Overview
Matawan is a small historic town located near the Raritan Bay in northern Monmouth County.
1 sights
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Matawan
Major John Burrowes Mansion
Historic colonial-era home of Major John Burrowes. It still stands prominent in the community today.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 25°F. Wettest: Aug and Dec. (climate data from nearby Long Branch)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EWR Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark — 19 mi away (major hub). Directions
- JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York — 29 mi away (major hub). Directions
Newark Liberty International Airport is the closest major commercial airport to this municipality. It is roughly a 30 minute drive (traffic permitting) to/from the center of Matawan. John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York are also relatively nearby. For private jets, Old Bridge Airport in neighboring Old Bridge is also an option, which would be a roughly 20 minute drive to/from the center of Matawan.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Understand
The Lenape Native Americans called the area "Mechananienk," which gave rise to the area being called "Matovancons" by Dutch settlers, from which derives the name "Matawan". It means "where two rivers come together" in the Lenape language. It was formed in June 28, 1895, from portions of Matawan Township (now Aberdeen Township), and its portions of its area expanded into Madison Township (now Old Bridge Township) in 1939. The town is known for its rich colonial history, especially on and near its downtown on Main Street. During the latter half of the 20th century, the community grew as a popular suburb for former New York City dwellers to live in and continue to commute back into the city. The Aberdeen-Matawan Train Station (in which the North Jersey Coast Line runs) is a transportation hub for the Raritan Bayshore area, located on the town's main strip.
Get in
By plane
Newark Liberty International Airport is the closest major commercial airport to this municipality. It is roughly a 30 minute drive (traffic permitting) to/from the center of Matawan. John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York are also relatively nearby. For private jets, Old Bridge Airport in neighboring Old Bridge is also an option, which would be a roughly 20 minute drive to/from the center of Matawan.
By train
The greater Aberdeen area is served by their own train station. It is located on the North Jersey Coast Line. It provides access to Newark Liberty International Airport and North Jersey to the north and the rest of Monmouth County (including its popular Tri-cities like Red Bank, Long Branch, and Asbury Park) on the Jersey Shore to the south.
Go Aberdeen-Matawan station
By bus
NJ Transit also provides bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 133 and 135 bus lines.
By car
Even with the extensive public transit options provided in Matawan, car would probably still be the best mode of transportation available. The borough is crisscrossed by several major roads, including by Route 34, Route 79, and The Garden State Parkway.
See
See Major John Burrowes Mansion
Historic colonial-era home of Major John Burrowes. It still stands prominent in the community today.
Nearby
Old Bridge
City / town · 1 listings · 3 mi away
Holmdel
City / town · 1 listings · 4 mi away
Keansburg
City / town · 24 listings · 6 mi away
Perth Amboy
City / town · 5 listings · 7 mi away
Edison
City / town · 20 listings · 9 mi away
Middletown
City / town · 19 listings · 9 mi away
Colts Neck
City / town · 5 listings · 9 mi away
East Brunswick
City / town · 25 listings · 9 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.