Arts, Entertainment & Restaurants

Middlesex County’s vibrant arts and culture scene has something to offer for everyone.

On Jul 21, 2020

As one of the most diverse counties in New Jersey, Middlesex County offers a vibrant arts, culture and restaurant scene. It’s the perfect place for date night, a special event, a family outing and everything in-between. 

The newest addition to the arts and entertainment scene is the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), located right in the heart of the Hub City on Albany Street. 

The NBPAC, which opened just last year, features more than 200 apartment units, two theaters, six rehearsal spaces, a lobby/bar area, office space and a 344-car parking garage. 

The center is home to four companies: American Repertory Ballet, George Street Playhouse, Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of Arts, and Crossroads Theatre Company. 

Nestled right next to NBPAC on Albany Street is the historic State Theatre, which offers a wide range of entertainment, including international orchestras, Broadway, comedy, dance, pop, rock as well as family events. 

There’s also the Barron Arts Center in Woodbridge, a historical structure built in 1877 that features beautiful stained-glass windows and a clock tower. The Barron Arts Center hosts a variety of musical performances, a monthly forum for poets, and exhibitions by renowned artists. 

Speaking of live shows, the Stress Factory Comedy Club on Church Street in New Brunswick is the place to be every Friday and Saturday night. With a great lineup of famous and homegrown comedians, the Stress Factory has a show for all interests and funny bones. 

The Zimmerli Art Museum is one of America’s largest university art museums. A 70,000-square-foot facility on the Rutgers campus in New Brunswick, The Zimmerli is a teaching museum with diverse collections and dynamic programs, offering something for everyone. 

One of the county’s most anticipated theatrical productions is its annual Plays-in-the-Park series, which attracts more than 50,000 fans each summer to the amphitheater in Roosevelt Park in Edison. Plays-in-the-Park features musicals that recreate popular Broadway productions. 

The New Brunswick Cultural Center/Art New Brunswick hosts a variety of programs throughout the year including the Hub City Music Festival and the popular series, Hub City Sounds. 

The bustling arts and entertainment scene complements the diverse cuisine that is offered at local restaurants in Middlesex County. 

Oak Tree Road in Iselin and Edison – dubbed “Little India” and known throughout the world – brims with culinary choices, featuring dozens of authentic and original Indian restaurants. 

Main Street in downtown Metuchen has something for everyone. Explore Greek on Main or Luigi’s Ice Cream or the memorable Metuchen Inn for an experience to remember forever. 

No doubt, the heart of Middlesex County’s culinary scene is New Brunswick. It is truly the Hub City that offers everything from authentic Irish cuisine to completely vegan restaurants and 5-star restaurants that attract even the most discerning diner from Manhattan. 

Middlesex County is certainly the one-stop-shop for a fun-filled day or a weekend of exploration.

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