WELCOME TO METUCHEN, ‘THE BRAINY BOROUGH’
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Metuchen has a small town feel, but treasures its variety and diversity. Known for our early colonial history, turn of the century progressive literary and artistic community, and modern day family atmosphere, we are proud of our excellent public (our high school was recently ranked 19th in the state!) and private schools, active Chamber of Commerce, enthusiastic community organizations and houses of worship, charming downtown district, YMCA, Senior Center & jitney, municipal pool, vibrant public library, parks & playgrounds, and the fact there is always something happening in town... Winter Festival and Memorial Day parades, Townwide Garage Sale, Country Fair in October, Street Fair in June, Victorian High Tea in May, Tree Lighting, Easter Egg Hunt, Pumpkin Float, New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Labor Day Concert, Chili Challenge Cookoff, Zombie Hunger Walk, charity 5k races, Local History Day, Holiday House Tour, “Scarecrows on Main,” Halloween Parade, JuneBug ArtsFest, outdoor family movies, recreation department summer programs, scavenger hunts, pancake breakfasts, Classic Car Cruise nights, films and productions, Fall jazz fest, live music, author visits, art shows, and more! Metuchen is on the Northeast Corridor rail line direct to New York City and Newark International Airport, less than 30 miles from Manhattan, only 70 miles to Philadelphia, and within minutes of Rutgers University and major NJ highways.

"METUCHEN...A SUBURB WITH A CENTER AND A SOUL." - THE NEW YORK TIMES, 2006 

DINING
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Breeze's Café & Grill - Caribbean Cuisine
Café Paris – European Bistro
Civile e Tornato– Classic Italian
Empire Asian Fusion – Chinese
Fresco Italian Deli
Hailey's Harp & Pub*
Lola's Latin Bistro
Main Street Trattoria
Metuchen Diner
Metuchen Inn* – since 1843
Mimi's - Contemporary Asian & American
Mr. Pi’s - Japanese
Novita Bistro and Lounge*
Prik Pow - Thai Cuisine
Red Monk Asian Bistro
Serata - Northern Italian cuisine
Sushi Suzuki - Japanese
Tete Empanadas – Peruvian Cuisine
The Brownstone*
The Orchid – Kosher & Vegetarian
Torino II - Authentic Italian Bistro

COFFEE SHOPS & BAKERIES
Brewed Awakenings ~ Buttery Bakeshop

PIZZA & SANDWICHES
Antonio’s Brick Oven Pizza ~ LaRosa’s ~
Buon Appetito ~ David’s ~ Vinnie’s
What’s the Scoop (pizza, ice cream, soups ) ~ Bulldog Deli ~ SubPlace Better ~ Joey D's 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Brewed Awakenings – Open Mic Nights
Earthsongs – Fine Art Ceramic Studio
Forum Theatre – Film, Music, Theatre
Haileys Harp & Pub – Live Music. Karaoke
Marafiki Fair Trade – Featured Artist Series
Novita Bistro & Lounge - Comedy &Jazz
Paradise Custom Stained Glass - Studio
Raconteur Ventures – Radio Plays & more
The Brownstone – Live Music, DJs
To Be Continued… Bookstore Boutique– Book Signings, Speakers, & Music
Westerhoff School of Music & Art

GALLERIES
The Rotunda at Borough Hall – Gallery
Transformations - Old Franklin Schoolhouse Gallery
Nails in the Wall – Gallery at St. Luke’s
VAM Art, Inc. – International Gallery

GREEN & RECREATIONAL SPACE
Dismal Swamp -Ecological Reserve
Metuchen Sportsplex – Indoor Leagues
Middlesex Greenway - Bike & Walk Path
Victorian Office Rentals Park – duck pond & garden at Main Street & Wernik Place
Woodwild Park – 3.5 acres, glacial kettle hole

SEASONAL SERIES & FESTIVALS
Hometown Holidays Weekend - December
“Plays-in-the-Park”- Summer Theatre
JuneBug ArtsFest – Fridays in June
“SummerHouse for the Arts” Series
July & August at the Old Franklin Schoolhouse
Arts Council Summer Music Series

SHOPPING
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The Brass Lantern –new & vintage gifts
Boro Ace Hardware – Home & Garden
Boyt Drug & Gifts – gifts for every occasion
The Jewel Shop –jewelry and fine gifts
The Jewelry Doctor–jewelry and repairs
Marafiki Fair Trade – Global Gifts
Optique Unique – Elegant Eyewear
Pedigree Pet Salon – pamper your pooch!
The Pyramid – health & special diet foods
Runner’s High –for all your running needs
Smoker’s Haven – fine cigars
Suite Beverly - salon & clothing boutique
The Pyramid – health food & more
The Wine Chateau – for extra holiday cheer!
To Be Continued… Bookstore Boutique
Ultimate Swim Shop – swimwear & more
Variety Village – a General Store

Plus, there are several spas and salons, and gift certificates for these services make great gifts.

FLORISTS & MORE
Creative Crafts – flowers and balloons
Gardenia’s Floral – arrangements & fine gifts

METUCHEN MARKET DAY
Farmer’s Market on Saturdays, June to October, 9am to 2pm in the Pearl Street Lot
LOCAL RESOURCES

Borough of Metuchen
732-632-8540, www.metuchennj.org

Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce
732-548-2964, metuchenchamberexchange.com

Metuchen Matters
Local News Forum, MetuchenMatters.com

Borough Improvement League
Caretakers of the ca. 1807 Old Franklin Schoolhouse
www.boroughimprovementleague.org

Metuchen-Edison Historical Society
Preserving the Past for the Future
www.metuchen-edisonhistsoc.org

Criterion News Advertiser
Local Free Weekly News & Services, www.CriterionNews.com

Metuchen Cash Mob
Check for local deals! metuchencashmob.com

Metuchen Living
People, Events, & places in the Brainy Borough metuchenliving.com

NewBrunswickNightOut.Com
Central Jersey Nightlife, Restaurants, Bars, Bands, Entertainment, Accommodations & more.

HISTORY
Visitors can quickly tell that Metuchen is a historic town; its many late 19th and early 20th century homes and picturesque downtown are known and appreciated by many, but there is much more to Metuchen than first meets the eye.
European settlers began living in the section of Woodbridge Township that eventually became Metuchen during the late 1600s, setting up homesteads and farm lots within an area long populated by Native Americans and named for its leader; “’MeTochen’ is called from ye name of ye chief of this place and meanth "slowe-dog" for that chief is lame and goeth slowly." (John Ayers, 1720).
Like many early New Jersey towns, it experienced some Revolutionary War activity when General George Washington marched up what is now Main Street. Evidence of our early history lays in the fact that there are still more than a dozen homes in the borough that date back to the 18th century. In the 1830s, the railroad came to Metuchen and development as a village began to pick up speed, hastened by the proximity to New Brunswick, Newark, and New York City. By the end of the 19th century, Metuchen had grown into a thriving residential community populated by commuters, long-time local residents, immigrant workers in the local clay mines, and a growing culture of literary and artistic notables whose influence spread far and wide. Many of our “Victorian” and Colonial & Classical Revival homes date from this period.
In 1900, residents voted to separate from the surrounding Raritan Township and officially incorporate as their own Borough, effectively making it the “hole in the donut.” The leaders of the new municipality vigorously began the process of establishing borough services and supporting societies & organizations, aided in their efforts by fiercely loyal and tenacious residents, a trait that seems present even today, and most likely accounts for the fact Metuchen has preserved a great deal of its historic charm and character.
Metuchen’s downtown during the early to mid 20th century was filled with retail establishments, services; and light industrial; appliance dealers, clothing retailers, an ice-cream manufacturer, banks, meat markets, and more. As the nature of commercial retail has changed, Metuchen’s downtown has become home to a diverse array of restaurants and smaller, distinctive shops. But those things that have made Metuchen an ideal community remain; location & mass transit, wonderful homes and schools, vibrant community life, and a ‘walkable’ downtown district. We have a proud past and an exciting future ahead!

For more information about Metuchen’s history, including a list of historic sites, old photographs, oral histories, and a walking tour of its residential architecture, contact the Metuchen-Edison Historical Society.