Living in Duluth GA | Downtown Duluth VLOG TOUR | Living in Atlanta Suburbs
Hello! This is Tim Trevathan with Tim Trevathan Homes and Keller Williams Realty. Today, we are going to talk about downtown Duluth and living in Duluth GA. Duluth, Georgia is a north Atlanta suburb with a long history and a thriving downtown area. Duluth has worked hard to make its downtown a true live-work-play community.
Before we get started on our walk through downtown Duluth, I want to take just a minute to share some of the history of this popular downtown area. The fourth oldest city in Gwinnett County, the railroad came to what was then known as Howell’s Crossing in 1871 and brought with it economic growth. In 1873, the town’s name was changed to Duluth, after Duluth Minnesota. In 1876, the city’s charter was approved by the state of Georgia.
Fast forward to 1998. The city’s commitment to “Pride in the Old and New” comes into play. It had been a long 100+ years and the city’s downtown area had seen businesses come and go. Time had not been kind to the historic buildings of Downtown Duluth and a plan was set in motion to protect and revitalize historic Downtown Duluth.
Fast forward another 24 years and Downtown Duluth is absolutely thriving. The city has managed to preserve its historical charm and character while also attracting both businesses and residents. This is an exciting time to be a Duluth resident!
Downtown Duluth is popular amongst young families, working professionals, and active adults alike thanks to the variety of housing options. There is the active adult community, Everleigh Duluth, just across from the Town Green, the high end District at Duluth apartment homes located directly across the street from the main downtown area and popular with young professionals, and then there are single family townhomes and detached homes flanking the downtown area on the north and west sides.
Bottom line, if urban walkability is something that appeals to you, then Duluth has something for you no matter what your age or family status.
Downtown Duluth is busy with city-sponsored events all year long! We only have time to mention a few of the most popular annual events, but you can head to the city’s website and grab the entire list.
- Fridays-N-Duluth. Also known as Food Truck Fridays, this annual event is much loved by Duluth residents. Spanning the warm months of May – September, come out on Friday nights and enjoy food trucks and live music.
- Duluth Celebrates America. The annual 4th of July celebration is famously held on, wait for it, July 3rd every year. It’s a win-win! Celebrate in downtown with your fellow Duluth residents and then celebrate at home or with friends on the 4th.
- Duluth Fall Festival and Duluth Spring Arts Festivals are both popular annual events. Both events have their own unique character and bring a variety of vendors to town along with live entertainment, food, and family fun.
That is just the tip of the iceberg. There is also Derby Day, Duluth on Tap, Cookies & Cocoa with Santa, Flicks on the Bricks, Paint Duluth, Summer Stage Concert series and more. Bottom line: it is impossible to be bored in Duluth.
Now, let’s change gears just a bit and talk about what you’ll find when you visit Duluth.
First up: The Festival Town Center. This is the heart of the action for almost all those events I just mentioned. On the edge of the Town Green, the event stage plays hosts to bands and other live entertainment throughout the year. The Festival Town Center also has private event space available for rent.
On the north end of the Town Green, you’ll find the Downtown Duluth Fountain. Popular with the city’s youngest visitors, especially during the summer, the fountain is open Monday – Friday and you’ll frequently find youngsters splashing around and staying cool while their parents enjoy a cool drink or take-out from a local restaurant.
On the south end of the Town Green, you’ll see City Hall. Its impossible not to notice this beautiful, large building. In addition to providing a nice visual backdrop to the Town Green, City Hall is where all the daily business that comes with running a city occurs.
Behind City Hall, is the brand-new Duluth branch of the Gwinnett Public Library system. Opening in 2021, the library is state-of-the-art and has a spacious kid’s room, ample work and study quiet spaces, and even has a 3D printer available for patrons to use.
Let’s head over to Main Street. Heading north on Main Street, you’ll see the Town Green, play ground, and Festival Arts Center on your left, and on the right you’ll find a variety of retail options.
If you own a business, of interest to you may be the marketing agency Luckie & Company or the advertising agency Marbury Creative Group. Next door to those two businesses, Adrian Collaborative specializes in consultation services for businesses and state agencies with environmental and transportation planning needs.
Brand new to Main Street in April 2022, String & Story on Main is where you will want to be if you are a quilter or love sewing. You will be able to take classes, have pieced quilts quilted, or purchase fabric and sewing notions.
Continuing to head north on Main Street, on the next block we’ll start on the left side of the street. You’ll first see Truck & Tap Duluth. Here you’ll find a different food truck each night of the week and great craft beer. Vom Fass & Violas is a unique local spot specializing in specialty vinegars and oils. The Eye Candy Art Studio offers a drop-in pottery painting as well as canvas painting classes for both children and adults.
OW4 Pizza is just that – a pizza restaurant. But not just any pizza restaurant. Their specialty is Jersey-style pizza. Head next door to Crave Pie for dessert. You’ll find 5” mini pies daily and 10” signature flavor pecan and chess pies. You’ll also find a seasonal rotation of fruit pies, cream pies, and custards.
Directly across the street on the other side of Main Street, you’ll find PURE Taqueria. Self-describing their fare as Mexican “reimagined”, PURE is known for its house made tortillas and margaritas. Next door is Piedmont Bank, and then you’ll find the Spool School. Known for their classes, Spool School is where kids and adults of all ages learn how to sew. They also host private events; especially popular are birthday parties, baby showers, and girls’ nights.
At the end of the block, is the Red Clay Music Foundry, home of Eddie Owen Presents. A family friendly music venue, you’ll find Gwinnett School of Music on the lower level and a 260-seat listening room on the upper level where songwriters from across the county come to play.
Alright, that wraps up Main Street! The other commercial street in Downtown Duluth is West Lawrenceville Street, home of Parson’s Alley. If you didn’t want pizza, pie, or tacos on Main Street, you are sure to find something to satisfy your hunger in the dining establishments of Parson’s Alley.
Let’s do dessert first! The Chocolaterie is a luxury chocolate shop offering artisan chocolate, gourmet ice cream, and handcrafted fudge. When you visit, be sure to try the truffles. Fun fact: The Chocolaterie is located in the oldest still existing historic building in downtown.
Nacho Daddy is a Mexican restaurant known for their gourmet nachos. Next, you’ll find Good Word Brewing & Public House. Known for their microbeers, you’ll also find amazing Southern and Latin inspired dishes at this popular Duluth establishment.
Local on North is a family owned and operated upscale eatery. Their food is highly praised, but the burgers are especially popular. Rather self-explanatory, Dreamland BBQ brings you some of the finest BBQ in the area. Ribs are their specialty, but you can also find pulled pork and other favorites you’d expect to find at a BBQ joint.
Noona Meat & Seafood bills itself as “a modern steakhouse with a Korean influence”. The open kitchen has a 9-foot wood burning hearth, which creates a welcoming atmosphere. Right next door is Personify Shop, the one retail establishment in this dining hub. Personify Shop is the sort of boutique you visit when you aren’t sure exactly what you are looking for and but can trust you’ll find something you love. Offering clothing, shoes, home goods, accessories, and more, Personify Shop connects makers with consumers and specializes in modern whimsy.
Behind Personify Shop and Noona, you’ll find two more Duluth favorites: Maple Street Biscuit Company and Simply Done Donuts. Maple Street Biscuit Company is southern breakfast and lunch food at its best. The motto of Simply Done Donuts is “Lil donuts, big flavor” and they certainly try to live up to that. With 26 flavors to choose from, the hard part is deciding which mini donuts to buy!
If you want to check out Downtown Duluth and beat the crowds, I suggest visiting for lunch on a weekday. There is plenty of surface parking in the area, as well as a public parking deck. Thanks for visiting Downtown Duluth with me. Hopefully you’ll be able to visit yourself someday soon.
Call me if you need help with your Atlanta real estate buying/selling! Let’s setup a game plan to fulfill your real estate goals! Tim Trevathan: 770-906-0748 | [email protected]
