10 Best Things to Do in Buford: Main Street and the Lake

Buford grew from a Main Street mill town into the city with the biggest mall in Georgia, and the two sides still sit side by side: the old brick downtown and the lake that runs along the north edge. This list keeps to real places you can stand in, in the town where the I-85 corridor meets Lake Lanier.

1. Historic downtown Buford

Main Street's turn-of-the-century brick storefronts now hold boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, with the old railroad-town feel still intact. It is the city's original walk.

2. Tannery Row Artist Colony

The former Bona Allen shoe factory along Main Street now holds working artist studios and a gallery. The building is worth an hour on a weekend afternoon.

3. Mall of Georgia

Georgia's largest shopping center, with the department stores, the dining village, and an IMAX theater. The outdoor village and its amphitheater carry events through the year.

4. Lake Lanier and Buford Dam Park

The reservoir behind Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee runs along Buford's north end. Buford Dam Park is the closest Corps day-use spot, with a swim beach, picnic shelters, and a walk along the dam.

5. Margaritaville at Lanier Islands

The resort on the north shore with the water park, wave pool, beaches, and the LandShark Grill. It runs a full summer season and hosts the lake's holiday drive-through lights in winter.

6. Bogan Park and the Aquatic Center

The 83-acre city park with the indoor aquatic center, a double gym, ball fields, and playgrounds. The pool building is the winter answer to the lake.

7. Ivy Creek Greenway

The paved greenway with boardwalks, a dog park, playgrounds, and ponds, connecting Buford toward Sugar Hill. Morning is the quiet time.

8. The Main Street table

Bare Bones Steakhouse in the old bank building, Aqua Terra Bistro, 37 Main, and Off The Rails keep the dinner shift busy. Book ahead on weekends.

9. Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center

The county's environmental education center on Clean Water Drive with interactive exhibits and walking trails, a good wet-weather stop near the water campus.

10. Buford Corn Maze

A fall institution on Bennett Road: pumpkin patch and hayrides by day, and the Scream Zone haunted trail after dark on weekend dates. It is the seasonal anchor of the county's north end.

Next in the series: 10 Best Things to Do in Suwanee

One evening on Lake Lanier, Flowery Branch to Gainesville

The Buford city guide