CITIES & NEIGHBORHOODS

Suwanee

Named by the Native Americans who once called it home, Suwanee was also a railroad depot. When the city was incorporated in 1949, it was only three square miles; now it’s nearly 11, with 600 acres devoted solely to parkland.

Eat: Choose a stone-baked pizza off the menu or build your own at Mellow Mushroom. Can’t decide between New York– or Chicago–style pizza? Two Cities Pizza offers both. Seaside Oyster Bar transports diners to the Gulf Coast with oysters broiled or on the half shell and other fresh seafood. Brown Bag Deli is the spot for made-to-order bagels and club sandwiches.

Sugar Hill

Legend has it, Gwinnett’s sweetest city traces its name’s roots to an overturned shipment of sugar, but now it’s known for outdoor activities like shows in the Bowl amphitheater or cooling off at the splash pad.

Eat: Play shuffleboard or watch sports on 20 TVs while munching on chips and dip or burgers at Central City Tavern French toast, biscuits, and BLTs are your best bets at South American coffee house Rushing Trading Co. Make Rivermill Bakery your next remote work spot, with its coffees, cakes, and plentiful Wi-Fi. Cool down with a cone at Scoops, which offers dozens of ice cream flavors, handmade chocolates, and retro candies.

Shop: A mother-daughter duo opened women’s clothing shop Perazim, named after the Hebrew word for breakthrough, and supports charities that empower women. Stay on trend with apparel and accessories at Native Cotton Boutique.

Do: With whiskey made from local honey, rum, vodka, and tequila, plus German-style beers, Sugar Hill Distillery is the first in the nation to use the same equipment for both— and also has a German beer garden. A husband-and-wife team run microbrewery Indio Brewing , focusing on Latin-inspired beers like Horchata porter or Mexican lager. Aim at interactive targets at Axe Master

Shop: MAKE[R] Suwanee gathers small businesses together to sell items, host pop-ups, and teach classes. Scoop up a colorful sundress or jumpsuit at Ensemble Boutique. Fab’rik can accessorize any outfit.

Do: The best of local and touring bluegrass picks play at Everett’s Music Barn every Saturday night. Compete in bowling, laser tag, and arcade games at Main Event. A home for the city’s artists, Suwanee Arts Center hosts classes, festivals, and galleries. Retirees opened boutique wine shop Sip Happens for their next venture and offer wine clubs and tastings.