EXPLORING LOCAL ATTRACTIONS IN NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ, AND MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Group Painting Road Outside StageLeft Steak

Known as the home of the Rutgers University Scarlett Knights, New Brunswick, New Jersey, is much more than a college town. The city is NJ’s fastest-growing urban center and quite the cultural hub. Whether you are interested in the performing arts, fine dining, or sports, this area of Middlesex County has you covered. Central Jersey Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to highlight some of the local establishments and attractions working hard to keep you safe during these unprecedented times.

Dining

The downtown New Brunswick area offers a wide array of dining options sure to please the taste buds of your entire family. If you are looking for a bite to eat, check out one of the following downtown eateries currently offering outdoor dining:

  • Blackthorn Restaurant & Irish Pub
  • Catherine Lombardi
  • Delta’s Restaurant
  • Esquina Latina Restaurant & Lounge
  • Fat Cactus Cantina
  • Freshii
  • George Street Ale House
  • Harvest Moon Brewery & Café
  • Hub City Brewhouse
  • Panico’s Restaurant + Bar
  • Salt Seafood & Oyster Bar
  • Stage Left Steak
  • Steakhouse 85
  • Tavern on George
Outdoor Dining at Esquina Latina Restaurant Lounge

With outdoor dining, restaurants have more seating space, allowing you to safely enjoy top-notch cuisine the next time you are in town. In addition to creating new areas for outdoor dining, the New Brunswick Parking Authority is allowing a 25-minute grace period for anyone parking to pick up to-go orders.

Performing Arts

You will have a difficult time finding another city of 55,000 residents with as rich a cultural scene as New Brunswick. Our award-winning theatres feature Broadway-caliber shows year-round. If you are interested in a musical, theatrical, or dance performance, the following venues will not let you down:

  • New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
  • Stress Factory Comedy Club
  • State Theatre New Jersey
  • Mastrobuono Theater
  • George Street Playhouse
  • Crossroads Theatre Company
  • Cabaret Theatre

Museums and Galleries

New Brunswick is a center for art, culture, and heritage. The downtown area has numerous museums and galleries featuring everything from modern art to mastodon skeletons from the Ice Age. Rutgers University is home to the Zimmerli Art Museum, which is one of the largest and most distinguished university museums in the county. The museum features over 60,000 works of art and is open six days a week. In addition, we encourage you to check out one of the other inspiring museums and galleries in our area, including:  

  • Rutgers Geology Museum
  • Metlar Bodine House Museum
  • American Hungarian Foundation’s museum, library, and archive facility
  • Cornelius Low House/Middlesex County Museum
  • Alfa Art Gallery
  • Mason Gross Galleries at Civic Square
Live Entertainment at Stress Factory

Conveniently Located Near All Major Highways

No matter where you’re coming from, reaching Middlesex County is practical. Long-distance travelers can arrive via airplane at Newark Liberty International Airport, which is less than 25 miles from New Brunswick. Travelers driving into town will find the area easily accessible, as it is near the intersection of I-95 and I-287 and offers convenient access to the Garden State Parkway. Once you are in town, you will not have an issue with traffic or parking in our ample array of garages.

See What New Brunswick and Central NJ Is All About

If you are looking for your next great staycation destination or place to get away with your family, look no further than New Brunswick and Middlesex County. If you are interested in learning more about our local businesses and the steps our area is taking to combat COVID-19, please contact Central Jersey Convention & Visitors Bureau today. You can also sign up for our email blast, which contains information about upcoming events, shows, and activities throughout Central NJ.  

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