Discover Gwinnett: History, Art and Nature

A four-story clock tower overlooking the town square is part of the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville. Built in 1885, the building combines distinctive architecture with a visitor experience: the courthouse is open for self-guided tours. Check the opening hours before your visit. The building is also home to the Gwinnett Veterans Memorial Museum.

Historic Sites and Their Stories

Gwinnett’s history can be explored through a variety of homes and museums. The Gwinnett History Museum is located on the second floor of the Lawrenceville Female Seminary. The Elisha Winn House was built around 1812 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its age, compared with the courthouse built in 1885, offers a tangible point of reference for a visit focused on historic buildings.

History shares the grounds of the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center with other attractions: the Chesser-Williams House dates to the 1850s and features stenciled designs on its interior and exterior walls. At McDaniel Farm Park, an original barn and the restored home of a tenant farmer offer a glimpse into Georgia’s agricultural history. The grounds of the Yellow River Post Office include the restored Hudson-Nash House, a post office and a mid-19th-century cabin for enslaved people.

Museums, Trains and Hands-On Experiences

The Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth is a destination for technology and railroad history. The museum has been operating since 1970 and is located on a 35-acre site. Its collection includes more than 90 rail vehicles, including historic Pullman cars and classic steam locomotives. Offerings include rides in restored cabooses pulled by a diesel locomotive; these are subject to operating conditions and staffing.

The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center combines exhibits with activities. Interactive offerings include the Water Ways diorama and Discover H2O. The grounds also feature the Treetop Quest aerial adventure course; check its operating status before your visit. Five miles of walking trails offer another way to spend time outdoors. Visitors who want to combine museum exhibits with exercise can factor these different offerings into their day’s plans.

The Hudgens Center offers exhibitions, classes and events, along with hands-on learning. In Buford, Tannery Row Artist Colony opens its studios to the public. Visitors can meet artists and see works in progress. The artist community is housed in a historic tannery building where shoes were made in the early 20th century.

Art, Theater and Cultural Sites

Suwanee SculpTour brings art outdoors: the 2025–2027 edition features 24 new sculptures in downtown Suwanee. Selected works can be explored on foot, viewed and purchased. If you’re traveling after 2027, check the program for that period. Another way to experience culture is the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn. It was assembled from more than 34,000 stone pieces hand-carved in India. Visitors can take part in the Abhishek ritual at the Nilkanth Varni Abhishek Mandapam.

Aurora Theatre is the resident theater company of the Lawrenceville Arts Center. Its professional program includes Broadway musicals, contemporary plays, comedies, concerts and children’s programs; individual productions may vary. The Arts Center campus includes two buildings, flexible performance and event spaces, usable outdoor areas and adjacent free parking. Check the venue’s operating status before you go.

Trails and Outdoor Activities

The parks and trails offer a variety of recreational activities. At McDaniel Farm Park, gently sloping grassy areas and wooded walking trails alternate with babbling streams. Tribble Mill Park has a fishing lake where non-motorized and electric boats are permitted. Jones Bridge Park has a launch access point for kayaks and paddleboards; check river conditions before use.

At Harbins Park, unpaved trails are designated for different activities: seven miles for horseback riding, 13 miles for mountain biking and 4.5 miles for hiking. By comparison, George Pierce Park provides access to the Ivy Creek Greenway and a 1.25-mile paved trail. The Suwanee Creek Greenway can be accessed at Suwanee Town Center and other locations.

Plan Local Discoveries

For a culinary addition, a downloadable pass is available for the “Seoul of the South” Korean food tour. Check whether it is still available before planning. This lets you combine museum visits, art and outdoor activities with another aspect of the local scene and tailor your stay to the things that interest you most.

Explore more destinations: Norcross, Suwanee, Buford, Lawrenceville, Snellville, Glynn, Houston, Colquitt County.

For the broader travel overview: Georgia.