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.

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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

Chatfield Hollow State Park

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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