Olentangy - Lewis Center, OH Area Guide

Olentangy is a neighborhood in the city of Powell, north of Columbus. Initially founded at the beginning of the 19th century as a farm town, the area began to build up in the 1980s, a development ultimately culminated with the construction of Polaris Fashion Place in 2001, when the gradual growth of the area exploded, and the area became one of the busiest in Columbus.

There are a handful of small museums in the area. The Ohio Railway Museum, the Hanby House and the Anti-Saloon League Museum all serve the area and take patrons through the history of the central Ohio area and the nation as a whole.

Powell celebrates its history with the annual Powell Festival, in which residents can enjoy family friendly entertainment, food, music, and art. This festival is free to the public and funded entirely by sponsors and donations.

Polaris Fashion Place sprawls across much of this northern Columbus suburb and gives residents unparalleled selections for food and drink. A combination of chains and locally-owned establishments make Olentangy the perfect destination for a night out, whatever your taste. That said, if brewpubs that combine a nightlife atmosphere with a delicious menu is your thing, there are options galore. One of the best of these is Wurst und Bier in Crosswood Commons. Wurst und Bier combines an authentic German atmosphere with an American sports-pub feel to create a particularly enjoyable experience. A fully German food menu and a vast, varied beer list is sure to satisfy any palate or mood. The spot also hosts occasional bands and German-themed entertainment throughout the year. For a more American option, check out Matt the Miller's Grill. Matt's is a Columbus chain with three locations in the area, combining a sports bar atmosphere with a craft beer brewery. Come watch the game and enjoy one of Matt's 26 draft beers with rotating craft options.

For something quieter, Royal Ginger Asian Fusion Bistro on Sancus Boulevard is a staple of the area and serves some of the best sushi in Columbus. While a little more expensive than other restaurants in the area, Royal Ginger is not exorbitantly priced, and half-price sushi offerings on Mondays and Tuesdays make these the perfect nights for a nice, affordable dinner.

Like most of Columbus, Olentangy promotes biking and environmental consciousness by providing bike lanes on many main roadways. Bikers can get almost anywhere around town using these lanes that make it safe to ride at most hours of the day. Flint Road, Park Road, Sancus Boulevard and Worthington Woods Boulevard are all main arteries in the area and all have lanes for bikers. For drivers, public parking is free and vastly available at and around the mall area.

Taxis do not generally patrol the area because it is significantly outside of the downtown area, but Columbus Taxi Service and Yellow Cab both service the area if called upon. An Uber ride downtown is estimated to cost between $21 and $29 depending on your specific location and destination. The COTA bus system also provides a transportation option to downtown Columbus. Ride the Red Express 31 or 32 lines or the Blue 2 line, depending on which side of town you are in, to get anywhere in the area. An express trip costs $2.75, while the regular fare is $2. COTA also offers 1-day, 7-day, and 31-day passes.

However you decide to get downtown, the trip consists of a couple short stints on nearby highways. Route 23, the main road that cuts through the heart of Olentangy, runs directly to I-270, from which commuters can get anywhere in Columbus

Olentangy has one of the biggest and best park areas in Columbus. The Highbanks Metroparks sits off Lewis Center Drive, just down the road from the Olentangy city center. As part of the Metroparks system, Highbanks is operated and maintained by the state and includes hiking and biking trails, a river to canoe and kayak, specialized pet trails, pavilions and other facilities to rent for events. Trails range from 0.4 miles to 3.5 miles, so whether you are exercising, taking the dog for a stroll or just want to get outside for a bit, take your pick and get moving

Including Highbanks, there are 12 miles of trails and 85 acres of park land in the city, both some of the highest numbers in the area. There are also over 200 programs, some seasonal and some year round, run by the Parks and Recreation department, from youth sports to guided nature hikes and more.

The overall cost of living in Olentangy and its surrounding areas is significantly higher than that of the city of Columbus and above the national average as a whole by about 20 percent. The average cost of a one-bedroom residence is $764 per month, well above the average in Columbus.

The public bus system can take you downtown for $2 per trip, and the average price of gas is just below the national average by between 1 and 2 percent. Depending on your bar and drink of choice, the price of a beer at a pub varies greatly. At the average corner pub, a domestic beer costs between $3 and $4, but the cost is higher if you choose one of the many brewpubs or fancier restaurants available in the area.

Shopping has become the driving force behind the development of the Olentangy area and its growth as one of the premiere suburbs in the Columbus area. Polaris Fashion Place serves the area and is one of two massive shopping centers in Columbus. The mall houses over 150 specialty stores and a food court, and there are restaurants galore in the surrounding area. For a truly unique shopping experience, World Market is the place to go. World Market carries an impressive combination of goods to surprise even the most seasoned shopper. Find clothes and fashion, furniture and gifts, but what makes it special are the seasonal craft beers, wines and specialty foods.

In nearby Westerville sits another interesting specialty shop, A Gal Named Cinda Lou, a vintage shop that brings you back to the 1960s and 1970s. Cinda Lou sells everything from music and art to clothes and furniture. Visit often as items rotate in and out of stock and will often be acquired and sold in a matter of days. A mix of an antique shop, thrift store and vintage record dealer, Cinda Lou always impresses.

The area is serviced by two major grocery store chains as well as a number of smaller, specialty stores. Giant Eagle on Route 23 and Kroger on Polaris Parkway are the dominant grocery stores in the area. The city of Powell also hosts a farmer's market from May through October from 9 am until 12 pm, located at 240 N. Liberty Street in Powell.