Middlesex County, Connecticut is located in the south-central part of the state and is bordered by Hartford County to the north, New Haven County to the east, Long Island Sound to the south, and New London County to the west. The county seat is Middletown, which is also home to Wesleyan University. The population of Middlesex County was estimated at 165,535 in 2019, making it one of Connecticut’s most populous counties.
According to dictionaryforall.com, Middlesex County has a long history that dates back to 1650 when it was first established as one of four original counties in Connecticut. The county was named after Middlesex in England and included towns that are now part of other counties. Throughout its history, Middlesex has seen many changes due its proximity to Hartford and New Haven. In 1883, sections of Middlesex were taken from Middletown and given to New Haven while sections from East Haddam were given to Hartford.
Middlesex County is home to several attractions such as Gillette Castle State Park which offers views of the Connecticut River Valley as well as hiking trails and picnic areas; Wadsworth Falls State Park which features a waterfall along with swimming areas; Lyman Orchards Golf Club which provides a challenging course for golfers; and Dinosaur State Park which contains over 500 dinosaur tracks from 200 million years ago. There are also several historic sites such as Old Saybrook Point Lighthouse Museum which offers visitors a glimpse into life on Long Island Sound during the 19th century; General William Hart House Museum which provides insight into early American life; and Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offering tours along with dinner cruises on the Connecticut River.
In addition to its many attractions, Middlesex County has been home or birthplace for many famous people including author Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin; actors Joaquin Phoenix and David Hyde Pierce; professional basketball player Marcus Camby; Olympic gold medalist swimmer Gia Leishman; musician John Mayer; actress Sigourney Weaver; singer-songwriter Carly Simon; former President George W. Bush who was born in New Haven while his father George H.W Bush attended Yale University Law School in Middletown during World War II; former First Lady Barbara Bush who attended Smith College in Northampton Massachusetts while her husband attended Yale Law School; actor Kevin Bacon who graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall high school in Wallingford; former Vice President Dick Cheney who grew up outside Middletown; author Mark Twain whose family lived briefly in Redding before moving away; physicist Richard Feynman who worked at Yale during World War II; inventor Eli Whitney who created cotton gin while living in Hamden; poet Wallace Stevens who lived briefly in Stamford before moving away; Ulysses S Grant whose family moved from Norwich when he was young; Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas who grew up near Waterbury; actor Paul Newman whose family moved from West Hartford when he was young; singer/songwriter Taylor Swift whose parents moved her family from Reading Massachusetts when she was young.
With its rich history and diverse attractions, Middlesex County is an ideal place for visitors looking for an exciting experience or residents looking for a great place to call home.
Climate and weather in Middlesex County, Connecticut
According to mcat-test-centers.com, Middlesex County, Connecticut is known for its mild, temperate climate and four distinct seasons. Summers are generally warm and humid with temperatures ranging between 70-80°F (21-27°C). Winters can be cold and snowy with temperatures ranging between 20-35°F (-7 -2°C). Spring and autumn are milder seasons in Middlesex County. Spring is usually mild with temperatures ranging between 40-60°F (4-16°C) while autumn is cooler with temperatures ranging between 30-50°F (-1 to 10°C).
Rainfall in Middlesex County varies throughout the year. The county typically gets anywhere from 35 to 50 inches of rain per year, most of which falls during the spring months. Snowfall varies as well, but it’s generally light in comparison to other parts of Connecticut. During the winter months, the average snowfall for Middlesex County is around 20 inches per year.
Middlesex County also experiences extreme weather from time to time. In the summer months, thunderstorms are common, especially during the afternoon hours when there is more heat energy in the atmosphere. In addition to thunderstorms, tornadoes have been known to occur in Middlesex County as well. During the winter months, blizzards can also occur from time to time due to heavy snowfall combined with strong winds and cold temperatures.
Middlesex County has a pleasant climate that allows residents and visitors alike to enjoy outdoor activities throughout much of the year. While there can be extreme weather events from time to time, these occurrences are generally infrequent compared to other parts of Connecticut or New England.
Transportation in Middlesex County, Connecticut
Middlesex County, Connecticut is served by a variety of transportation options. Public transportation in the county includes buses and trains which provide access to major cities and towns throughout the region. The Connecticut Transit bus system provides service to many locations within the county, as well as to other parts of the state. In addition, Amtrak provides train service to New Haven and Hartford.
The main highway through Middlesex County is Interstate 95, which runs north-south through the county from New York state to Rhode Island. Other major roads include Route 9, which runs east-west along the coast; Route 17, which connects Middletown with Hartford; and Route 15, which connects Hartford with Meriden.
In addition to public transportation and highways, Middlesex County also has several airports in the area. The closest airport is Groton-New London Airport (GON), located just outside of town in nearby Groton. This airport offers both commercial flights and private charter services. Other airports in the area include Bradley International Airport (BDL) located near Hartford; Tweed Airport (HVN) located near New Haven; Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC) located near Waterbury; and Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR) located in Stratford.
Middlesex County also has a number of taxi companies that provide service throughout the area. Taxis are typically available 24 hours a day for those who need a ride from one location to another or for those who need to get to their destination quickly.
Middlesex County offers residents and visitors alike an array of transportation options that make getting around easy and convenient. Whether you’re looking for public transportation or private charter services, there’s something available for everyone.
Cities and towns in Middlesex County, Connecticut
Middlesex County, Connecticut is home to a variety of cities and towns. The largest city in the county is Middletown, which is the county seat and home to Wesleyan University. Other major cities in Middlesex County include Cromwell, East Hampton, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Portland and Westbrook. See top 3 cities in Connecticut.
The town of Old Saybrook is located at the mouth of the Connecticut River and is one of the oldest towns in the state. It was originally founded by settlers from England in 1635 and has since become a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful beaches and historical sites. Old Saybrook also offers a number of shops, restaurants and galleries for visitors to enjoy.
The town of Essex is situated on Long Island Sound and has been a popular summer destination since the 19th century. Home to many historic mansions and buildings, Essex also offers a variety of recreational activities such as sailing, fishing, kayaking and more.
Other notable towns in Middlesex County include Deep River which boasts many antique shops; Chester which features several historic sites; Durham which is home to several wineries; East Haddam which hosts an annual Shakespeare festival; Old Lyme which was established by English settlers in 1667; Clinton which houses an art gallery; and Killingworth which houses an animal sanctuary.
Middlesex County offers something for everyone with its mix of big cities like Middletown as well as smaller towns like Deep River that offer unique shopping experiences or outdoor activities like fishing or kayaking on Long Island Sound. No matter what you’re looking for—from historical sites to outdoor recreation—Middlesex County has something for everyone.