Fall is the best time to visit Middlesex County––where great shows, great food, and great scenery are all just minutes apart.
New Brunswick is the county’s entertainment hub. State Theatre New Jersey, a beautifully restored 1921 vaudeville palace, is Central Jersey’s largest performing arts venue and kicks off a new season this fall of live music, comedy, dance, and family shows. Nearby, the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center houses two additional theaters, home to George Street Playhouse and Crossroads Theatre Co., making the city’s Theatre District an easy pick for a night out. Other downtowns bring their own stage presence: East Brunswick’s Playhouse 22 is an all-volunteer community theater, Woodbridge’s Baron Arts Center hosts concerts, exhibits, and poetry readings inside a striking 1877 building, and the Carteret Performing Arts Center rounds out things with touring concerts and tours.
A great meal is never far away in Middlesex County, either. Stage Left Steak, a longtime favorite in downtown New Brunswick, serves seasonal, chef-driven fare in a warm, welcoming setting. In Highland Park, a small-town main street is packed with eclectic, independently owned restaurants worth the detour, while Orchard Park by David Burke in East Brunswick and Cafe Luna in Old Bridge offer a destination-worthy dining experiences. Come autumn, look for apple cider donuts, pumpkin-inspired menus, and Oktoberfest celebrations popping up at downtowns and restaurants countywide.
For those who would rather spend the day outdoors, Middlesex County’s more than 11,000 acres of parkland shine in the fall. Thompson Park in Monroe Township is known for its foliage and bird watching, while Davidson’s Mill Pond County Park in South Brunswick offers scenic trails. Families can head to Giamarese Farm & Orchards in East Brunswick for hayrides, a petting zoo, and pumpkin picking, or they can visit East Jersey Old Town Village in Piscataway for its free Fall Harvest Festival, complete with wagon rides, live music, and seasonal crafts. Whether it is a night at the theater, a great meal, or a walk through the leaves, Middlesex County has something for everyone this fall.
