Explore Gwinnett Magazine Volume Six by Explore Gwinnett

VISITOR MAGAZINE

RAISE A GLASS BREWERY HOPPING WITH ALE SHARPTON

KOREAN STREET FOOD FUN ON THE WATER WHERE THE LOCALS EAT

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

VISITOR MAGAZINE

FLOAT ON

16 PLACES TO PADDLE, SPLASH, AND CAST A LINE

BREWERY HOPPING KOREAN STREET FOOD SECRET PARKS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

VISITOR MAGAZINE

SEOUL FOOD

YOUR GUIDE TO KOREAN STREET FARE

BREWERY HOPPING ADVENTURES ON WATER QUIRKY-COOL SHOPS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

VISITOR MAGAZINE

50 FREE (OR CHEAP) THINGS TO DO WALLET-FRIENDLY FUN FOR EVERYONE

THE ULTIMATE BEER TOUR BOATING AND FLOATING KOREAN STREET FOOD

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

4 th 9 th 7 th 5

YOU SHOULD

Most Exciting Place in Georgia Safest City in Georgia Best Places in Georgia Movoto Best Cities to Live in Georgia Credit Donkey

Be Here

For more information, visit www.duluthga.net

SIPPIN’ IN THE SUBURBS Join Explore Gwinnett and Southern Beer Tours for Gwinnett’s only brewery tour. Locations rotate on each tour and includes 3 stops.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit SouthernBeerTours.com

WELCOME Welcome to Gwinnett

“What dish could you eat over and over?” Explore Gwinnett staffers share their picks.

We are so excited to share the 2020 Explore Gwinnett magazine with our visitors as well as our locals. Even those who have spent time in Gwinnett may not realize the hidden gems in and around our county—places like the Suwanee Creek Greenway or the bike trails at Yellow River Park. Shopping and dining in the artsy downtowns of Duluth, Norcross, Suwanee, and Lawrenceville. Eight breweries, including Anderby, Slow Pour, Stillfire, and Social Fox. (Look out for brewery tours beginning in 2020!) Learn about the places and spaces where our locals love to relax, dine, and drink, and read spotlights on artisans, filmmakers, and restaurateurs. One “can’t-miss” experience for residents and visitors alike is exploring our diverse mix of multicultural destinations, dining districts, and neighborhoods. Whether it’s taking a guided tour of the stunning BAPS Hindu Mandir (one of the largest in the U.S). or spending a day exploring the Korean dining options in the “Seoul of the South,” you’ll broaden your horizons in Gwinnett. Gwinnett’s known for its great schools, parks, and family-friendly vibe, so it’s no surprise you’ll find a plethora of family-oriented events, concerts, festivals, markets, and outdoor activities. Some of my favorites include catching a show at Medieval Times, zip-lining at Treetop Quest, watching one of our three professional sports teams (Gwinnett Stripers, Atlanta Gladiators, and Georgia Swarm) play, or exploring one of Gwinnett’s 50 award-winning parks. It’s an easy drive into Atlanta, where visits are elevated by stops at Ponce City Market, the Atlanta Beltline, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, and much, much more. Visit our website at exploregwinnett.org for a preview of what your next visit holds. Lisa Anders, Executive Director

Anything from Rico’s World Kitchen in Buford, but if I must choose, then Nett’s Lumpia for a starter and the apricot ham and brie on grilled French bread! Suzanne Corbin Administrative Assistant

Moo Yang (grilled BBQ pork skewers with sticky rice and jeow som sauce) from SriThai Kitchen & Sushi Bar in Duluth. Anne Chen Senior Sales Manager

Pepperoni and sausage pizza from Fini’s Pizzeria in Lawrenceville. Amazing pizza that will make you want to keep coming back, which I do constantly. Joey Munoz Sales Coordinator

Lowcountry shrimp and grits at 1910 Public House in Lilburn! Victoria Hawkins Marketing Communications Director

PUBLISHED BY

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Sean McGinnis A SSOCI ATE P UB LI SH E R

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E D I TORI AL D I REC TOR

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D E SI GN D I REC TOR

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Elizabeth Florio

GET IN TOUCH

ART D I REC TOR

Carson Shadwell

Jennifer Rainey Marquez Lisa Mowry Lia Picard Tony Rehagen Jennifer Senator Ale Sharpton Kelundra Smith P ROD UC TI ON D I REC TOR

Whitney Tomasino CONTRI B UTI NG P H OTOGRAP H E RS

Kate Awtrey The Cork Brothers Gregory Miller Jonathan Phillips

P ROOFRE AD E R

u facebook.com/exploregwinnett

Sara McCabe CONTRI BUTI NG WRI TE RS

6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 200 Duluth, Georgia 30097 770.623.3600, exploregwinnett.org

2 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

u instagram.com/exploregwinnett u pinterest.com/exploregwinnett

Candice Dyer Blake Guthrie Lane Holman

I LLUSTRATOR

Olivia Brotheridge Sarah Gonzales Cover and interior photography courtesy of Explore Gwinnett.

FOR ALL THE

excitement NORTH OF THE ATL

DowntownLawrencevilleGA.com

www.

#TheDTL

@The_DTL

FEATURES Duluth Town Green (PAGE 30)

THE TOP 10 REASONS TO LOVE GWINNETT

Whether you’re a hometown tourist or just passing through, don’t skip these essential experiences. BY L ANE HO LMAN

GETTIN’ WET IN GWINNETT

Cast a line, soak up nature, get in a workout, or just beat the heat at these aquatic attractions. BY BL AKE GUT HRIE

34 38 44

STREET CRED

Where to go— and what to order— when you’re craving authentic Korean street food. BY LIA PIC ARD

50 FREE (OR CHEAP) THINGS TO DO

Get your fill of fun without emptying your wallet at destinations around Gwinnett.

Suwanee Creek Greenway (PAGE 38)

StillFire Brewing (PAGE 26)

Seoul of the South Food Tour (PAGE 34)

4 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

HERE FOR THE BEER Your ultimate guide to Gwinnett breweries.

BY ALE SHARPT O N

make memories Birthdays | Weddings | Reunions Class Parties | Team Celebrations

Locations

Pavilions | Historic Venues Pools | Gymnasiums Community Rooms

Learn more! GwinnettParks.com 770.822.8840

DEPARTMENTS

70 66

ATTRACTIONS 48

A Place of Peace

Live from Gwinnett

Arts Center

Lilburn’s magnificent Hindu temple A tour of top music venues Galleries, theaters, public art, and more

Industry Types

Meet three locals making movie magic

All for Sport

Secret Gardens

The buzz on Gwinnett’s pro teams 7 parks with unexpected discoveries

58 6 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

DINING 60

Where the Locals Eat

Residents share their favorite dining spots

Farm Fresh

Off the Chain

Sampling Gwinnett’s agricultural bounty Outstanding independently owned restaurants

SHOPPING

70 My Favorite Shops A shopping trip with designer Jasmine Elder

Thrill of the Hunt

Where to score offbeat and handmade treasures

OTHER 8 10 12 22 74 76 80

Contributors Who We Are Cities & Neighborhoods Calendar Social Media Resources Map

A THRILLING THRILLING ADVENTURE ADVENTUREOF OFAALIFETIME LIFETIMEFOR FORAGES AGES4 4AND ANDUP! UP! A

AERIAL AERIALADVENTURE ADVENTUREPARKS PARKS&&ZIPLINES ZIPLINES

! ! e d e i d s i s d l i d l w i r w u r o u y e r o Expl Youth YouthGroups GroupsChurch ChurchRetreats Retreats Wedding WeddingEvents EventsFamily FamilyReunions Reunions Corporate Events Corporate EventsSchools Schools BOOK YOUR BOOK YOUREXPERIENCE EXPERIENCENOW NOW

WWW.TREETOPQUEST.COM WWW.TREETOPQUEST.COM Gwinnett, GA Gwinnett, GA

Dunwoody, GA Dunwoody, GA

Greenville, SC Greenville, SC

#treetopquest #treetopquest

Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia, PA

CONTRIBUTORS

CANDICE DYER Candice Dyer is a freelance writer based in North Georgia. She has been a staff writer for Atlanta magazine, and her work has appeared in Garden & Gun, Paste, Men’s Journal, Country Living, Georgia Trend, and HGTV. She published Street Singers, Soul Shakers, and Rebels With a Cause: Music from Macon by Indigo Press.

LIA PICARD Freelance journalist Lia Picard writes about food, travel, and design. Her work appears in several local and national publications including the Washington Post, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Wine Enthusiast, and Atlanta magazine. She loves meeting interesting people from all over the metro area and sharing their stories. Picard calls Dunwoody home along with her husband, daughter, and pup. 8 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

BLAKE GUTHRIE Blake Guthrie's work has appeared in USA Today, Huffington Post, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, among many other print and online publications. He was the first-ever journalist to interview John Mayer— before the fame and the tattoos—in a Buckhead coffeshop in early 2001 when the singer was still living in Atlanta. Guthrie attended Auburn University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications.

TONY REHAGEN Freelance journalist Tony Rehagen remembers his first experience at a Georgia Swarm box lacrosse game at Infinite Energy Arena. “It was so fast and exciting,” he says. “And the crowd was really into it. The thrill was contagious.” Rehagen wrote a primer for new fans, as well as a roundup of Gwinnett sports teams on page 56. His work has appeared in Politico, Bloomberg Businessweek, the Boston Globe, and Popular Mechanics.

LANE HOLMAN Native Atlantan Lane Holman enjoys being nosy for a living. When she’s not exploring or eating and drinking and talking with people, she edits magazines and newspapers and writes medical and technical copy for some lucky clients. She has worked nearly everywhere you can think of. Lane and her husband, Curt, live next to Peachtree Creek, where they keep an eye on a household menagerie that includes a wonderful teenager and at least one crazy dog.

JENNIFER SENATOR An Atlanta native, Jennifer Senator lived in Norcross until she was 10. A former senior editor for Atlanta magazine, Senator has contributed to publications such as the New York Post, Food Network magazine, Town & Country, and Frommer’s travel guides. For this publication she interviewed Gwinnettians about their favorite places to eat and discovered several new and notable restaurants.

JENNIFER RAINEY MARQUEZ Jennifer Rainey Marquez grew up in Gwinnett County in the Norcross area, and lives in Atlanta with her family. She is a longtime magazine editor who has held staff positions at Atlanta magazine, Parade magazine, O: The Oprah Magazine, and Women’s Health, among others. Now a communications director at Georgia State University and a freelance writer, Marquez has contributed to publications such as Garden & Gun, Parents, AARP: The Magazine, and Southbound.

ALE SHARPTON Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, copywriter, and creative director for numerous projects. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta, Georgia, his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on Twitter (@alesharpton) and captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).

LISA MOWRY In the 25 years she has been writing about homes and neighborhoods for magazines such as Traditional Home and Better Homes & Gardens, Mowry has covered all areas of metro Atlanta—including gorgeous neighborhoods in Gwinnett County. For 20 years she has served as the homes editor for Atlanta magazine and Atlanta Magazine’s HOME. Lisa lives on Marietta Square, where she can walk to the historic downtown area just two blocks away.

KELUNDRA SMITH Kelundra Smith is a freelance arts journalist based in Atlanta. Her work has been published in the New York Times, Food & Wine, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta magazine, American Theatre, and other publications. She is also the co-chair of the American Theatre Critics Association’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Follow her on Instagram @anotherpieceofkay or on Twitter @pieceofkay.

Snellville’s Vision is 2020! Snellville’s “downtown” was always considered the intersection of highways 124 and 78. Things are about to change in 2020 when the city breaks ground on The Grove at Towne Center which will feature luxury apartments, unique shops and restaurants, a city market and a new Elizabeth Williams Public Library. Currently in Snellville, you’ll find friendly people and a charming community in which to live, work and play. That and job opportunities galore, a strong median income and low cost of living, a state of the art hospital and recreation for any and all who call Snellville home. Snellville’s roots are in commerce, big and small. The city’s co-founders’ Snell & Sawyer Store, along with refreshing local rest stops for travelers paved the way more than a hundred years later for The Grove at Towne Center, the latest in live/work/learn/play communities, breaking ground this Summer, and becoming the downtown destination. For the influx of people and businesses moving in every day, Snellville is on the rise. Be part of the transformation as we see our vision for 2020 become reality.

www.Snellville.org

EXPLORE GWINNETT INITIATIVES SEOUL OF THE SOUTH™ Explore Gwinnett’s immersive Korean restaurant tour takes place at local restaurants and bakeries (via a trolley no less). You’ll learn about the rise of unique (and delicious) Korean culture in Gwinnett while receiving details about the food you try. Tours are on specific Saturdays and last about four hours. seoulofthesouth tour.com

GWINNETT BURGER WEEK

Who We Are xplore Gwinnett, the marketing brand for the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB), is Gwinnett County’s official tourism organization. It is dedicated to strengthening Gwinnett’s economy by marketing the county as a destination for conventions, sporting events, meetings, and leisure travel through sales, marketing, and promotion. Explore Gwinnett also houses the Gwinnett Sports Commission and Camera Ready Film Office (gwinnettfilm.com), and the GCVB Board of Directors oversees the operations and management of the Infinite Energy Center. Explore Gwinnett’s website is full of helpful information, including a guide to Gwinnett’s neighborhoods and cities; suggested itineraries and a calendar of events; local stories and interviews with prominent residents; and a directory of attractions, dining, shopping, and hotels. It also features a variety of complimentary services for planning the perfect family reunion or wedding in Gwinnett, including information on meeting planning, convention services, hotel rooms, activities, and transportation. exploregwinnett.org

10 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

This March tradition invites restaurants around Gwinnett to create $7 specialty burgers that the public can sample for seven days. A one-day Burger Battle offers the chance to taste them all in one place while enjoying outdoor music and fun. gwinnett burgerweek.com

ARTOBER

This month-long, county-wide event held every fall celebrates all things related to the arts in Gwinnett. Highlights include special performances, discounts to arts venues, pop-up demos, buskers, and daily public art events. artober.org

GWINNETT CREATIVITY FUND

Explore Gwinnett manages Gwinnett County’s first ever arts and culture grant fund to educate, elevate, and inspire arts organizations in Gwinnett. gwinnettcreativity fund.com

GWINNETT TOURISM EDUCATION PROGRAM (GTEP) Explore Gwinnett’s free education program for the Gwinnett hospitality industry provides information on the county’s downtowns, attractions, shopping, parks, history, and heritage sites through continuing education and enrichment seminars. exploregwinnett. org/partners/gtep

GWINNETT SPORTS COMMISSION (GSC) The GSC’s mission is to foster economic development through sports events involving youth, collegiate, amateur, and professional organizations. The GSC helps athletic organizations locate and plan sporting events. It also hosts the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, a PGA Tour Champions event, each spring. gwinnettsports commission.com

Experience It All Set inside an 11th-century style castle, the two-hour action-packed tournament begins. Cheer for your knight as he competes to be named Champion of the Realm. Dine on a "hands-on" four-course feast and witness authentic jousting, sword fighting, and medieval games of skill. Watch in awe as magnificent Andalusian stallions perform the beautiful art of dressage and a rare falcon takes flight above the Grand Arena.

Perfect Place for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Company Outings, Holiday Parties or any Occasion! For reservations, visit medievaltimes.com 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 (Located at Sugarloaf Mills Mall)

CITIES & NEIGHBORHOODS

Get to know the distinct, vibrant communities that make up Gwinnett

Suwanee Creek Greenway



Tannery Row Artist Colony

BUFORD

This one-time factory town was home to Bona Allen Tannery, the nation’s largest producer of leather goods. Today, those turn-ofthe-century buildings have been reborn as shops, restaurants, galleries—even an artists’ colony. EAT: Try comfort food from around the world, from fried green tomatoes to Filipino eggrolls, at Rico’s World Kitchen. Located in a former piano bar, Tani Thai is a popular date spot serving classic Thai curries, noodles, and soups. Inside the old Bona Allen building, you’ll find the rustic, lofty BareBones Steakhouse in the space once occupied by saddlery and harness-making shops. SHOP: Further Down the Rabbit Hole stocks an eclectic mix of women’s clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Browse decor, candles, soaps, and clothing at Painted Tree Marketplace, which houses a number of boutiques and artisan vendors under one roof. More than 20 artists belong to the Tannery Row Artist Colony, making it the perfect place to find a locally made treasure.

Further Down the Rabbit Hole

12 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Rico's World Kitchen

DO: The Buford Community Center is the city’s cultural hub. There, you’ll find the intimate Sylvia Beard Theatre, which hosts plays, dance troupes, and musical acts, and the 1,800-seat Town Park Amphitheatre, where you can take in concerts and movies under the stars. Learn about the town’s unique history at the Buford Museum on the Community Center’s ground floor. —J.M.

AN ALL NEW EXPERIENCE

WHERE FUN COMES

Naturally

COME PLAY, STAY AND GET AWAY. As Georgia's number one attraction, Stone Mountain Park offers a 3,200-acre natural wonderland — full of year-round excitement for every member of the family. The world's largest piece of exposed granite is just the beginning of the unique attractions you'll find at Stone Mountain Park. ALL NEW Dinosaur Explore, a prehistoric creature experience! Step back in time and embark on an exciting adventure at Dinosaur Explore featuring more than 20 life-size dinosaurs moving and roaring like their ancient ancestors. Located on wooded trails, this captivating creature collection includes many prehistoric favorites: a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex, a gentle, plant-eating Brachiosaurus towering overhead nearly two stories tall, a Stegosaurus known for its powerful spiked tail, a three-horned Triceratops, a winged Pteranodon and more! This all-new interactive storytelling encounter also includes paleontology tents, giant dinosaur footprints, a dino feeding area, fantastic photo ops and an all-new Dino meet and greet experience for kids of all ages to enjoy.

For complete information, including special Marriott vacation packages, please visit stonemountainpark.com or call 770.498.5690.

CITIES & NEIGHBORHOODS 

Personify

DULUTH

Named after the railroad that once connected the town to its sister city in Minnesota, Duluth is now a hub for music fans, food lovers, and history buffs. Its beating heart is the Town Green, home to an amphitheater, a splash pad, and a wide lawn for lounging. EAT: Tuck into the famous Grandma Pie—loaded with handmade dough, mozzarella, family red sauce, and basil—at cult favorite O4W Pizza. Or try Noona for Asian flavors melded with American classics, all chased down with Prohibition-era cocktails. At Maple Street Biscuits, buttery biscuit sandwiches come stuffed with fried chicken and other fixings. Indecisive? Head to Truck & Tap, where every day brings a new food truck and selection of craft beer. SHOP: A mother-daughter team runs the whimsical women’s clothing and home accessories boutique Personify, which sells everything from jumpsuits to funny mugs. Find all sorts of gourmet goodies, including signature olive oils and vinegars, at German export Vom Fass.

Eddie Owen Presents

O4W Pizza

DO: Eddie Owens Presents combines a music school with a 260-seat venue for the best singer-songwriters. Learn about locomotive history at the Southeastern Railway Museum, where more than 90 vintage rail cars are on display. Or create art at paint-your-own-pottery shop Eye Candy Art Studio. —T.M.

LAWRENCEVILLE  Gwinnett’s oldest city and county seat celebrates its bicentennial next year, and the pedestrian-friendly downtown still retains plenty of vintage charm. Stroll by historic storefronts or sprawl out on the Lawrenceville Lawn, a greenspace that regularly hosts community events. EAT: Enjoy craft beer, cocktails, and pub favorites like steak frites at McCray’s Tavern. Join the crowds for breakfast at the Peachtree Cafe, a homey diner serving crepes and seasonal waffles. Strange Taco Bar offers 20 different kinds of meat or veggie tacos; wash it all down with a frozen marg. Get your caffeine fix at Boulder Creek Coffee, where you’ll find pour-overs, espressos, and specialty teas.

Slow Pour Brewing Company

NV Bath and Body Bar

SHOP: Spend your weekend digging through the stacks at Depot Records vinyl shop. Browse natural and local skincare products at NV Bath and Body Bar, or restock your spice cabinet at Nancy’s Candy and Spice, which sells more than 100 fresh spices and seasoning blends along with specialty foods. DO: AR Workshop is a chain of DIY art studios where you can create household decor out of everyday materials. Inside Slow Pour Brewing Company’s 3,000-square-foot tasting room, sample IPAs, sours, and seasonal offerings on tap. (A new downtown brewery, Ironshield Brewing, is opening soon.) Aurora Theatre stages award-winning productions on two stages inside a historic former church. —J.M. 14 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Strange Taco Bar

rew c r u o y feed

’ n i h not ue! c ’ t u b

NOW OPEN IN STONE MOUNTAIN!

ING ERY - CATER IV L E D P U IC K DINE IN - P

Full Bar & Patio Operated by Rowland Edward, 30-year restauranteur Managed by Chef Billy Abrams, formerly of the Atlanta Hawks Stone Mountain Square Shopping Center GPS - 2000 Bentley Drive, Stone Mountain 5370 Stone Mtn Hwy, #5 | Exit 9 off Stone Mtn Hwy | At the foot of Stone Mtn

678-889-0065 dickeys.com

Bar Opening May ’20 • Patio Opening June ’20

CITIES & NEIGHBORHOODS 

LILBURN

New developments are livening up the city’s charming Main Street, while new residents are adding multicultural flair to this former railroad town. Lilburn is also home to one of metro Atlanta’s architectural wonders, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. EAT: Restaurant, wine bar, and market Three Blind Mice gets its name from its three owners’ commitment to blind-tasting (and serving) the best beverages. 1910 Public House serves gourmet Southern classics like fried green tomatoes with a blueberry-balsamic reduction. Located at Lilburn City Park, Agavero Cantina Parkside is the only double-decker bus restaurant in the county. SHOP: There are tons of treasures to be found in 6,000-square-foot Antiques in Old Town. Housed in a 1910-era red-brick building, the store swaps out decor with the season but always sells furniture, collectibles, candles, and cards. Also find artists markets and crafting classes. DO: Residents can be found walking dogs and jogging through the 10-acre City Park that leads to the multi-use Camp Creek Greenway. Near the park in the city's downtown, the award-winning Lilburn Tunnel Bridge Mural beckons visitors to take a second look, while Music on Main Street offers music lessons, live music events, and a special event space. Taste small-batch vodka, gin, and absinthe at Hope Springs Distillery, Gwinnett's first distillery since Prohibition. —T.M.

1910 Public House

16 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Downtown Norcross Anna Balkan Jewelry

VSOP Taproom



NORCROSS

This suburb was built along a busy rail line, and the historic downtown remains a thriving commercial district. The city center is bookended by two picturesque parks: Thrasher Park, which houses a bandshell and large playground, and Lillian Webb Park, a newer greenspace with a splash pad. EAT: At Dominick's, dig into huge portions of Italian favorites inside an atmospheric space (think historic pressed-tin ceilings and exposed brick). There are also plenty of Italian classics on the menu at Paizanos, but the restaurant is known for its New York–style pies. Located inside the old train station, the Crossing is an upscale steakhouse and cocktail bar. Sip your martini on the patio for a view of passing trains. Tucked inside a charming cottage, the Bleu House is a popular weekday lunch spot serving sandwiches, salads, and wraps. SHOP: Peruse one-of-a-kind gifts and home decor at Antique Traditions, or try on colorful handcrafted baubles made from semi-precious stones at Anna Balkan Jewelry. Pick up a whole new outfit—and plenty of fun accessories—at women's boutique Glitter G. DO: Downtown Norcross hosts a slate of events all year long. For example, sample wines and browse artists' displays at October's Art Splash & Wine Festival, or take in the city lights from a horse-drawn carriage during the holidays. You can also stop by VSOP Taproom any day of the week to savor a selection of extra-virgin olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, and other unique products. —J.M.

SHOP. SAVOR. DISCOVER. Imagine a place where new ideas are born, nurtured and brought to life. Imagine a place where all members of the community shape the culture, unique personalities are recognized and similarities are celebrated. Imagine a place where innovative business ideas can take root and flourish and imaginative new residents can plug in and feel at home. All of this and more can be found in Norcross…a place to imagine.

www.aplacetoimagine.com

CITIES & NEIGHBORHOODS PEACHTREE CORNERS 

Noble Fin

Gwinnett’s newest city is also its largest, home to high-tech companies and tranquil greenspaces, including seven miles along the Chattahoochee River. Residents love to gather at the Town Center, a restaurant hotspot and hangout for civic events. EAT: A darling of food critics, Noble Fin is a destination restaurant known for sophisticated seafood and steaks. Farm Burger puts a healthy spin on burgers and fries; go classic, or pair a vegan burger with sweet-potato hush puppies. Grilled steaks and seafood are also the stars at rustic-casual Firebirds Wood-Fired Grill. With an emphasis on seasonal dishes and excellent wine, Grace 17:20 offers a cheerful place to dine al fresco. SHOP: The Forum is a one-stop, pedestrian-friendly destination. Locally based boutiques such as Fab’rik and Swoozies are tucked in among well-known names such as Barnes & Noble and Pottery Barn. DO: Head to the Town Center for events like a free summer concert series, yoga classes, Flicks on the Green, and a night market. For a dose of fresh air, hit the trails at Simpsonwood and Jones Bridge parks, both situated along the Chattahoochee. —L.M.

First Watch

The Forum



Jones Bridge Park

SNELLVILLE

Close to Stone Mountain Park and just about halfway between Atlanta and Athens, the quaint town of Snellville is known for its award-winning schools, quiet neighborhoods, and top-notch farmers market. The forthcoming Grove and Towne Center development will bring unique shops and restaurants, a city market, and a new public library to the town's heart. EAT: Elevating ice cream to art, Roll It Up offers frozen treats in rolled or liquid nitrogen form. First Watch satisfies the breakfast and lunch crowd, whether they’re craving French toast or avocado toast. Craft beer and a casual patio define the vibe at Lincoln Fill Station. SHOP: Each Saturday June through September, the Snellville Farmers Market offers home-grown produce and foods—from local honey to shrimp fresh from the Atlantic— along with crafts, entertainment, and more.

T.W. Briscoe Park

Dragon Queen

18 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

DO: With athletic fields, a pool, three playgrounds, and more, T.W. Briscoe Park is the place for recreation. Wouldbe artists can take home their own painting from Masterpiece Mixers, where the teachers provide all the materials (but it’s BYOB). Sample small-batch wines and meads from Dragon Queen, a micro-winery that shares space with Operation Homebrew. —L.M.

You Are Invited... Come, enjoy the new Peachtree Corners Town Center Stroll the shops, enjoy the array of restaurants from casual to elegant dining Discover the two-acre Town Green featuring two open-air pavilions, performance stage, large screen TVs, café tables and children play area On the Town Green – relax – take in an outdoor concert – dine under the stars Enjoy Upscale Dine-in Theater

The Peachtree Corners Town Center is located at 5200 Town Center Boulevard, directly across from The Forum on Peachtree Parkway

Peachtree Corners is the Place to Be 678-691-1200 peachtreecornersga.gov facebook.com/peachtreecornersga/

CITIES & NEIGHBORHOODS Sugar Hill Splash Pad

SUWANEE  Named one of the best small communities in the U.S. by Money magazine, Suwanee excels in public spaces—like Town Center, a mixed-use development curving around a vibrant park, or the scenic multi-use greenways that connect popular recreation areas. EAT: Bottles & Bones offers a modern take on a steakhouse; linger in the piano lounge after your meal. Tequila Mama Taqueria makes tacos and margaritas from scratch, melding cuisines from Latin America and Asia. Craving French? La Belle Vie specializes in refined yet approachable fare like a Confit & Brie Burger.

SUGAR HILL p The city got its name from a wagon that leaked sugar all over the highest hill. These days, the sweetest place to be is the Bowl at Sugar Hill, an outdoor concert hall where you can catch national touring acts and, depending on the season, bring the kids to a splash pad or ice rink.

SHOP: Head to Town Center and pick up the perfect weekend outfit at Dress Up, a women’s boutique with trendy dresses, shoes, and jewelry. A few doors down is Panache, a consignment shop selling designer handbags, prom dresses, and more. DO: In Town Center Park, stroll the SculpTour to see an ever-changing display of public art. Georgia’s largest organic community garden is located at Harvest Farm—76 raised beds full of veggies and herbs. Walk the picturesque lake trail at Sims Lake Park, or look for bike-sharing kiosks all around Suwanee (the first three hours are free). Rainy day? Stay active with bowling, rock climbing, and more indoor fun at Main Event. —L.M.

EAT: Start with coffee and brunch at Swiss chalet–themed Rushing Trading Company. Next, nosh on sports-bar standards like pretzels and wings at Central City Tavern. Or bite into one of Knuckie’s hoagies in combos like Italian or BLT. At Daddy O’Brien’s, bartenders scoop up alcohol-infused ice cream; flavors include white Russian and bananas foster. SHOP: Named after the Hebrew word for breakthrough, Perazim offers clothing, accessories, and home goods from brands that benefit women’s causes. All-ages women’s retailer Native Cotton sells a mix of classic and bohemian clothing and accessories, from jumpsuits to denim. DO: Compete with friends to hit the bullseye in the two private lanes at Axe Master Throwing. For a less intense sport, swing through the 18-hole Sugar Hill Golf Club, where 6,423 yards of Bermuda grass offer a par of 72. —T.M. 20 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Dress Up SculpTour

La Belle Vie

“My name is Nicholas, and I’m a published author...”

It all started

at the library.

START YOUR STORY AT

#StartYourStory #ShareYourStory

gwinnettlibrary.org

CALENDAR

C alendar of Events

Gwinnett keeps the good times rolling with food, music, festivals, and fun all year long Due to COVID-19, numerous events have been canceled or postponed. Please visit events.exploregwinnett.org for the most up-to-date information.

Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest

JANUARY The Ice Rink at Sugar Hill, Sugar Hill City Hall Lace up your skates and glide around the Southeast’s largest covered ice skating rink. icerinkatsugarhill.com

Snow Mountain, Stone Mountain Park Build snowmen, shoot snowballs, and go tubing at Atlanta’s official destination for snow-packed fun. stonemountainpark.com

Gwinnett County MLK Parade, Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center The community honors Martin Luther King Jr. with a parade, performances, a voter registration drive, and more. gwinnettmlkparade.com

Georgia Swarm Opener, Infinite Energy Arena

The Fly Fishing Show, Infinite Energy Forum

Fishermen will fall hook, line, and sinker for this consumer fly fishing show offering speakers, classes, demos, products, a film festival, and more. flyfishingshow.com

22 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

FEBRUARY

MARCH

North Atlanta Home Show, Infinite Energy Forum

Irish Fest Norcross, Downtown Norcross

More than 150 companies display the latest in home improvement products and services. northatlanta homeshow.com

Norcross bids you fáilte (welcome) with Irish whiskey tastings, an authentic Irish brunch, book signings, dancing, and a Celtic music concert. aplacetoimagine.com

St. Paddy’s on Perry, Downtown Lawrenceville This annual tradition brings cold brews, hearty Irish fare, outdoor performances, and plenty of fun for the kids to Perry Street. downtown lawrencevillega.com

Calling All Carnivores

2021 Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest, Town Center Park

Starting in March 2021, the beloved Burgers + Brews Week will get a new name—Gwinnett Burger Week—but offer the same meaty appeal: $7 specialty burgers at participating restaurants around Gwinnett, available for seven days only. A one-day Burger Battle invites the public to sample them all in one place and vote for the champion. gwinnettburgerweek.com

This epic celebration includes unlimited samples of 300-plus craft brews, plus live music, games, food vendors, and a home brew contest. suwanee beerfest.com

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The professional indoor lacrosse team kicks off its season, which runs through April. georgiaswarm.com

food, a car show, kids' activities, and arts and crafts vendors. (The 2020 event has been moved to fall.) peachtreecornersfestival.com

Gwinnett Stripers

Lilburn Food Truck Tuesdays, Lilburn City Park

Visit the food trucks and enjoy live entertainment the second Tuesday of the month, June through October. cityoflilburn.com

Flicks on the Green, Peachtree Corners Town Green Snack on popcorn and sweet treats while enjoying iconic films. June, August, and October. peachtreecornersga.gov

APRIL 2021 Gwinnett Stripers Opening Day, Coolray Field The Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A affiliate offers big-name action with a small-town feel. (The 2020 season will begin in July.) gostripers.com

MAY

Live at the DTL Concert Series, Lawrenceville Lawn Enjoy free live music September through November. downtown lawrencevillega.com

Movies Under the Stars Summer Concert Series, Mall of Georgia

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with food vendors selling Georgia's best tacos, a tequila tasting exhibition, and more fun. duluthga.net

On Friday evenings, the Village Amphitheater hosts a live band and screens a family-friendly movie. Bounce houses and food vendors round out the fun. Movies run from May to July, concerts from May to September. simon.com

Snellville Beach Blast

JUNE

El Señor Taco Festival, Duluth Town Green

Oak Road transforms into beachfront property with 70 tons of sand, a water slide, a bungee jump, a watermelon-eating contest, and more sun-filled fun. snellvilletourism.com

2021 Peachtree Corners Festival, Peachtree Corners Town Green This free event kicks off with a Friday night concert and continues all weekend with good

Art on the Chattahoochee, Jones Bridge Park, Peachtree Corners

Join in on a first-time virtual summer block party and celebration of music. suwanee.com

JULY Sparks in the Park, E.E. Robinson Park, Sugar Hill Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display, live music, inflatables, rides, and more. Blankets, chairs, food, and coolers are welcome. cityofsugarhill.com

Sparkle in the Park, Lilburn City Park Lilburn’s biggest annual event includes balloon artists, bounce houses, music, food trucks, and of course, fireworks. cityoflilburn.com

A Colorful Affair Get your creative juices flowing all through May during Duluth Art Month. Enjoy outdoor music and theatrical performances, stroll around the Town Green in a lantern parade, take an art walk in Parsons Alley, and participate in an art-themed scavenger hunt around the city. The centerpiece is the Duluth Arts Festival, a two-day outdoor juried festival showcasing works by more than 60 artists. duluthartsfestival.com

Star-Spangled Snellville, Snellville Towne Green Catch some of the best fireworks in the Southeast, plus great music and family fun throughout the day. snellville tourism.com

Gone to the Dogs

Artists showcase their work on the banks of the Chattahoochee, while kids make crafts and sidewalk chalk art. gwinnettparks.com

Movies on the Lawn, Lawrenceville Lawn Visit the food trucks before catching a family-friendly flick. The free series, held the second Friday of each month, runs through July. downtown lawrencevillega.com

Suwanee Porch Jam, Old Town Suwanee

Duluth Art Month

Woofstock

For two days in August (and in 2021, May), Atlanta's pet-friendliest event takes over Suwanee’s Town Center Park. Star 94’s Woofstock draws some 40,000 animal lovers, making it one of the largest pet adoption events in the Southeast. In addition to tons of furry cuteness, attendees will find Frisbee dog demos, live music, food trucks, and pet-themed vendors. Your own pooch is welcome, of course, but must be on a leash. star941atlanta.radio.com/woofstock EXPLORE GWINNET T • 23

CALENDAR Midsummer Kids Dream, Peachtree Corners Town Green

Enjoy live music from July through September, with beer and wine available for purchase. snellvilletourism.com

Let the kids run wild with obstacle courses, rock climbing, face painting, prizes, and more. peachtreecornersga.gov

Jazz in the Alley, Downtown Norcross This monthly summer event (July, August, September) brings live jazz to Betty Mauldin Park—plus chef specials to-go from local restaurants. aplacetoimagine.com

Atlanta British Car Fayre

AUGUST August Concert & Wing Festival, Town Center Park, Suwanee This annual bash pairs music with tasty samples from local wing joints (plus a wing-eatingcontest). suwanee.com

SEPTEMBER

festival, which includes plenty of vendors, music, beer, and wine. snellvilletourism.com

Enjoy the Kentucky Derby on the big screen, live blues music, a hat contest, and after the race, a family-friendly movie. peachtreecornersga.gov

Gwinnett County Fair, Gwinnett County Fairgrounds

This seasonal celebration draws 50,000 visitors for a parade, 5K run, concert, carnival, and silent auction. duluthfallfestival.org

Taste of Snellville, Snellville Towne Green

Every September, the streets of downtown Norcross open up for one of the Southeast’s biggest, best, and decidedly most British car shows. At the Atlanta British Car Fayre, admire more than 400 classic automobiles and motorcycles (think vintage Bentleys and Aston Martins), shop a community car boot sale (basically a garage sale out of your trunk), sample traditional English fare, and even hop aboard a double-decker bus. atlantabritishcarfayre.com 24 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Lawrenceville is metro Atlanta’s oldest city, and plenty of paranormal activity has been reported in its historic downtown storefronts. Every night in October, the Aurora Theatre hosts Lawrenceville Ghost Tours, in which storytellers in period costume illuminate these supernatural tales. A cemetery tour is also available (patrons must be over 13), while a haunted pub crawl lures the 21-and-over crowd. scarystroll.com

Blues & Derby, Peachtree Corners Town Green

Duluth Fall Festival, Duluth Town Green

British Invasion

A Good Scare

Local chefs prepare their favorite foods at this popular outdoor food

Yellow Daisy Festival

OCTOBER Norcross Art Splash & Wine Festival, Historic Downtown Norcross

It’s the best of down-home fun at this annual fair, including livestock shows, pageants, BMX stunts, carnival rides, and the requisite sweet treats and fried food. gwinnettcountyfair.com

Welcome fall by perusing a wine market, jewelry, photography, folk art, and other offerings from regional artisans, all while enjoying tasty bites and live music. aplacetoimagine.com

Yellow Daisy Festival, Stone Mountain Park

Howl on the Green, Duluth Town Green

More than 400 artists and crafters display their work during the festival, which also includes music, kids activities, and craft demonstrations. stonemountainpark.com

Bring kids, friends, and pets for a night of sweet treats, great food, and spooky entertainment, including fire dancers and mystical creatures. duluthga.net

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Live on the Lawn Concert Series, Snellville Towne Green

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Get away to Lilburn! Exciting, diverse, and tasty, Lilburn is home to a magnificent Hindu temple, a charming greenway trail, great restaurants serving dishes from every corner of the globe, and a calendar full of music, arts, and events.

City of Lilburn 340 Main St., Lilburn, GA 30047 770-921-2210 • cityoflilburn.com

CityofLilburn

CALENDAR Suwanee Wine Fest, Town Center Park, Suwanee Sample more than 100 wines and craft beers while enjoying food and music. suwaneewinefest.com

Diwali & Annakut Celebration, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Five days of cultural programs, entertainment, and fireworks mark Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, one of the most auspicious days on the Hindu calendar. baps.org/atlanta

DECEMBER Hometown Christmas Parade, Historic Downtown Lawrenceville Snellville Fall Festival, Snellville Towne Green Celebrate the season with craft vendors, kids activities, live music, and costume contests (four-legged friends included). snellvilletourism.com

Atlanta Gladiators Season Opener, Infinite Energy Arena Gwinnett’s minor league hockey team kicks off its hard-hitting season, which runs through April. atlantagladiators.com

Lilburn Daze, Lilburn City Park The Lilburn Woman’s Club and the City of Lilburn join forces for this fun arts and crafts event with entertainment, rides, food trucks, workshops, and more. lilburndaze.org

Suwanee Fine Arts Festival, Town Center Park This two-day arts festival offers a chalk art walk, food trucks, and an upscale art experience. ngaa4arts.com

Sugar Rush, the Bowl at Sugar Hill

The city of Sugar Hill’s annual fall festival features carnival rides, artist stalls, a juried art show, a concert, food vendors, and loads of family fun. cityofsugarhill.com

Stone Mountain Highland Games, Stone Mountain Park The meadows of Stone Mountain transform into the Scottish Highlands, with pipe and drum bands, demonstrations, and athletic challenges. smhg.org

Netherworld Haunted House, Stone Mountain Terrifying special effects, spooky monsters, and live actors trying to scare the daylights out of you fill this haunted attraction, named the #1 haunted house in the U.S. fearworld.com

NOVEMBER Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting and Lighted Parade, Snellville Towne Green View a lighted parade, decorate cookies, roast s'mores, and listen to festive music. Santa and the mayor will light the tree. snellvilletourism.com

The Beat Goes On Give the kids an unforgettable cultural immersion at Stone Mountain Park’s Native American Festival and Pow Wow. A four-day November tradition, the pow wow draws Native Americans from across the U.S. and Central America to compete in intertribal dance and drum competitions. Learn about primitive skills such as flint knapping, bow making, and fire starting; crawl inside a tipi and other native dwellings; and get started on your holiday shopping in a one-of-a-kind artists marketplace. stonemountainpark.com 26 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

This annual holiday event features Santa Claus and his reindeer, a light-up parade of festive floats, local marching bands, and other activities. downtownlawrencevillega.com

Holiday Extravaganza on the Town Green, Peachtree Corners

A holiday concert, community procession around the Town Green (complete with Santa riding on the Polar Express), and tree lighting round out this festive celebration. peachtreecornersga.gov

Sparkle! Celebration + Tree Lighting, Downtown Norcross This series of magical holiday events includes a tree lighting, concerts, rides through charming downtown in a horse-drawn carriage, s'more making, and visits with Santa. aplacetoimagine.com

Holiday Celebration, the Bowl at Sugar Hill Get in the holiday spirit with ice skating, carriage rides, a holiday market, and free photos with Santa. thebowlatsugarhill.com For a complete list of events, visit exploregwinnett.org

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Sugar Rush

2200 BUFORD HIGHWAY Buford, GA 30518 PHONE: (770) 945- 6762 WWW.BUFORDCOMMUNITYCENTER.COM WEDDINGS

THEATRE

CORPORATE EVENTS CONCERTS

10 The Top

BY BLAKE GUTHRIE

Broadway and beyond Gwinnett's largest arts organization is already a powerhouse, drawing audiences from all over Atlanta with a mix of top-caliber Broadway productions, contemporary plays, stand-up comedy, and a Spanish-language ensemble. With a spacious new performing arts center under way in downtown Lawrenceville, its future looks even brighter.

3 4

Gwinnett Beer Tours Sippin’ in the suburbs

Feeling hoptastic, seeking a smooth lager, or are you all about the stout? Climb aboard the Southern Beer Tours bus for a pint and educational tour at independent craft breweries like Good Word, Anderby, Slow Pour, and others. Tours are generally offered monthly.

Medieval Times Where fantasy gets real

Inside an 11thcentury-style castle in Lawrenceville, an all-ages audience gets a raucous show complete with royal drama, armored knights chasing each other with pointy weapons, and magnificent stallions performing stunts and dressage. Admission includes a utensil-free dinner.

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Endless outdoor fun

Stone Mountain Park is Georgia’s most visited attraction for a good reason. You can do nearly everything here. At more than 70 stories high, the mountain itself is the world’s biggest piece of exposed granite. Take a one-mile hike or cable-car ride to the summit for breathtaking views. The 3,200-acre grounds offer all manner of recreational pursuits— camping, hiking, boating, golf—along with special attractions like a treetop adventure course and Geyser Towers, a watery playscape.

Reasons to Love Gwinnett

AURORA THEATRE

Stone Mountain Park

Netherworld and Escape the Netherworld Halloween all year long

Not satisfied with terrifying people every fall, the mad geniuses behind the Netherworld brand of haunted houses created Escape the Netherworld, a series of escape rooms open to thrill-seekers year-round. Choose one of several themed experiences, like Tiki Island, Sasquatch, or Nosferatu, and use teamwork to try and outwit your predator.

Tannery Row Artist Colony

Amazing art plus beer

Buford’s sprawling former shoe factory houses more than 20 art studios and hosts daily open houses where visitors can watch painters, potters, sculptors, and jewelrymakers at work. Purchase a piece to take home or just get inspired, then refuel downstairs with beer and barbecue at Tannery Row Ale House.

Parks and More Parks

Room to roam

Gwinnett is home to more than 50 public greenspaces, each with distinct scenery and amenities. Relax beside the rushing waters of historic Freeman’s Mill Park (pictured); stretch your legs on the Suwanee Creek Greenway; unleash the pup at Chattapoochee Dog Park; let the kids romp on playgrounds and wave at passing trains at Thrasher Park; hit the mountain biking trails at Harbins Park; and so much more.

International Dining

Global fare at your fingertips

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Foodies can travel the world without leaving Gwinnett, whether filling up on handmade tortillas at Norcross’ Pupuseria Kings Cafe, Korean barbecue at Honey Pig in Duluth, award-winning Szechuan cuisine at Duluth’s Masterpiece, or bubble tea and pastries at Mozart Bakery in Suwanee (just to name a few). Buford Highway and Jimmy Carter Boulevard are particularly rich hubs.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir An architectural wonder

Rising like a serene wedding cake at a busy Lilburn intersection, this Hindu temple—one of the largest outside of India—welcomes visitors of all faiths to experience its splendor. It also hosts many lively cultural affairs like the BAPS Charities Annual Walk and the Diwali festival of lights. The on-site Shayona Cafe is an excellent spot for vegetarian Indian cuisine.

Southeastern Railway Museum

All trains, all the time

Along an unassuming stretch of Buford Highway, train fans will find their Nirvana. Locomotives, cabooses, and passenger and freight cars spanning the decades have a home here, along with a few buses and trolleys. Everything has been lovingly preserved, and visitors can explore most of the vehicles. Catch a ride on the miniature train that scoots around the grounds. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 29

Gettin' Wet in Gwinnett

16 awesome places to cast a line, soak up nature, get in a workout, or just beat the heat BY BLAKE GUTHRIE Stone Mountain Lake 30 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Gwinnett County is called “Atlanta’s playground” for a reason. Though landlocked, it’s dotted with lakes, rivers, and parks that offer a bounty of recreation opportunities. Georgia’s most popular bodies Jones Bridge Park

of water, Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River, are found here. Numerous outdoor destinations and warm weather almost year-round invite visitors and locals to cast a line, take a float, boat, or paddle. And for a quick cool-down, a splash pad or pool is always

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around the corner.

A river runs through it, with lakes all around The Chattahoochee River serves as Gwinnett’s northwest border. Anglers will find plenty of action along this stretch of the river. For the best fly fishing in the area, head to Jones Bridge Park. The bridge that gave the park its name doesn’t exist anymore, but the river shoals it once crossed sure do, and conditions are ripe year-round for wading, casting, and reeling in rainbow and brown trout. The best times to fish depend on the water releases from Buford Dam upstream. Stay abreast of releases by calling the dam at 770-945-1466. Off the river, a number of lakes inside Gwinnett County parks are amenable to casting a line. Tribble Mill Park has two fishing lakes, 40-acre Chandler and 109-acre Ozora. Serene and surrounded by forest, they offer a quick escape into nature just a few miles away from Loganville, Lawrenceville, and Grayson. There’s a launch area for canoes, kayaks, and small boats with bat-

tery-powered motors; you can also fish from the shore or from a dock. Expect to reel in largemouth bass, crappie, bream, and even channel catfish. Just south of Snellville, Lenora Park offers a small fishing lake where you can cast from the shore. Anglers report success landing crappie and bluegill. A disc golf course and a dog park are also popular draws. In Dacula, 890-acre Little Mulberry Park is home to Lake Miller, where fishing is allowed from two piers near the north entrance. At the south entrance is a small pond where you can fish from the shore. There’s also an extensive trail system running through a nature preserve. Of course, the state's largest reservoir, Lake Lanier, is a beloved fishing destination and a cache of striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, walleye, and plenty more. New to these waters? There are numerous independent fishing guides who can take you out on the lake for the day.

Lakes inside the Gwinnett County parks system adhere to the fishing regulations of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, as do sites along the Chattahoochee River and on Lake Lanier. You can find the regulations on their website, georgiawildlife.com/fishing/regulations. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 31

Make a splash with the kids Gwinnett knows how to keep the little ones happy when it’s time to don swimsuits. Two words: splash pad. Whether to a giant mall or idyllic town greens, you won’t have to drive far to see the delight on your kids’ faces as they frolic in the bounding waters. Duluth’s Town Green lives up to its name with its gently sloping, verdant lawn, which leads to a large fountain next to an amphitheater. The former is a favorite play spot for kids, while parents lounge on blankets on the grass. The dancing water of the Splash Park at Sugar Hill dazzles splashers and onlookers alike, with arching plumes of aerated water that change colors during the twilight hours. A plaza with shaded picnic tables is adjacent to the fountain. The interactive fountain at Buford’s Mall of Georgia, the state’s largest shopping complex, comes with an impressive LED light display. Inside the Village Pavilion, check out the new 4,000-square-foot children’s play area complete with comfortable seating for adults. In the quainter confines of historic downtown Norcross, the splash pad at Lillian Webb Park sits at the base of a cascading man-made waterfall and is surrounded by an expanse of wide-open greenspace. Gwinnett’s largest interactive fountain is inside Suwanee’s Town Center Park, the 10-acre gathering place that serves as the city’s front porch and event space. Appropriately called Big Splash, the fountain deploys 43 jets and 1,400 gallons of monitored recycled water each minute. 32 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Duluth Town Green

Summertime and the floating (and boating) is easy One of the most popular warm-weather pastimes in metro Atlanta is shooting the Hooch. For the uninitiated, that means floating down the Chattahoochee River on a tube. Duluth-based $10 River Tubing offers two-to-four-hour float trips between May and September. The tubes can be linked together so you can drift as a group; you can even bring your dog along. It’s a relaxing way to escape the heat, but be warned: The water is chilly even in summer. Those more inclined to the serene pleasures of still-water paddling can head to Stone Mountain Park for excursions on 323-acre Stone Mountain Lake. The REI Boathouse rents canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Atlanta’s most famous natural attraction is even more awe-inspiring when seen from many different angles on the water. For motorized fun, head to Holiday Marina at the southern end of Lake Lanier. It’s the oldest and one of the largest marinas on the lake. It’s also home to Aqua Sports Adventures, a company with a wide array of boats and personal watercraft available for rent—perfect for skiing, fishing, or general pleasure-cruising on Georgia’s largest lake.

West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center

Stone Mountain Lake

Pools for every reason and season The Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation system prides itself on its state-of-the-art aquatic facilities. In various parks, you’ll find leisure pools and lap pools indoors and out, as well as water play features, twisting waterslides, and even lazy rivers. The indoor leisure pool at Bethesda Park and Aquatic Center in Lawrenceville is open all year, boasting a giant waterslide that exits and re-enters the building, spray features in the ceiling, a wet classroom, and hydrotherapy benches, among other features. Mountain Park Aquatic Center in Stone Mountain is also a year-round draw, housing two indoor pools and an outdoor leisure pool with slides and water play elements. Wind down from your swim with a walk on the one-mile paved trail inside the park. Along with a splash pad for kids, Snellville’s T.W. Briscoe Park has an outdoor, Olympic-sized swimming pool. You can also get in your laps at at the six-lane outdoor swimming pool at Dacula Park and Pool, the only park with a diving well. Or get the best of both worlds at West Gwinnett Park and Aquatic Center in Berkeley Lake, home to two indoor year-round pools—one for laps and another for swim lessons—and a seasonal outdoor pool with zero-depth entry, slides, spray features, and a bubble bench. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 33

Street cred Where to go

and what to order

authentic Korean street food BY LIA PICARD

34 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

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when you’re craving

f you want to feast on homestyle Korean food, you could grab your passport, drive to the airport,

and catch a 15-hour flight to Seoul. Or you could head to Gwinnett County and explore the wealth of culinary options in Atlanta’s Koreatown. Most Americans know about Korean barbecue, but in South Korea you’ll find stalls and tents selling treats meant to be eaten on the fly. For Sarah Park, a South Korea native and Gwinnett local, street food is

Thank U Chicken

The atmosphere is moody and neon-lit, but the staff at this Duluth restaurant is warm and welcoming. Koreans, like Southerners, appreciate the fried chicken and waffle combination, though the waffles in this rendition are thicker and denser. You can get saucy chicken, but plain is the way to go to balance the sweetness of the maple syrup.

a reminder of home. “It’s like burgers or chicken noodle soup here. You see places selling them on every street, and it’s something you grew up eating,” she says. Her favorite comfort food is Korean fried chicken (KFC). “It’s cut into smaller pieces than American-style fried chicken, and it’s double-battered so it’s more crispy,” she explains. Here are nine outstanding restaurants where you can

Suwanee Chicken & Pizza

This no-frills spot in Suwanee’s Assi Plaza delivers on its name. But don’t expect the same pie you’ll find at your neighborhood Italian joint. Here, the standout dish is the sweet potato pizza, which utilizes its namesake veggie as a topping as well as pureed and stuffed into the crust. It’s a decadent treat and—accented with peppers, corn, beef, pineapple, and spicy slaw— not your typical flavor profile.

sample some of the best Korean street fare in Gwinnett.

Han Shin Pocha Inspired by a popular chain in Korea by the same name, this Duluth nightspot is open daily until 2 a.m. In addition to food, there are karaoke rooms available for rent. Exercise your vocal cords, then refuel with your crew in one of the large, high-walled booths. Try the bossam, a platter of succulent pork belly, lettuce wraps, and kimchi that’s perfect for a group. The crisp kimchi pancake is also portioned for sharing. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 35

Dan Moo Ji Duluth’s Dan Moo Ji offers a sleek, fast-casual atmosphere with WiFi and televisions, so you can plan on sticking around awhile. It’s all about the kimbap here. The spicy chicken kimbap is the standout, with juicy chicken pieces rolled with veggies. (Watch out: The chicken is quite hot.) But there are plenty of other varieties, including beef bulgogi, tuna, and squid. For another kick of heat, try the spicy stir-fried rice cake (ddukbbokki). 36 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Manna

This casual Suwanee eatery is ideal when you’re looking for a quick, affordable snack. The kimbap rolls are all around $5 and loaded with a variety of fillings. The modakchiki is especially satisfying—a platter of veggie kimbap, kimari (seaweed stuffed with noodles and deep-fried), hard-boiled eggs, rice cakes, and stir-fried veggies. It’s a great dish to order if you can’t choose one thing, and each component is delicious on its own.

Poetree Cafe The woodsy interior of Suwanee’s Poetree Cafe creates a convivial setting in which to enjoy Korean bunsik. Translated to “food made from flour,” bunsik will satisfy all of your carb cravings. If you want to get really indulgent, order the creamy pasta carbonara served in a donkatsu bowl. (Donkatsu is a thin, deep-fried pork cutlet.) One of Poetree’s other stars is the tuna kimbap. Although it looks like a sushi roll, kimbap uses sesame oil instead of vinegar for the rice. Biting into a piece is at once sweet, savory, and—thanks to all the veggies— crunchy.

Seoul-Full

Gwinnett County boasts the largest Korean population in the South. Naturally, it’s the place in metro Atlanta to stock up on K-Beauty products, detox at a Korean spa, belt out karaoke, and of course, eat. Offered on select dates throughout the year, Explore Gwinnett’s Seoul of the South™ trolley tours introduce the flavors of Korea via four restaurants and bakeries. It’s the perfect way for the uninitiated (and anyone who’s hungry) to get to know this vibrant culture. seoulofthesouthtour.com

Choong Man Chicken This is another Duluth destination for fried chicken lovers. If you can only try one preparation, order the snow onion chicken tenders. Plump, boneless pieces of chicken are twice-fried and smothered in a pile of thinly sliced onions, then tossed in a mayonnaise-based dressing. It looks impressive and tastes even better. There’s also tikkudak, chicken that’s been fried and then baked over a charcoal grill, making it extra crispy and addictive, as well as the flavorpacked, sweet-and-savory spicy garlic chicken.

BBQ Olive Chicken There’s no barbecue at BBQ Olive Chicken. BBQ actually stands for “best of the best quality,” and “olive” refers to the olive oil used to fry the chicken. Part of an international chain, this Duluth restaurant has nailed the art of KFC. Do yourself a “flavor” and get an order of the half-and-half platter of boneless chicken so you can try two sauces. Both the secret spicy and honey garlic sauces strike a balance between sweet and hot.

Harue This inviting spot in Duluth is known for its tteok-bokki. Synonymous with dukbokki (you might see either name depending on where you eat), the dish is composed of cylindrical rice noodles tossed in a spicy gochujang-based sauce. At Harue, the sauce is thick, with just the right amount of heat, and the freshly made noodles have a gentle chew. The kimchi fried rice is another satisfying combination, simple but irresistible. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 37

50 FREE (OR CHEAP)

THINGS TO DO IN GWINNETT

TOUR AN ARCHITECTURAL WONDER ➜ One of the largest Hindu temples outside of

India, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn is filled with elaborately carved stone pillars, Get your fill of fun without decorative ceilings, and sacred idols. Anyone is emptying your wallet at welcome to visit (donations appreciated), but clothing must cover the shoulders and knees.

these local destinations

VISIT THE GWINNETT HISTORY MUSEUM ➜ In the mid-19th century, this Lawrenceville building was a finishing school for young women. Now it houses the Gwinnett History Museum, where you can see artifacts like the very first typewriter from Gwinnett’s historic courthouse. Admission is free, but donations are requested.

FIND YOUR CREATIVE SPARK ➜ At Kudzu Art Zone, a volunteer-run art gallery in Norcross, visitors can experience free exhibitions, drop by one of eight studios to see artists at work, or enroll in a workshop. 38 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

RUN THROUGH A SOUPED-UP SPRINKLER ➜ You can’t spend the whole summer huddled in front of the AC. Instead, beat the heat at Gwinnett’s interactive fountains and splash pads, located at Suwanee’s Town Center Park, Duluth’s Town Green, City Hall plaza in Sugar Hill, Lillian Webb Park in Norcross, and the Mall of Georgia.

CATCH AN OUTDOOR MOVIE OR CONCERT ➜ Gwinnett hosts several free music and movie series, including Suwanee’s Movies Under the Stars, Duluth’s Flicks on the Bricks, Lawrenceville’s Movies on the Lawn, Norcross’ Summer Concert Series, Snellville's Live on the Lawn, Peachtree Corners’ Flicks on the Green, and Mall of Georgia’s Movies Under the Stars. Find a full list at events.exploregwinnett.org.

6 PA M P E R YOU R S K I N

Touted by beauty influencers, Korean sheet masks contain hydrating, brightening, or antiaging ingredients. Find them for less than $5 at Gwinnett's two H-Mart locations.

GIVE YOUR KID THE VIP SHOPPER TREATMENT ➜Through the Family at Simon program at local malls, kids can snag coupons and exclusive offers. They’ll even get invited to special members-only mall events.

TOUCH A TRAIN ➜ Just off Buford Highway in Duluth, the Southeastern Railway Museum serves as the state’s official transportation museum. See restored locomotives and Pullman cars, hop aboard a caboose, and learn about Atlanta’s history as a major hub. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for kids.

HIT THE TRAILS ➜ The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford is located on 233 wooded acres, and access to the outdoor trails—some of the most scenic in Gwinnett—is free. Entry to exhibits is $10 or less, and GEHC also offers camps and guided nighttime treks. 10

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GET SOME A RT T H E R A PY

General admission is always free at the Hudgens Center for Art & Learning, an arts-focused nonprofit in Duluth that’s home to three exhibition galleries and an award-winning sculpture garden. Families can check out the kids zone with make-andtake craft stations or events like Toddler Friday ($7).

GRAB THE KIDS AND GET OUTSIDE ➜ On the edge of Lawrenceville, Tribble Mill Park has more than 700 forested acres of playgrounds, pavilions, biking and hiking trails, and a fishing lake. You can even BYOH (bring your own horse).

PRACTICE YOUR FOREHAND ➜ Disc golf is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Try some free tosses at the 18-hole course at Alexander Park in Lawrenceville.

TENNIS, ANYONE? ➜ A number of parks in Gwinnett have lighted tennis courts that you can reserve for just a few dollars an hour. Try Hudlow Tennis Center in Norcross, Mountain Park Tennis Center in Lilburn, T.W. Briscoe Park in Snellville, and Rock Springs Tennis Center in Lawrenceville. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 39

14 OR HOW ABOUT A GAME OF BADMINTON?

Every Friday night from 5 to 8 p.m. at Best Friend Park in Norcross, you can hit the birdie for just $2 ($4 for non-Gwinnett residents). All skill levels welcome.

CLIMB STONE MOUNTAIN ➜ At the end of the one-mile trek, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most beautiful views in Atlanta. Afterwards, enjoy a picnic lunch on the 3,200 acres of surrounding parkland. If you’re not too tired, stick around for the nightly laser show. The $20 vehicle entry is more than worth the memories.

ACQUIRE A TASTE FOR THE GOOD STUFF ➜ At VSOP Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom in downtown Norcross, sample some of the world’s finest extra-virgin olive oils, truffle oils, aged balsamic vinegars, and more. There’s also a wine cellar, a French bakery, and other gourmet treats for sale.

19 A D M I R E L O CA L A RT

Artworks are for sale, but browsing is free at the Suwanee gallery of the North Gwinnett Arts Association, which hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year. 40 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

TAKE AN ART WALK ➜ Suwanee Town Center hosts a rotating collection of public art that you can peruse for free. Take the SculpTour, then vote for your favorite piece at suwanee.com. The sculpture that receives the most votes will become part of the town’s permanent collection.

...OR DISCOVER LOCAL TALENT ➜ See live music acts every weekend for as little as $7 at Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry in Duluth. John Mayer, the Indigo Girls, and Sugarland all started out playing in Eddie’s clubs, so tonight’s lesser-known act might just be tomorrow’s big thing.

18 S H OW O F F YOU R S K I L L S ON THE ICE

At the Atlanta IceForum in Duluth, you can skate a figure eight year-round; just check the calendar for public hours. Rink access is $10 for adults and $4 for kids, plus $5 for skate rental.

SEE A ONE-OF-A-KIND FIRE TRUCK ➜ Stop by the Norcross Welcome Center and ask for a tour of the adjacent Fire Station Museum, which houses a restored 1942 fire engine— converted from a truck to serve the volunteer fire department—along with other firefighting memorabilia.

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SEE AN ART GALLERY AT CITY HALL ➜ Snellville City Hall is home to a gallery displaying works by area artists. It's free and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

SPEND AN AFTERNOON AT THE BALLPARK ➜ For as little as $9, cheer on the Gwinnett Stripers, a Triple-A minor-league baseball team, at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville. Check the calendar for special events like Sunday Funday (kids can run the bases after the game), Wet Nose Wednesday (bring your dog!), or Family Value Tuesday (nab $2 hot dogs and $1 desserts).

LET THE GAMES BEGIN ➜ Monday night is the new Saturday night at Main Event, a cavernous entertainment hub with bowling, arcade games, billiards, laser tag, mini-golf, and more. During Monday Night Madness, you can do it all for just $10.95.

BOWL A STRIKE ➜ Stars and Strikes in Dacula has bowling plus arcade games, laser tag, an escape room, and bumper cars—the perfect recipe for a fun family outing. Prices vary per activity, but kids can bowl free all summer long.

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PLOW INTO HISTORY ➜ McDaniel Farm, once a working cotton farm in Duluth, has been restored to depict farm life circa the 1930s. Visitors can see the furnished farmhouse, barn, blacksmith house, carriage shed, and tenant house. Admission is free, and the farm is set on 134 acres of bucolic parkland.

SWING INTO THE BASEBALL MUSEUM Between 1910 and 1950, the baseball-crazy city of Norcross produced 16 professional ball players—more than any other town, per capita, in the country. Learn about these sluggers and see local sports artifacts at the free Norcross Baseball Museum, located inside the Welcome Center.

GO MURAL SPOTTING Vibrant murals adorn building exteriors all around Gwinnett— like a pair of playful foxes in downtown Norcross or the 70foot-long Chocolate Lady in downtown Duluth. There's no charge for the perfect Instagram snap.

HIT THE DECK Step into your Vans and get ready to shred at Duncan Creek skatepark in Dacula and DeShong skatepark in Stone Mountain. It’s free to access the bowls and ramps; just BYO board.

WATCH ARTISTS AT WORK Tannery Row Artist Colony in Buford houses more than 20 studios where artists work in a variety of mediums. Pop in Tuesday through Saturday afternoons to see their process and works-in-progress.

GET BACK TO YOUR GRASSROOTS ➜ Most concerts are free at Everett’s Music Barn, which has hosted bluegrass acts in Suwanee for more than 50 years. Drop a donation in the coffee can if you like what you hear.

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G I V E YOU R D O G A DAY AT T H E PA R K

Fido can really work up some speed at the large, off-leash dog park in Pinckneyville Park. You’ll find plenty of grassy lawns and shady wooded areas, and small breeds get their own space to play.

TAKE A DRIVE BACK IN TIME ➜ The self-guided Plantation Houses Driving Tour showcases more than a dozen historic residences. Most homes are not open to the public, but you can park and take photos at the Gwinnett County Historic Courthouse, the Elisha Winn House, the Wynne-Russell House, and Fairview Church.

REFLECT AND REMEMBER ➜ The free Veterans War Memorial Museum, located inside the historic Gwinnett Courthouse in Lawrenceville, honors local veterans of all wars. Compiled by the Gwinnett Veterans Council, the exhibits feature the personal stories of soldiers as well as wartime artifacts and memorabilia.

RAISE A GLASS TO GEORGIA’S WINE COUNTRY ➜ Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton has been the most-awarded winery on the East Coast for the past three years. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the wine-making process, then sip from among more than 75 national, regional, and local offerings. Tours start at just $5 depending on the day and time.

MAKE LIKE AN ART COLLECTOR ➜ In Peachtree Corners, R. Alexander Fine Art represents a number of artists from all around the world, including Atlanta. You can see their unique collection at the gallery, which also hosts group shows and solo exhibitions. Don’t leave without checking out the serene sculpture garden.

GET A GRIP ➜ Beat cabin fever at Adrenaline Climbing, a family-friendly rock climbing wall in Sugar Hill. On Family Fun Fridays, kids and parents can get two hours of expert-guided climbing for just $15. Or stop by for Cheap Climb after 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when adults can climb solo for just five bucks.

FLUORESCENT FUN

G R A B A B OW

TA K E A D I P

Play a round of glow-in-the-dark mini golf at Lunar Mini Golf at Sugarloaf Mills in Lawrenceville. Tickets for the black-lit indoor course are just $8 per person. (For an extra dollar, you’ll get a glow necklace, too.)

Every Saturday at 4 p.m., the Archery Learning Center in Snellville offers adult classes for $20. Come ready to learn and have fun; they provide the gear.

Giant water slides, lazy rivers, leisure pools shallow enough for the littlest legs—who needs a pricey water park when you can hit up one of Gwinnett’s aquatic centers? Admission to the seasonal and year-round facilities is typically $10.50 or less.

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ROLL, BOUNCE! ➜ Lace up your skates and take a trip back to the disco era at Sparkles Family Fun Center in Lawrenceville, Skate-a-long USA in Lilburn, or Skate Country in Buford. Check the websites for special deals.

42 H E L P YOU R P U P M A K E NEW FRIENDS

The popular Chattapoochee Dog Park in Duluth has large and small dog areas, interactive fountains, and agility equipment. You might just run into the four-legged “mayor,” elected each year to represent the park.

GET STAGE-STRUCK ➜ The second-largest theater in Georgia, Lawrenceville’s Aurora Theatre puts on award-winning plays throughout the year. They also host Teatro Aurora, featuring Latino cultural programming, and Aurora Children's Playhouse. Tickets start at just $7.

44 H O N O R OU R FA L L E N H E R O E S

Located on the grounds of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, the Fallen Heroes Memorial displays the names of some 700 Gwinnettians who died in the line of military or public safety service. Or visit Snellville's state-of-the-art Veterans Memorial, where approximately 450 tiles line the back wall, honoring those who fought for our freedom. 45 S P E N D A DAY AT T H E B E AC H

On sunny days, stretch out on a whitesand beach at Lanier Park in Buford, just north of the Buford Dam. There’s also a picnic area, walking trail, and beautiful views of Lake Lanier. Entry is just $5 per vehicle or $2 per person. 46 S E E A P R I VAT E E S TAT E TURNED PUBLIC GARDEN

The land inside Loganville's Vines Park once belonged to a private homeowner, and the serene walkways, lake, and gardens feel like a secret getaway. It's a favorite backdrop for couples' portraits.

BRANCH OUT AT THE LIBRARY ➜ It’s not just about books anymore. The 15 branches of the Gwinnett County Public Library host free programming for all ages, from yoga and meditation to chess club and 3D printing workshops. Check out the full calendar at gwinnettpl.org.

EXPLORE AN OASIS ➜ Run, walk, or pedal through wetlands, forests, and wildlife habitats on the Suwanee Greenway Trail. The four-mile, hard-surfaced trail is strollerand bike-friendly and connects nearly 400 acres of parkland.

TAKE A SPIN AROUND TOWN ➜ You can rent a two-wheeler through Suwanee’s bike-sharing program at Suwanee Creek Park and Town Center Park. Bikes are free for the first three hours and $3 per additional hour.

VISIT THE BUFORD MUSEUM ➜ Located on the ground floor of the Buford Community Center, this free museum is a step into Buford’s past. See artifacts from the town’s 1872 founding, works by local artists, and photographs and newspapers from bygone eras. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 43

Here for the Beer T H E U LT I M AT E G U I D E T O GWINNETT BREWERIES 44 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

By Dennis Malcolm Byron AKA

Ale Sharpton

GEORGIA’S BEER SCENE HAS BLOSSOMED significantly over the last decade. We can credit a couple of law changes—an increase in the state’s alcohol-by-volume limit and the allowance of on-premise alcohol sales at breweries—for creating a surge in demand for interesting ales and lagers. In Gwinnett County, a legion of entrepreneurs have opened up shop to meet this demand. As a passionate beer writer, I set out to explore six brewing facilities in this part of the suburbs. With at least three more breweries set to open in the near future (Social Fox in Norcross, Kettlerock in Peachtree Corners, and Ironshield in Lawrenceville) and beer-centric spots like Snellville’s Lincoln Fill Station pouring exciting libations, Gwinnett is a great place to quench your thirst.

Anderby brewing OPENED: OCTOBER 2019

Majority owners Preston and Michell Smelt have met the demand of thirsty Peachtree Corners residents to deliver an inventive brewery that fearlessly takes on countless styles of beer. They also take pride in patronizing independent farmers for most of their brewing ingredients. THE VIBE: The modern, open-air taproom is dog-friendly, loaded with board games and flat-screen TVs, and ready to host neighborhood events like spirit nights, trivia, and visits from food trucks. THE BEERS: Written on the wall in chalk, the diverse beer list ranges from pepper-infused pale ales to Irish ales, Mexican lagers, and a consistent homage to England (including barleywines, English milds, and bitters). The “Get Off My Lawn” West Coast–style IPA is the leader of the pack.

GOOD WORD BREWING & PUBLIC HOUSE OPENED: NOVEMBER 2017

Ryan Skinner and Todd DiMatteo, part of the team behind one of the world’s most renowned beer bars (Brick Store Pub in Decatur), expanded their empire beyond the perimeter to downtown Duluth. THE VIBE: The decor is a mix of fine wood fixtures, cozy booths, tables made from barrels, a book collection, and artful chalk murals. Delectable

fare complements craft cocktails, an extensive wine list, and head brewer DiMatteo’s liquid mastery. A spacious patio takes advantage of the city’s often clement weather. This is hands down one of the best pubs in Georgia. THE BEERS: Local and national accolades are beginning to crowd Good Word’s trophy case. The Hollow Moon Imperial Stout brewed with toasted coconut, cocoa nibs,

brown sugar, and vanilla is a sure standout. The Scorch the Earth schwarzbier and Never Sleep hazy IPA are also among the many crowd favorites.

EXTRA GEMS: Preston says, “We didn’t approach this with a defined ‘core beer’ strategy; we want to make what people want to drink and have fun doing it.”

EXTRA GEMS: Proud supporters of the Atlanta United, Good Word also makes community service a priority, especially for their beloved city of Duluth. Oh! And scoop up whatever they are canning on-site. Trust me. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 45

MONKEY WRENCH BREWING OPENED: JANUARY 2020

Hats off to Gwinnett residents Wayne Baxter and Joe Dreher, who have been working to open the Wrench’s doors since 2011. The new Suwanee drinking destination has a spacious indoor beer garden and a talented head brewer in Matthew Williams. THE VIBE: Monkey Wrench’s love for music is evident: An eclectic array

of vinyl records adorns the walls along with a brilliant chalk mural of clothed primates jamming with instruments. THE BEERS: The team is happy to say there is no one beer that stands out from the others, but a few deserve attention: The refreshing Wayne’s Wheat brewed with Mandarina Bavaria hops showcases a tangerine-like finish. We Are Your Monkey Wrench

imperial stout warms souls at 9.1% ABV, while the most-awarded beer is the complex winter warmer, Very Merry Monkey Ale. EXTRA GEMS: The brewery plans to host private events, car shows, food truck festivals, sports watch parties, and more. Says Dreher, “Now is the most crucial time to support this new, local small business.”

Indio Brewing Company OPENED: JULY 2019

In less than a year, wife and husband team Betsy and Jonathan Martinez have established Indio as a must-visit sipping destination in burgeoning Sugar Hill. Jonathan’s eccentric take on traditional styles has everyone coming back for more. THE VIBE: Unlike breweries that host hundreds of guests at a time and produce truckloads of beers, Indio carves out its niche among those wanting a more intimate atmosphere. Beer is solely available on-site and in fill-to-order crowlers (32-ounce cans). The tasting room’s black-andwhite color scheme aims for simplicity, making room for good conversation. But the Martinezes know how to have fun by hosting events like bingo night, comedy night, salsa night, and even baby goat yoga. THE BEERS: With an infusion of strawberry and raspberry, the Sour Patch Berliner Weisse is their top seller. The Prixter New England–style IPA fills a lot of glasses, while everything from a farmhouse grisette with peaches to a caramel porter satisfies a broad range of palates. EXTRA GEMS: A “Beer It Forward” board allows you to buy a beer for a friend, which they can claim at their earliest convenience.

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Events on Tap Due to COVID-19, these 2020 events could be postponed or canceled. Visit events.exploregwinnett.org for the most up-to-date information. SUWANEE BEER FEST Hosted in Town Center Park and pouring more than 350 craft beers, this is one of the best beer fests not only in Georgia but nationwide. The 2020 event will take place in August but will return to March in 2021.

STILLFIRE BREWING OPENED: OCTOBER 2019

This modern-chic brewery is stationed on a hill across from the gorgeous Suwanee Town Center Park. Pouring phenomenal beers crafted by former 2011 Beerdrinker of the Year Phil Farrell (who is also a Beer Judge Certification Program Grand Master Level 5 judge), Stillfire has a bright future. THE VIBE: Popping beer labels, can art, and painted kegs; a separate merch shop; and friendly service guarantee a great time for a diverse crowd. A food truck station accessible from indoors ensures fun pairings.

Slow pour brewing company OPENED: SEPTEMBER 2017

The city of Lawrenceville has had a remarkable resurgence within the last few years, and Slow Pour played an integral part. Now in its third year, Slow Pour remains one of the most popular destinations to imbibe, enjoy live music, and just kick back. THE VIBE: Slow Pour preserved exposed brick and wood fixtures of a century-old garment factory; the result is an airy,

THE BEERS: You can’t lose with whatever you pick from the 20-plus taps, but the most popular beer is the Glory Haze New England Hazy IPA. The Cherry Bomb Cherry Limeade Sour, Mardi McFly King Cake Ale, and Midnight Voyage Cuban Coffee Nitro Stout need to be strongly considered for the customized beer flight tray as well. EXTRA GEMS: Amenities include two massive patios with fire pits, a large outdoor space with a playground for the kids, and a to-go window for take-out beer (open containers are allowed in Town Center Park).

industrial-chic interior spanning 3,000 square feet. Festive touches include darts, board games, and a pet-friendly beer garden with cornhole and food trucks. THE BEERS: Available on tap and in newly designed cans packaged in the back, Slow Pour’s best seller is the easy-drinking Cotillion blonde ale. Properly addressing the IPA craze, the tropical-forward Southernality—at a crushable 5.2% ABV—is the most popular choice in six-packs. EXTRA GEMS: Founding partner John Reynolds proudly says, “We are very much community-focused and are always looking for ways we can give back.”

NORCROSS BLUESBERRY & BEER FESTIVAL Local restaurants serve blueberry-themed dishes and drinks, craft beer trucks pour, and blues acts perform at Betty Mauldin Park at this June event. DULUTH BEER & WINE FESTIVAL This October tradition brings craft beer, wine, food truck fare, and live local music to the Town Green. GRAYSON BREW & QUE Sip craft beer and vote for your favorite rookie and pro pitmaster at this October event in Grayson City Park. SIMPLE SOUTHERNALITY Celebrating Lawrenceville's burgeoning entertainment district near the historic train depot, this free fall event will feature delicious beer, local art, great food, and live music. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 47

ATTRACTIONS

A Place of Peace One of the continent’s most magnificent Hindu temples invites visitors to look, learn, and reflect BY BLAKE GUTHRIE

t first glance, Lilburn seems like a lot of other quiet metro Atlanta suburban towns with its schools, shopping centers, places of worship, and a quaint downtown in the midst of revitalization. But it also houses something you won’t find anywhere else in the region, a gleaming Hindu monument of towering white spires so different in design from the surrounding landscape that it makes you stop and take notice. Don’t just gawk; head inside. All are welcome at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. Set on 30 acres of delicately landscaped grounds, the mandir—one of the largest Hindu temples in North America—dazzles the eye and soothes the soul. Touted as “a place of paramount peace,” it has drawn comparisons to the Taj Mahal. Experiencing it in person, it’s easy to see why this masterpiece of design and craftsmanship inspires awe. It’s also a feat of engineering.

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Dedicated in 2007, the 30,000-squarefoot structure took only 17 months to construct by a team of community volunteers. More than 34,000 blocks of Turkish limestone and Italian Carrara marble were meticulously hand-carved in India in accordance with ancient scripture, then shipped to Lilburn and put together piece by piece like an oversized 3-D puzzle. The carvings depict important figures of Hinduism and tales of inspiration and devotion. A self-guided audio tour is available for just $5, enhancing your visit with explanations of the deities and the mandir’s story. You can also witness an important ceremony called Arti, when the swamis wave lighted wicks before sacred images called Murtis while singing a musical prayer, and participate in the Abhishek ritual to ask for blessings of health and happiness. After such a feeding of the soul, complete your visit by nourishing your body at the Shayona food center, where traditional vegetarian Indian meals are served.

Plan a Visit BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is open daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. To witness or participate in the swami rituals, the best times to visit are between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. (Abhishek takes place during these time periods, while the Arti ceremony starts at 11:15 a.m.) Visitors are required to remove and stow their shoes upon entering. No shorts or skirts above the knee or sleeveless tops are permitted; wraps are provided. Photography is allowed outside from the ground level only; no inside photography. Admission is free (donations are appreciated), but stop by the visitor center for the worthwhile self-guided audio tour, which costs $5. Visit baps.org/atlanta for more details. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 49

ATTRACTIONS

Live from Gwinnett Where to catch music icons of today and tomorrow BY KELUNDRA SMITH

Georgia is home to some of music’s biggest acts, from Gladys Knight to Luke Bryan. That legacy extends to Gwinnett County, which a variety of artists have called home, including singer Diana DeGarmo and the rap super-group Migos. Every headliner has to start somewhere, and Gwinnett has a number of small venues— along with a state-of-the-art arena—where fans can catch the next big thing. Here are some of the county’s coolest places to hear live music.

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37 Main Historic downtown Buford has no shortage of charm, and 37 Main is the extra spice in the sauce. This “rock cafe” features live music seven days a week so visitors can groove to the beat while they eat. Expect cover bands playing tributes to legends like Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, and Tom Petty. The menu features a mix of burgers, tacos, and fried apps, with names honoring famous musicians (try the Prince’s Pretzel or Cobain’s Chicken).

Everett’s Music Barn

Take It From the Fans

Established in 1971, this red barn in Suwanee has been a destination for folk and bluegrass artists for generations. Brothers Roger, Randall, and Leroy formed the Everett Family Band, aka the Everett Brothers, and performed for friends and neighbors in the barn. Today, their nephew Tommy continues that legacy by hosting live music every Saturday at 8 p.m. In addition to local talent, visitors might see renowned bluegrass musicians such as Russell Moore, Jeff Autry, Scott Vestal, Alan Bibey, and Wayne Benson, who have all played the venue.

“

A great afternoon of bluegrass at the Everett’s Bluegrass Barn in Suwanee. It was great seeing Edgar Loudermilk and Jeff & Zach Autry again! In the 25+ years we’ve been enjoying music here, nothing has (thankfully) changed. Great music, small atmosphere and faithful fans.”

e @thinkofdave

The Bowl at Sugar Hill

Infinity Energy Arena

This 1,600-seat amphitheater might be one of Gwinnett’s best-kept secrets. For fans of rock and country, this is the place to see a variety of acts, from Trace Adkins to Colbie Caillat. One of the venue’s biggest-selling concerts was Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, which sold over 1,000 tickets in one day. This season, patrons can expect a new concession stand and better handrails for accessibility, in addition to more great music. Be sure to bring supplies to follow the fan tradition of decorating tables according to the theme of the show.

There’s no need to drive to Atlanta to see some of the biggest names in music. Beyoncé, Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar, Carrie Underwood, and Justin Timberlake are among the world-renowned performers who have played at Infinite Energy Arena. With a capacity of 13,000 and proximity to Duluth’s numerous hotels and restaurants, it’s the perfect place to see a weekend concert. The arena is also home to the Georgia Swarm lacrosse team and the Atlanta Gladiators hockey team.

“

G @NicoleJuroviks,

attending Cher: Here We Go Again Tour at Infinite Energy Center

“

Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry Downtown Duluth is home to quaint shops and restaurants and one live-music gem, Red Clay Music Foundry, founded by Eddie Owen in 2015. (He also founded the legendary Eddie’s Attic listening room in Decatur, Georgia.) The 260-seat space connects audiences with the songwriters who penned some of their favorite tunes—like Jason Isbell, Shawn Mullins, and the Indigo Girls—along with lesser-known acts. The venue also hosts open mic nights and houses a music school that offers classes in songwriting, recording, and playing piano.

Sequins, feathers, fur ... and the show hasn’t even started yet.”

I got to see one of my k-pop groups, @vanner_official, last night in concert with @yevra and it was AMAZING and I got pictures with 2 of my biases, Hyeseong and Youngkwang. We got to meet everyone in the group and they were all super sweet and put on such a great performance.”

e @jeyrule, at Red Clay Music Foundry

“

Going out with your parents is actually kinda fun.”

e @emily_wilson117, at 37 Main – A Rock Cafe

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ATTRACTIONS

Arts Center Where to see a show, take a class, add to your collection, and admire masterpieces BY KELUNDRA SMITH

nce a relatively sleepy suburb, Gwinnett County is now home to some of the best arts and culture venues in metro Atlanta. Gone are the days when Gwinnettians had to drive to the heart of the city to see the work of internationally renowned artists or a Broadway musical. Here are five essential stops on your Gwinnett arts tour.

Studio time  Driving past the rail yards in Buford, it’s easy to miss Tannery Row Artist Colony, but those who wander into the 20-studio complex will not find themselves lost. Every day from noon to 4 p.m., visitors can stop in to see (and purchase) an array of paintings, pottery, jewelry, and sculptures. After strolling through the studios, grab a bite to eat at the attached Tannery Row Ale House.



Stage presence

Beyond top-notch productions of contemporary dramas and Tony Award–winning musicals (“Mary Poppins,” “Memphis,” and “In the Heights,” to name a few), Lawrenceville’s Aurora Theatre also hosts stand-up comedy, children’s shows, and cultural nights. Employing more artists than any other theater in the state, Aurora will be getting a new home following the completion of a state-of-the-art performing arts complex in downtown Lawrenceville later this year. 52 • EXPLORE GWINNET T



Class act

At the Hudgens Center for Art & Learning in Duluth, visitors can see fine art exhibitions; take a painting, sculpture, or printmaking class; and stroll through the 28,000-square-foot Weeks Sculpture Garden. Each year the Hudgens Center hosts “Stand in Ansel Adams’ Footsteps,” a juried competition put on by the Gwinnett Chapter of the Georgia Nature Photographers Association. The center also offers the prestigious Hudgens Prize, which awards one exceptional Georgia artist $50,000 and a solo exhibition every other year.

Fall for Artober For the entire month of October, Gwinnett celebrates all things arts-related. Keep an eye out for news about special performances, discounts to arts venues, pop-up demos, buskers, and daily public art events.

Picture perfect R. Alexander Fine Art prides itself on exhibiting contemporary artists from Europe and the United States who are “today’s masters and tomorrow’s legends.” Located near a buzzing intersection in Peachtree Corners, the gallery showcases a range of styles, from Spanish Baroque–inspired paintings to pop art. The art extends outdoors to a stunning garden, which features exotic plants as well as sculptures by contemporary artists Mark Yale Harris, Márton Váró, and others. 

A walk to remember

Every year since 2008, the Suwanee Public Arts Commission puts out a call to thousands of artists across the country to create sculptures for a one-mile walking tour in and around the city’s Town Center Park. A jury votes on the best works, the top pieces are displayed for 22 months, and the city purchases the “People’s Choice” winner for its permanent collection. Today, the SculpTour features 20 permanent pieces plus 14 new sculptures from the last submission call—such as “His & Hers” by repeat artist Gregory Johnson, which look like giant bitten popsicles.

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ATTRACTIONS

Blue Whale Studios makeup artists with actor Chris Webber of Uncle Drew

Industry Types Gwinnett County is a hotbed within the Hollywood of the South. Meet a trio of locals playing different roles in bringing top-grossing films and TV shows to your screen. BY CANDICE DYER

Jonah Levy, Special Effects Makeup Artist Jonah Levy’s work is generally not the sort you study in college. The Duluth resident co-owns Blue Whale Studios, a creative studio focused on special effects makeup, which relocated from Orlando to Atlanta three years ago. “I began teaching myself from 54 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

videos and books when I was 12,” he says. “There’s a lot of on-the-job training through trial and error.” Based in a 5,000-square-foot facility, his company can do anything from applying a small “tattoo” to providing elaborate prosthetics, statues, and suits of armor. Blue Whale projects include Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Rampage. Says Levy, “We try to make magic.”

Scar makeup on actor Joe Manganiello of Rampage

Gwinnett–Made A sample of projects filmed in and around the county Stranger Things The sci-fi cult hit used locations at Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain Cemetery, and Dominick's Italian restaurant in Norcross, while Gwinnett Place Mall stood in for Starcourt Mall. Avengers: Endgame This Marvel blockbuster filmed scenes at Duluth High School. Bad Boys for Life The third installment in the cop-buddy franchise filmed at Gwinnett’s OFS studios. Ozark The Gothic Netflix thriller shot at Buford Dam and Eagle Rock Studios and in Berkeley Lake, Duluth, and Peachtree Corners.

Beth Talbert, Vice President of Studio Operations, Eagle Rock Studios in Norcross As an executive at the country’s largest studio complex under one roof, Talbert understands that the film business revolves around relationships. “Most of my clients today are more than business associates; they are friends,” she says. Talbert started in the industry more than 20 years ago as an assistant at 20th Century Fox in Los Angeles. “I never dreamed I would end up in Georgia, but this is where the content is manufactured,” she says. The most fulfilling part of her job? “There is no greater satisfaction than seeing your vision on the screen and knowing you had a hand in it.” Check out her studio’s work on Dynasty, Ozark, and Genius.

Respect The Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson filmed at Infinite Energy Arena. The Outsider The Jason Bateman–helmed HBO miniseries shot scenes on OFS sound stages and in Buford and Lawrenceville. Genius The third installment of the National Geographic docuseries filmed at Eagle Rock Studios. Stranger Things

Will Baker,

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Set Dresser Will Baker concedes that he did not know what he was getting into when he became a set dresser a couple of years ago. “People have the misperception that on a film set, there’s a lot of sitting around, and then the action starts when actors walk on set,” says Baker, who is

from Lawrenceville, “but a lot of heavy labor takes place beforehand.” In the hierarchy of set dressing, the decorator chooses the props and furniture and designs a blueprint that the dressers then use to place the items. What’s the weirdest prop he’s ever positioned? “For The Resident we used a real transport table from a morgue. It had a grill for draining the blood. It was eerie.” EXPLORE GWINNET T • 55

ATTRACTIONS

All for Sport Professional teams in Atlanta might get the national attention, but Gwinnett County boasts plenty of opportunities for fans, both rabid and casual BY TONY REHAGEN

The Mysticks teleport to Gwinnett County.

Arena Warriors Hockey teams in the area have a tendency to either “flame” out or “thrash” away after only a few years. Meanwhile, there’s one squad of skaters that have called Gwinnett home ice for nearly two decades. Here’s a happy history of the Atlanta Gladiators. 56 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

1995 Team is founded in Mobile, Alabama, as the Mobile Mysticks.

2002

2003 The Mysticks are rebranded as the Gwinnett Gladiators.

Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jack . . . and a Catfish Sandwich The Gwinnett Stripers offer the best in Triple-A baseball action. But there is nothing minor-league about the food and drink options at Coolray Field. You can still get the traditional hot dog and soda. Or you can try to stretch the single (and your stomach) and sink your teeth into a specialty hamburger from Flashpoint Grill—like the half-pound

Southern Burger topped with pulled pork and mango salsa. Or grab something more portable, like tacos, street corn, or the foot-long bacon-wrapped corn dog. The Slow Pour Brewing Taproom features the finest local craft beers to wash down wings, a brisket sandwich, and a catfish sandwich

with a gluten-free bun. Just remember to save room for some Georgia peach cobbler topped with soft-serve.

How to Be a Swarm Fan Everyone wants to root for a winner, and Gwinnett County is home to a world champion: the Georgia Swarm of the National Lacrosse League. This is indoor, or box, lacrosse—a faster and more action-packed version of the traditional outdoor sport. There’s always plenty of room on the bandwagon, but games at Infinite Energy Arena are very much an interactive experience; the crowd regularly gets involved in the action. Here’s a primer so you can blend in with the die-hard fans:

Any time the Swarm score, the Fratellis’ “Chelsea Dagger” comes blaring over the PA for the fan Goal Zone Dance— essentially just standing and alternately pumping each arm up and down.

2006 The Glads make their first appearance in the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals, losing to the Alaska Aces in five games.

Whenever an opposing player is slapped with a penalty and sent to the box, the PA announcer leads the taunt of

“Hey (player’s number), TAKE A SEAT!”

When goalie Mike Poulin makes yet another save, you chant:

“You’ve got nothing! We’ve got Mike!”

After dalliances with a number of affiliations, the Glads announce an affiliation with the NHL’s Boston Bruins, which has lasted ever since.

2015

2019

The team changes its name to the Atlanta Gladiators to appeal to the entire Atlanta metro area—and console mourning fans of the Thrashers, who just left for Winnipeg.

The Glads update their primary colors from garnet and black to navy blue and gold. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 57

ATTRACTIONS

Secret Gardens 7 Gwinnett parks offering unexpected discoveries BY LANE HOLMAN

rom a former girls school with a haunted past to a nature trail where dinosaurs roam, Gwinnett parks are full of surprises, history, and quiet corners to retreat into nature.

Rushing waters Just off Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville, Freeman’s Mill Park draws nature lovers to the cascading waters of an 1870s grist mill on the Alcovy River. The picturesque stone dam and the mill, which was functional until 1996, are popular photoshoot backdrops. A half-mile trail and a playground also make this historic treasure a top spot for families.

Stealth Shangri-La

Who knew that just behind a Duluth car dealership, there is a vast greenspace with three miles of trails? Locals seeking an excellent place to run, a roomy dog park for the pooch, or somewhere the kids can work off the wiggles need look no further than McDaniel Farm Park. In addition to the farm-themed playground, there’s a perfectly preserved 1930s farm and a restored 1956 tractor.

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High-Tech Hide and Seek

Dinosaurs near the mall?

For anyone looking for a challenging adventure with family or friends, geocaching offers a modern twist on treasure hunting. Participants use phone apps or GPS devices to get clues to find a hidden cache, usually a small container with stickers, small toys, or coins. Gwinnett County has a lively geocaching scene, with new caches popping up weekly, especially around Snellville, Lilburn, and Stone Mountain Park. Newbies should sign up at geocaching. com, which offers app downloads, local maps, and beginner’s etiquette.

Not far from Mall of Georgia, Buford’s sprawling Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center offers dozens of ways to get in touch with nature—and prehistoric creatures. The center boasts more than five miles of trails for all fitness levels, including a braille trail for the sightimpaired. Explorers will find dinosaur statues along the trails, and adventurers can tackle Treetop Quest, with ladders, ropes, and zip lines in the canopy.

BIGSTOCK

Whole lotta history

In the mid-1800s, Gwinnett’s Thomas Hudson was a guy who did all the things: local postmaster, store owner, state legislator. Now, visitors looking for a dose of olden times can visit his post office and home at Lilburn’s Yellow River Post Office and Hudson-Nash Farm. This quiet little park—just five acres—features a short trail, a picnic area, and restrooms.

A classic gathering place

Duluth’s Shorty Howell Park draws families, sporty types, and those who just want to get outside. The park is home to bustling youth baseball and softball leagues as well as an activity building that hosts fitness classes. Many organizations hold events here, and kids love the playgrounds and find the small lake and its bossy geese irresistible.

Ghosts vs. brides

It's hard to compete with the splendor of the dozens of weddings that take place at Lawrenceville Female Seminary every year. Still, the word is at least one ghost, that of a former student, makes herself known around the place. A regular stop on local ghost tours, the 1850s Greek-style building is home to the Gwinnett History Museum. It shares a gracious lawn with the historic Isaac Adair House.

Tranquility, trains, and trolls

Loganville’s Vines Park is a low-key garden with scenic paths surrounding a lake. It’s popular with those in search of a serene escape from the noise and bustle—though yogis unrolling their mats should watch out for the troll who lives here. (Look for eyes peeking out of a mound of dirt.) A miniature railroad with more than 1,000 feet of track is maintained by volunteers and runs during the summer.

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DINING

Where the Locals Eat Four residents share their favorite spots for a memorable meal BY JENNIFER SENATOR

Local Republic

Santiago Marquez President and CEO, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce When Santiago Marquez moved to Grayson 20 years ago, his family was attracted to the area’s schools, affordability, and “country feel,” he says. “There are still patches of it left, but it’s starting to feel more urban. There’s a tremendous amount of opportunity here.” Marquez, who works in downtown Atlanta, says he is intentional about patronizing area restaurants on weekends. “When I’m home I like to stay local.” All-around favorite restaurant: I like to cook, but when I see we’re in a bind I go to the Summit Chase Country Club and place an order to go. I purposely don’t call ahead; I sit at the bar so I can get a martini. They have 60 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

outstanding food and are very close to my house. I usually get the grilled buffalo chicken wrap for lunch, and the quesadillas are outstanding. You can usually find me there at least once a week. Best breakfast: Pancake House in Grayson has phenomenal pancakes. We like going there after early mass. My kids love the chocolate chip pancakes, but I’m partial to the regular old pancakes. For brunch, I like Local Republic; a Bloody Mary is usually in order, and they have some really good ones. Best date spot: Moonshiners in Grayson has excellent craft cocktails, made with all types of moonshine. I really like the Lemon Drop, made with a smoky moonshine, and the Backyard Tea, made with peach moonshine. Best special-occasion restaurant: When we’re celebrating family birthdays, we go to Frida’s. They have very good food, it’s affordable, you get the sombrero, and they sing. The atmosphere is festive. My wife and I share the steak, chicken, and shrimp fajitas.

The guacamole is really good—they make it fresh at the table—and their salsa is homemade, too. Best hidden gem: Unless you’re a local, you wouldn’t know about Sam’s in downtown Grayson. They do an interesting take on Mediterranean and Southern cuisine, and everything is made there. Start with the fried green tomatoes, and their fried chicken is really good. You get country gravy on the side and garlic mashed potatoes. I also like their gyro salad and barbecue chicken salad. Best patio: Slow Pour has a phenomenal beer garden and patio. You can bring in your own food, and I like the Too Many Words Double IPA. They serve it at Gladiators and Stripers games. Best international cuisine: While the best Cuban food comes from my mom, we also like Mojitos in downtown Norcross. They make an excellent Cuba Libre, and their ropa vieja is really, really good, served with black beans and rice and maduros.

Amanda Yu-Nguyen Director of the Center for Healthful Living, Oxford College of Emory University A graduate of North Gwinnett High School, Amanda Yu-Nguyen returned to the area after college and now lives in Loganville with her partner, whom she met in high school. “We chose to move back to Gwinnett because of the reasonable commute, great park system, and higher concentration of Asian restaurants and grocery stores,” she says. “Plus, as an avid runner, it’s a joy to live near so many wonderful paths and trails.” All-around favorite restaurant: I can’t pick one. Sushi Avenue in Snellville has been my go-to for sushi close to home. The owners source fresh fish weekly, and the customer service is top-notch. I am fond of the spider roll and yellowtail roll. Each time I eat at Ming’s BBQ in Duluth, I’m reminded of my Chinese family roots and trips to Hong Kong. I love their beef chow fun (gon chow ngau ho), and they have good barbecue pork, too. Best breakfast/brunch: The Brunch Apothecary in Dacula is a great spot. I enjoy their hash brown casserole. It can be a bit of a wait on the weekends, but it’s worth it. Best coffee: I love grabbing a cup of coffee and sitting on the front porch of Boulder Creek Coffee

Breakers

on the Lawrenceville Square. They know how to do pour-overs well. Best special-occasion restaurant: When I’m feeling like wearing stretchy pants and going all in on all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue, you can find me at Breakers in Duluth. I like to order "All You Can Eat A" and get some garlic in butter to cook on the plate. Fun fact: You can spot me in the promo video that streams along the back wall. Best hidden gem: Tucked away in the back of an unassuming strip mall, El Jinete in Snellville is a great place to grab some Mexican food. If you weren’t looking for it,

you’d drive right by. Best patio: Local Republic in Lawrenceville has great food and indooroutdoor dining options. I enjoy the bacon mac and cheese and the fish tacos. Best local hangout: I love stopping by Matcha Cafe Maiko to get my green tea fill. I enjoy their matcha soft-serve as well as their raindrop cake. Best international cuisine: Wavez Bakery and Restaurant in Snellville is a great place to grab some delicious Caribbean food on the way home. I love their oxtail, and they have great sweets, too. If you’re hungry, come early! EXPLORE GWINNET T • 61

DINING Claus Staalner Owner, C.S. Industries A Suwanee resident since 1985, Claus Staalner remembers that when his family first moved to town, “It was the new frontier,” he laughs. “There was nothing but forest, fields, and snakes.” Today Staalner, who enjoys trying new restaurants with his family, describes the area quite differently. “It’s a mecca for eating out. We have incredible choices in all price ranges.” All-around favorite restaurant: I love the chef and the food at Sperata in Buford. Christopher Hope is very talented. I always try the specials, which are very unique, but La Belle Vie

62 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

his claim to fame is the Crab Tower. You have to try it. Best breakfast/brunch: We like Parma in Buford. They offer some unique breakfast combinations; it’s not just two eggs over easy. I like their breakfast sandwiches, biscuits, and home fries. And they have excellent coffee. Best special-occasion restaurant: It’s hard to choose between Sperata and La Belle Vie. Sperata is the very best Gwinnett has to offer—always fantastic food and good service. La Belle Vie is cute and quaint and has some great dishes. The escargot is absolutely fantastic. Best patio: We enjoy Slow Pour in Lawrenceville. The beer is super, and there are food trucks. It’s a great place for the family. There’s a great outdoor area where you can play games.

Best local hangout: Taco Mac in Suwanee is just a good place to sit at the bar, watch a game, or meet up with friends for a cold one. Best international cuisine: We love Talay, a Thai restaurant in Suwanee. Their mandarin beef is the best in town.

Slow Pour

Bianca Adams Owner, Hometown Plumbing “We love Gwinnett for many reasons, but the number one reason is its diversity,” says Bianca Adams, who moved with her husband, Gabe, and their four sons to Dacula nine years ago. “I am a first-generation American on my father’s side . . . it was important for us to raise our guys in a diverse environment.” She also appreciates the diversity in Gwinnett’s dining scene. As owners of a local business, she says it’s important to them to support restaurants in their community. All-around favorite restaurant: Local Republic, hands down. It’s our Cheers. We get the surf ’n turf when available and share it and have more than enough food. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with the pimento cheese and the Fire Chicken, but be warned, it is hot! They also have drink specials most nights. Go on Wednesdays for the best old-fashioned for $5. Best breakfast/brunch: The Brunch Apothecary. It’s owned by a local favorite chef, Rico Cunnington, who also owns Rico’s World Kitchen. Our favorites are the Pork Belly Benedict and the shrimp and grits, but be sure to add fried green tomatoes and a biscuit; those are heavenly. Best cocktails: We often stop by Parkside District just to sit at the bar and have a drink. I like the peach whiskey cosmo.

Local Republic

Best special-occasion restaurant: Cotton Calf Kitchen has it all, from the perfect romantic ambiance to the desserts. We’ve had many items from the menu here, but our go-to is the 16-ounce Cajun ribeye. The sides are equally impressive, and we often over-order these to have leftovers the next day. Get the creamed spinach, Southwest creamed corn, and the Lyonnaise potatoes. The vanilla bean crème brûlée is our favorite. Best hidden gem: 1910 Public House is a fun little spot on the Lilburn square, which is often overlooked. They have great food and drinks and a dessert fridge that calls your name right when you walk in. Best patio: Pure Taqueria has a great patio for people-watching on the Duluth square, especially when there is a concert or festival going on. Be sure to order the Queso Gringo with pickled jalapenos. We always get the tacos and a “manarita.” Best local hangout: Marlow’s Tavern is a family favorite. It has something for

all six of us. Our guys often get the Tavern Burger, while Gabe gets the Prime Rib French Dip, and I get the Black & Blue Salad. Best international cuisine: Mojitos is a great spot for Cuban food. We start with the beef empanadas and tamales and share the roast pork loin and palomilla steak. Go the last Wednesday of the month for bottomless mojitos.

1910 Public House

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 63

DINING

Farm Fresh

3 ways to sample Gwinnett’s agricultural bounty BY TESS MALONE

hether you’re looking to add a new culinary skill to your repertoire or just fill your tote with fresh produce, there are plenty of ways to get close to the earth in Gwinnett. Here are a few of our favorites.

Toast of Gwinnett Braselton’s 3,500-acre Château Élan brought wine back to the region for the first time since the Prohibition era. Get an exclusive look at the historic vineyard with its behind-the-scenes Grandeur Tour. Up to a dozen guests receive a 90-minute private tour through the vines and production facility. Finish the afternoon with a semi-private tasting of eight premium vintages paired with cheeses. Tastings start at $75. chateauelan.com 64 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Fromage on the Farm Husband and wife Juan and Pilar Quintero run Alegre Farm and consider educational workshops on sustainable and healthy living to be as important as the animals they raise organically on their 15 acres in Dacula. Learn the secrets of the softest mozzarella and freshest farmers cheese at their hands-on cheese-making workshop. Pilar teaches the 20-person, 90minute class, in which students see the entire cheese-making process from milk to curd: Warm the milk, add rennet (the enzyme that separates the curds from the whey), and cut curds that create different types of cows’ milk cheeses. Students can take their creations home for a snack. Classes start at $39. alegrefarm.com

Market Days Taste the flavors of Gwinnett at farmers markets across the county. Kick off the weekend with fresh veggies, breads, and jellies at Lilburn Farmers Market, running after work on Fridays from June to August at Good Snellville Farmers Market Shepherd Presbyterian Church. Make an evening of it at Peachtree Corners’ Night Market, held from 6:30 to 9:30 one Friday a month and featuring live music, artists, and fresh food. Norcross Community Market brings community-supported agriculture and up to 40 farmers to Lillian Webb Park on Saturdays from June to August. Besides produce, the Snellville Farmers Market offers meat, baked goods, and craft vendors on the first Saturday of the month on the Towne Green, June through September. Suwanee Farmers Market runs on Saturday mornings from May to October at Town Center Park, while weekday shoppers can visit the Grayson Farmers Market, which invites local farmers and makers to Grayson Community Park once a week throughout the summer. Due to COVID-19, many summer 2020 markets will be curbside.

CommunitySupported Agriculture For $100 a month, get a weekly box of the best produce that Loganville’s Wrecking Barn Farm grows. Each box will vary, but customers can expect tomatoes, kale, blueberries, melons, peppers, okra, potatoes, radishes, turnips, chard, salad greens, squash, strawberries, and more. Pick up a share from May to fall at the farm itself or at its sister restaurant, Atlanta’s Wrecking Bar Brewpub.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 65

DINING

Off the Chain From pubs with creative cuisine to white-tablecloth dining rooms in historic buildings, Gwinnett has plenty to offer in the way of interesting, independently owned restaurants BY LIA PICARD

Local Republic 66 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Bottles and Bones

o disrespect to national chain restaurants, but if you assume that’s all you’ll find in Gwinnett, you’re overdue for a visit to this part of the ’burbs. Some of the county’s indie eateries are new; others are iconic. Some are nestled in quaint historic downtowns, while others are tucked in nondescript strip malls. Here is just a small sample of only-in-Gwinnett dining offerings.

Got Beef?

Bottles and Bones

Carnivores will find happiness at recently opened Bottles and Bones in downtown Suwanee. The chophouse eschews tradition with its light and airy design featuring an open kitchen and modern decor. Bring a date and share the dry-aged porterhouse for two, available on Friday and Saturday. If you relish classic confines, head to Frankie’s The Steakhouse in Duluth, where the atmosphere harkens back to Hollywood restaurants of the 1950s and 1960s. On the menu, steaks share top billing with Italian specialties like bone-in veal parmigiana. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 67

DINING Local Republic

Epicurean Cafe Brunch Apothecary

Local Republic

What’s Old Is New Again Care for a side of historic charm? At Local Republic in Lawrenceville, diners can enjoy the gastropub’s famous burgers inside an industrial-chic, two-story space with bones that date back to the nineteenth century. Duluth’s Epicurean Cafe resides in the circa-1897 Knox House—home of the city’s first mayor—on the town green. Here, diners savor upscale American fare like herbed lamb chops or fried green tomatoes with warm brie and candied pecans. Nestled among turn-of-the-century buildings in downtown Buford, Aqua Terra puts a bohemian spin on fine dining, with local art enlivening rustic walls and global influences accenting traditional dishes (try the seared scallops with orecchiette and a mushroom-truffle sauce). At Brunch Apothecary in Dacula, build your own biscuit or order elevated versions of classics (like the Pork Belly Benedict) inside the 1905 former home of a physician— hence the restaurant’s name. 68 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Aqua Terra

Thoroughly Modern

Parkside District Seafood and Meats

With its gleaming decor and farm-to-table menu, Parkside District Seafood and Meats in Lawrenceville feels decidedly of-the-moment. Specialties include the fra diavolo mafaldine (seafood pasta in a spicy white wine sauce) and a grilled pork chop in an apple cider brine. Inspired cocktails and hand-picked craft beers and wines will make any meal feel like a celebration. In Peachtree Corners, Pub Ten is casual, but the food is creative. How about Korean pulled brisket nachos with wonton chips, or Southern salmon with a sweet-tea glaze served over grits? Located across the street from the Forum on Peachtree Parkway, it’s the perfect stop for a post-shopping lunch.

Uncle Jack's Meat House

Awesome Imports Two concepts from opposite coasts find a home in Gwinnett

Local Republic

Singular Sensation For 35 years, Kurt’s Euro Bistro in Duluth has dished out top-notch European cuisine with a German accent. Crave-worthy treats include the Swiss cheese fondue (bring a friend or two for this one), the classic wienerschnitzel (breaded veal cutlet), and smoked pork chops. No meal is complete without an order of the bananas foster, flambéed tableside. The covered patio is the perfect place to expand your knowledge of German and Belgian beer.

Kurt's Euro Bistro

Uncle Jack’s Meat House started in Astoria, New York, the brainchild of Willie Degel, host of Food Network’s Restaurant Stakeout. The contemporary steakhouse has an outpost in Duluth and another on the way in Peachtree Corners. Don’t miss the smoked bacon with peanut butter dipping sauce. California-based Lazy Dog brings a Rocky Mountain vibe to Peachtree Corners. The restaurant serves up comfort food in a lodge-inspired space that tempts you to sit and stay awhile. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 69

SHOPPING

My Favorite Shops A guided shopping trip in Gwinnett with fashion designer Jasmine Elder BY ELIZABETH FLORIO

quick errand in Gwinnett County changed Jasmine Elder’s life. The designer behind women’s clothing brand JIBRI hails from Decatur, Georgia, and has lived in New York, London, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Texas. Ten years ago, she was looking for a place to settle down in her hometown when she made a run to a fabric store on Pleasant Hill Road. “I got an apartment two or three days later and haven’t left Gwinnett since,” she says. When JIBRI—a plus-sized fashion line that has been worn by entertainers like Jill Scott, Amber Riley, and Gabourey Sidibe—outgrew the basement of her Lawrenceville townhouse, she rented a 4,000-square-foot commercial space in Norcross and has now firmly planted her flag, personally and professionally, in Gwinnett. Over the years, she’s compiled a list of favorite local shops of all stripes.

70 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Gail K Fabrics Not surprisingly, the designer’s top pick is a fabric shop. Gail K operates another location in intown Atlanta, but Elder prefers the Norcross outpost because it’s calmer. “The fabrics are amazing quality,” she says. “They are your number-one resource within metro Atlanta, period, for high-quality silks, any type of natural textiles.”

Taste of Britain Elder stumbled upon this Union Jack–emblazoned storefront when having lunch in downtown Norcross. Here, she can stock up on the foods she learned to love while living in London, including her favorite treat, Lemon Zest Shortbread Rounds made by Cartwright & Butler. “I send it to all my friends,” she says.

kids and grown-ups alike. “There’s a quaintness to it,” she says of the store. “I do still want my daughter to know about paper books.”

Huff’s Flowers

Personify

Though this florist in downtown Lawrenceville sells arrangements, Elder prefers to grab her stems a la carte, including eucalyptus bundles to place in her shower (a hack that clears the airways and adds a spa-like scent). “It has a little bit of a New York feel to me, where you just pick up your bushels and go,” she says of the shop.

“The shop is adorable, and their offerings are really unique,” she says of the Duluth women’s boutique run by mother-daughter team Tammy Lopez and Maddie Morden. “It’s perfect for gifts as well as things you would get for yourself—especially the shoes!” She recently treated herself to a pair of tribal-print Turkish mules, gushing, “I love, love, love them.”

Nancy's Candy & Spice

Liberty Books Elder and her three-year-old daughter like to drop by children’s story time at this downtown Lawrenceville bookshop, purveyor of gently used books for

Swagg Boutique Real Housewives of Atlanta alumnus NeNe Leakes opened this Duluth boutique in 2017, and Elder loves its

trendy apparel—“just cute little throw-on pieces that you can add to your wardrobe to give it a little pop.” The shop also sells accessories like bejeweled baseball caps and giftables like coffee mugs.

Nancy’s Candy & Spice “Of course my daughter loves the candy aspect—gummy bears, candy apples—but I like the spices,” she says of this Lawrenceville retailer. Here, shoppers can pick up raw spices like turmeric and vanilla bean as well as premade seasoning blends (Elder loves the lemon-herb), local honey, and loose teas.

More Boutiques to Love DressUp With locations in Suwanee, Snellville, and Peachtree Corners, this women’s retailer is a go-to for festive dresses, stylish basics, and jewelry to carry you through the season.

Ensemble Located in Suwanee Town Center and the Forum in Peachtree Corners, Ensemble offers trendy, affordable looks for teens and adults, with standout accessories.

Crafted This Mall of Georgia shop carries goods handcrafted by local makers— jewelry, art, decor, apparel, and gifts— often infused with Atlanta spirit.

Glitter G This women’s boutique in historic downtown Norcross is chock-full of colorful clothing, scarves, sunglasses, and baubles of every kind.

Further Down the Rabbit Hole Tucked in historic downtown Buford, this mother-daughter-run shop specializes in boho-chic women's wear and handbags. EXPLORE GWINNET T • 7 1

SHOPPING

Thrill of the Hunt

Where to score one-of-a-kind, offbeat, and handmade treasures BY LISA MOWRY Painted Tree Marketplace

Painted Tree Makertplace

t takes patience and a trained eye, but is there anything better than scoring a serious bargain or that perfect, thoughtful gift? Gwinnett County is full of shops with interesting finds, whether you’re after a vintage keepsake, original art, or just a delicious morning snack.

Vintage has never been more popular, with good reason. Upcyling, or reusing items rather than sending them to a landfill, is appealing to everyone. Head to Unique Treasures, a Snellville flea market open daily, to browse hundreds of items displayed in booths, from kitschy toys to heirloom silver. Get your groove on at Depot Records, a vintage music store tucked in downtown Lawrenceville that’s chock-full of vinyl records, cassettes, and memorabilia (including eight-tracks). Furniture, clothing, and jewelry with a past fill the booths at Ally’s Attic, a charming shop with locations in Lawrenceville and Snellville. 72 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

BIGSTOCK

Travel back in time

Nourish mind and body Going strong since 1996, Liberty Books in Lawrenceville offers new and gently used books—some 50,000 to choose from—along with author talks. Bookworms get their fix by trading in used titles for store credit. Just around the corner, NV Bath and Body Bar will help you furnish your home spa. Packed with natural and locally made lotions, soaps, oils, and bath products, the store is known for its custom gift baskets.

Taste of Britain

Make your taste buds happy

Liberty Books

A trip to Taste of Britain in historic downtown Norcross feels like an overseas vacation; the longstanding shop carries teas, chocolates, Cornish pasties, steak and kidney pie, and more hard-to-find goods for Anglophiles and expats. Every Saturday from June to September, shoppers head to the Snellville Farmers Market to stock up on local produce, eggs, and baked goods (even made-to-order pizza). Also on Saturday mornings, the Suwanee Farmers Market brings growers and food artisans together to sell fresh veggies, pastries, and flowers at the city’s Town Center Park.

Take home cool and colorful finds Grab a cup of joe at the in-house coffee shop, then browse one-of-a-kind antiques, jewelry, and spirit wear (go Buford Wolves!) at West Main Trade, located in a historic theater in downtown Buford. Also in Buford, Painted Tree Marketplace showcases creative wares from hundreds of local craftspeople—jewelry, furniture, decor, and more—across 30,000 square feet. Customers can polish their own crafty skills during monthly workshops led by the artists. Bright and cheery party supplies fill Swoozie’s of Peachtree Corners, which is the place for personalized gifts such as monogrammed barware, trays, and napkins. Located fittingly along the Norfolk Southern main line in Buford, TrainMaster Models is a one-stop shop for model railroad enthusiasts. The 4,500-squarefoot warehouse houses all the true-to-life locomotives and scenery a hobbyist could want, plus toys for the Thomas the Tank Engine fan in your life.

West Main Trade

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The Cast of On your Feet 2020; Photo by Casey Gardner

Gwinnett’s Home Professional Theatre

Aurora Theatre now celebrating our 25th Anniversary Season is home to over 800 annual events. Experience world-class musicals, stand-up comedy, concerts, children’s programs, Latinx cultural events & ghost tours.

678.226.6222 | AURORATHEATRE.COM

SHOW YOUR LOVE 15 T-SHIRTS

Black, eggplant, gray, ocean blue, navy and berry red. Most shirt colors come in unisex and ladies cut. Shop now - lovegwinnett.org

RESOURCES ATTRACTIONS Alegre Farm 2225 Givens Road, Dacula, 770.339.3065, alegrefarm.com AR Workshop 178 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.751.8157, arworkshop.com Aurora Theatre 128 East Pike Street, Lawrenceville, 678.226.6222, auroratheatre.com Axe Master Throwing 225 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Sugar Hill, 404.692.3667, axemaster.com BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta 460 Rockbridge Road, Lilburn, 678.906.2277, baps.org/atlanta The Bowl at Sugar Hill 5039 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, 770.945.6716, thebowlatsugarhill.com Buford Community Center 2200 Buford Highway, Buford, 770.945.6762, bufordcommunitycenter.com Chateau Elan Winery & Resort 100 Rue Charlemagne Drive, Braselton, 678.425.0900, chateauelan.com Dragon Queen Winery 1142 Atlanta Highway, Snellville, 770.464.6047, dragonqueenwinery.us Eye Candy Art Studio 3127 Main Street, Duluth, 678.714.5683, eyecandyartstudio.net Fallen Heroes Memorial 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, 770.822.8840, gwinnettcounty.com Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford, 770.904.3500, gwinnettehc.org Lawrenceville Female Seminary/ Gwinnett History Museum 455 South Perry Street, Lawrenceville, 770.822.5178, gwinnettcounty.com Gwinnett Veterans Memorial Museum 185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 678.457.9542, vetmemorialmuseum.tripod.com Hudgens Center for Art and Learning Infinite Energy Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 770.623.6002, thehudgens.org Infinite Energy Center 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 770.626.2464, infiniteenergycenter.com Kudzu Art Zone 116 Carlyle Street, Norcross, 770.840.9844

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Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center Laser Voyage Cafe 1866 Buford Highway, Duluth, 678.514.3430, laservoyage.com Lionheart Theatre Company 10 College Street, Norcross, 678.938.8518, lionhearttheatre.org Lunar Mini Golf 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, 678.847.0182, simon.com/mall/sugarloaf-mills Main Event 471 Northolt Parkway, Suwanee, 770.945.7111, mainevent.com Malibu Grand Prix 5400 Brook Hollow Parkway, Norcross, 770.416.7630, malibunorcross.com Masterpiece Mixers 1699 Scenic Highway, Snellville, 706.362.0919; 162 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.545.8848, masterpiecemixers.com Medieval Times 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, 888.935.6878, medievaltimes.com

Snellville Veterans Memorial 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, 770.891.1612, snellville.org Southeastern Railway Museum 3595 Buford Highway, Duluth, 770.476.2013, srmduluth.org Tannery Row Artist Colony 554 West Main Street, Building C, Buford, 470.326.6656, tanneryrowartistcolony.net Yellow River Post Office/ Hudson-Nash Farm 3519 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lilburn, 770.814.4920, gwinnettparks.com

DINING 1910 Public House 107 Main Street, Lilburn, 770.564.6911, 1910publichouse.com Agavero Cantina Parkside 66 Main Street, Lilburn, 678.314.6068, luchadorgroup.com Aqua Terra Bistro 55 East Main Street, Buford, 770.271.3000, aquaterrabistro.com

Music on Main Street 113 Main Street, Lilburn, 770.609.6393, musiconmainstreetlilburn.com

Bare Bones Steakhouse 115 East Main Street, Buford, 470.266.1890, barebonessteakhouse.com

Netherworld Haunted House 2076 West Park Place, Stone Mountain, 404.608.2884, fearworld.com

BBQ Olive Chicken 3530 Mall Boulevard, Duluth, 678.615.7180

North Gwinnett Arts Association 3930 Charleston Market Street, Suwanee, 678.878.2818, ngaa4arts.com Plantation Houses Driving Tour Lawrenceville, 770.822.5174, gwinnetths.org/tour.html

Bleu House 62 College Street, Norcross, 678.527.6278, bleuhousenorcross.com Bottles & Bones 400 Buford Highway, Suwanee, 678.804.9447, bottlesandbonesga.com

Boulder Creek Coffee 233 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 678.765.7985, bouldercreekcoffee.com Breakers Korean BBQ 3505 Gwinnett Place Drive, Duluth, 770.946.1000, breakersbbq.com Central City Tavern 5019 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, 470.326.5155, centralcitytavern.com Choong Man Chicken 2180 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 770.756.4455 Cotton Calf Kitchen 9924 Davis Street, Braselton, 706.684.0410, cottoncalf.com The Crossing 40 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 678.280.9081, thecrossingofnorcross.com Daddy O’Brien’s Irish Ice Cream Pub 5910 Suwanee Dam Road, Sugar Hill, 678.765.9633, daddyosicecream.com Dan Moo Ji 3230 Steve Reynolds Boulevard, Duluth, 770.814.2310 Dominick’s 197 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.277.8477, dominickslawrenceville.com; 95 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 770.449.1611, dominicksitalian.com El Jinete Mexican Restaurant 3303 Centerville Highway, Snellville, 770.982.1539, eljinetemexicanrestaurant.com Epicurean Cafe 3579 West Lawrenceville Street, Duluth, 770.476.2989, epicureancafeatl.com

Exhibit A(le) 178 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 678.869.5499, exhibitalegrowler.com Farm Burger 5170 Town Center Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, 678.691.6222, farmburger.com Firebirds Wood Fired Grill 5215 Town Center Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, 770.225.4662, firebirdsrestaurants.com First Watch 1830 Scenic Highway North, Snellville, 678.585.4653; 5320 Town Center Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, 470.781.9190, firstwatch.com Frankie’s The Steakhouse 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 678.395.6447, frankiesthesteakhouse.com Frida’s Mexican Restaurant 706 Grayson Highway, Lawrenceville, 770.513.3150 Grace 1720 5155 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 678.421.1720, grace1720.com Han Shin Pocha 3515 Mall Boulevard, Duluth, 770.363.2121 Harue 3585 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Duluth, 770.497.9412

Marlow’s Tavern 1950 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 770.622.2033; Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford, 678.765.8689; 5210 Town Center Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, 470.550.1197, marlowstavern.com

Pub 10 5270 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 678.691.5041, pub10.com

Masterpiece 3940 Buford Highway, Duluth, 770.622.1191, masterpiece-chinese.com

Pure Taqueria 3108 Main Street, Duluth, 770.609.2630, puretaqueria.com

Matcha Cafe Maiko 2131 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 470.359.6152, matchacafe-maiko.com McCray’s Tavern 100 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville, 770.407.6754, mccraystavern.com Ming’s BBQ 2131 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 770.623.9996 Mojitos Cuban American Bistro 35 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 770.441.2599; 5161 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.686.3254, mojitosbistro.squarespace.com Moonshiners Bar & Grill 2445 Moon Road, Grayson, 470.242.5067, moonshiners.co Mozart Bakery 2790 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suwanee, 678.482.9645, cafemozartbakery.com

Honey Pig 3473 Old Norcross Road, Duluth, 770.476.9292, honeypigatl.com

Noble Fin 5260 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.599.7979, noblefinrestaurant.com

Knuckies Pizza & Hoagies 5019 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, 678.765.7627, knuckiespizzaandhoagies.com

Noona Steakhouse & Oyster Bar 3550 West Lawrenceville Street, Duluth, 678.404.5001, noonaduluth.com

Kurt’s Euro Bistro 3305 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Duluth, 770.623.4128, kurtsrestaurant.com

O4W Pizza 3117 Main Street, Duluth, 678.587.5420, o4wpizza.com

La Belle Vie 1500 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Suwanee, 678.765.6609, belleviesuwanee.com Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar 5224 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 470.735.4501, lazydogrestaurants.com Local Republic 139 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville, 678.205.4782, thelocalrepublic.com Manna 2870 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suwanee, 678.541.5310 Maple Street Biscuit Company 3550 West Lawrenceville Street, Duluth, 678.404.5625, maplestreetbiscuits.com

Paizanos 7 Jones Street, Norcross, 770.300.0250, paizanos.com Pancake House 1911 Grayson Highway, Grayson, 770.822.2820, pancakehousega.com Parkside District 909 Parkside Walk Lane, Lawrenceville, 770.910.9601, parksidedistrict.com Parma Tavern 3350 Buford Drive, Buford, 678.541.0908, parmarustictavern.com Peachtree Cafe 50 South Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, 678.377.8745, peachtree-cafe.com Poetree Cafe 45 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee, 678.765.0095

Pupuseria Kings Cafe 2055 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross, 470.275.5225

Rico’s World Kitchen 306 West Main Street, Buford, 678.765.7518, ricosworldkitchen.com Roll It Up 1864 Scenic Highway North, Snellville, 770.559.1253, rollitupicecream.com Rushing Trading Company 5029 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, 678.288.9808, rushingtradingco.com Sam’s on Main 2135 Loganville Highway, Grayson, 678.424.4094, samsonmain.com Simply Done Donuts 3550 West Lawrenceville Street, Duluth, 678.772.0523, simplydonedonuts.com Sperata 9 East Main Street, Buford, 678.765.7911, speratarestaurant.com Strange Taco Bar 225 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 678.869.5220, strangetacobar.com Sushi Avenue 2118 Scenic Highway, Snellville, 770.985.1800 Suwanee Chicken & Pizza 1291 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee, 678.584.1455 Taco Mac 3443 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suwanee, 678.730.0941; 3543 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Duluth, 678.387.3403; 3250 Woodward Crossing Boulevard, Buford, 678.730.8226, tacomac.com Talay Asian Cuisine 1197 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee, 678.957.9811, talayasiancuisine.com Tani Thai 15 East Main Street, Buford, 770.932.1688, tanithai.com Tequila Mama Taqueria 340 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, 678.456.3131, tequilamama.com Thank U Chicken 3473 Old Norcross Road, Duluth, 470.875.9000 Three Blind Mice 1066 Killian Hill Road, Lilburn, 770.696.4139, tbmrestaurant.com

Truck & Tap 3137 Main Street, Duluth, 470.292.3630, truckandtap.com Uncle Jack’s Meat House 6590 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 770.497.2400, unclejacksmeathouse.com Wavez Bakery 3300 Centerville Highway, Snellville, 470.539.4292, wavezbakery.com

NIGHTLIFE 37 Main 37 East Main Street, Buford, 678.288.2030, buford.37main.com Anderby Brewing 110 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.559.7550, anderbybrewing.com Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry 3116 Main Street, Duluth, 404.478.2749, eddieowenpresents.com Everett’s Music Barn 4055 Stonecypher Road, Suwanee, 770.772.1276, everettsmusicbarn.net Good Word Brewing & Public House 3085 Main Street, Duluth. 404.973.2077, goodwordbrewing.com Hope Springs Distillery 4839 Railroad Avenue, Lilburn, 678.591.6334, hopespringsdistillery.com Indio Brewing 5019 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, 678.206.3700, indiobrewing.com Lincoln Fill Station 2280 Henry Clower Boulevard, Snellville, 678.580.1203 Monkey Wrench Brewing 3425 Martin Farm Road, Suwanee, 678.521.2142, monkeywrenchbrewing.com Slow Pour Brewing Company 407 North Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, 678.629.3767, slowpourbrewing.com StillFire Brewing 343 Highway 23, Suwanee, 770.927.8989, stillfirebrewing.com

SHOPS Ally’s Attic 2794 Main Street, Snellville, 770.985.1911; 249 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, 770.237.9003, allysattic.com Anna Balkan Jewelry 51 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 678.527.1180, annabalkan.com

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 7 7

RESOURCES Antiques in Old Town 93 Main Street, Lilburn, 770.279.1300, antiquesinoldtown.blogspot.com

NV Bath Body Bar 117 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville, 678.243.5518, nvbathbodybar.com

Antique Traditions 109 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 770.263.7761

Painted Tree Marketplace 1600 Mall of Georgia Boulevard, Buford, 678.926.9494, paintedtreemarketplace.com

Crafted 3333 Buford Drive, Buford, 404.249.2400, craftedwestside.com

Panache Consignment Boutique 340 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, 770.945.5227

Depot Records 470 North Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, 678.982.4353, depotrecords.business.site

Perazim Clothing and Lifestyle Boutique 5019 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, 470.589.7121, perazimshop.com

Dress Up 5155 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.368.0108; 320 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, 678.482.4539, shopdressup.com

Personify 3550 West Lawrenceville Street, Duluth, 770.776.5812, personifyshop.com

Ensemble 340 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, 678.765.2219; 5145 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross, 678. 620.3418 Fab’rik 5161 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.446.3122, fabrikstyle.com Further Down the Rabbit Hole 85 East Main Street, Buford, 770.831.5040, furtherdown therabbitholeboutique.com Gail K Fabrics 5192 Brook Hollow Parkway, Norcross, 678.395.6962 Glitter G 27 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 770.875.7395 Huff’s Flowers 232 West Pike Street, Lawrenceville, 770.963.2005, huffsflowerslawrenceville.com Liberty Books 176 West Crogan Street, 770.945.9288, libertybooks.us Mall of Georgia 3333 Buford Drive, Buford, 770.271.9458, simon.com/mall/ mall-of-georgia Nancy’s Candy & Spice 186 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.910.7927, nancyscandynspice.com Native Cotton Boutique 5910 Suwanee Dam Road, Sugar Hill, 678.938.3081 NV Bath and Body

R Alexander Fine Art 5650 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.609.8662, ralexanderfineart.com Swagg Boutique 6590 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 678.731.7924, swaggboutiqueonline.com Swoozie’s 5131 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.263.6441, swoozies.com Taste of Britain 73 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 770.242.8585, tasteofbritain.com TrainMaster Models 601 East Main Street, Buford, 678.546.3600, trainmastermodels.com Unique Treasures Flea Market 3635 Highway 78, Snellville, 678.344.4858 Vom Fass 3131 Main Street, Duluth, 561.409.4414, vomfassusa.com VSOP Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom 81 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 678.795.2002, vsoptaproom.com West Main Trade 123 West Main Street, Buford, 678.765.6826

SPORTS & RECREATION $10 River Tubing 4349 Abbotts Bridge Road, Duluth, 678.349.6880, rivertubing.com Adrenaline Climbing 460 Brogdon Road, Suwanee, 770.271.1390, adrenalineclimbing.com Alexander Park 800 Old Snellville Highway, Lawrenceville, 678.277.0890, gwinnettparks.com Atlanta Gladiators Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 770.497.5100, atlantagladiators.com

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Atlanta IceForum 2300 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 770.813.1010, iceforum.com Bethesda Park and Aquatic Center 225 Bethesda Church Rd, Lawrenceville, 678.277.0880, gwinnettparks.com

Mountain Park Aquatic Center 1063 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain, 678.277.0870, gwinnettparks.com Mountain Park Tennis Center 5050 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lilburn, 770.564.4651, gwinnettparks.com

City Park/Camp Creek Greenway 76 Main Street, Lilburn, 770.921.2210, cityoflilburn.com

Pinckneyville Park 4758 South Old Peachtree Road, Peachtree Corners, 678.277.0920, gwinnettparks.com

Chattapoochee Dog Park 4291 Rogers Bridge Road, Duluth, 770.476.3434, duluthga.net

Rock Springs Park Tennis Center 550 Rock Springs Road, Lawrenceville, 770.904.3996, gwinnettparks.com

Dacula Park and Pool 205 Dacula Road, Dacula, 678.277.0850, gwinnettparks.com DeShong Park/Skatepark 2859 North DeShong Road, Stone Mountain, 770.978.5271, gwinnettparks.com Duncan Creek Park/Skatepark 3700 Braselton Highway, Dacula, 678.277.0855, gwinnettparks.com Freeman’s Mill Park 1401 Alcovy Road, Lawrenceville, 770.822.5178, gwinnettparks.com Georgia Swarm Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 770.813.7600, georgiaswarm.com Gwinnett Stripers Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville, 678.277.0340, coolrayfield.com Harbins Park 2995 Luke Edwards Road, Dacula, 678.277.0890, gwinnettparks.com Harvest Farm/White Street Park 752 White Street, Suwanee, 770.945.8996. harvestfarmsuwanee.com Hudlow Tennis Center/Best Friend Park 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross, 770.417.2212, gwinnettparks.com Jones Bridge Park 4901 East Jones Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners, 678.277.0920, gwinnettparks.com Lanier Park Lanier Park Road, Buford, lakelanier.com/directory/parks/ lanier-park Lenora Park 4515 Lenora Church Road, Snellville, 770.978.5271, gwinnettparks.com Lillian Webb Park 5 College Street, Norcross, 678.421.2000, norcrossga.net Little Mulberry Park 3800 Hog Mountain Road, Dacula, 678.277.0850, gwinnettparks.com McDaniel Farm Park 3251 McDaniel Road, Duluth, 770.904.3500, gwinnettparks.com

Shorty Howell Park 2750 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 678.277.0900, gwinnettparks.com Simpsonwood Park 4511 Jones Bridge Circle, Peachtree Corners, 678.277.0900, gwinnettparks.com Sims Lake Park 4600 Suwanee Dam Road, Suwanee, 770.904.3379, suwanee.com Splash Park at Sugar Hill 5039 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, cityofsugarhill.com Stone Mountain Park 1000 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, Stone Mountain, 800.401.2407, stonemountainpark.com Sugar Hill Golf Club 6094 Suwanee Dam Road, Sugar Hill, 770.271.0519, sugarhillgolfclub.com Suwanee Creek Park/Greenway 1170 Buford Highway, Suwanee, 770.945.8996, suwanee.com Thrasher Park 93 Park Drive, Norcross, 678.421.2000, norcrossga.net Treetop Quest 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford, 404.277.6113, treetopquest.com Tribble Mill Park 2125 Tribble Mill Parkway, Lawrenceville, 678.277.0890, gwinnettparks.com T.W. Briscoe Park 2500 Sawyer Parkway, Snellville, 770.985.3535, snellville.org Vines Park 3500 Oak Grove Road, Loganville, 678.277.0890, gwinnettparks.com West Gwinnett Park and Aquatic Center 4488 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Norcross, 678.407.8801, gwinnettparks.com Yellow River Park 3232 Juhan Road, Stone Mountain, 770.978.5271, gwinnettparks.com

City of

80 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Keep on swimming. That’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’re going to keep going, together. Because families stick together. And together, we’re going to...Just. Keep. Swimming. See what we’re up to and hang out with us online at georgiaaquarium.org

Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide.

Explore Gwinnett Magazine Volume Six

Articles inside

My Favorite Shops

Thrill of the Hunt

Off the Chain

Farm Fresh

Where the Locals Eat

Industry Types

Live from Gwinnett

Arts Center

Secret Gardens

A Place of Peace

All for Sport