Newark (Ohio)

Located about 40 miles (64 km) to the east of Columbus, Newark is an industrial center for the aerospace, lighting and fiberglass insulation industries. It is the home of the Newark Campus of the Ohio State University and Central Ohio Technical College.

In 2020, it was home to 50,000 people.

The basket-shaped building which served as the headquarters for the now-defunct Longaberger Company, makers of baskets and other products for the home from 1973-2018, is on the eastern edge of the city.

From Columbus: take Interstate 70 east to exit 129B (State Route 79 north). Newark is 9 miles to the north on State Route 79.

Alternately, take State Route 161 east to Granville, where it meets State Route 16. Continue east on State Route 16 another 5 miles to Newark.

• Moundbuilders Earthworks. This site covers most of Newark. Two main areas have been preserved, and as of 2023 both are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks covering eight such sites around Ohio. One area is at the park where you will find an embankment that is 1,200 feet in diameter with earthen walls from 8 to 14 feet high enclosing a 26-acre area. The other more impressive site (Octagon Earthworks) has a golf course located in it with some efforts of preservation, there is an observation stand. 
• 🌍 The Octagon Earthworks. 
• 🌍 Wright Earthworks. Wright Earthworks, located less than a block west of the SR 79 intersection at Grant St in Newark, Licking County. The earthwork remnants may be viewed from James Street, a short distance from Grant Street and the SR 79 interchange. Hopewell Indians (100 BC-AD 500} 
• 🌍 Flint Ridge State Memorial. 3 miles south of Cynthia, near (south/east) Newark, Ohio, off of SR 668. Flint Ridge is a restored prehistoric quarry pit with a museum that explains both the digging and shaping of flint. It is a site well worth the visit. There is a flint knap-in (teaching, exhibiting flint knapping, swap flint) every Labor Day week end. At the opposite end of the park there is a camping area that has a fossil swap the same week end. 
• 🌍 The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology, 55 S 1st St, ☏ +1 740-349-9277. (updated Jan 2018)

The Works museum complex is in downtown Newark. It features hands-on historical and technology exhibits, along with a permanent glass-blowing display and a permanent exhibit showcasing the history of the communities of Licking County.

High school sports are an important part of community life in Newark. The Newark High School Wildcats have a loyal following and the Newark Catholic High School Green Wave have many state championships.

• 🌍 Dawes Arboretum. (updated Nov 2018)
• 🌍 Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve, 2200 Gratiot Rd SE. (updated Nov 2018)
• 🌍 Midland Theatre. (updated Apr 2020)

• 🌍 Don & Sue's Pizza, 730 West Church Street, ☏ +1 740 522-8457. (updated Sep 2017)

• 🌍 DoubleTree by Hilton Newark, 50 N 2nd St, ☏ +1 740-322-6455. (updated Jan 2018)
• Cherry Valley Hotel, 2299 Cherry Valley Road SE, ☏ +1 740-788-1200. (updated Apr 2020)

• The Advocate. The local daily paper. (updated Apr 2020)
• Licking County Library (LCL), 101 W Main St, ☏ +1-740-349-5500. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F Sa 10AM-5PM. (updated Apr 2020)

East of Newark (5 miles) off Route 16 is Blackhand Gorge. Hiking and bike trail, canoeing on the Licking River. South of Newark (13 miles) Route 79 is Buckeye Lake; large boating, swimming and fishing areas. Hebron is nearby.