It’s an interesting location, not really Main Street proper, but Main Street Extension which is south of campus, and not terribly visible from the curb, suggesting its popularity is based mostly on word of mouth.
2 Likes
S26 and I are finally making it to Wesleyan the first week of October. There are many things about it that seem to be a fit for S26, who is an arty, nerdy sort who has a ton of cross-disciplinary interests. But on campus tours he has historically favored schools that are larger, where it’s clear there are a lot of students and activity. I’d love for Wesleyan to get the full benefit of his consideration, so basically, the school needs to have a decent amount of action so he can get a sense of the energy. Would Friday, October 3 be a good day for our tour? It’s the best day for our travel plans but we can be a little bit flexible. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of how Wesleyan comes across on a Friday early afternoon, please let me know!
2 Likes
I don’t know if you have any flexibility in your schedule, but Saturday, October 4 is a busy day at Wesleyan - especially for sports. There will probably be a lot of kids out and about on campus although 30% of the students at Wesleyan play sports, so a lot of the students will actually on the field. I don’t know if Fridays are a good day to visit, but I live near Wes, so I’ll try to find out.
Here’s the schedule for Saturday, October 4:
noon-2:00 - women’s soccer vs Amherst on Jackson Field
noon-3:00 - women’s field hockey vs Amherst on Hicks Field/Alumnae Weekend
1:00-4:00 - men’s football vs Hamilton in Corwin Stadium
2:00-3:00 - student led Art Exhibition Tour at Zilhka Gallery
2:00-7:00 - Opening Celebration of new Fries Arts Building: WesGrooves Dance Party
3:00-5:00 - men’s soccer vs Amherst on Jackson Field/Alumni Weekend
2 Likes
We could go Saturday, actually. I thought maybe a school day would be better but maybe Saturday will feel more fun and festive. Thanks for letting me know!
1 Like
Saturday afternoon, October 4th is also the official opening day for the new Fries Arts Building (FAB) on College and Hamlin Streets (about a block towards Main Street.) There will be lots going on open to the public. I believe it kicks off around 2PM. Shouldn’t conflict with the football game.
1 Like
Yes, it runs 2:00-7:00 and opens with a “cupcake toast” and features an art exhibit of Wesleyan faculty members’ work. At 5:00, a Wes professor will be leading a West African dance lesson, which will be followed by a dance party with music provided by WesGrooves, Wesleyan’s African Pop Music Band .
If you happen to be into rowing and are staying overnight, Wesleyan’s women’s crew team will be competing in the Head of the Riverfront Regatta on Sunday, which runs all day on the 5th at the Hartford Waterfront on the Connecticut River. Viewing is from both Hartford and East Hartford with easy access from I-91.
2 Likes
Mom of freshman who just spent 2 weeks in Middletown as my daughter volleyball player tore her ACL and had to have surgery. Aside from that- what a wonderful school and town. So many great spots to check out in Middletown as other posters have mentioned. We were downtown during the day and night and both times very vibrant with both local folks and college affiliated. Def recommended walking down Main Street. Favorites for us were Hachi for sushi, OSA for Mediterranean, Perkatory for the best coffee! Brew Bakery for the best vibes, good coffee and great sandwiches.
As far as the Wesleyan University campus-the whole thing is so walkable. Even for a girl on crutches for the most part! Friday will give you a sense of the good energy of a regular school day. Weekends are quieter obviously but above posters mentioned some wonderful activities. Check out Pi Cafe in Exley Science Library for a sense of the student scene. I was thrilled when she chose Wesleyan and even more thrilled now. General sense is that everyone was so kind, down to earth and dedicated student. Also that there is something for everyone. While my D is an athlete (athletic trainers here are fantastic btw as are facilities), she has made friends with all sorts of folks.
5 Likes
Also just have to say the new science center is GORGEOUS. I’m kind of obsessed with the architecture. I tried to get a decent photo but this doesn’t do it justice.
4 Likes
You have a much better eye for composition than I do. I never know what to do with Middletown’s above-ground, electricity wires. You make them look like part of a Mondrian painting.
Thank you! This is great info. I’m sorry your daughter was injured—I hope she gets better soon.
Where did you stay while visiting? Looks like some people stay in Hartford and others have mentioned a hotel in town.
The only hotel in town is the Middletown Inn, and it’s great (if pricey at busy times). I strongly recommend staying there as it’s walkable to everything. When we can’t get a room there, we stay at the SpringHill Suites in Cromwell, which is a sub-10 minute drive from campus.
2 Likes
Thanks for the well wishes. Everyone on campus from public safety to Usdan eating hall to her professors have been wonderful.
Yes the Inn is great but can get quite pricey some weekends. I actually stayed in a lovely AirBnb since I was there for quite a while. It’s about a mile and a half from campus is a residential area. Cutest couple with a little attached cottage. Filled with antiques, very clean and nicely appointed. DM me if you’re interested in learning more about this.
1 Like
I decided to just embrace them. They way they went to the trouble to curve the building to match the hill- extra mile for sure. The materials remind me of the Getty in LA and it glows at sunset. Ok enough fawning but it’s really great.
3 Likes
For those planning future visits, steer clear of the Passport Inn & Suites in Middletown. It’s only 2 miles to Wesleyan & although there are many positive reviews online (ie, ‘clean but no-frills’) it was one of the worst hotels I’ve ever experienced. We literally walked in, turned around and walked out. Drove a bit and got a room in a SpringHill Suites in Cromwell, which was fine. We’re ok with less fancy hotels, but the Passport wasn’t safe or clean, IMO.
1 Like
As promised, I stopped by Wesleyan earlier today to pursue your question about visiting on a Friday. There were the obligatory “Depending on the weather . . .” comments. This is, after all New England. 
Otherwise, I get mixed reviews about visiting on a Friday after speaking with 5 different students - 3 in the Admissions office and 2 others in a random Wesleyan off campus cafe. some said “it would be great” while others said “not so much”. Here’s the advice I got to maximize a Friday visit to see students out and about, knowing that at any given time lots of students are in class or in their dorm rooms:
- Attend the afternoon tour/info session, which is scheduled for 1:00, rather than the morning if you want to see students.
- Arrive early. The cafeteria is in Usdan University Center across the street from Stewart Reid House, where the Admissions Office is located. From noon on, students should be arriving for lunch. In fact, it is permissible for you to get lunch there before your tour, which would be a good opportunity to see students. Just stop in to the Admissions Office first to get a parking permit to display on your car.
- Stay late and stroll around campus after your tour & info session, which should end about 3:30. Students getting out of class at 4:00 should be milling about and making plans for the weekend. Popular gathering spots are outside Olin Library and outside Judd Hall at the end of
College Row.
One student strongly recommended visiting Main Street, which is a few blocks from campus because it is such a strong feature of the Wesleyan neighborhood and because it is where Wesleyan students spend some of their time. He suggested Cantina Cafe Ristorante next to the Italian Society of Middletown, on Court Street off Main as having great Italian food. There must be 20+ different restaurants on or just off Main St, serving a dozen or more different cuisines. Eat up!
1 Like
Oh, wow!! You are so kind!! Thank you for taking time out of your day to do this. I really appreciate it and your advice is very helpful. I love the idea of arriving early to eat at the cafeteria and staying later to see what happens when kids get out of class. We will definitely head over to Main Street and S26 loves Italian (and pretty much every kind of food). Thanks again!!
1 Like
There is a Sheraton in Rocky Hill about 10 miles away. We stayed at other places and after staying there that was our “go to” for the rest of my D’s time at the school. It works and it’s an easy drive to Middletown.
Can’t wait to get back there at some point and see it. Although someone will come on here eventually and say, “I can’t believe they built another brutalist building!” The new space between it and Shanklin will be a huge add to that side of campus. It will also be nice to finally say goodbye to Hall-Atwater.
Wishing your daughter a speedy recovery!
As to the best day to visit, football Saturdays are always a busy time there.
2 Likes
You’re more than welcome.
Oh, one other thing. The students told me that if there’s a football game on that Saturday, there will be lots of kids out. There is. (See above.) Of course, not a crowd like you get at San Diego State. 
When I asked one group of kids what they liked best about Wesleyan, the consensus was the opportunity to explore many areas outside your primary subject of interest. I think what they were getting at is that Wesleyan is an open curriculum school albeit with some student-selected distribution requirements.
P.S. - Middletown is a very Italian city, so there at least 10 Italian restaurants. You’ll have your pick. When my sister was in Italy last summer, she came back raving about something called “scacciata”. She said, “Best food I ever ate.” They told her that the only other place in the world she could get it outside Italy was in Middletown, Connecticut! Sure enough, I found it at Iliana’s on South Main Street, not far from Wesleyan. 
3 Likes
The open curriculum/light distribution requirements are another reason why I think Wesleyan could be great for him. He’s interested in philosophy, math, fine art (he is an illustrator). And also physics and history and music (he drums and tends toward rock, punk, metal, jazz). He’s not a sporty kid, but he rock climbs. He loves a Socratic seminar and wants to be around other thoughtful and intellectually curious sorts. He’s not a drinker but he’s a social person so having friendly people around him is also important. Everything I have read about Wesleyan makes me think it would be a good fit, but he’s also someone who has to see things for himself before he gets invested. Thanks again for helping make our upcoming visit great!
1 Like
Yes, it is. Agree about the food. I’d add that St. Sebastian, a couple of blocks from the Wesleyan campus, is symbolic of Middletown’s Italian heritage. Stunning church and, I think, not typical of what you see in and around New England.
In the early twentieth century, many Italian immigrants were settling in Middletown, with large numbers coming from the Sicilian town of Melilli. Seeking to build their own church in Middletown, they launched a massive fund raising effort. Local companies donated materials for the building of St. Sebastian Church and many parishioners contributed their labor for its construction. The church was designed by architect Raymond C. Gorrani, who was heavily influenced by the design of the Basilica of St. Sebastian in Melilli. The first Mass was celebrated in the church in December, 1931.
One PS about Middletown is that it has an abundance of cool old historic buildings outside of the Wesleyan campus, and that includes other old beautiful churches, two of which anchor opposite ends of Main Street. St. Sebastian sits on Washington Street, which intersects Main Street.
1 Like