With the Autumnal Equinox set to hit at 8:04 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, September 22, you may be beyond ready to pull out the pumpkin spice, don your favorite boots, and drape cozy throws over the arms of your sofa. While your vibe may be 100% FALL, average temperatures in Gwinnett County in September and October rarely dip below 55 degrees – and highs are often in the 70s and 80s. As you yearn for those cool breezes that bring on sweater weather, one of the benefits of Georgia’s temperate climate is that it’s easier to enjoy outdoor activities longer. Whether you’re trying to become an “outdoorsy” person or you’re endeavoring to raise young enthusiasts of the Great Outdoors, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful has compiled a list of some of our favorite ways to enjoy Autumn in our sweet Southern community…
Knock a New Gwinnett County Park Off Your Bucket List
With nearly 50 parks spread across the county, it’s easy to take your pick of parks you’d like to explore. The Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation website is a great place to start! Whether you’re drawn to one for a particular planned activity at its community center or amenities that range from dog and skate parks to picnic pavilions and playgrounds, Fall is the perfect time to start exploring and knocking parks off your bucket list.
Pay a Visit to a Neighboring Town Center
Part of what makes Gwinnett such a great place to live, work, and play is the municipalities that call our county “home.” Many have invested heavily in their town centers to draw local residents and visitors. For instance, Suwanee has created a wonderful place to take an afternoon walk, throw down a picnic blanket for a little cloud watching, and observe its many public art installations. The same goes for the Lawrenceville Lawn, the Town Greens in Peachtree Corners and Duluth, and The Bowl at Sugar Hill.
Experience as Many Outdoor Community Events as You Can
Fall is “Festival Season” in Gwinnett County! Be sure to add one or more of these open-air events to your calendar…
- Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park September 9-13
- Gwinnett County Fair at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds September 17-27
- Suwanee Fest at Suwanee Town Center September 19-20
- Atlanta Korean Festival at Gwinnett Place Mall September 19-20
- Pumpkin Festival at Stone Mountain Park September 19-November 1
- Duluth Fall Festival at Duluth Town Green September 26-27
- Norcross Art Splash and Wine Festival in Downtown Norcross October 3-4
- Taste of BBQ & Music Festival at The Bowl at Sugar Hill October 3-4
- Loganville Autumn Fest on the Loganville Town Green October 17
- Boo Fest on The Lawrenceville Lawn October 23
- AuburnFest in Downtown Auburn October 24
- Suwanee Wine Fest at Suwanee Town Center Park November 7
Take a Trek on a Gwinnett County Trail System
One of the best ways to experience leaf-peeping season is to stroll through a canopy of trees and hear the “crunch” of fallen leaves under your feet. Gwinnett Trails is an award-winning system with over 145 miles of multi-use paths. While there are several exciting extensions in the works, currently open signature trail systems include:
- Camp Creek Greenway in Lilburn
- Harris Greenway Trail in Lawrenceville
- Ivy Creek Greenway in Buford & Suwanee
- Sugar Hill Greenway in Sugar Hill
- Suwanee Creek Greenway in Suwanee
- Western Gwinnett Pathway in Duluth
Get Hooked on Fishing at Twin Bridges Lake
Stocked with farm-raised catfish, this 10-acre lake in Lawrenceville also boasts native populations of bass, bream, and crappie. No fishing license is required at Twin Bridges Lake, and the bait shop offers rods, reels, bait, and tackle so you can go fishing on the “fly.” It’s a wonderful place to introduce young ones to fishing before graduating to the Chattahoochee River or Lake Lanier.
Shop a Local Farmers’ Market
While several close at the end of Summer, a handful of farmers’ markets remain open. They offer a wonderful opportunity to meet local farmers face-to-face and buy fresh produce, grass-fed beef, fresh-churned butter, and more. The Suwanee Farmers Market is open every Saturday through October, and on select Saturdays through April. The Duluth Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market is open the 1st & 3rd Sundays of the Month on the Town Green through November. The Braselton Farmers Market is open every Friday through September, then October 16 and November 6. The Sugar Hill Farmers Market is open every Tuesday through the end of September.
Discover One or More of Gwinnett’s Environmentally Focused Destinations
Fall is the ideal time to explore the trails that surround the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center. Make time to head indoors for a lesson on our county’s history and ecology. As spooky season gets underway, join the throngs at the Buford Corn Maze for a traditional hayride, to get lost between the rows, brave the Haunted Forest, and take part in other fun farm-related activities.
Take Part in an Adopt-A-Stream Workshop
Our year-round Adopt-A-Stream program offers an opportunity to become one with nature – and become certified as a stream steward! This Fall, our workshops include:
- September 18 – Chemical & Bacterial Workshop at Lilburn City Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- October 9 – Macroinvertebrate Workshop at Harbins Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- October 29 – Bacterial Workshop at the Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful office from 1-4 p.m.
- November 18 – Chemical Workshop at Jones Bridge Park from 1-4 p.m.
Bring Your Hard-To-Recycle Items to America Recycles Day
Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful’s annual America Recycles Day event returns to Gwinnett County Fairgrounds on Saturday, November 7 from 9 a.m. to noon! We’ll be shredding paper and collecting electronics, tires, clothing, sneakers, and latex and oil-based paint, so start cleaning out those closets, cabinets, garages, attics, and basements, and make plans to join us this November.
From all of us at Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, we wish you a BEAUTIFUL Fall!