Fun Things to Do in Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County Events are packed with fun and adventure
Located just 30 minutes northeast of downtown Atlanta on I-85, Gwinnett is a rapidly growing, diverse suburban area known for its international cuisine, burgeoning craft beer and brewery scene, abundant greenspaces, parks, recreational opportunities, and dynamic downtown areas. As a result, Gwinnett County events feature local dining, family-friendly events, live music, and open-air markets.
Home to the award-winning Gas South District and four professional sports organizations: the Georgia Swarm, the Atlanta Gladiators, the Gwinnett Stripers, and the PGA TOUR Mitsubishi Electric Classic.
Explore Gwinnett also encompasses the Gwinnett Sports Commission and the Gwinnett Film Office, which collaborates with Georgia’s thriving film and television industry.
Gwinnett County Events at Gas South District
Address: 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, Georgia 30097
Phone: (770) 813-7500 | (770) 626-2464
Gas South District is a vibrant, versatile venue hosting a wide range of Gwinnett County events, including concerts, sporting events, and family shows. It is home to the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators, NLL’s Georgia Swarm, and APV’s Atlanta Vibe. In addition, the Arena offers various food and beverage options and features a removable ice rink for ice entertainment shows. It is conveniently located near numerous hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers.
Gas South has a seating capacity of 13,000 and boasts a state-of-the-art house reduction system, allowing it to be quickly converted into a 3,500-seat theater-style setting or a large convention and tradeshow space with a capacity of 10,000 attendees. In addition, the facility includes 30 corporate suites, 2 party suites, club level seats, a spacious concourse, wider seats, and a high-end sound system with acoustical enhancements, ensuring the best experience for every event.
Southeastern Railway Museum
The Southeastern Railway Museum (SRM) is situated on a 35-acre site in Duluth, northeast suburban Atlanta. Since its opening in 1970, SRM has showcased over 90 items of rolling stock, including historic Pullman cars in addition to, classic steam locomotives. The museum operates on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Key Attractions enjoyed by our guests.
Ride in restored cabooses behind a diesel locomotive.
Pose on the brass-railed rear platform of the 1911 Pullman private car used by President Warren G. Harding.
After that, Take a trip on the amusement park train that operated at the Birmingham Zoo for two decades.
Stand next to the massive driving wheels of the steam locomotive that pulled passenger trains to Key West on the “railroad that went to sea.”
See the business car that helped bring the Olympics to Atlanta.
Walk the length of the Southern Railway diesel-electric locomotive that pulled the last Crescent before AMTRAK took over that famous train.
Marvel at the intricate detail of the museum’s HO model railroad, featuring computer-controlled operation, sound, and hundreds of lighting effects.
Explore MARTA’s historic bus collection, showcasing every model of bus used in Atlanta since 1947.
Designated as Georgia’s “Official Transportation History Museum” by the state legislature in May 2000, As a result, SRM offers a unique glimpse into the history of transportation.
Amenities include Free Parking, Parking on Site, a Gift Shop, Public Restrooms, and above all, Self-guided Tours
Accessibility: Near Interstate Highway 85
Payment Options: American Express, MasterCard, Discover and Visa.
Suitable for All Ages with Group Amenities: Group Rates Available, Group-Friendly, Family-Friendly, and Open Year-Round.
McDaniel Farm Park
Historic Entrance: 3251 McDaniel Road, Duluth
Park Entrance: 3020 McDaniel Road, Duluth
Contact Information:
Pavilion & Historic Rental Information: 770.822.5450 or GwinnettHistoricRentals@GwinnettCounty.com
Historic & Program Information: 770.904.3500 or B2Anywhere@GwinnettCounty.com
Park & Trail Information: 770.822.8840
Office Hours: Saturdays: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Park Hours: Sunrise until sunset unless otherwise posted
About McDaniel Farm Park
Get a glimpse of Georgia farming history at McDaniel Farm Park. Originating from an 1820 land lottery purchase, the former cotton farm was owned by the McDaniel family from 1859 to 1999. They lived off the land, producing everything needed from the 125-acre tract, including the timber to build a farmhouse in 1874. Explore the grounds to see the original barn, well house, chicken coop, blacksmith shed, and restored tenant farmer house. After that enjoy the vegetable and flower garden. Pack a picnic and wander through the rolling grassy hills and wooded walking trails, with trickling creeks and chirping birds. In conclusion, spanning 134 acres, this rural retreat is also available for event rentals.
Historic Entrance:
3251 McDaniel Road, Duluth
Restored to depict a typical 1930s farm in Gwinnett County amenities include a Furnished farmhouse, Barn, Blacksmith shed, Carriage house, Tenant house, Tours, Tavilion, grills, restrooms, and above all three miles of paved and unpaved trails.
Park Entrance:
3020 McDaniel Road, Duluth
Farm-themed playground, Dog park area, Rustic Pavilion, grills, restrooms, paved and unpaved trails with connectivity to the historic side of the park.
Park Entrance
3020 McDaniel Road, Duluth
Farm-themed playground, Dog park area, Rustic Pavilion, Paved and non-paved trails with connectivity to the Historic side of the park, Grill, and Restrooms.
About the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse
With its four-story clocktower overlooking the town square in downtown Lawrenceville, the 1885 Gwinnett Historic Courthouse serves as a stunning venue for weddings, meetings, and special events, including above all the annual Thanksgiving tree lighting. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this stately brick building was the center of county business for over a century. As a result, the 2-acre manicured grounds, complete with a gazebo and picnic tables, have been a popular socializing spot since the early 1900s.
Visitors can enjoy self-guided walking tours of the courthouse, which features charming architectural details like turret balconies and Palladian windows. Highlights include a dazzling ballroom with vintage chandeliers. In addition, 24-foot ceilings, seasonal art exhibits in the Gallery Hall, and the Gwinnett Historical Society and Gwinnett Veterans Memorial Museum.
Rentals & Intimate Wedding Package
Our versatile historic venue is perfect for ceremonies, conferences, galas, meetings, receptions, and more. Explore our affordable Premier Rates or Intimate Wedding Package.
Unique Venue Characteristics
Upper Level: Grand jury room, Superior court ballroom with a hardwood dance floor and sound system, Pre-function space ideal for a welcome or cocktail area, Grand staircase with turret access for bouquet tosses, Catering kitchen for food preparation.
Seating and Layout
Main Level: Two meeting rooms, Gallery hall ideal for pre-function space
Lower Level: Overnight storage, Walk-in cooler
Grounds: Two acres of lawn area for activities, Lighted gazebo with electrical outlets, and a paved dancing area. Shaded areas with ambient lighting and built-in furnishings, Restrooms
Seating Capacities
Meeting Room: Banquet: 24, Seminar: 20, Theater: 30
Superior Court Ballroom: Banquet: 200, Crescent: 120, Standing: 300, Theater: 220, U-shaped: 60
Gwinnett Historical Society Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Phone: 770.822.5174 | Location: Second Floor
The Gwinnett Historical Society preserves Gwinnett County’s historic heritage, maintaining a library with over 1,600 historic documents, including county and state records, family histories, microfilms, society newsletters, and military information. For more information, visit the Gwinnett Historical Society.
Gwinnett Veterans Memorial Museum
Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00am – 4:00pm Saturday: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Phone: 678.457.9542 | Location: First Floor (Room 118)
The Gwinnett Veterans Memorial Museum honors the brave men and women who defended our land and liberties since the Revolutionary War. Explore veterans’ personal stories and view a collection of wartime artifacts, memorabilia, and uniforms from all military branches. For more information, visit the Gwinnett Veterans Memorial Museum.
Historical Information
Gwinnett County was established on December 15, 1818, from Cherokee and Creek Indian lands ceded to the state of Georgia. Prominent local citizen Elisha Winn allowed his house to be used for elections and court proceedings until a temporary courthouse could be built. In 1824, a new brick courthouse was constructed for $4,000. Unfortunately, the courthouse burned down in 1871, but a new Romanesque-style courthouse was completed in 1885.
The courthouse grounds have been a popular social spot since the early 1900s. After the county moved its operations to the new Gwinnett Justice and Administration Building in 1988, the historic courthouse was restored and reopened to the public in 1992. Today, it serves as a venue for various events and houses the George L. Williams Collection, the Gwinnett Historical Society, and the Gwinnett Veterans Memorial Museum.
Address: 185 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville
Contact Information: Info & Rentals: 770.822.5450 | GwinnettHistoricRentals@GwinnettCounty.com
Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00am – 4:00pm Saturday: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Aurora Theatre
The Aurora Theatre at Lawrenceville Arts Center celebrates humanity’s rich cultural fabric through entertaining and educational programming, cultivating a community of belonging for all.
About Our Organization
Founded in 1996 by Co-Founders Anthony Rodriguez and Ann-Carol Pence, Aurora Theatre began its journey in a converted hardware store in the Atlanta suburbs. Recognizing the positive economic impact of the arts, the City of Lawrenceville, GA, invited Aurora Theatre to play a central role in their revitalization plans. This led to a unique partnership between city government, private development, and a non-profit charity. The city purchased a 100-year-old church, transforming it with Aurora Theatre into a $7.5 million theatre complex, which opened in May 2007. Therefore, this innovative public/private partnership model continues with the grand opening of the Lawrenceville Arts Center.
Now in its 28th season
The Aurora Theatre serves as the resident company and manager of the Lawrenceville Arts Center. As a result, the theatre’s productions range from the biggest Broadway plays and musicals to exciting contemporary theatre. Aurora also produces concerts, stand-up comedy, children’s programs. The top haunted attraction in metro Atlanta, Lawrenceville Ghost Tours, and Atlanta’s only professional Spanish-language theatre, Teatro Aurora. Located on the historic downtown square, Lawrenceville Arts Center offers free covered parking and is surrounded by restaurants and shops this world-class facility boasts five venues capable of hosting performances and community events both indoors and outdoors.
Under the leadership of Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director Ann-Carol Pence and Managing Director Katie Pelkey, Aurora Theatre has received numerous accolades, including 2016 Governor’s Award for the Arts & Humanities, Five 2019 Suzi Bass Awards, Creative Loafing’s “2010 Best Theatre Company”, Georgia Trend Magazine’s “2011 Best Places to Work in Georgia”, Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “2012 Best Places to Work”
Atlanta Magazine’s “Best of Atlanta 2018” for Best Inclusive Programming, Gwinnett Chamber’s 2018 Inaugural Moxie Award for Outstanding Organization, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 President and CEO Award for Excellence in Arts, and lastly, Gwinnett Chamber’s 2015 IMPACT Regional Business Award for Hospitality
Conclusion
Visitors will find Gwinnett County events both fun and educational. As a result, Whether it’s Gas South District, Southeastern Railway Museum, McDaniel Farm Park, Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, or the Aurora Theatre all are a great way for our out-of-state visitors to have fun and discover Gwinnett County.
Call to Action
We encourage our out-of-state readers to schedule a visit soon to Gwinnett County events. Use the links below to see more about the great places featured in this blog. Gas South District, Southeastern Railway Museum, McDaniel Farm Park, Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, and lastly, Aurora Theatre