Lawrenceville

Welcome to Lawrenceville where you will experience a destination set in the history and heritage of one of Metro-Atlanta’s oldest cities.  In Lawrenceville, you are surrounded by performing arts, great dining, and unique shops as well as award-winning recreation facilities. International flavors from one-of-a-kind eateries include your choice of rooftop dining, romantic restaurants in historic buildings, fresh seafood, sandwich bistros, coffee stops, dessert selections and even excellent grab-and-go menus.  The 30 specialty establishments just in the downtown district will fulfill your relaxed search for treasures, casual gift hunt, or ladies-day-out spree; however, the great shopping and meals go hand-in-hand with Lawrenceville’s arts and culture. 

Various Lawrenceville venues showcase live musical talent anchored by the impressive schedule of productions by The Aurora Theatre – the only professional theatre in Gwinnett County.  At the Aurora Theatre, intimate plays, renowned musicals, children’s playhouse programs, cabarets, comedy, and much more fill the stages for your enjoyment.  The Aurora Theatre, housed in a beautifully restored 100-year old former brick church structure attracting easily over 30,000 patrons per year, serves as a great start to any number of visitor interests or itineraries.

If you are interested in history, we invite you to the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse grounds, art galleries, and Veterans War Museum.  Other “must-sees” include the Historic Female Seminary & Gwinnett History Museum as well as the Historic Lawrenceville Cemetery.  Strollers can discover real stories along the self-guided History Walk such as why residents were Shooting fish in the street in 1915, the delivery of the World Heavyweight Champion, and why the Mules were Tipsy.  To add live storytelling and haunts to your history, dare to join another creation of the Aurora Theatre - the now very popular Lawrenceville Ghost Tours - for bizarre and spooky tales from the quiet streets and alleys. 

In addition to the historic backdrop and constant arts programs, Lawrenceville also offers visitors and locals access to special seasonal events.  Annual festivals include a ten-year running outdoor concert series, a spring two-day art and wine event, weekly farmers’ markets, third of July Independence Day celebration, fall food and music fest, holiday and New Year’s Eve extravaganza. 

Just a few miles from the center of town, the whole family can enjoy the theatrical sporting event experience of Medieval Times Castle of Dinner & Tournament.  Considered North America’s most desired dinner event, Medieval Times’ banquet and Knight competition is exciting for both young and old visitors.  The castle is surrounded by even more Lawrenceville area shopping, dining and entertainment options. 

Lawrenceville’s welcoming appearance is just the book’s cover to an incredibly interesting community of families and fun that create Lawrenceville’s wealth of character.  Add civic and annual events to the mix, and the town founded in 1821 remains a vibrant commercial and cultural hub – a strong hometown business core.  A “main stage” for both Georgia and the Southeast, the city, already rich with history and small-town hospitality, has generations of residents and newcomers, working to maintain, revitalize, and share its unique sense of place.

For more about our small town with big-city energy, please start your visit at the new Lawrenceville Visitors Center in the restored Mayor Jule Oakes House (circa 1893) at 233 Crogan Street.  Please visit Lawrenceville online at VisitLawrenceville.com.