From Main Street excellence to artistic marvels, the borough keeps thriving (2024)

Talk about over achievers. Metuchen, hailed as the 2024 Destination of the Year by Jersey’s Best — because we know a good thing when we see it — has now been tagged by Money magazine as one of its 50 Best Places to Live. Yet another feather in the cap of this quaint and often kooky town that’s also a 2023 Great American Main Street award winner.

Now, on the heels of an eventful first half of its reigning year, which included a Lunar New Year celebration, a chance to Find Your Love Downtown for Valentine’s Day, Restaurant Week and a new “Game On Metuchen — Come Out and Play” event, the borough has been blazing through summer.

Adding to its already eye-pleasing aesthetics, Metuchen has installed two new pieces of art for your appreciation.

Metuchen artist Julia Win’s “preserve” is a 3D mural made from locally sourced recycled materials and depicting the charm of Costa’s Ice Cream Shop, formerly housed at 16 Pearl St. where the artwork is located. A fitting tribute to the past, it also serves as a tasteful selfie spot.

700 Middlesex is home to just-opened Starbucks, and Starbucks is home to a newly commissioned mural by contemporary artist RH Doaz. Known for bold hues and whimsical interpretations of nature, his painting, not yet unveiled at the time of this writing, adds a vivid splash of color to your daily dose of java.

Back on the Plaza, Downtown Metuchen is right back at it, slaying the calendar with a slew of must-do’s.

Here’s a little “summery” of the events that took place this summer.

June 7 – Annual Pride Event

Held for the first time on a Friday night, this year’s Pride celebration was full of energy and joy. Guests got in step with NYC Cheer’s LGBTQ squad; got bawdy with a drag performance from Screaming Queens; and got moving with DJ Sabine, resident DJ at Brooklyn’s House of Yes. The Glam Bar face makeup station painted Pride on all who visited.

June 15 – Annual Juneteenth Celebration

This year, the Young Picassos brought their distinctive mix of genres including R&B, Hip-Hop, Pop, and Neo-Soul; and offered a funky nod to 60 years of Funk in 2024. Positive Movement Entertainment Drumline marched their rhythm right out of Philly, and Step Dancers kicked things up a notch — just a few highlights among many performances that entertained throughout the evening.

July Concert Series – Downtown Summer Sounds

Following in the tradition of summers past, like 2023’s ode to the ’80s with Tiffany and the Swiftie Dance Party featuring the songs of you-know-who, Downtown Summer Sounds for 2024 did not disappoint.

• July 10 – Yacht Rock brought the soft rock sound of the ’70s to Metuchen, covering such hit ballads as “Sailing,” “Reminiscing” and “Steal Away.” Attendees were encouraged to dress for the occasion in their best “yacht rock” attire.
• July 30 – Hip-Hop Night took attendees back to the ’80s and ’90s with live performances by The Sugarhill Gang and C&C Music Factory.

Dining al fresco is a delight, particularly in Metuchen where culinary prowess is a hallmark of its local eateries.

Relative newcomer Meximodo has garnered recognition as one of Jersey’s best new restaurants. Located on Pearl Street in the heart of the Plaza, its décor is a feast for the eyes and its record-breaking selection of tequilas makes for a round of aye-aye-aye’s! The menu celebrates classic Mexican dishes with a fresh, modern twist, meant to be savored in the stunning dining room, on the rustic patio, or enhanced by a hand-crafted co*cktail at the bar.

Also recently on the scene is Namkeen Hot Chicken + Waffles, this third location on Metuchen’s Main Street bringing the influence of Pakistani flavor to its hot, crispy chicken. Whether sandwiched on a roll or between two waffles, the chicken is hot, crunchy, spicy, saucy and sensational.

When it Reigns, it Soars!

“It has been such a joy having this exposure as the Destination of Year because it has served as a welcome mat for so many visitors who had never visited before,” remarked Dawn Mackey, executive director of the Metuchen Downtown Alliance. “I firmly believe that if you stumble upon Metuchen that first time, you come back again and again and that’s just how we like it!”

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of Jersey’s Best. Subscribe herefor in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.