Newark, OH

Newark sits in central Ohio as the county seat of Licking County, with a population of approximately 49,000. Positioned along Interstate 70 about 35 miles east of Columbus, the city offers a small-town feel with quick access to a major metropolitan area. Long known as a center of glass-making and later as the home of the Longaberger basket company, Newark today is perhaps best recognized for the remarkable Newark Earthworks, a complex of ancient geometric earthworks built by the Hopewell culture and designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Newark Earthworks themselves are a standout attraction in their own right, with the Great Circle and the connected Octagon Earthworks located within the city limits. Visitors can walk the grounds of the Octagon, which aligns with the lunar standstill and reflects the astronomical sophistication of its builders, and stop at the small museum on site. The grounds draw visitors interested in archaeology, Native American history, and open-air exploration, and sit just minutes from the historic downtown square.

Just south of the city, Dawes Arboretum spans roughly 1,800 acres of cultivated gardens, native woodlands, and themed plant collections. Open year-round, the arboretum invites visitors to wander paved drives, hike woodland trails, and explore specialty areas such as the Japanese garden. It is a particularly strong draw in spring when azaleas and dogwoods bloom and in autumn when the trees turn, and it lies only about 10 minutes from downtown Newark.

The Works: Ohio Center of History, Art & Technology anchors the revitalized downtown square and tells the broader story of central Ohio, from pioneer settlement and canal-era industry to the glass and basket-making trades that shaped Newark. A short drive east of the city, Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve offers a different pace, with a paved bike trail and rugged hiking paths winding through a narrow Licking River gorge lined with sandstone cliffs and old-growth trees. Together, these destinations give short-term rental guests a mix of archaeology, gardens, family-friendly museums, and outdoor recreation within a few minutes of one another.

With its central Ohio location, interstate access, and a slate of attractions that pairs prehistoric wonder with seasonal outdoor appeal, Newark offers short-term rental owners an audience of road-trippers, day-trippers from Columbus, history-minded travelers, and visitors bound for the region's lakes and nature preserves. The combination of small-city character and proximity to one of Ohio's largest metros gives the market a steady draw across both leisure and practical travel.