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Newark Life

Enjoy all that downtown Newark has to offer

May 12, 2015 11:59AM ● By Steven Hoffman

Newark is proud to be a regional hub for dining, shopping and recreation. Downtown Newark offers nearly two miles of shopping and dining destinations along East and South Main Street, all near the beautiful setting of the University of Delaware’s main campus. Meet up with your family, rejoin old friends or meet new ones, come for a romantic date or just to take a nice stroll – Newark’s downtown is the perfect destination to eat, shop and enjoy yourself at over 80 boutiques and nearly 70 award-winning restaurants. Whether you’re shopping for something that is fashionable or funky, handmade or fair trade, metaphysical or medieval, whether you’re looking for university gear or nostalgic books and music, downtown Newark has a unique shop that carries it. Nestled between these shops are dining establishments with cuisine to suit every palate and price range with an outside patio or a seat indoors. The town’s restaurants and pubs attract visitors and locals alike for a quick stop to a local coffee or cupcake shop, to break- fasts of bagels, hot cakes, and omelets, lunches of sushi, sandwiches and salads, and dinners of pasta, steak and seafood, ranging from Mediterranean to Mexican, Vietnamese to vegan, Italian, Spanish or American. Evening entertainment is never in short supply, with live performances in a number of restaurants, a movie theater, playhouse and ballet company all downtown.

Every season offers a different experience in Downtown Newark – spring brings the patios and decks to life with Wine & Dine, summer brings New Night Downtown and the popular Food & Brew Fest, fall sees the popular Taste of Newark event and the return of the University of Delaware student body, and winter brings holiday decorating, sales and the much-anticipated Restaurant Week. Recreational opportunities are never in short supply, in fact, the two most utilized multi-use trails in the state are Newark’s James F. Hall and Pomeroy trails, which connect many parks offering skate parks, tennis courts, baseball fields and playgrounds. Just north of Newark, world-class mountain biking trails are scattered through White Clay Creek state park, come work up an appetite and then satisfy it at one of our many restaurants.


Honoring Our History

This spring saw the dedication of a historical marker by the Delaware State Archives at the old Newark Train Station, near South College Avenue. The building has, since its retirement, been acquired and restored by the City, and the first floor houses the Bob Thomas Museum of Newark History, operated by the Newark Historical Society. Numerous rotating exhibits cover Newark’s history from prior to the Revolutionary War to the present day.


Parking

Parking in downtown Newark became easier this year with the installation of “smart” parking meters that accept credit card payments, so there’s no more need to carry around a roll of quarters – although coins are certainly more than welcome in the meters as well. Planning a longer stay of dining, shopping and strolling with friends? We offer three large off-street lots for longer term parking. The best part? Look for the “Newark’s Great We Validate” stickers in the windows of most downtown merchants, and be sure to ask for parking validations, and your parking can be absolutely FREE!



Gift Cards

There’s always that person on your list, whether for graduation, a birthday, holiday, or just to show you care, that you’re not sure what to get for them. Downtown Newark’s Gift Card offers the perfect solution. Convenient to buy and use, gift cards may be purchased in the Newark Municipal Building (220 South Main Street) or Newark Parking Office (second floor of the Galleria Building, 45 East Main Street) and out on Main Street during downtown events, in any amount from $10 to $500. Over 70 retailers and restaurants downtown accept the gift card – the ultimate flexibility – so they’ll be able to get something they really like. For the most up to date list of participating businesses, please visit www.enjoydowntownnewark.com. Use it once for the full amount at once, or use it over time at multiple locations. Gift cards can even be used to pay for parking in the city’s municipal parking lots.

Out of town and want to buy a gift card for someone here? No problem! Purchases are welcomed over the telephone by calling 302-366-7000. Each card purchased is accompanied by a list of participating stores and comes with a decorative card holder and envelope.



UPCOMING EVENTS


For any of our events that may be subject to rain delays or cancellation, if the weather is questionable, please call our Leisure Time Hotline at (302) 366-7147.


Newark’s Got Talent Open Mic Nights

All the best youth talent in the Newark area will be featured Wednesday evenings this June. Do you know any talented youth between the ages of 6 and 17? Singers, songwriters, instrumentalists, dancers, poets, as well as any other talented youth, are welcome to take the stage between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to build stage experience and take a step toward getting discovered. For more information, visit www.cityofnewarkde.us/parksrecreation.


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