Middletown

City / town · New Jersey

Middletown

Best timeMay–Oct
From you
Nearest airportEWR · 20 mi
On this page

Overview

Middletown is a bedroom community of New York City in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Middletown sits on the Raritan Bay within the Raritan Valley region. This article also covers Highlands borough.

Residents like Middletown for its central location and proximity to the rest of the Jersey Shore.

1 sights · 3 things to do · 10 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Middletown

Poricy Park Conservancy

Dedicated to the preservation of its natural resources and historic site for use in education and enjoyment by present and future generations. It features woodlands, fields, river and marsh ecosystems, a bed of Cretaceou…

The Evil Clown of Middletown

A large outdoor sign on northbound New Jersey Route 35 in Middletown Township, New Jersey, advertising a liquor store.

Middletown Township Public Library

An excellent public library.

Ice World at the Middletown Sports Complex

Public ice staking sessions and ice hockey year round.

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)

Jan: 4.2 in rain4.2"Jan: high 42°F, low 25°F42°25°JanFeb: 3.3 in rain3.3"Feb: high 43°F, low 26°F43°26°FebMar: 4.3 in rain4.3"Mar: high 49°F, low 32°F49°32°MarApr: 3.9 in rain3.9"Apr: high 59°F, low 41°F59°41°AprMay: 4.1 in rain4.1"May: high 68°F, low 51°F68°51°MayJun: 4.3 in rain4.3"Jun: high 78°F, low 61°F78°61°JunJul: 4.4 in rain4.4"Jul: high 84°F, low 67°F84°67°JulAug: 6.3 in rain6.3"Aug: high 82°F, low 65°F82°65°AugSep: 4.3 in rain4.3"Sep: high 76°F, low 59°F76°59°SepOct: 4.7 in rain4.7"Oct: high 66°F, low 47°F66°47°OctNov: 3.8 in rain3.8"Nov: high 56°F, low 37°F56°37°NovDec: 4.8 in rain4.8"Dec: high 47°F, low 30°F47°30°Dec

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 — 20 mi away (major hub). Directions
  • JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York — 22 mi away (major hub). Directions

New Jersey Transit provides local bus service on the 817, 833 and 834 routes.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

  • Morning The Evil Clown of Middletown, Middletown Township Public Library
  • Lunch Toscanella Village Cafe
  • Afternoon Ice World at the Middletown Sports Complex, Poricy Park Conservancy
  • Dinner Crown Palace
  • Evening Olde Village Pub

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

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

    MiddletownThe old Middletown station house, which still stands today, even after they built another one on the other side of Church Street to it that's still used todayWatch out for this clownMiddletown

    Map

    Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

    Get in

    By bus

    New Jersey Transit provides local bus service on the 817, 833 and 834 routes.

    By rail

    Take the New Jersey Transit North Jersey Coast Line from New York Penn Station or other stops along the line. Get off at the Middletown Station on Church Street, which is cleverly located in the middle of the town.

    Go Middletown railway station

    Service between New York City's Pennsylvania Station and Bay Head on the North Jersey Coast Line.

    📍 746 Orchard St⚠ Last checked Apr 2021 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    By ferry

    Take the SeaStreak or another of the fast ferries from Manhattan to Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, or Belford NJ. Then take a shuttle, cab, or short drive to Middletown.

    By car

    Take the Garden State Parkway to Exits 109 or 114, heading northeast.

    Get around

    Like most suburbs, Middletown isn't that big on trains and buses. The only train station that serves Middletown is the Middletown station, which is run by NJ Transit and takes you to New York City or places like Long Branch or Bay Head.

    See

    See The Evil Clown of Middletown

    A large outdoor sign on northbound New Jersey Route 35 in Middletown Township, New Jersey, advertising a liquor store.

    📍 Highway 35at Kings Hiway East.
    Maps

    Do

    Do Middletown Township Public Library

    An excellent public library.

    📍 55 New Monmouth Road☎ +1 732-671-3700
    MapsWebsite

    Do Poricy Park Conservancy

    Dedicated to the preservation of its natural resources and historic site for use in education and enjoyment by present and future generations. It features woodlands, fields, river and marsh ecosystems, a bed of Cretaceous fossils, collections of natural objects, and a restored 18th-Century farm. Quality hands-on educational programs of natural science, environmental and colonial living studies are offered in season.

    📍 345 Oak Hill Rd☎ +1 732-842-5966
    MapsWebsite

    Do Ice World at the Middletown Sports Complex

    Public ice staking sessions and ice hockey year round.

    📍 214 Harmony Rd☎ +1 732-856-9700
    MapsWebsite

    Buy

    Shop Harmony Natural Foods

    An excellent assortment of vitamins, supplements, and natural foods managed by very knowledgeable staff.

    📍 1521 State Route 35At Harmony Road☎ +1 732 671-7939
    Maps

    Shop Super Foodtown of Port Monmouth

    📍 426 NJ-36🕒 Mon-Sat 7AM-10PM, Sun 7AM–9PM☎ +1 732 812-3748⚠ Last checked Jan 2018 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Eat

    Eat Middletown Pancake House

    Breakfast / Brunch

    Family owned and operated since 1962. A very warm and friendly atmosphere. Home cooked meals and especially excellent breakfasts.

    📍 1610 NJ-35☎ +1 732 671-1145
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    Maps

    Eat Toscanella Village Cafe

    ItalianBakery / Café

    This cozy Italian restaurant is at its best when you can dine in their outdoor garden.

    📍 102 Kings Highwaynear the train station☎ +1 723-706-1000
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    Maps

    Eat Pizza Pasta Factory

    ItalianPizza

    Pizza and pasta.

    📍 430 NJ-36Next to Super Foodtown🕒 Mon-Sat 10:30AM–11PM, Sun 11AM–10:30PM☎ +1 732 495-7800⚠ Last checked Jan 2018 — confirm before you go
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    Maps

    Drink

    Sleep

    Stay The Hub Middletown (Best Western)

    The hotel was taken over by Best Western in late 2021-it was once a Quality Inn

    📍 750 Highway 35Exit 117/114 off the Garden State Parkway, follow south on Highway 35 to MiddletownCheck-in 3PM · out 11AM☎ +1 732-671-3400
    Maps

    In addition, Marriott (a Courtyard by Marriott hotel) and Extended Stay America have hotels near each other in Lincroft.

    Go next

    Nearby

    My experience

    Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.