Central West Region
Central West Connecticut sits between Hartford and the central Connecticut shoreline, stretching from the Connecticut River west toward Meriden and Wallingford. It’s a region of established cities and suburbs, historic town centers, farms, wooded hills, reservoirs, rivers, shopping, restaurants, and outdoor recreation. It tends to feel more practical and lived-in than tourist-oriented, with a good mix of urban activity and quieter communities.
Towns Included:
Middletown, New Britain, Berlin, Cromwell, Durham, Meriden, Middlefield, Newington, Rocky Hill, Wallingford, Wethersfield
The Main Cities Of This Region Are:
Middletown feels like a small city with a strong local identity and a surprisingly lively center. Main Street is the heart of the community, with restaurants, cafés, shops, historic buildings, and people out enjoying the town rather than simply passing through.
Outside downtown, the city spreads into quieter neighborhoods, wooded areas, farmland, and the Connecticut River.
Middletown gives you a little of everything; city energy, small-town character, history, and access to the outdoors, without feeling overwhelmingly urban.
New Britain feels like a working Connecticut city with a strong cultural and industrial identity. It has a denser, more urban atmosphere than most of the surrounding towns, with established neighborhoods, local businesses, restaurants, cultural institutions, and people who have deep roots in the community.
The city has a more rugged, everyday feel than nearby suburbs, while places like Walnut Hill Park and the surrounding neighborhoods provide some breathing room.
New Britain feels authentic and lived in, with more city character than others
Major regional draws
Major Attractions
Dinosaur State Park
New Britain Museum of American Art
Lyman Orchards
Wadsworth Falls State Park
Wadsworth Mansion
Powder Ridge Mountain Park
Toyota Oakdale Theatre
Historic Wethersfield
Outdoors & Adventure
Hubbard Park & Castle Craig
Giuffrida Park
Wadsworth Falls
Tyler Mill Preserve
Farmington Canal Heritage Trail
Powder Ridge
Rocky Hill–Glastonbury Ferry
History & Culture
Historic Wethersfield
Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum
Wadsworth Mansion
New Britain Museum of American Art
Middletown Heritage Trail
Wesleyan University
Greater Middletown Military Museum
Family & Seasonal
Kidcity Children's Museum
Lyman Orchards
Powder Ridge
Wadsworth Falls
Hubbard Park
Farm markets, orchards and seasonal farm events
Meet Adoptable Shelter Dogs In This Region:
The Main Highways In This Region Are:
I-91: The major north–south highway through the region, connecting New Britain, Berlin, Meriden, Middletown and surrounding communities with Hartford and New Haven.
I-84: Runs along the northern edge of the region through Newington, New Britain and surrounding communities, connecting Hartford with central and western Connecticut.
I-691: Connects Meriden with I-91, Cheshire and I-84 toward Waterbury.
Route 9: Major north–south highway connecting Middletown with Cromwell, Berlin and New Britain before continuing toward Hartford.
The Main Routes In This Region Are:
US 5: Major north–south corridor through Wethersfield, Newington, Berlin, Meriden and Wallingford.
US 6: Important east–west route through Cromwell, Berlin and surrounding communities.
Route 3: Connects Middletown with Wethersfield and the Hartford area.
Route 17: Major north–south route through Middletown and surrounding communities.
Route 66: Important east–west corridor through Middletown toward Meriden and eastern Connecticut.
Route 71: Major north–south route through New Britain and Berlin.
Route 72: Connects New Britain and Berlin with Plainville and the Farmington Valley.
Route 15: Provides access to the region from the Hartford and New Haven areas, particularly around Meriden and Wallingford.
Route 68: Runs through Wallingford and Durham toward the eastern part of the region.
Route 79: Connects Durham and Middlefield with the surrounding central Connecticut communities.
To the North of this region is “North Central West” Region
To the East is the “Central East” Region
To the South is the “Near New Haven” and the “Shoreline” Regions
To the West is the “Near Waterbury” Region
Meet Mac at Meriden animal control