How To Live Like a Local in Newark, Ohio

Trey Kauffman — Mosaic Life Creative

Shawn Shumaker, a longtime resident of Newark, OH, and the vice president of a commercial security company, shares his local expertise on the best places to eat, drink and explore in this vibrant Central Ohio community. From hidden culinary gems to lively music venues and family-friendly parks, Shumaker offers a unique perspective on the treasures that await newcomers to who have chosen to live in Licking County, Ohio. 

Where do you go to see live music or entertainment? 
That’s kind of seasonal around here, so usually when it’s warmer and nice outside, the place to go for live music is around Buckeye Lake about 20 minutes away. They have all kinds of places on the lake, like Papa Boo’s and Waterfront — those are the biggest places that people go for live music. It’s hopping when the sun’s shining; you can basically pull your boat up to the dock and listen. Then, there’s a fairly new place called West Church Social here in Newark that is an indoor venue. It’s been open about a year and is getting very popular. 

What’s your favorite local restaurant and what dish do you always order there? 
The thing about a hidden gem here is that it doesn’t stay hidden for very long! What comes to mind is our local brewery, DankHouse Brewing Co. in Newark. It’s locally owned and, if I’m expecting people from out of town, that’s where I’m taking them. They are a craft brewery, but they have food, too. It’s a little bit off the beaten path, so a lot of people will say they’ve never been there. 

Where is a great place to spend a rainy afternoon? 
There’s a place downtown called The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology. You can go and look at a lot of Newark’s history, but it also has a lot of stuff for kids that’s hands-on, like a workshop where they can build things. 

Are there any family-friendly hiking trails or parks you recommend? 
There’s a great walking trail with a playground, pickleball court and stuff like that at Ohio State University’s regional campus here in Newark. It’s probably the most popular place for people to go if they want to bring their kids to walk or ride bikes on the trails, play flag football or throw the ball with the dogs. They’ve got a lot of green space. 

What’s a lesser-known spot in town that you think deserves more attention? 
One that comes to mind is R&M Bakery. They have cutout cookies and doughnuts. Everything is fresh, and the stuff they offer is really, really good. Anybody who gets their sweets loves them. 

Is there a unique local tradition or event that visitors should know about? 
Newark is the county seat for Licking County and so we have a big courthouse downtown. Every year, on the day after Thanksgiving, they light up the courthouse for the holidays. They have live music, all the restaurants and shops are open, there are vendors on-site, and Santa comes in on a firetruck. That’s the staple event for this area.