Matawan is a small historic town located near the Raritan Bay in northern Monmouth County.

Understand

The Lenape Native Americans called the area "Mechananienk," which gave rise to the area being called "Matovancons" by Dutch settlers, from which derives the name "Matawan". It means "where two rivers come together" in the Lenape language. It was formed in June 28, 1895, from portions of Matawan Township (now Aberdeen Township), and its portions of its area expanded into Madison Township (now Old Bridge Township) in 1939. The town is known for its rich colonial history, especially on and near its downtown on Main Street. During the latter half of the 20th century, the community grew as a popular suburb for former New York City dwellers to live in and continue to commute back into the city. The Aberdeen-Matawan Train Station (in which the North Jersey Coast Line runs) is a transportation hub for the Raritan Bayshore area, located on the town's main strip.

Get in

By plane

Newark Liberty International Airport is the closest major commercial airport to this municipality. It is roughly a 30 minute drive (traffic permitting) to/from the center of Matawan. John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York are also relatively nearby. For private jets, Old Bridge Airport in neighboring Old Bridge is also an option, which would be a roughly 20 minute drive to/from the center of Matawan.

By train

Aberdeen-Matawan Station

The greater Aberdeen area is served by their own train station. It is located on the North Jersey Coast Line. It provides access to Newark Liberty International Airport and North Jersey to the north and the rest of Monmouth County (including its popular Tri-cities like Red Bank, Long Branch, and Asbury Park) on the Jersey Shore to the south.

• Aberdeen-Matawan station. (updated Dec 2022)

By bus

NJ Transit also provides bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 133 and 135 bus lines.

By car

Even with the extensive public transit options provided in Matawan, car would probably still be the best mode of transportation available. The borough is crisscrossed by several major roads, including by Route 34, Route 79, and The Garden State Parkway.

See

Major John Burrowes House on Main Street

• 1 Major John Burrowes Mansion (along Main Street). Historic colonial-era home of Major John Burrowes. It still stands prominent in the community today. (updated Dec 2022)

Go next

Routes through Matawan

Newark ← Perth Amboy ←	N  S	→ Hazlet → Cape May
Woodbridge ← Perth Amboy ←	N  S	→ Hazlet → Bay Head
END ← Old Bridge ←	N  S	→ Holmdel → Wall
END ←	N  S	→ Marlboro Township → Freehold