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From Wikitravel

Middletown [1] in a small city in Connecticut located on the Connecticut River, about 20 miles south of Hartford.

[edit] Understand

Middletown is a funky little town on the Connecticut River about 15 miles south of Hartford. It's rather artsy and has lots of restaurants (3 Mexican places, 3 Indian places, 2 Thai places, a Tibetan place and uncountable Italian places.)

There is a major college - Wesleyan University - located up the hill from downtown but it's the only college town I've ever seen that doesn't feel much like a college town. Where are the bookstores? The import clothing stores? Well, there may be one or two but they're hiding. To find the heart of Middletown you've got to do a little snooping around.

There are excellent resources here for those with an artistic bent. The Buttonwood Tree is an intimate performance art space on the North End of Main St. Oddfellows Playhouse provides a start in the world of theater for kids of all ages. Then there's Kid City - sort of an exploratorium - a great place to take your kids on a rainy afternoon. And of course all the cultural offerings of Wesleyan University. A few years ago it was rated one of the 100 best art towns in America.

Middletown is also the home to Connecticut Valley Hospital, the major psychiatric facility for southern New England. So if you see a few questionable people on the streets, relax, they're outpatients and they're probably properly medicated.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

From Hartford - 91 S to 9 S first or second light on the highway take a right.

From the Shoreline - Take 9 N - left at the lights.

From the west (or New Haven) - Take Rt 66 E

From the east - get thee to Portland and go over the Portland Bridge

[edit] By bus

The "M Link" Middletown/Meriden Connection Service provides service between Meriden and Middletown. Meriden has an Amtrak stop.

Dattco offers service between New Haven and Hartford stopping in Middletown.

[edit] Get around

By bus (via Middletown Area Transit), by car or possibly on foot.

[edit] Stay Safe

Middletown is generally not a dangerous city, but the North end of the city can be a bit dangerous, especially at night. Also, Middletown is home to Connecticut Valley Hospital, which is the largest mental hospital in New England. Some of the patients are allowed to roam the city, but most of them are generally harmless and there have been few attacks by patients in recent years.

[edit][add listing] See

• Kidcity Children's Museum, [2] 119 Washington St., +1 860 347-0495.
• Wadsworth Mansion, 421 Wadsworth St., +1 860 347-1064.
• Oddfellow's Playhouse, 128 Washington St., +1 860 347-6143.
• The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., +1 860 347-4957.
• Harbor Park.
• Indian Hill Cemetery, 383 Washington St., +1 860 346-0452.
• General Mansfield House, 151 Main St., +1 860 346-0746.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Destinta Theatres, 49 College St, ☎ +1 860 344-0077. Adult - $9.75, Child/Senior - $7.00, Bargain Matinee - $7.00 (All shows before 6pm), Student - $8.25 (with valid id), Tuesday Bargain Night $7.00 (some restrictions may apply).  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Wesleyan Potters Shop, 350 South Main Street, ☎ +1 860 347-5925. Office hours: Mon—Fri 9:00am - 3:00pm; Regular Gallery/Shop Hours: Wed, Thu and Fri: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sat: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Sun: 12:00 am - 4:00 pm, Mon and Tue by appointment only.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Coyote Blue Tex Mex Cafe, 1960 Saybrook Rd, +1 860 345-2403. [3] Casual Mexican fare, great Margaritas served in 16oz mugs. No reservations.

• Klekolo World Coffee, 181 Court St (across from the police station), +1 860 343-9444. Very cool independent coffee shop / espresso bar. Lots of odd college kids mixed with locals provides an interesting atmosphere. International coffees and based drinks. Teas - black, green or herbal. Open 1AM, 7-days.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Eli Cannon's Taproom, 695 Main Street, +1 860 347-3547. Many beers on tap, good pub food, great atmosphere.
• Harbor Park, 80 Harbor Drive, +1 860 347-9999. [4] The place to be on a Summer night - on the deck at Harbor Park Restaurant, grooving to live music and watching the river traffic.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Inn at Middletown , 70 Main Street. [5] After a long absence, Middletown again has a major hotel to call its own, a 100-room inn converted from the historic National Guard Armory. Visitors no longer need to stay in Cromwell when they come in for Wesleyan Parent's Weekend.

• The Monte Green Motel, 1300 South Main Street, tel: +1 860-346-7701, (email: mailto:info@montegreenmotel.com), [6]. $56-67. Check-in: 1PM, Check-out: 11AM.
• Wesley Inn & Suites, 988 Washington St, ☎ +1 860 346-9251.  edit

[edit] Get out

The nearest large city is Hartford.

There are various towns surrounding Middletown, each providing a slightly different experience. Across the river is Portland. Which has many small delis and bakeries with a notable Italian influence. The next town over to the east is East Hampton. A formerly rural but increasingly suburban town offering Lake Pocatapaug as peaceful oasis during a hot summers day. Also bordering Middletown is Cromwell. More Densely populated than Portland and East Hampton, Cromwell has more to offer in the way of Restaurants, activities, etc... Explore the neighboring towns and you might find something that interests you!