Named after a local Lenni-Lenape leader, Chief Matouchin, Metuchen has grown around its thriving downtown and train station for nearly 200 years. Its direct rail access to New York and the Rutgers New Brunswick campus has drawn generations of artists, writers, and professors, giving Metuchen the nickname of “The Brainy Borough” – a moniker supported by its two Blue Ribbon schools. As a donut-hole town surrounded by the larger city of Edison and served by every major highway as well as a county greenway, Metuchen is the rare community that has access to it all.

Anchored by a truly walkable downtown featuring independent businesses – including top-ranked restaurants, family-friendly destinations, and medical services – along with easy train access, Metuchen is on the map of the best downtowns in the nation. The borough has been recognized by a wide range of federal, statewide, corporate, and nonprofit organizations.

Among its recent accolades: Main Street America has named Metuchen a semifinalist for its Great American Main Street Award; multiple borough schools have been named National Blue Ribbon schools and Schools of Character by the U.S. Department of Education and Character.org, respectively; and American Girl introduced its 2023 Girl of the Year doll, Kavi Sharma, as a Metuchen tween who is proud of her Indian-American heritage. Additionally, the National Register of Historic Places has recognized over 200 buildings and sites throughout the borough. Development including the Town Plaza, Whole Foods, a weekly farmer’s market, and luxury apartments have also contributed to Metuchen’s reputation as a growing regional destination.

Metuchen is entirely walkable, as the terminus of the Middlesex County Greenway and the home of the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve and the Middlesex Avenue – Woodwild Park Historic District. The future Arts District featuring the historic Forum Theater, along with local indoor sports and play facilities, provide indoor entertainment any time of the year. And, of course, New York City is only a quick train ride away.

There is always a reason to “Meet Me in Metuchen.” Annual downtown events such as Lunar New Year, the Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Juneteenth, Pride on the Plaza, Haunted Downtown, and the New Year’s Party on the Plaza attract thousands of visitors from the area. Art is also celebrated throughout Metuchen’s galleries and streets, including two murals by Stephen Powers. Metuchen’s active volunteer culture ensures that borough events are vibrant, inclusive, and organized by members of its community.