Things to do near Lewis Center, Ohio
Get to Know Lewis Center, Ohio
Lewis Center is an unincorporated community in northwestern Orange Township, Delaware County, Ohio, located between Columbus and Delaware. Its ZIP code is 43035.
Although Lewis Center is small, its ZIP code encompasses several shopping centers and retail establishments that line U.S. Route 23 and Polaris Parkway nearby. The Lewis Center area lies on the east side of the Olentangy River, across from the city of Powell, west of Alum Creek State Park, and north of the Polaris shopping hub. It is located in the Olentangy Local School District.
Lewis Center was founded around 1850 when the railroad was extended into the area. The community was named after the family of William L. Lewis, who gave their land for a railroad station in exchange for the naming rights.
There are 34,661 residents in Lewis Center, with a median age of 35.2 in the 2020 census. This number continues to grow.
The Lewis Center has made a commitment to promote and supports the educational needs of students, teachers, and community members. Lewis Center partners with public or private organizations and individuals in order to implement research-based programs for its laboratory schools and educational programs.
With a low crime rate compared to the rest of the country, this city is one of the safest in America. Lewis Center has a crime rate of only 5 per 1,000 residents. This low overall crime rate makes Lewis Center one of the safest places in America, with an outstanding community.
Things to do in Lewis Center, Ohio
Lewis Center is a small town with a lot going on. It’s a vibrant community with many shopping centers, restaurants, and spots to meet friends and family. With major destinations like Costco, Ikea, and Polaris Fashion Place, you will find everything you need.
Lewis Center offers plenty of activities, and its proximity to Columbus further expands the options! Living in Lewis Center means you’re always less than an hour away from the vibrant capital, making it perfect for day trips. To truly enjoy Lewis Center like a local, here are some must-visit spots for your first few weeks in the city!
The Columbus Zoo is located in Powell. For more than 95 years, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been a cornerstone of the community, offering a remarkable destination that inspires appreciation and conservation of the earth’s most amazing animals. As one of the nation’s premier zoological institutions, the zoo provides visitors with unforgettable experiences through its diverse exhibits, educational programs, and conservation initiatives. With over 10,000 animals representing over 600 species, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium continues to captivate and educate millions of guests each year, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world—maps for the Columbus Zoo, including sensory maps.
Zoombezi Bay Waterpark (located next to Columbus Zoo) is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Prepare for an unforgettable adventure at Zoombezi Bay, the Midwest’s premier waterpark destination! Dive into a world of family fun and excitement with a calendar full of thrilling events and activities. From exhilarating water slides to relaxing lazy rivers, Zoombezi Bay promises a splash-tastic experience for everyone.
Topgolf For a fun and engaging experience in the Columbus area, Topgolf is a must-visit destination for all ages and skill levels. Located just a short drive from Lewis Center, Topgolf Columbus combines high-tech gaming with a lively atmosphere to create the perfect spot for friends and family. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a beginner, you’ll enjoy the all-weather hitting bays where you can aim at giant outfield targets using complimentary clubs or your own. The innovative technology in the high-tech golf balls tracks your shots and keeps score automatically, leaving you free to focus on the fun.
Polaris Fashion Place is Central Ohio’s top shopping destination, featuring a unique mix of popular national brands and locally-owned specialty stores. Serving both residents and visitors, Polaris Fashion Place offers more than just shopping with over 75 events annually, including favorites like Boo & Brew, KidX Club®, Made Local Marketplace, and seasonal Photos with the Easter Bunny and Santa. With over 170 retail, dining, and entertainment options, Polaris provides a vibrant atmosphere where there’s always something new to explore and enjoy, ensuring guests keep coming back for more.
Evans Farm seamlessly combines modern living with the charm of a small-town atmosphere. Featuring a diverse mix of homes, apartments, and locally-owned businesses, it’s a community that offers more than just a place to live. With parks, recreational spaces, and a planned sports complex, Evans Farm is a vibrant destination worth exploring.
Ro Park is located in the Glen Oak subdivision and includes ball diamonds, a picnic area, a playground, restrooms, a shelter, and trails. The playground includes the tallest slide permitted in Ohio. Ro Park ball fields are open to the public.
Shale Hallow Park, nestled in the heart of Liberty and Orange townships, offers a stunning natural retreat with its unique geological features and rich biodiversity. Named for the distinctive curve of the tributary to the Olentangy State Scenic River and the shale that characterizes the park’s cliffs and stream bed, this park showcases 20- to 40-foot-tall shale cliffs and fascinating concretions. The stream, lined with these natural rock formations, meanders through the park, revealing intermittent waterfalls and the distinctive “potato chip shale” that gives the area its name.
Part of the Preservation Parks of Delaware Co., Shale Hallow is also a haven for wildlife, where you might spot barred owls, pileated woodpeckers, and even migrating neo-tropical songbirds like the hooded warbler. Whitetail deer, raccoons, and coyotes are common, and amphibian enthusiasts can look out for the two-lined salamander. With opportunities for off-trail exploration and natural play, Shale Hollow Park is a perfect destination for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. Additionally, the park’s building is available for business meeting rentals, providing a scenic backdrop for any event.
Walker Wood Park is located on Walker Wood Boulevard across from the Water Treatment Facility. The park includes a shelter, playground, and open field space.
Glen Oak Park offers a variety of outdoor activities that cater to all ages and interests. The park features a catch-and-release fishing pond where visitors can relax by the water. However, no swimming, skating, or wading is allowed due to the pond’s function as part of a retention and drainage system, which makes the ice unsafe in winter. For families with young children, the park boasts three educationally themed playgrounds, each located near covered shelters and designed to teach kids about nature, from butterfly metamorphosis to a bee’s life.
During the colder months, Glen Oak’s man-made sled hill becomes a popular spot for winter fun, while a dedicated ice-skating pond provides a safe space for skating enthusiasts. The pond is specifically designed for ice skating, with shallow depths and regular ice thickness checks to ensure safety. Year-round, visitors can also explore the park’s paved multi-use trail or venture into the small wooded area in the southeast corner, where nature trails meander through habitats teeming with unique plants and animals like frogs, turtles, and salamanders.
Highbanks Metro Park, a part of the Central Ohio Park System. Highbanks is named for its massive 100-foot-high shale bluff towering over the Olentangy State Scenic River. Tributary streams cutting across the bluff have created a number of deep ravines in the eastern part of the 1,204-acre park. Ohio and Olentangy shales, often containing large concretions, are exposed on the bluff face and sides of the ravines. This park offers hiking, picnic areas, playgrounds, a nature center, and reservable group shelter houses
Restaurants & Bars in Lewis Center, Ohio
Yabo’s Tacos: Yabo’s Tacos offers a dining experience like no other, combining a playful twist on the traditional sports bar vibe with creative, elevated food options. We cater to fun-loving guests who crave something more than the usual – great eats with a side of the big game in a lively, laid-back atmosphere.
- Kitchen Social: Kitchen Social has a great ‘Kitchen Social Hour’ (aka Happy Hour) from 3 to 6 M-F, with half-price apps and deals on drinks. Beyond that, they offer lovely indulgent dishes that make you feel like you’re on vacation.
- Martiny’s BBQ: With smoky flavors and a homestyle vibe, Martiny’s could be your new favorite spot. They offer dine-in, carry-out, and catering. It’s the best BBQ around.
Olentangy River Brewing Company: Olentangy River Brewing Company is all about local pride and quality craftsmanship. Built by friends with a passion for brewing, our mission is to bring exceptional craft beer to the North Side of Columbus, brewed right here in Lewis Center to exacting standards of quality and style. We take pride in canning our beers on-site in our brewhouse, offering six-packs for purchase directly in our taproom. Come enjoy a pint, take some to go, and experience the best of Lewis Center brewed craft beer.
- Prime and Vine: Prime + Vine offers a truly unique experience, blending a premium butcher shop with a sophisticated wine bar in the heart of Lewis Center. Originally established to provide high-quality beef to a major national distributor, Prime + Vine decided to share their exceptional product directly with the community. Their butcher shop offers the highest-grade beef available in Ohio, sourced from locally raised cattle and rated at the top of the Japanese scale for quality. When it comes to superior taste and tenderness, their selection is unmatched in the state.
On the wine side, Prime + Vine’s offerings are just as impressive. Their curated wine menu, crafted by renowned sommelier David Kusz of MySomm, features elevated and intriguing selections at affordable price points. Using state-of-the-art NAPA Technology wine-tasting machines, customers can sample tastes, half glasses, or full pours from eight rotating wines. This allows guests to explore new favorites before committing to a full bottle. With expertly selected wines and some of the finest cuts of beef in Ohio, Prime + Vine provides a one-of-a-kind destination for those seeking culinary and wine excellence.
- Kyushu Ramen Bar: is a best-kept secret! This Ramen Bar offers a variety of authentic dishes rarely found. Online ordering makes it easy for a busy night.
- CJ’s Soul Food: CJ’s Soulfood is where the vibrant rhythms of soul music blend seamlessly with a culinary experience that speaks to the heart. Born from the dream of three friends who became family—Dejuan, Jacob, and C.J.—this restaurant represents a fusion of cultures and a celebration of soul food.
The Community of Africa - Lewis Center's Proud History
In the 1840s, near the present-day Alum Creek State Park, a community of African Americans, abolitionists, and Quakers took root in what was then known as East Orange. Ironically, the area adopted the name “Africa” as a mocking label from a pro-slavery neighbor, but it quickly became a significant hub in Ohio’s active role in the Underground Railroad. Ohio’s abolitionist history is well-documented, and the Africa community, with its rich legacy, played a crucial role in aiding enslaved people seeking freedom. Samuel Patterson, who settled in the area in the late 1820s, was instrumental in the development of this community. He built a large house and outbuildings in the 1840s, which served both his farm and those escaping slavery. The buildings, along with smaller cabins used by other residents, provided vital shelter to those fleeing along the Underground Railroad. Alum Creek was a refuge for many, with records indicating as many as 60 individuals passed through in a single month.
The community expanded significantly in 1859 when a group of 28 to 35 freed slaves from North Carolina arrived, having been granted freedom and travel funds by the widow of plantation owner Oroon Alston. Despite their freed status, the journey remained perilous, especially after the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which escalated risks by allowing for the capture of escaped slaves and imposing harsh penalties on those who failed to assist in their recapture. Nevertheless, the Africa community thrived as a stronghold of abolitionist support. Local residents, including members of the Benedict and Osborn families, served as station keepers on the Underground Railroad, offering their homes as safe havens. The area’s activity in the Underground Railroad persisted until the Emancipation Proclamation, with generations of Benedicts playing key roles.
Although the Africa community largely disbanded after the Civil War, its legacy endures. Some original homes, like the Aaron L. Benedict house, still stand as silent witnesses to the area’s powerful history. Alum Creek’s past is a testament to the bravery and compassion of those who risked everything to make a difference for freedom-seekers traveling through Ohio. This rich heritage deserves recognition and celebration for the significant role it played in the struggle for freedom.
Lewis Center, Ohio, is more than just a town—it’s a vibrant community brimming with opportunities for everyone.
With a seamless blend of small-town charm and modern conveniences, Lewis Center offers top-notch schools, welcoming neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and a major shopping hub.
Whether passionate about nature, cuisine, or history, Lewis Center has something special for you.
Visit Lewis Center today to uncover all the delightful experiences this charming Ohio gem offers. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Schools in Lewis Center, Ohio
The Olentangy Local School District serves the city of Lewis Center. With four elementary schools, 2 middle schools and one High School
High school:
- Olentangy High School
Middle schools:
- Shanahan Middle School
- Olentangy Orange Middle School
Elementary Schools:
- Oak Creek Elementary
- Freedom Trail Elementary
- Glen Oak Elementary
- Olentangy Meadows Elementary
Neighborhoods in Lewis Center, Ohio
Parkview
Winterbrooke Place
Subdivisions
Abbey Knoll
Avonlea
Bale Kenyon Bluffs
Belmont Place
Berlin
Bryn Mawr
Courtyards At Hidden Ravines
Courtyards At Little Bear
Cross Creek
Estates At Glen Oak
Estates At Woodstone
Estates Of Walker Wood
Glen Oak
Hidden Cove
Hidden Ravines
Hidden Reserve
Hidden Springs
Lake Shore
Little Bear
Mariner’s Watch
Mccammon Chase
Mccammon Estates
North Farms
North Point Plaza
Northpoint Meadows
Oak Creek
Old Harbor Estates
Olde State Farms
Oldefield Estates
Olentangy Crossing
Olentangy Glade
Olentangy Meadows
Orangewick
Parkshore
Parkview North
Piatt Meadows
Private Wooded Setting
Ravines Of Mccammon Chase
River’s Edge At Alum Creek
Shadow Creek
Summerfield Village
The Courtyards At Hidden Ravines
The Courtyards At Little Bear
The Meadows At Lewis Center
The Nest At The Ravines Of Mccammon Chase
The Shores
The Village At Walker Woods
The Villages Of Oak Creek
The Woods At Weeping Rock
The Woods Of Olentangy
Village At Alum Creek
Village At Bale Kenyon
Village At Olentangy
Walker Wood
Waverly Place
Willow Springs
Wilshire
Woodstone
Wynstone
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