Home to the original Peachtree Road, the city of Duluth was incorporated into Gwinnett County in 1906. The city derives its name from Duluth, Minnesota, which was named after Daniel Greysolon du Luth, a French captain and explorer of the upper Midwest who was responsible for negotiating a signed peace treaty between the Chippewa and the Sioux nation.
Duluth has a very reputable status as one of the best places to live, and it is recognized as a model city for Gwinnett County. It has been mentioned in Forbes magazine, which ranked the city at No. 26 in the nation in America’s Best Places to Move in 2009, in BusinessWeek magazine as the Best Affordable Suburb in Georgia and most recently in NewsMax Magazine as a Top Ten City for Best American Values. Located close to I-85 and featuring great shopping, recreation and dining throughout the city, it’s no wonder that more than 26,000 people call Duluth their home. More than 900 homes are for sale on Zillow that range in price from $229,000 to $4 million.
Duluth’s youngest residents can attend a variety of 18 public and 26 exceptional private schools, including Berkeley Lake Elementary, B.B. Harris Elementary, Brooks Coleman Middle, Hull Middle, Duluth High, Woodward Academy and Notre Dame Academy.
Despite Duluth being at the forefront of the Metro Atlanta area’s great business and residential development, it still manages to retain its small-town character with its many annual holiday and festive events and tight-knit community. Attractions in Duluth include:
Shopping and Dining:
- Falling Rabbit. Featuring a weekly rotation of dishes, Falling Rabbit became an overnight sensation in Downtown Duluth. The cozy, whimsical interior makes each visit a unique dining experience for everyone.
- Good Word Brewing & Public House. A brewpub founded on a vision to foster the community to communicate in authentic and viable ways. Good Word takes pride in wanting you to know your neighbor, both in personal and professional environments. Come here to enjoy good food, good beer and good conversations.
- Maple Street Biscuit Company. Maple Street is known for serving great food, but they also want you to meet your neighbor or locals by using community-style seating to enjoy your meal. It’s comfort food with a modern twist and a fan favorite biscuit is The Squawking Goat, a fried chicken biscuit with fried goat cheese and house-made pepper jelly.
- Duluth Rexall Grill. Located in an old Rexall Drugs building, this old-time diner is a great location to enjoy delicious southern-style food and being with family. They take pride in offering a space for everyone to feel welcome and at home.
- Dreamland BarBQue. Originally opened in 1958 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this BBQ joint is best known for its hickory-fired ribs. Over the years Dreamland has grown and they still make things just the way the original owner, John “Big Daddy” Bishop, did them. Come in and enjoy some great BBQ!
- Personify Shop. Helping customers find unique pieces that offer modern and whimsical goods is the mother-daughter team, Tammy Lopez and Maddie Moren. This shop carries a variety of women’s clothing, home goods, lifestyle accessories and gifts.
- The Chocolaterie. Located in the oldest remaining building on Main Street, this chocolaterie offers decadent hand-painted truffles, homemade fudge, traditional chocolate goodies and gourmet ice cream.
- Provisions on Main. This tiny market offers a thoughtfully curated collection of locally sourced foods and fares. Providing a space for local makers is the main reason this storefront opened. They want to provide a place where they can be easily distributed to residents of Duluth.
- 6S Brewing Company. Created by experienced homebrewers, this brewery is invested in creating a culture where family, friends and neighbors can come together and experience a unique craft beer.
Entertainment and Recreation
- Pinckneyville Park. Located on Old Peachtree Road, this park is the perfect place for the whole family with offerings including a dog park, soccer fields, pottery studio, dance studio, hidden courtyard, baseball fields, a skate park and multiple playgrounds.
- Shorty Howell Park. Featuring 67 acres and a 1.25-mile paved trail, this park offers a football/multi-purpose field with lights, baseball fields, playgrounds, pavilions and community rooms/classrooms for everyone to enjoy.
- McDaniel Farm Park. A former cotton farm, this piece of land has remained unchanged since the 1820 land lottery. It experienced struggles during the Great Depression and the boll weevil, but is now home to a furnished farmhouse, carriage shed, tenant house and three miles of paved and non-paved trails.
- Gas South District. With free parking, tasty concessions and great views from every seat, Gas South District is a great venue for basketball, concerts and other shows. It is home to the Atlanta Gladiators, Atlanta’s only professional hockey team.
- TPC at Sugarloaf. TPC Sugarloaf houses an exquisite course within Sugarloaf Country Club that was designed by Greg Norman. Consisting of three courses of nine holes, each a par-36, this venue would be fun and challenging for any golfer.
- Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry. With great acoustics and a convenient location in historic downtown Duluth, this is a great place to go if you’re looking for a small venue with a friendly staff.
Historical Attractions
- Strickland House. The home was established in 1898 and was the home of Alice Strickland, the first female mayor of Duluth. Artifacts, exhibits and pictures show stories from Duluth’s first inhabitants, Cherokee Indians and its founder, Evan Howell. The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from noon until 3 p.m..
- Southeastern Railway Museum. Operated by the National Railway Historical Society’s Atlanta Chapter, visitors can tour passenger coaches and business coaches, explore old WWII troop kitchens and look at old freight cars.
- Duluth Historical Society. The new location of the Duluth historical society is now at the Railway Museum and tours are offered by appointment.
Come and enjoy what Duluth has to offer! Discover a small town with big city features!