Incorporated in 1916, Braselton spans four counties – Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson- and sits 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. The city occupies 34 square miles and shares a zip code with Hoschton, with the town bordering the city limits. Despite undergoing redevelopment, Downtown Braselton will keep the same charm and small-town feel established in the early 1900s when the Braselton Brothers first opened a store.

Founded in 1884 and named after Harrison Braselton, the farmer purchased 800 acres of land to build a plantation and later served as the inspiration for the city name. Braselton was a poor farmer who married Susan Hosch, the daughter of a rich plantation owner. Together, they built a home on the 786 acres of land he purchased north of the Hosch Plantation. His eldest son, William Henry, served as the first mayor of Braselton.

In 1989, actress and Georgia native Kim Basinger and other investors bought 1,751 acres of the town’s 2,000 privately owned acres for $20 million from Braselton Brothers, Inc. The group’s original intention of transforming the city into a tourist destination failed and facing personal bankruptcy five years later, she and her partners sold the land for $1 million.

With a population of 13,043 people, the residents of Braselton have a variety of real estate options to choose from, including Crossvine Estates, with opportunities from a well-known local builder Fischer Homes. The single-family community is currently under construction. Move-in ready opportunities in Braselton include Hellen Valley from McKinley Homes and the Fischer Homes community The Reserve at Liberty Park.

Families who live in the Braselton area have access to excellent educational opportunities! Districted institutions include Duncan Creek Elementary, North Jackson Elementary, Puckett’s Mill Elementary, West Jackson Elementary, Osborne Middle and West Jackson Middle Schools. Rising ninth-grade students attending Jackson County Comprehensive High and Mill Creek High Schools also uniquely benefit from the EPIC program, a STEM Certified program.

Besides living near excellent schools, residents enjoy a nearby wide variety of unique and exciting activities in and around historic Braselton.

Shopping and Dining

Inspired by a 2015 vacation in the Pacific Northwest, the Braselton Brewing Company (BBC) is located in a restored cotton gin. The owners stopped at a different brewpub each night leading to the opening of BBC. Enjoy interesting craft beer choices, such as The Hefe that Killed Elvis and the Love Magnet IPA, while enjoying comfort food served in a casual pet-friendly environment.

Château Élan Winery & Resort is North Georgia’s premier destination in Braselton and has a wide variety of authentic flavors, international cuisine, wine and craft beverages and sweet treats. The resort features a diverse list of on-site restaurants that offer visitors a culinary tour around the globe! Guests can dine at the following featured restaurants:

• Fleur de Lis – a relaxing and mindful dining experience at the Spa
• Le Petit Café – an artisan coffee and pastry spot
• Le Soleil – a poolside restaurant
• Louis House of Bourbon – a Southern gastro pub
• Marc Restaurant – a Southern-influenced chophouse
• Paddy’s Irish Pub – an authentic ale house
• Sarazen’s Bar & Grill – a classic American dining experience overlooking the 18th green
• Versailles Restaurant & Bar – an internationally inspired a la carte menu that offers a tea service

The Château Élan Winery is one of the East Coast’s largest and most awarded wineries. With more than 30 wine varieties and on-site production in Braselton and South Georgia vineyards, the winery also incorporates the use of hand-picked grapes transported from Lake County and Clarksburg regions in California. The winery is open daily for guided tours and tastings.

A classic American Steakhouse in downtown Braselton, Cotton Calf Kitchen features a menu with dry-aged steak, heirloom vegetables and an array of tapas-style appetizers. A lounge and bar area serves a carefully curated beverage menu spotlighting craft beers, small-batch whiskeys, bourbons, classic cocktails and an extensive wine list. Patio dining is available if weather permits overlooking Braselton’s Town Green.

Another downtown Braselton favorite comes all the way from France! Owner and French native Viviane Fonfrede will serenade you at her creperie where her husband, Yannick is the chef. The Galloping Galette menu features sweet, savory and hearty crepes best enjoyed inside or on the outdoor patio. A recent special courtesy of Chef Yannick includes a banana and vanilla Chantilly Brittany crumble with Georgia peach and strawberry syrup.

Juke N Jive Creamery is an old-fashioned, themed ice cream parlor that invites people to the future with fond memories of the past. The name inspired by a Facebook contest winner embodies a retro feel reminiscent of the classic Jukebox and Jive dance style popular in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Juke N Jive Creamery sells traditional and unique ice cream flavors and dessert specialties made on-site, including sundaes, floats, milkshakes, fudge, and ice cream cakes, along with other desserts and drinks.

The Mall of Georgia is an enclosed super-regional shopping mall located in Gwinnett County near the city of Buford. Opened in 1999, it is currently the largest shopping mall in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area and the state of Georgia, with more than 200 stores on three levels.

Entertainment and Recreation

The Motul Petit Le Mansis a sports car endurance race held annually at Road Atlanta Race Track located just north of town. The biggest sporting event in the southeast, four days worth of on-track battles culminating in the 10-hour Championship finale showdown on Saturday, October 1, features nonstop action for this year’s 25th annual event! This family-friendly celebration also features a Kid’s Zone, vendors, food trucks, displays, car corrals and camping.

A fun way to discover all the downtown shops in Braselton, each stop along the 2022 Downtown Chocolate Walk features a delicious chocolate treat from participating businesses. An annual event, each year’s celebration shines the spotlight on local businesses and offers attendees the chance to win a prize after receiving a stamp on the event map from every participating store.

Hop aboard the Braselton Holiday Lights Trolley Tour for a magical tour of the best holiday light displays in town. The 1.5-hour ride will begin at Mulberry Walk and visits Braselton’s brightest neighborhoods and attractions. End the night with hot cocoa, ice cream, an adult beverage or dinner within walking distance of the trolley stop to extend the holiday fun and support local businesses.

The annual Pooches in the Park celebration at Braselton Park on Harrison Street boasts plenty of fun activities! The Saturday festival includes a lure course, marketplace photo stops and more! This is a family and pet-friendly event.

Outrun the undead in downtown Braselton at the Braselton Zombie 5k Race! This competition is an official AJC Peachtree Road Race Qualifying Event and benefits the Downtown Development Authority appointed by the Town of Braselton to ensure the long-term economic stability of downtown.

Historical Attractions in Braselton

Constructed in 1904 to house the famed Braselton brothers mercantile store, the reimagined iconic downtown building now serves as a local market with a relaxing vibe. The 1904 is the city’s new favorite local hangout, offering a bakery, taproom, unique retail shops and plenty of nooks with comfy chairs.

One of Braselton’s most historic landmarks that is more than a century old, the Braselton Grist Mill contains the original equipment from the 1900s when the Mill was in operation. With renovations beginning in 2023, The Mill is set to become Braselton’s hottest new spot!

The handsome, vintage-inspired Braselton Trolley winds its way from historic Downtown Braselton to the Highway 211 corridor, including stops at Braselton Bros. Department Store building, Château Élan Winery & Resort and several places in between. The free trolley ride lasts 45 minutes, operating from 4 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

More than 330 acres of forest and over 100 native and exotic tree species are on full view at the Thompson Mills Forest State Arboretum of Georgia. The green space is a University of Georgia botanical garden devoted entirely to plant appreciation and provides research and educational opportunities for the university as well as trails for the public to enjoy.

Whether you visit Braselton for the food, attractions or history, make sure to visit this hidden gem soon!

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