Known as the "Heart" of New Jersey, Middlesex County spans from the Rahway River south to Mercer and Monmouth Counties, forming the Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Ocean west to Somerset County. Approximately one hour from Manhattan, Middlesex County is serviced by New Jersey Transit for rail and bus transportation. There are also main rail line services and an intercity rail service provided by Amtrak. When it comes to transportation, Edison is the place-to-be with its proximity to highways that connect to places like Trenton, New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. Named one of the best places to live in the United States and in New Jersey, Edison is famed for the house and research laboratory of Thomas Edison and Menlo Park Museum.
Providing a glimpse into the life of the famous inventor, Edison Memorial Tower and Museum is a historical place of interest for residents and visitors. Another local historical destination is Johnson Park, which houses East Jersey Olde Towne, a Cultural Heritage Village of restored and replicated buildings from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Aside from historical site-seeing, the Menlo Park Mall is Edison’s most fashionable shopping depot.
Not far from Edison, New Brunswick, also known as the "Healthcare City," houses an extensive concentration of medical facilities and pharmaceutical companies. Students come to New Brunswick for Rutgers University, which houses its main campus in the city. Residents of New Brunswick also frequent the campus which features several museums and events to the public, including the New Jersey Film Festival, art exhibits at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum (one of the nations largest university art galleries), and others involving live dance, music, and theater.
Just south of New Brunswick, Sayreville’s Starland Ballroom is an intimate, rock-venue ideal for catching national and local musical acts for half-the-price that nearby stadiums and city clubs charge. Nature is also beautifully present in Middlesex County with nineteen county parks spanning over 6,600 acres. Raritan Middlesex Park overlooks the Raritan Bay from South Amboy and Sayreville and includes a walkway/bikeway, nature study area, several athletic fields, and great views of the Raritan Bay.
