Overview
Middletown is a city of 51,000 people (2020) in Ohio, north of Cincinnati and a short drive south of Dayton.
5 sights · 3 things to do · 7 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Middletown
Miami University, Middletown Branch Campus
There is a fishing pond, walking trails, and many sporting areas. Also offers frequent stage performances, as well as walking trails and tennis courts.
Canal Museum
Displays photos and artifacts from Middletown's heyday as a booming stop on the Miami-Erie Canal.
Pendleton Art Center
Bulls Run Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum
Light Up Middletown
From Thanksgiving to Christmas, a drive-thru Christmas light display. They have a radio station that is coordinated with some of the lights and loudspeakers across a portion of the park. Open regardless of the weather, i…
Sunset Park
It has a pool open to the public and is host to some local events during the summer.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Apr and May. (climate data from nearby Dayton)
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.
- LUK Cincinnati Municipal Airport Lunken Field, Cincinnati — 28 mi away. Directions
- DAY James M. Cox Dayton International Airport, Dayton — 29 mi away. Directions
- CVG Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport, Cincinnati / Covington — 35 mi away (major hub). Directions
The easiest way into Middletown is by taking exit#32 from I-75. This is state route 122, also known as Roosevelt Boulevard, and also known as Martin Luther King Dr. This is the main commercial area for the city. From Hamilton, Ohio state route 4 will lead you into the south end before reaching downtown, then changing into Verity Parkway. From the west, following Ohio 122 will lead you into downtown after crossing the Little Miami River.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Canal Museum, Light Up Middletown, First Friday Downtown Middletown
- Lunch The Meadows
- Afternoon Sunset Park, The Windemere Event Center
- Dinner The Jug
- Evening Gravel Road Brewing Company
Day 2
- Morning Miami University, Middletown Branch Campus, Bulls Run Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum
- Lunch Grecian Delight
- Afternoon Pendleton Art Center
- Dinner Triple Moon Coffee Shop
- Evening Carol's Speakeasy
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
If you are not from the area, try some Gold Star or Skyline Chili for some local flavor. Many common chain restaurants are also available.
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
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Read
U.S. Vice-President-elect JD Vance describes his life in Middletown in Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis (2016).
Tourist information
- Middletown tourist information website
Get in
By car
The easiest way into Middletown is by taking exit#32 from I-75. This is state route 122, also known as Roosevelt Boulevard, and also known as Martin Luther King Dr. This is the main commercial area for the city. From Hamilton, Ohio state route 4 will lead you into the south end before reaching downtown, then changing into Verity Parkway. From the west, following Ohio 122 will lead you into downtown after crossing the Little Miami River.
By plane
Get around
By car
Driving in Middletown is easy for locals, but can be a bit confusing for out-of-towners. The city only has one freeway ramp, exit #32, which is state route 122. State route 122 is known as Roosevelt Blvd, which is part of the Martin Luther King beltway. Major east-west roads are Oxford State in the south end, which connects Middletown with Trenton as state route 73, 14th street, part of the Martin Luther King beltway, Central Avenue, which is the main downtown corridor (and curiously changes to coles road at the Warren County line), Manchester Avenue (One of 3 Manchesters in Middletown), and Verity Parkway, part of state route 73. North-South routes are Cincinnati-Dayton Road (another with multiple names, Dixie Highway and Old 25), Breiel Boulevard, which is a very heavily traveled route, University Boulevard (part of Martin Luther King beltway), Verity Parkway, and Main Street.
The street system, while it may seem odd, has its advantages. Most streets, even residential are far wider than necessary, and one can get anywhere in the city in fifteen minutes. Rush hour traffic usually means waiting an extra light cycle for the arrow. Red light cameras are frequent.
By bike
By bus
See
- There is a great view of the city from the hill on SR122 just west of town.
- Another great view is from the top of the empty parking garage downtown on Verity. Many advertisements from the 1950s are still painted on buildings, such as vintage coca-cola ads.
- AK Steel, a major employer in the area, has two HUGE flames shooting into the night sky, one blue, and one yellow.
Do
Do Sunset Park
It has a pool open to the public and is host to some local events during the summer.
Events
See Light Up Middletown
From Thanksgiving to Christmas, a drive-thru Christmas light display. They have a radio station that is coordinated with some of the lights and loudspeakers across a portion of the park. Open regardless of the weather, including all holidays. Santa and Mrs. Claus, every F and Sa 7-9PM thru Dec 23. Be prepared for long lines, more than 30 minute wait.
Buy
Shop Towne Mall Galleria
A dying mall, but a great place to go for a walk when the weather is bad. More than half the mall spaces are for rent.
Shop Grandpa Joes Candy Shop
Eat
If you are not from the area, try some Gold Star or Skyline Chili for some local flavor. Many common chain restaurants are also available.
Eat The Jug
It has been a Middletown tradition for years, serving hamburgers via a carhop.
Eat The Meadows
A long-time local establishment.
Eat Grecian Delight
It has fantastic gyros and traditional Greek desserts.
Eat Triple Moon Coffee Shop
Lunch sandwiches and wraps, bagels and other breakfast food, good coffee.
Eat Central Pastry
Donuts and many other fantastic bakery items.
Drink
Drink The Well
Lots of booze flowing here.
Drink Gravel Road Brewing Company
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Monroe
City / town · 10 listings · 4 mi away
Franklin
City / town · 8 listings · 5 mi away
Springboro
City / town · 12 listings · 8 mi away
Lebanon
City / town · 22 listings · 9 mi away
Miamisburg
City / town · 11 listings · 10 mi away
Mason
City / town · 32 listings · 10 mi away
West Chester
City / town · 12 listings · 13 mi away
Hamilton
City / town · 22 listings · 13 mi away
My experience
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