1. New York is just a ferry or train ride away
Who needs cars and traffic when you can literally go across the water on a beautiful boat ride or take a fast paced train? No one. Take the ferry, it's a personal favorite.
2. It only takes five minutes to get to the nearest beach
What's shore traffic? There's beautiful Sandy Hook, Sea Bright and many small beaches surrounding Middletown.
3. Calico the Clown: Biggest Middletown Icon
He's just always been there and he always will be. No one will ever be able to take down Middletown's evil clown. Oh, and he even has his own t-shirt, just stop on by the liquor store to get it!
4. Yeah, and we have Bon Jovi
We're practically neighbors! His house is gorgeous and you'll always be able to tell when he's home.
4. Middletown isn't just considered "Middletown"
There's also Belford, Port Monmouth, Leonardo, Fairview, Red Bank and everything in between. There's also what is considered to be the "wet" side and "dry" side in areas like Port Monmouth and Belford.
5. Poricy Park is the hot spot for Elementary School Field Trips
Digging your hands around in owl pellets was definitely better than sitting in class and let's not forget: it's called scat and nothing more!
6. There are farms EVERYWHERE
We may look like a town filled with shops and restaurants, but as soon as you turn the corner you run into a farm. Ever hear of deer crossing? Yeah, we have that, but watch out for horse crossing too!
7. Each neighborhood has identical houses from the inside out
You walk in through the front door and see the living room, kitchen, and dining room. Upstairs there are a few bedrooms and a bathroom and downstairs you'll find the office, a family room, and if you're lucky there will be another bathroom. No need to ask my neighbors what the inside of their house looks like because they'll tell you the same thing.
8. Want to eat by the water? No problem!
Sit back, relax, and enjoy delicious seafood on the water! If you go to the Highlands you'll find so many different waterfront restaurants.
9. We have too many Weird New Jersey stories
Cry Baby Bridge, Dancing Jesus and Whipporwill Valley Road. No one likes to go on Whipporwill at night...it's very dark and has that creepy, twisty dirt road you see in all the horror films!
10. No one really knows if the haunted Spy House IS haunted
Yet there was no damage done to it during Hurricane Sandy...sounds fishy to me.
11. Hurricane Sandy hit us just as hard as everywhere else
But we remained strong through it all.
12. It's not the New Monmouth Diner
...it's the Middletown Diner.
13. It's not a Saturday morning without Gem's Bagels
Pork Roll, Egg and Cheese on a toasted bagel...YES PLEASE!
14. Middletown High School North Hockey Team
We became state champs (and let's be honest here... sports were never our proudest accomplishments, so this was kind of a big deal.)
15. Anyone from Middletown goes to the St. Mary's Fair
There's fried oreos, fun prizes to win, live entertainment, bracelet night and endless rides. Also, has anyone ever gone on the Ring of Fire and not cried themselves to sleep?
16. And let's not forget #SaveTheSeraphs
The school was in desperate need of a million dollars in such a short amount of time to save them from shutting down, but the Seraphs' didn't give up and fought hard. Now, here they are being independently run all because an entire student body spread the word and raised the money. Go Seraphs!
17. PNC Arts Center is only a 15 minute drive away
Anyone from Middletown could never forget those summer nights in their cowboy boots, tailgating for a PNC concert they'll never, or should never, forget.
18. Molly Pitcher Inn
The prettiest hotel we have to offer. So many celebrities who play at nearby venues (such as the PNC) have stayed here and always come back.
19. Christmas is taken very seriously
A horse and carriage ride down beautiful Main Street anyone?
20. Middletown Day
The biggest....BADDEST birthday bash anyone with enough Middletown pride has the privilege to attend. They have a petting zoo, guys!
