CTMQ’s Guide to Middletown

Everything Middletown

I’ve been exploring and writing about Connecticut since 2006. After a decade, I began compiling CTMQ guides for each town in the state. I plan on “completing” Middletown CTMQ-style… as well as the other 168 towns, cities, and boroughs in Connecticut. That is the ultimate goal of CTMQ.

If I’ve missed anything in town or if anything has closed or changed, please let me know.

Museums

Adath Israel Judaica Museum
General Mansfield House
Greater Middletown Military Museum
Kid City
Middletown Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
Pegasus Gallery & The Niche at MxCC
The Rockfall Foundation and C.S. Wadsworth Living Museum
Submarine Library and Museum (Closed)
Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate

Wesleyan

Davison Art Center
Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery
Freeman Center/E. Asian Studies Gallery
Joe Webb Peoples Museum
Rick Nicita Gallery & Cinema Archives

Hikes, Bikes, & Paddles

Dart Island State Park
Wadsworth Falls State Park – Intro, Covered Bridge & Trails
Cockaponset State Forest – Intro
CFPA’s Highlawn Forest Trails
CFPA’s Mattabesett Trail – Intro

Section 1: I Have But One Lament…
Section 2: Higby Hollow… Hollow Head
Middletown Loop Trails
Section 8: Powerful Stuff
Section 9: I’ll Be Mattabe-Seein’ Ya

CFPA’s Scoville Loop Trail

Middlesex Land Trust – Intro

Harris Preserve
Highland Pond Preserve
Longworth Preserve
Shailor Ledges Preserve
South Farms Preserve (possible future trail)

Eversource Land Trust – Intro

Maromas

Nature Conservancy Trails – Intro

Higby Mountain Preserve
Spiderweed Preserve

Middletown’s Town Trails – Intro

Brock Family Farm Conservation Area
Daniels-Schwarzkopf Area
Guida Farm Conservation Area
Higby Mountain White Trail
Hubbard Park
Jablonski Property
Katchen-Coley Mountain Laurel Preserve
Long Hill Estate
Marino Property
McCutcheon Park & Wildlife Sanctuary
Middletown Nature Garden
Pistol Creek
Ravine Park
Smith Park
Tynan Memorial Park
Veterans’ Memorial Park – Palmer Field

Multi-Use/Rail Trails

Mattabesett Trolley Trail
Newfield Corridor Trail (Proposed future trail)
Westlake Multiuse Trail

Water Trails

Mattabesset River Canoe/Kayak Trail

Food & Drink

Roadfood List: Steamed Burger at O’Rourke’s (Closed)
CT World Food Tour, Tibet: Tibetan Kitchen (Moved to New Haven)
CT Classic Diner Trail: O’Rourke’s Diner (Closed)
CT Homemade Ice Cream Trail: Al’s Ice Cream Shoppe
CT Homemade Ice Cream Trail: NITRO Cream ‘N Crumbz
CT Chocolate Trail: Tschudin Chocolates & Confections
CT Cider Trail: Spoke + Spy Ciderworks
CT Beer Trail: Eli Cannon’s Brewing Collective (Potential future brewery)
CT Beer Trail: Forest City Brewing
CT Beer Trail: Powder Hollow Middletown (Closed)
CT Beer Trail: Stubborn Beauty Brewing Company
CT Mead Trail: Bergen House

Looking for your favorite restaurant? Here is an explanation as to why it’s not here.

Everything Else

National Historic Landmark: Richard Alsop IV House
National Historic Landmark: Samuel Wadsworth Russell House
World’s Largest: Wacky Wobbler (Gone)
World’s Largest: Jack-in-the-Box (Gone)
US First: Subdivision laid out by a black man for black homeowners
CT Freedom Trail: 2 Sites
CT Underground Railroad Trail: 2 Sites
Middletown Heritage Trail: Intro & 20 Sites
Seven Falls
Westfield Falls
Colonel C.S. Wadsworth Arboretum
Shoyoan Teien (Japanese Garden)
Wilcox Island
Summer Brook Valley Farm Alpacas (Closed)
Crazy Color Neighborhood
Route 9 Through Middletown
Joseph Barratt’s Grave
Sergeant Stubby Statue
Thomas Mutter Gravesite
The Eclectic Society
Wadsworth Falls State Park Covered Bridge
West Bradley Brook Covered Bridge
Wesleyan Labyrinth
CT Cool Library Trail: Russell Library
Amato’s Toy and Hobby
Northeast Taxidermy Studios
Wild Bill’s Nostalgia Center (Closed)
Collegiate Football Tour: Wesleyan Cardinals
Lady Katherine Cruise
Giant Adirondack Chair
ET Progressive Signs
Billy Joel’s River of Dreams
Town Essay: Middle of What?

Middletown Wrap-Up

Completion Celebration TBD