Summer's coming to an end, Gwinnett.
The air's already getting (slightly) cooler, the kids are back in school and those pools are closing soon — but it's not too late! With this handy-dandy, step-by-step guide, you can cram the perfect Gwinnett summer into one (very full) day.
So whip the kids into shape, gas up the minivan and buckle those seatbelts. You've got some living to do.
7 a.m.: Breakfast
Start your day bright and early at a Gwinnett icon — Duluth's Rexall Grill (3165 Buford Highway). It's the perfect spot to load up on gut-busting grits, eggs, biscuits, gravy and coffee.
Lots of coffee.
8:30 a.m.: A mid-morning stroll
Drive a few miles north to Suwanee Creek Park (1170 Buford Highway), where you'll find the trailhead for the Suwanee Creek Greenway. Said Greenway is a four-mile trail that connects some 400 acres of nearby parkland.
Take a stroll and enjoy — but not too much. There's still plenty to do today.
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10:30 a.m.: Lake time
Keep on heading north and land at Lake Lanier. There's Buford Dam Park (1200 Buford Dam Road) and plenty of others if you're into mostly free relaxation, or Lake Lanier Islands (7000 Lanier Islands Parkway) if a waterpark is more your speed.
Either way, summer in Gwinnett isn't complete without a little waterplay.
12:30 p.m.: Lunch
After you're nice and dry, take Ga. 20 on over to downtown Lawrenceville (185 W. Crogan St). There, in the shadow of Gwinnett's Historic Courthouse, you'll find plenty of top-notch lunch options: from The Local Republic and Universal Joint to McCray's Tavern, Corner Stop Cafe and Blue Rooster.
If you're up to go a little further down Ga. 20, stop by Graft in Grayson.
2 p.m.: Disc golf
Once your belly's full, take Scenic Highway on up to Alexander Park (800 Old Snellville Highway), where you can partake in a few holes of disc golf. It's fun and, yes, just like golf with a frisbee.
4 p.m.: An afternoon drive
By now you've done plenty of driving, but shoot down Sugarloaf Parkway, onto I-85 south and east on Beaver Ruin Road. There (at 2055 Beaver Ruin Road) you'll find Tiny Towne — a place where aspiring drivers between 3 and 15 can "drive high-tech mini cars on realistic streets."
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6 p.m.: Dinner
Hungry again? Head for the Peachtree Corners area, where you have your choice of two new higher-end restaurants: Ba Bellies (6025 Peachtree Parkway) and Noble Fin (5260 Peachtree Parkway).
Ba Bellies opened in June and calls itself an "Asian gastropub." Noble Fin opened in May and offers seafood, steaks and more. Both come highly recommended.
8:30 p.m.: A mountaintop sunset
The final, dramatic stop. Stone Mountain Park (1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd.) is technically juuust outside Gwinnett County lines, but it's worth the hike.
Walk to the top to check out Atlanta's skyline at sunset — or, if you're feeling lazy and the day is right, stay at ground level and check out the laser show.
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