Spread the love!

Buford, Georgia: Where Fun and Adventure Collide – Best Things to Do and Places to Visit!

Buford made its money in leather. The Bona Allen Tannery was the biggest thing here in the early 20th century. The mansion is open now, the tannery buildings hold an artist colony, and the theater has kept going since then. On top of all that sits a very large shopping center and a lake with a great deal of shoreline. The old town is still under there.

Planning a trip to Buford, Georgia raises the obvious question of what to do first. Buford sits in Gwinnett County and gives visitors more than the size suggests. Outdoor adventures, art and culture, shopping and indoor fun and games are all covered here.

A Glimpse of Buford, GA Buford is a small city built on its own history, its natural beauty and a community that shows up. The Mall of Georgia is here, one of the largest shopping centers in the Southeast. The parks and recreational areas are the other half, the Lake Lanier Islands and the Buford Dam Park among them.

Outdoor Adventures in Buford Outdoor enthusiasts get a long list here. The nature trails at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center are the gentle version. Fishing or boating at the Lake Lanier Islands and the scenic trails at the Buford Dam Park are the rest of it.

Key Takeaways

• Buford, Georgia is a charming city with a rich history and natural beauty.
• Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, and boating.
• Buford offers a variety of indoor activities, including shopping, art and culture, and indoor fun and games.

A Glimpse of Buford, GA

Buford, GA is a small town with a large personality. It sits in both Gwinnett and Hall counties, which is unusual, and the range of activities is genuinely broad. Local or visitor, you will not run out of things to do here.

The parks are among the strongest things Buford has. Buford Dam Park takes a picnic or a game of frisbee, and Lake Lanier takes a long walk along the shore. Fishing and boating on the lake are the next step up.

For something busier, the Mall of Georgia is the answer. Over 200 stores and restaurants make a whole day possible without leaving the building. The AMC theater has the movies, Dave & Buster’s has the games, and the Georgia Gun Club is there for anyone who wants to test their aim.

The Bona Allen Mansion is where the history is. The estate belonged to Bona Allen, Buford’s most famous resident and a leading manufacturer of leather goods in the early 20th century. The house is open to the public now for tours and special events.

The Buford Community Center and Town Park is the other one not to skip. The facility is genuinely modern and it carries fitness classes, art exhibits, concerts and festivals through the year.

That is Buford. Come and work through it.

Outdoor Adventures in Buford

Buford treats outdoor enthusiasts well. Hiking, swimming and sitting in the sun are all served. These are the best outdoor adventures the town has:

Buford Dam and Lake Lanier

Buford Dam draws fishing, boating and other water sports. Lake Lanier, which the dam created, is where the swimming and picnicking happen. With over 692 miles of shoreline, finding your own spot is not the problem it would be elsewhere.

Lanier Islands

Lanier Islands is the resort and recreation area on the shores of Lake Lanier. The water park has water slides, a wave pool and the rest of it. Boating, fishing and other water sports run from the same place.

Chattahoochee River

The Chattahoochee River takes kayaking, canoeing and tubing. Several companies run rentals and guided tours, so the logistics are somebody else’s problem.

Camping and Hiking

Buford has several good parks and campgrounds, Buford Dam Park and West Bank Park among the popular ones. Hiking, camping and time outdoors are all covered at both.

Swimming and Picnicking

For a more relaxed day outdoors, Buford covers swimming and picnicking well. Buford Dam Park and West Bank Park both have lake access and enough space that a group is not fighting for a table.

Water Sports

Jet skiing, wakeboarding or cruising on a boat are all available in Buford. Several companies run rentals and lessons, which makes trying something new straightforward.

Buford Corn Maze

In the fall, the Buford Corn Maze is the one to catch. The maze is enormous and the pumpkin patch and other fall activities run alongside it. It is the easiest way to get into the season here.

Art and Culture Scene

Buford’s art and culture scene is broader than most towns this size manage. Art galleries, museums and live performances all have somewhere to happen.

The Tannery Row Artist Colony is the highlight. The community of working artists is housed in a former tannery, which is the right building for it. Browse the galleries, watch the artists work, or take a class and learn something yourself.

Live performance is well covered too. The Buford Community Theater stages plays and musicals through the year. The art center runs concerts, dance performances and other cultural events alongside it.

For the history, the Buford History Museum is the stop. It is small and it is packed, with artifacts and exhibits covering the town’s founding, its growth over the years and the people who shaped it into what it is now.

Art, culture or plain old fun, Buford covers all three. Work through the town’s history, watch the local artists at work, and stay for a performance.

Shopping Extravaganza

Shopping is what Buford is known for. High-end boutiques and discount stores both operate here, and the town does not require deep pockets to enjoy either.

The Mall of Georgia comes first. Anyone who likes shopping should give it a day, because over 200 stores will take one. Fashion and electronics are both fully covered. When the shopping runs out, the AMC theater has a movie and the restaurants have the rest.

For something more unusual, Buford Highway is where to go. The street carries ethnic shops and restaurants running from Korean BBQ to Mexican bakeries. The Buford Highway Farmers Market is the other stop, holding fresh produce, meats and international foods under one roof.

For a bargain, the Tanger Outlets are the answer. The outlet mall has over 50 stores, Nike, Adidas and Levi’s among them, and the discounts run up to 70% off.

For the upscale end, the shops at the Mall of Georgia carry it. Michael Kors, Coach and Louis Vuitton are all here. Lush and Sephora cover the beauty products if the afternoon is going that way.

Buford is a shopper’s town, plainly. The range of stores and shopping destinations is wide enough that most people find something. Bring the credit card.

Indoor Fun and Games

When the weather turns, Buford moves indoors without much loss. Bowling a few frames, testing your wits in an escape room game or singing at karaoke are all on the table.

Bowling Alleys

Bowling is the classic indoor answer in Buford and it works for all ages. The Oasis Bowling Center is the popular choice, with 44 lanes, a full-service bar and arcade games between frames. Stars and Strikes is the upscale version, a boutique bowling experience with black lights, music videos and a full restaurant and bar.

Escape Room Games

For a challenge, an escape room game is the answer. Paranoia Quest Escape is the popular one, with multiple rooms and themes like “Zombie Apocalypse” and “The Haunted Mansion.” Escape the Mystery Room goes further with a virtual reality room and a fully realized digital world inside it.

Karaoke

For anyone feeling brave, Buford’s karaoke bars are waiting. The Lounge at Stars and Strikes has private karaoke rooms and a full bar. For something lower-key, the karaoke nights at local bars like Tannery Row Ale House do the job without the audience.

Arcade Games

For a nostalgic afternoon, the Buford arcades are where to go. Andretti Indoor Karting and Games carries a broad selection of games alongside go-karts and laser tag. RePLAY Arcade is the classic option, with the vintage machines.

Indoor Pool and Poker

For something quieter indoors, the Buford Community Center has an indoor pool and the Atlanta Poker Club has a table. Both are a low-key way to spend a rainy afternoon.

Buford covers most indoor preferences. Bad weather is not the obstacle here that it is elsewhere.

Buford divides between the water, the old town and the retail. Lake Lanier and Buford Dam are north and west. Buford Dam Park, West Bank Park and Lanier Islands all sit on that shoreline. The historic center holds Tannery Row Artist Colony, the Bona Allen Mansion, the Buford History Museum and the Buford Community Center. They are within walking distance of each other. The Mall of Georgia and the Tanger Outlets sit south along the highway, with Andretti Indoor Karting and Games between them. Most visitors take the exit for the mall and never see the tannery.

The Foodie’s Paradise

The eating in Buford is worth planning around. Breakfast, lunch and everything between are all properly served.

Start the day at Adam’s Restaurant. The local favorite has been serving classic breakfast dishes for over 30 years, which is its own recommendation. The biscuits and gravy are famous and the pancakes are the other order.

For lunch, Tannery Row Ale House. The tavern carries a wide selection of craft beers and a menu that holds up against them. The burgers are the thing to order and the smoked wings are close behind. Save room for the bread pudding.

For a quick snack, Sweet Spot Bakery. The small bakery carries cupcakes, cookies and brownies, along with a selection of non-alcoholic drinks to go with them.

For a fancy dinner, Aqua Terra Bistro. The upscale restaurant does seafood properly and keeps an extensive wine list. The pan-seared scallops and the lobster risotto are the two to look at.

Bring an appetite to Buford. The food here rewards it.

Special Events and Concerts

Buford runs events and concerts through the year and they are better attended than the size of the town suggests. Music lovers and anyone after a night out both do well.

The Buford Community Center is the best place to catch a concert. The venue is modern and it books local musicians and big-name acts alike, and the acoustics carry an intimate room properly. The center also runs free outdoor movies and concerts, which is the better option on a warm evening.

For something different, the Buford Variety Theater. The historic theater has been entertaining audiences since the 1940s and it trades on quirky and offbeat programming, from comedy shows to musical revues. It is also available for private events.

Buford also hosts events for the whole family through the year, from food festivals to seasonal celebrations. Check the calendar of events to see what falls inside your visit.

For a night out, Buford delivers. The concerts, events and theaters between them cover most tastes.

Educational Attractions

The educational side of Buford is stronger than most visitors expect, and it works for children and adults alike. These are the best educational attractions in the town:

Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center

The Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center is the one for science and the environment. The interactive exhibits cover the natural world and the history of Gwinnett County, running from the local flora and fauna to the geology of the region. The exhibits are built to be informative and entertaining at once, which is harder than it sounds.

Buford Dam Park

Buford Dam Park is where the history of the area and the dam’s part in it are laid out. Several exhibits cover the dam and the surrounding area. A guided tour of the dam itself goes into the inner workings. It takes a day with the family and sends everyone home knowing something new.

Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center

The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center also covers the history and culture of the region. The exhibits run from the Native Americans who first inhabited the area to the early settlers who built the county. It is another good day out with the family, and the history goes deeper than the building suggests.

Buford, Georgia is well supplied with educational attractions. Science, history or the environment, one of them will land. Grab the family and go.

Lively Nightlife

After dark, Buford wakes up. Live music, performances, taverns and karaoke are all on offer.

Music lovers should go to the Thirsty Turtle Bar and Grill. The room books genuinely varied genres, from rock and blues to country and pop. The drinks selection and the bar food both hold up through the night.

For live performance, The Blue Caterpillar Hookah Lounge is the venue. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, and the programme runs from live music to comedy shows. The hookah is the best in town.

For tavern night, Tannery Row Ale House. The rustic room carries a wide selection of craft beers, pub grub that goes with them and live music on the weekends. The big screen TVs cover the sports.

For karaoke, The Arena Tavern. The sports bar has a good selection of drinks and pub food, and the karaoke nights land reliably. Grab the mic.

Buford covers most nightlife preferences. Put on the shoes you can stand up in and go.

Sports and Recreation

Sports and recreation are well covered in Buford. A relaxing day at the park and an adrenaline-heavy one are both available.

Boating means Lake Lanier. Over 38,000 acres of water make a full day on it easy, and the scenery holds up the whole time. Rent a boat or bring your own. Wear a life jacket.

To keep your feet on the ground, Buford has walking trails. The Ivy Creek Greenway is the popular one, with scenic views and wildlife along it. The exercise and the nature come in the same walk.

For the more adventurous, the Buford Adventure Challenge Course is the answer. Zip lines, rope bridges and other obstacles make up the run. It is a genuine challenge and it is enjoyable at the same time.

For firearms, the Georgia Gun Club is here. Target shooting and other activities run for all skill levels. Follow the safety rules and regulations, and the afternoon does its job.

Buford is well supplied on sports and recreation. A relaxing day at the park and an adrenaline-heavy one are equally available. Get out there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some fun things to do in Buford that won’t break the bank?

Saving money in Buford is straightforward. The Mall of Georgia covers shopping, a movie and a concert at the amphitheater without a big spend. The Georgia Gun Club has target shooting for anyone feeling adventurous. The parks and nature trails in and around Buford cost nothing at all.

What are the top attractions to visit in Buford?

Buford’s top attractions cover different tastes. History readers should go to the Bona Allen Mansion, a serious example of Southern architecture. Thrill-seekers should go to Andretti Indoor Karting & Games. Everyone should stop at the Mall of Georgia, where the shopping, dining and entertainment sit in one building.

Where are the best places to take kids in Buford?

For family-friendly ground, Buford is well covered. The Mall of Georgia has the carousel, the play area and a movie. For something more educational, the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center teaches children about science and nature in a way they will actually sit through.

What is Buford, Georgia famous for?

Buford is known for its history, its natural beauty and a community that turns out. The city was once home to the Bona Allen Tannery, a major producer of leather goods in the early 20th century. It is also home to the Mall of Georgia, one of the largest shopping centers in the Southeast.

Is Buford considered part of Atlanta or its own town?

Buford sits just north of Atlanta but it is its own city with its own identity. It is part of Gwinnett County and home to over 15,000 residents.

What makes Buford a great area to visit or live in?

Buford blends small-town scale with big-city amenities. The history, the natural beauty and the community are the reasons people stay. Top-rated schools, serious shopping and plenty of recreational choice are the reasons they arrive. Visiting or moving, the town holds up.

Frequently asked questions about Buford, Georgia

How big is Lake Lanier near Buford, Georgia?

Lake Lanier covers over 38,000 acres of open water behind the dam. It carries over 692 miles of shoreline, which is more than several coastal states manage between them, and Buford Dam is what created all of it. Boat rentals operate from several points around the lake. Swimming, fishing and picnicking all run from the public parks along the shore. Wear a life jacket.

Which park is best for a day outdoors in Buford?

Buford Dam Park is the one to pick for a full day. It has lake access, picnic space, hiking and exhibits on the dam’s history, and the guided tours of the dam itself leave from there rather than anywhere else in town. West Bank Park is the second option on the same shoreline. It covers much the same ground with fewer people on it.

What trail can you walk in Buford, Georgia?

The Ivy Creek Greenway is the main walking trail in Buford, and there is wildlife along the length of it. The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center adds its own nature trails on the same side of town. For something harder, the Buford Adventure Challenge Course runs zip lines and rope bridges through the trees. Allow about an hour for the greenway.

Spread the love!