Lawrenceville is a city in Gwinnett County. With a population of around 30,000 people, this 13.1 square mile city is the second oldest city in the Atlanta area. The average price of a house or condo in Lawrenceville is $129,461, with an average rental price of $890 per month. Lawrenceville was named after Captain James Lawrence, a naval commander during the War of 1812 who was severely injured, but continued to encourage his men with the fighting words “Tell the men to fire faster and not to give up the ship; fight her till she sinks”!
Lawrenceville’s historic downtown area has great antique shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques. Visit the Historic Courthouse, which is one of the top 30 spots in the country for wedding receptions. In the evening (seasonal) enjoy some live music on the courthouse lawn, or cheer on the Gwinnett Braves, Lawrenceville’s minor league baseball team, in their state of the art stadium that offers seating from blankets on the lawn to fan boxes.
Parks include Rhodes Jordan Park, with its 22-acre Lake and 162-acre Park of natural and manmade facilities. Within the park, you will find walking paths, playgrounds, ponds for feeding the ducks, and a community center that houses multiple pools, slides, tennis courts, a large gymnasium, and much more. In the evening, take the kids on one of Lawrenceville’s Ghost Tours, featuring reports of paranormal activity dating back to the early 1900’s. You can also walk around inside the Old Jail and maybe even experience some paranormal activity for yourself!
Festivals include their Spring Green Festival. This event occurs in March, around St. Patrick’s Day and has free admission. There you will find activities and entertainment such as bed racing, a car/motorcycle show, a silent auction, battle of the bands, and a kid’s area. In September, enjoy Lawrenceville’s annual Fair On The Square festival in downtown. Within this fall festival, you can enjoy arts & crafts, a kid’s zone, watch or participate in dance contests, enjoy live music, and eat some great food from local vendors. Lastly, in October, you can check out the annual Rock ‘n Ribville Festival. This is a free event celebrating the success of Georgia Gwinnett College. Watch live Rock & Roll musicians, take a stroll through the beer garden and taste beers from local breweries, and most of all, you can enjoy lots of wonderful ribs and other barbequed foods.
