The Top 10 Reasons To Love Gwinnett
1. PLENTIFUL PARKS
With nearly 50 parks around the cities and county, Gwinnett residents have plenty of reasons to go outside. Play at Bethesda Park's 16 baseball, softball, and soccer fields. For horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking, head to Harbins Park. Take your pooch to Duluth's Chattapooche Dog Park, which features designated areas for pups of the same size to run free.
2. AURORA THEATRE
Watch some of the biggest Broadway plays and musicals, contemporary theater, concerts, stand-up comedy, children's programs, and ghost tours at the historic downtown Lawrenceville theater. The Aurora offers more than 850 world-class theatrical productions each year at it's five performance venues.
3. GWINNETT BEER TOURS
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! Learn about Gwinnett's bustling craft beer scene on a bus or walking tour led by guided experts. Occurring on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, the tours offer guests a behind-the-scenes look at some of the different breweries and a chance to taste and mingle with other beer lovers in the taprooms.
4. MEDIEVAL TIMES
Experience an 11th-century-style castle right in Lawrenceville. The electrifying dinner theater features a grand tournament of heroic knights showing off their swordsmanship on spirited Andalusian, Friesian, and American Quarter horses. Watch majestic soaring falcons and feast on a noble four-course banquet at the castle.
5. NETHERWORLD AND ESCAPE THE NETHERWORLD
Unleash your nightmare at what has been named one of the best haunted houses in the nation. The chilling live actors, elaborate costumes, and creative special effects induce an adrenaline rush in visitors young and old. The scares continue with a series of spooky interactive adventures, puzzles laser tag, and the monster museum.
6. YELLOW RIVER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Spend a day exploring this beloved Lilburn animal attraction, where unreleasable wildlife are able to thrive in an environment suited to their individual needs. Some of the animals you'll see include bison, black bears, lemurs, spider monkeys, two-toed sloths, and many more. Take your animal encounters to the next level by feeding goats, alpacas, tortoises, donkeys, and other friendly animals in the barnyard.
7. SUWANEE SCULPT TOUR
Walk around Suwanee's Town Center Park to gaze at the colorful and unique public art displays and vote for your favorite online. Some of the whimsical art pieces created by local artists include a seven-foot tropical bloom, a red juggler that honors the freedom of the human spirit, and the fan-favorite "LOVE" sign.
8. INTERNATIONAL DINING
Gwinnett is home to some of the most diverse global kitchens offering international flavors at every price point. Taste steamed Asian buns at Baozi, German schnitzel and beer at Kurt's Euro Bistro, Cuban sandwiches at Papi's, tacos at Armando's Caribe, Greek gyros at Opa!, and North Indian curries at Ashiana in Global Mall.
9. BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDI
Marvel at the intricate architecture of Lilburn's majestic BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, the largest Hindu temple of its kind outside of India, created with 34,000 pieces of hand-carved Italian marble, Turkish limestone, and pink sandstone. The visual of colorful deities in the sparkling halls and the sound of chanting devotees and priests creates a unique spiritual experience.
10. SOUTHEASTERN RAILWAY MUSEUM
Take an informative ride aboard a restored caboose through 35 acres of Georgia's official transportation history museum located in Duluth. The museum features the largest collection of rolling stock in Georgia and showcases exhibits of railroad memorabilia, such as Pullman cars, baggage cars, classic steam locomotives, and cabooses.
This article, written by Sucheta Rawal, originally appeared in Volume VIII of Explore Gwinnett Magazine