When you have a demanding schedule and hectic lifestyle, what do you for a break? Take a short trip to relax, of course. With life moving at such a fast pace, we need to balance work and family, which leaves out very little time for ourselves. In this case, short day trips from Gwinnett works as a great option to unwind from daily pressures.
Daytime trips are a lot easier to plan than full-fledged vacations. Luckily, if you reside somewhere in the Gwinnett county vicinity, we have a great list of some terrific day trips from Gwinnett ideas. These day trip options will help you get plenty of relaxation and fun all in one day.
Most of the places enlisted below are merely a few hours or minutes travel away from Gwinnett. However, if you feel like staying close to home, in Gwinnett, check out these places.
Apex Museum

Short for African-American Panoramic Experience, the Apex celebrates Black History every month. Here you can learn a lot about history from an American-African point of view. When you visit this museum, immerse yourself in the past through innumerable photos and artifacts. You can also head to the Trolley theatre and enjoy listening to the knowledgeable docents in Apex’s collection.
The admission fee for adults is $7, and $5 for seniors, Military professionals, and students, while children under four years of age can enter for free. This museum also offers group discounts, which is great if you visit with family and friends.
Sautee Nacoochee Community Association

This is one of the finest art centers the state can offer you. It resides in White county, and you can find it at the juncture of the Nacoochee and Sautee Valleys. These valleys are historical and much prized by the state.
If you wish to learn about legendary families of folk pottery, visit the Folk Pottery Museum at the center of the campus. Discovering their tales will leave you amazed as if you have stepped into a folktale.
You will also find American-African heritage sites, art galleries, and a history museum. If you wish, you can plan your trip around an event. The association organizes fantastic festivals and events all through the year. At these events, you can enjoy some chamber music, watch artists at work with their craft, buy local products, and view theatre plays as well.
Lanier Islands

If you are looking for relaxation and fun all in one place, head over to Lanier Islands. Located close to Georgia Buford, you can make your way to Lanier beach for a day of zip-lining, horse riding, boating, golfing, hiking, or just walking along the beach.
That is not all, though. Lanier Islands makes sure that you get the ultimate vacation experience in a single day trip, thanks to a comfortable and soothing spa right on the beach. What more could one ask for?
Atlanta BeltLine

The Atlanta Beltline is one of the largest revitalization projects you will ever see the city undertake. The sustainability-based project offers a huge network of trails, public parks, and transits. The city management has re-used the historic corridors of railroads, approximately twenty-two miles long. The railroads link nearly forty-five neighborhoods directly with each other and circle the downtown area as well.
The best way to experience this revitalization project is to take a tour yourself. Make a daytime trip here from Gwinnett and explore all there is to the Atlanta Beltline.
Lake Burton
Lake Burton is another fine option to add to your list of best day trips from Gwinnett. You can turn this day into a picnic at the lake with your family. This lake is like a haven, nestling deep between the magnificent mountains of the state’s northeast corner.
The best activity for you to indulge in at Lake Burton is a pontoon boat. Rent it for the entire day if you cannot bring your boat. Have a picnic with your friends or family and explore the gorgeousness of the lake. Who knows, you may even want to wet your hook once you are here.
Right in the middle of Lake Burton is a sight we know as Mr. Water Safety. Park your boat here and plunge into pristine, clear blue waters to cool off. You can rent boats from a number of places at the lake and even La Pride’s Marina.
Alegre Farm

The Alegre farm provides rich agritourism, agricultural education, and economic development as well. This farm is Gwinnett County’s treasure, so a day trip here is worth it. You can explore the unique, hands-on teaching they provide to children and tour groups through summer camps and field trips.
You can even take your children here to give them a learning experience about farm life and different kinds of animals. Furthermore, if you have a daytime, an outdoor party to organize soon, visit the Alegre farm and spend some time here. Check the place out to verify if it would make a good venue for your party.
The Alegre Farm is an ideal location for wedding receptions, outdoor parties, and birthday parties because they have a large rental hall.
River Tubing
If a relaxing, cool, and natural environment is what you have in mind for a day trip from Gwinnett, then head over to Abbotts Bridge Road. This lazy river is nature’s gift to you, where you can unwind from a busy schedule and recharge your batteries all day.
All you have to do is rent a tube and enjoy a good two, four, or six hours of simply floating down your Chattahoochee. To turn this day into a cozy picnic, carry your cooler and select a picnic spot near the river’s edge. There are also many rental upgrades for you here. You can choose from connecting tubes, straps, paddles, and even a waterproof container. No matter how many trips you make here, you will always get a dual chamber tube, a Coast guard-approved life vest, and a shuttle service. However, if your child is under the age of 5 years, you will have to leave them at home for the day.
Chateau Élan Resort and Winery

Chateau Élan Resort and Winery sits just forty minutes away from Atlanta North. It is the premier vacation, event, and meeting destination of North Georgia. You can explore a French Chateau, sitting right on the estate worth 3,500-acres.
This 16th-century French chateau offers a full-service tasting bar and winery, a triple-A Four Diamond inn, a 35,000 square feet European spa mansion, a conference center, a championship golf course with 63 holes, seven distinct dining outlets, a tennis center, and lots more. This is a complete package that we have a strong feeling that will want to make your stay for more than just a day.
And if you are more of a beer drinker check out these awesome breweries.
Historic Site of Dahlonega Gold Museum
A list of day trips from Gwinnett wouldn’t be complete without Dahlonega Gold Museum. This is where America’s first gold rush took place, less than two hours away from North Atlanta in Georgia Northeast.
You can find this museum residing in the ancient courthouse of Lumpkin County in the dear, quaint town of Dahlonega. Once you step inside, you will be amazed at the artifacts dating back to the Gold Rush from 1836. You will even see gold nuggets in the collection of artifacts here.
Fernbank Museum
Fernbank Museum is a fun place with a lot of natural history. There is plenty of fun and adventure to discover here, from the biggest IMAX screen in Atlanta to the largest dinosaurs of the world. You can find numerous cultural treasures here, such as rare artifacts, ancient fossils, a hands-on experience, live animals, and plenty more. The interactive adventures and immersive exhibits of the museum allow natural history, science, and culture to come together in a lively experience for people of all ages.
The cherry on the top is the free parking and Wi-Fi services available here.
Georgia Aquarium

If you love seeing aquatic life, the Georgia Aquarium would serve as a wonderful option for your day trip from Gwinnett. This museum will offer you an intriguing, educational, and entertaining experience. It ensures an enjoyable learning experience for all its guests and introduces you to the aquatic biodiversity of the world.
The museum contains more than 8 million water gallons, two large windows for viewing that show you whale sharks, an undersea tunnel that’s 100 foot long, beluga whales, and so many other forms of aquatic life. These must-“seas” at the museum also include many special events, interactive exhibits, and a variety of shows to keep you feeling entertained and captivated all day. We highly recommend this spot as one of the best day trip options from Gwinnett.
Final Thoughts
You can choose from a variety of destinations when planning a day trip from Gwinnett. From farms, and theatres, museums to palaces, and lakes to beaches, there is no end to opportunities. Whether you’re out to explore, relax, unwind, or do it all, you can experience everything within the vicinity. Make the best of your day off from our list of options, and we guarantee you will not be disappointed with your choice.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or service, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. However, rest assured all opinions remain our own.