Make the Most of Middlesex County!

Middlesex County, New Jersey is full of fun activities and attractions that can be enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike! From outdoor adventures to family-friendly museums, there are plenty of fun things to do in the county. Whether you’re a history buff looking to explore the area’s colonial heritage or an outdoor enthusiast looking for a hike or bike trail, Middlesex County has something for everyone. Let’s dig in and explore some of the best things to do in Middlesex County, New Jersey. 

Family-Friendly 

Children horseback riding through trail.
Horse back riding at Legacy Stables in Parlin, NJ Source: Yelp

Middlesex County is home to a variety of family-friendly activities that provide hours of entertainment. Legacy Stables in Parlin, NJ offers horseback riding for children and adults, plus outdoor activities like hayrides, carriage rides, and pony rides. They also have a petting zoo with chickens, goats, pigs, and sheep that children can feed and interact with. Jumping Jungle in East Brunswick, NJ is an indoor trampoline park where children can safely bounce and play. It features a foam pit, dodgeball court, ninja obstacle course, and more. Children will never be bored with all the fun activities they can do in Middlesex County!  

Shopping 

Mother and child looking through stores mall window.

Highland Park: Take a stroll down Raritan Avenue, down the street from The Frederick in Highland Park, for a unique shopping experience. This eclectic street offers everything from jewelry and art galleries to home décor and bookstores.  

New Brunswick: New Brunswick, NJ is a wonderful place to shop! There are plenty of boutique shops and specialty stores from which to choose. Take a stroll down George Street for unique local boutiques and foodie favorites.  

Woodbridge: Downtown Woodbridge, home to Woodbridge Hills in Iselin, is another great place for shopping. Check out the gorgeous boutiques and specialty stores!  

Menlo Park Mall: Menlo Park Mall is the largest mall in the county and offers even more great shopping opportunities. You’ll find all your favorite stores like Banana Republic, Sephora, J. Jill, Lucky Brand Jeans, and Macy’s. 

Parks and Recreation 

Children swinging on swing set at a park.

Middlesex County, NJ is home to some of the most beautiful parks and recreational areas in the state. With miles of hiking trails, fishing spots, and boating areas, there’s something for everyone in the area, from kids with lots of energy to adults looking for a quiet place to run. And most are pet-friendly, as long as they are on a leash.  

Rutgers Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden located in New Brunswick, NJ at the Rutgers University Campus. The gardens feature 180 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows for visitors to explore and enjoy. It is also home to the largest magnolia grove in the northeastern United States. Thompson Park is a 275-acre park with a lake, walking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a golf course. The lake is a great spot for fishing, boating, and swimming. The trails offer plenty of opportunities for walking and biking. Donaldson Park is another great park in Middlesex County. The park offers swimming, fishing, and boating on Lake Nelson. There are also several walking trails and a playground.  

For the golfers among us, there are several wonderful courses throughout Middlesex County. Tamarack Golf Course is an 18-hole championship golf course found in Monroe Township. The course has been rated as one of the best in the state by Golfweek magazine and is a popular spot for golfers of all levels. Raritan Landing Golf Course is a public, 18-hole golf course located in South Amboy. The course features spectacular views of Raritan Bay and provides a great challenge for both novice and experienced golfers. The Meadows at Middlesex Golf Course is a 27-hole facility found in East Brunswick. It features rolling hills, streams, and ponds that provide a challenge for golfers of all levels. The course is open year-round and offers a variety of programs for beginners to experts. 

Museums 

Brick three story home.
The Cornelius Low House built in 1741 Source: Yelp

Middlesex County has many fascinating museums that offer an insightful look into the county’s past and present. From Rutgers University to smaller historical sites, there is something for everyone to explore.  

At Rutgers University, there is the Geology Museum. It is an educational resource with geological artifacts, minerals, and rocks from around the world. The museum also has educational programs and resources available for both children and adults. The Zimmerli Art Museum is also located at Rutgers University. It features works from Europe, Russia, Asia, and America from the 18th century to today. It is the largest and most comprehensive art museum in New Jersey, and its collections include ancient artifacts, textiles, prints, photographs, and sculptures.  

The Cornelius Low House is a colonial-era house museum in Piscataway. This house was built in 1741 by Cornelius Low, a local merchant, and has been restored to its original condition. The house serves as a reminder of the area’s colonial roots and allows visitors to explore and learn about life during that time.  

The Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park is a historic museum and park located on the site where Edison developed the phonograph and the light bulb. Here, visitors can tour the laboratory complex and visit a replica of Edison’s laboratory. They can also learn about Edison’s inventions, his influence on science, and his contributions to the modern world.  

The Metlar Bodine House is an historic house museum in Piscataway. It was built in 1728 by Edward Metlar, one of Piscataway’s earliest settlers. The house includes period furnishings, paintings, books, and artifacts that tell the story of early life in New Jersey. Visitors can tour the house and grounds to learn about colonial life in the region. 

Educational Opportunities 

Girl in class working on class work.

Middlesex County, New Jersey is a great place to get an education, no matter what your interests are. In addition to the stellar Middlesex County School Districts, it is also home to the largest public university in New Jersey, Rutgers University. It is the ideal place to pursue a degree or take classes to advance your career. Rutgers has numerous campuses throughout the county; students can pursue bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees in almost any field of study imaginable.  

Middlesex County also offers Middlesex College of New Jersey, which offers several certificate and associate degree programs. Middlesex College students have access to extensive library resources, online classes, and support services that are designed to help students succeed.  

Kids in choreography class.

Aside from academic degrees, Middlesex County is also home to a variety of dance schools and theater schools, offering acting classes and improv classes for students of all ages. Dance schools like Rising Stars Studio of Dance offer classes for children and adults in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap and hip hop. Theater schools like Center Stage Dance, Theater, Music, and Gymnastics have improvisation classes, as well as acting and gymnastics classes for kids and teens. These classes can help those interested in performing arts develop their skills while having an exciting time in Middlesex County. 

Performing Arts 

Performing arts

Middlesex County, New Jersey is home to a wide range of performing arts, from live music to theatre to comedy. The Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University presents performances in theatre, music, dance, and opera. Public performances are available for purchase online or through the box office. 

For comedy fans, Stress Factory Comedy Club in New Brunswick is the place to be. This club has been a springboard for some of the biggest names in comedy over the years and continues to bring in top talent from across the country. 

Community theater is alive and well in Middlesex County with Plays in the Park in Edison. Here, you can experience live performances by professional, amateur and student actors. Each year the theater presents a variety of musicals and plays, ranging from family-friendly fare to award-winning Broadway hits. 

Playhouse 22 in East Brunswick is another great destination for performing arts fans. Here you can see musicals, comedies, dramas, and children’s theater performances throughout the year. This intimate theater offers up close and personal shows that will entertain everyone in the family. 

For music lovers, the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville is the place to go for live shows. This large concert venue regularly books nationally touring acts, offering up everything from punk rock to hip-hop. With top-notch sound and light systems, this is the perfect place to catch a show. 

Restaurants and Bars 

Tomahawk steak resting on butcher knife.

Middlesex County is home to an incredible diversity of restaurants and bars. Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch or a romantic night out, you can find something to satisfy any palate.  

For a unique dining experience, check out Stage Left Steak in New Brunswick, NJ. Their menu is composed of delicious cuts of steaks with classic preparations. Café Paris in Metuchen, NJ is a perfect spot for a romantic dinner with its warm atmosphere and classic French cuisine. Lucy’s in North Brunswick, NJ serves up delicious Mexican and Peruvian classics with a unique twist.  

Edison, NJ is home to some of the best Indian food in the state of New Jersey. If you’re looking for an authentic Indian meal, then check out Ember or Delhi Garden. Both restaurants offer flavorful traditional dishes, as well as innovative new takes on classic Indian fare. 

Public Transportation 

NJ Transit double decker train during commute
NJ Transit Source: Wikimedia Commons

Middlesex County, New Jersey is well-connected to the rest of the state via public transportation. It is a great option for commuters who work in or around New York City, as it is close enough to make the daily commute easy and efficient. NJ Transit provides train and bus services to the greater Middlesex County area on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, and Raritan Valley lines. There are also several bus routes that connect cities within the county, as well as routes to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City.  

Middlesex County  

Large structure tower
The Thomas Edison Center

New Jersey has something for everyone, whether you’re a family with young kids, a young couple, a pair of empty nesters, or living solo. The benefits of living in Middlesex County include incredible diversity, top-tier schools, great restaurants, fantastic job opportunities, and much more. With so many assets, it’s no wonder why many have decided to call Middlesex County home.