. 3777 (24-hour recorded information). This nonprofit community dance hall, committed to health and wellness, has lessons and open sessions in swing dancing, country line dancing, salsa mambo, Argentine tango, hip-hop dance styles, and more. www.vinniesjumpandjive.com
Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate,
421 Wadsworth St., 860-347-1064. Built at the beginning of the 20th century as the summer residence of "Long Hill" for Colonel Wadsworth—an authority on the emerging science of forestry and conservation—this mansion was designed by the New York architecture firm of Hoppin and Koen to rival the estates of Lenox, Massachusetts and the "cottages" of Newport, Rhode Island. In the late 1990s, the mansion and immediate grounds underwent a complete historic rehabilitation, funded by Middletown citizens; the mansion is once again a center for ceremonial and cultural activity. The parklands are open to the public for walking, and mansion tours are offered on Wednesdays. www.wadsworthmansion.com
Washington Street Cemetery,
Washington St. This site on the Freedom Trail contains the graves of local African-Americans, including men who fought with the Connecticut 29th Regiment and other Civil War units.
Wesleyan Potters,
350 South Main St., 860-344-0039. Shop here for wares by local artisans. www.wesleyanpotters.com
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Wesleyan University
860-685-2000
Visit Wesleyan University and enjoy fine art and world music on a beautiful campus overlooking the Connecticut River.
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Godfrey Library
860-346-4375
Travel back in time study the roots of your heritage and your place in history. The Godfrey promotes the study of family history with genealogical and historical resources.
Lady Katharine Cruises
1-866-867-4837
Enjoy public cruises, weddings, special events along the Connecticut River.
Everything is better on the water.
Museums
Kidcity Children’s Museum860-347-0495Visit a place where kids and their grownups play pretend together using their imagination and having fun.
Middlesex County Historical Society860-346-0746Dedicated to preserving the history of Middlesex County and providing programs for adults and children to increase their understanding of the area's past.
Parks -
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Wadsworth Falls State Park - 721 Wadsworth St
Riverfront Park - 284 Brownstone Ave
Giuffrida Park - 800 Westfield Rd
Riverfront Park - 128 Welles St
Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park - 161 Brownstone Ave
Hubbard Park - 999 W Main St
Butternut Hollow - Butternut Street
Columbus Point - Harbor Drive
Donovan Park - Stack Street
Guida Conservation Area - Coleman Road
Harbor Park - Harbor Drive
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RESTAURANTS
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120 Town Colony Dr
Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 346-7096Italian
98 Washington St Ste 1 Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 344-0222American
332 Main St
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 344-5557Italian
1960 Saybrook Rd Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 345-2403Mexican
728 Main St
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 346-6101American
106 Court St
Middletown, CT 06457(860) 346-6000
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