Want to explore more cool Atlanta neighborhoods? Check out our family-friendly guides to Decatur, Stone Mountain, and Virginia-Highland.

Outdoor Activities and Events in Duluth, GA

1. Downtown Duluth

Explore the historic downtown area, filled with tasty restaurants and quaint shops. Look for the newly implemented selfie stations, which allow you to pose for pictures without having to stretch your arms awkwardly. There’s ample free parking along the street and in public lots, garages, and a deck.  

Duluth Town Green is a favorite hangout in the summer.

2. Duluth Town Green

To the delight of kids and parents alike, Town Green is the focal point of the downtown area. This greenspace, fronting City Hall, offers a spray fountain for kids to frolic in during hot summer months and an amphitheater hosting summer concerts and outdoor movies—all for FREE!  

3. Taylor Park

Bring a picnic and eat at Taylor Park on the edge of Duluth Town Green. Kids can expend energy on the play structure while parents take a break to relax.

4. Parsons Alley

Another downtown area, which initially housed a bank, church, and parsonage, has been redeveloped into a gathering spot with restaurants, shops, and an additional greenspace plaza area. Throughout the summer months, Parsons Thursday Nights Out features musical performances and other entertainment every Thursday between 6-9pm.

5. Public Art

Take an interactive walk to discover Duluth’s public art displays. Look for colorful murals, sculptures, and the new Gigglebark Tree, a playable art structure kids can climb at Taylor Park.

Spend a day tubing down the river at Rogers Bridge Park. 

6. Rogers Bridge Park

This 24-acre park along the Chattahoochee River offers fields and a pedestrian bridge connecting to John’s Creek. Ride bikes on the Western Gwinnett Bikeway to Suwannee. Furry friends can get in on the fun at the Chattapoochie Dog Park, complete with a spray pad for dogs! And if you want to float down the Chattahoochee, bring a kayak and set off from the boat launch at Rogers Bridge Park. You can also rent tubes through Chattahoochee River Tubing at Abbotts Bridge Park, a few miles north of Duluth.  

7. Duluth Farmer’s and Artisans Market

Held the first and third Sunday afternoon March-May and again, September-November, this farmer’s market offers families a great way to stock up on farm-fresh ingredients.

8. Bunten Road Park

Children stay entertained on the two playgrounds at this 45-acre park. In addition to meandering trails, Bunten Road Park features tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball fields, restrooms, and a community recreation building.

9. McDaniel Farm Park

Learn about farm life as you wander over three miles of trails at this city park. Explore the farmhouse, chicken coop, barn, gardens, and more at this historic farm that was self-sustaining until 1999. A playground, dog park, and picnic tables are also available.  

10. Pirate’s Cove Adventure Center

Play miniature golf year-round on either the 18-hole or 27-hole course. During Puttin’ for Patriots held over Memorial Day weekend, a percentage of sales go to charities supporting veterans.

11. Duluth Fall Festival

The Duluth Fall Festival is held the last weekend of September. This two-day festival raises money to keep Downtown Duluth beautiful and features over 250 artists and food booths. The city offers complimentary shuttle transportation from designated parking lots offsite.

12. Wednesday Flavors on Main

Enjoy food trucks that line up the downtown area every Wednesday night from the end of May through the middle of September.

Duluth has many family-friendly festivals throughout the year. 

13. Other Duluth Festivals

Other annual popular Duluth events for families include the Duluth Chalk Art Festival, Lantern Parade, and the Duluth Spring Arts Festival, with dance performances, live music, and food.

14. Flicks on the Bricks

Catch a summertime movie on the large screen at Town Green. Movies begin at 7pm and are held monthly in June and July. 

15. Outdoor Concerts

Head to Festival Center Plaza, the amphitheater area on Town Green, and listen to a different band every Friday Night at Rock the Block: Live and Loud. The event is held every Friday from 6-9 pm from the end of May through the middle of September.

Georgia's Official Transportation History Museum featuring the largest collection of “rolling stock” in Georgia. Photo by Chuck Miller

Indoor activities in Duluth, GA

16. Southeastern Railway Museum

Enjoy climbing aboard the various passenger cars, cabooses, locomotives, and more at this museum. Each visit also includes a short train ride. Download the scavenger hunt on the website for more family fun and check out special events, preschool programs, and summer camps for kids ages 5-12.

17. Atlanta Ice Forum

Don a pair of skates and glide across the ice year-round at this indoor skate facility. You can sign up for group lessons if you want more expertise. Ice skating works up an appetite so you can eat at the Breakaway Grill on the premises.

18. K1 Speed Atlanta

If your kids like to put the pedal to the metal, spend the day karting at this indoor facility. For those not into karting, there’s billiards, air hockey, and a café. 

19. Duluth Public Library

Located in the historic downtown area, this library offers story time, learning labs, a drop-in chess club, and other family-friendly programs.

20. Sporting Events

Duluth is home to the Georgia Swarm, a professional box lacrosse team; Atlanta Gladiators, a minor-league hockey team; and Atlanta Vibe, a professional female volleyball team. You can catch home games of all these teams at Gas South Arena, a 13,000-seat indoor venue.

21. Gas South Theatre

Catch a concert, Broadway show, or performance of The Nutcracker at the 700-seat theater in the Gas South District. You can also enroll kids in the Alliance Theatre Summer Camp, which is also held at this location.

22. Hudgens Center for Art and Learning

Explore art galleries, a creative Kids Zone space, and an outdoor sculpture garden at this non-profit arts center located at Gas South Arena. Enroll your children in art classes and summer camps. Also, check the calendar for family programming.  

23. Eye Candy Art Studio

Drop by this studio to paint a piece of pottery or an art canvas. You can also book homeschool art classes, host a birthday party (for kids or adults), or sign kids ages 6-12 up for summer camp.

24. Cool People Sew

Book a kids' birthday party or enroll your kids ages 6-14 in sewing classes, summer camp, or a workshop at Cool People Sew. This shop also sells an array of fabrics and accessories for sewing and quilting projects.  

Stop by the eclectic Personify Shop for a spot of shopping! Photo by Rebecca Leffler

25. Personify Shop

This cute shop offers a bit of everything. You’ll find women’s clothing, shoes, candles, notecards, and more. There’s also a selection of kids’ clothing, school backpacks, children’s books, and toys (including the trendy Jelly Cats stuffed animals!).

Find all the classics, throwback to the 70s candies, at Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop. Photo by Rebecca Leffler

26. Rocket Fizz

Check out this store dedicated entirely to candy and soda pop. While kids stock up on Slime Lickers, Pop Rocks, and candy sold by the weight, you may find candy you haven’t seen in years (remember Candy Buttons, Wax Lips, and Pixy Stix?). Soda offerings include unusual flavors and brands.

27. West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center

Open year-round, this indoor pool facility allows kids to splash around and have fun every day of the year. Better yet, you don’t need to be a Gwinnett County resident to purchase a day pass.

Family-Friendly Restaurants in Duluth

28. Incha Duck Boba & Paint Cafe

Drink bubble tea and munch on snacks while you paint a cute figurine (ranging between $5-$20). This new spot provides all the paint and supplies you need and will glaze the figurine so you can take it home with you.

29. LR Burger

This burger spot offers fast casual dining and a rooftop deck overlooking Town Green. Families can choose from smash burgers, milkshakes, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and signature fried pickles. While parents eat, kids can play on the activity lawn!

30. Maple Street Biscuit Company

At Maple Street Biscuit, located in a former stone church at Parsons Alley, you can select waffles, breakfast tacos, and craft coffee in addition to biscuit bowls, and biscuit sandwiches. Kids’ menu options include chocolate chip pancakes, chicken tenders, eggs, and biscuits.

31. Good Word Brewing Company & Public House

Also located in Parson’s Alley, this family-friendly brewery offers a full food menu and a large selection of rotating craft beers. The kids can run around the greenspace area of the plaza while you dine at Al Fresco.

32. O4W Pizza

If you’re a fan of Jersey-style pizza, head to O4W Pizza. You’ll find everything from its famous Grandma Pie to hot Italian subs and calzones.

33. Fluffy Fluffy Dessert Café

Try souffle-style pancakes at Fuwa Fuwa with flavors like tiramisu, cookies and cream, and crème brulee. You can also satisfy your sweet tooth with burnt top cheesecakes, croffles (a combination of a croissant and a waffle), macarons, and coffees and sodas.

34. Break Coffee Roasters

After a full day of exploring Duluth, stop by this coffee shop for a caffeine break. Break Coffee Roasters offers a selection of single-origin coffee and seasonal beverages amidst a cozy space.

Fun, Family Hotels in Duluth, GA

35. Courtyard Atlanta Duluth Downtown

Stay right on Duluth Town Green at this three-story Marriott. You’ll find a deck with outdoor firepits, a fitness center, media pods for business meetings, and a Starbucks. 

36. Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta NE Gwinnett Sugarloaf

This all-suite hotel near the Gas South District gives families room to spread out. It also offers an indoor swimming pool and fitness room. Guests can enjoy a complimentary made-to-order full breakfast and an evening reception with beverages and snacks.

37. Westin Atlanta Gwinnett

The 11-story Westin, built in 2024, is attached to the Gas South Convention Center. With outdoor firepits, an indoor saltwater pool, a full-service restaurant, and a rooftop bar, this hotel is the perfect place to stay after catching a sports game or watching a theater performance.  

Unless noted, photos courtesy of Explore Gwinnett