Hey neighbor!
Happy Friday! The weekend is HERE.
I've got two free family events you don't want to miss, two coffee shops worth discovering (one of them has resident cats 🐱), a budget-friendly restaurant for when money's tight, and a county resource that can make life a little easier.
Let's jump in.
🎨 2 FREE FAMILY EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
1. UPS Second Sunday — High Museum of Art
📍 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta (Midtown) 🗓️ Sunday, January 11, 2026 | 12–5pm 💰 FREE admission for everyone
On the second Sunday of every month, the High Museum offers free admission for all visitors. This Sunday, take the family to explore world-class art, enjoy family-friendly programming from 1–4pm, and let the kids (and you!) get creative with art-making activities.
It's about 30 minutes from most of Gwinnett — totally worth the drive for a free day at one of the Southeast's best art museums.
Pro tip: Parking fills up fast. Pre-paid parking is $25, or consider MARTA if you want to skip the stress.
👉 high.org
2. FREE Kids Club: Beaded Rainbow Keychain — Michaels
📍 Multiple Gwinnett locations (Lawrenceville, Duluth, Snellville, Buford, etc.) 🗓️ Sunday, January 11, 2026 💰 FREE (all supplies included)
Michaels is hosting a free kids craft event this Sunday where kids can make a colorful beaded rainbow keychain. It's hands-on, creative, and totally free — just show up!
Pro tip: Call your local Michaels ahead of time to confirm they have supplies available.
☕ 2 COFFEE SHOPS TO TRY
1. The Catfe — Lawrenceville 🐱☕
📍 426 Bethesda School Rd, Lawrenceville ⏰ Wed-Sat 11am-7pm (Closed Sun-Tue) 📞 770-206-0971
This is one of the most unique coffee spots in Gwinnett — a cat cafe where you can sip locally roasted coffee, enjoy homemade pies, meat and cheese boards, local beers, and European wines... all while hanging out with resident cats.
Owned by a local couple, Roger and Brittany, The Catfe was built with community in mind. The vibe is cozy and warm — think library meets coffee shop with cats roaming around. They bake their pies in-house (try the Key Lime or Peanut Butter), and there's no entry fee to hang with the kitties.
Whether you're a cat person, a coffee person, or just someone looking for a unique experience — this place is special.
2. Sunflour Dessert & Coffee — Lawrenceville
📍 1956 Duluth Hwy, Suite B105, Lawrenceville ⏰ Daily 8am-9pm 📞 470-292-3092
If you love beautifully crafted drinks and stunning desserts, Sunflour is your spot. This Asian-inspired cafe serves up specialty lattes (try the Tiramisu Latte or Lavender Latte), fresh-baked pastries, cakes, and cupcakes that are almost too pretty to eat.
The vibe is soft, quiet, and cozy — perfect for studying, catching up with a friend, or treating yourself to something sweet. Locals rave about the carrot cake, red velvet, and their signature drinks. It's a hidden gem.
👉 Find them on Yelp or Instagram
🌮 SURPRISE BUDGET-FRIENDLY FIND: MR. VICKO TAQUERIA
📍 4 locations across Gwinnett:
Norcross: 4976 Steve Reynolds Blvd
Lilburn: 4101 Five Forks Trickum Rd SW
Duluth: 4450 Satellite Blvd
Lawrenceville: 4735 Sugarloaf Pkwy
⏰ Open daily (most locations 7am-10pm)
When money's tight but you still want something delicious, Mr. Vicko Taqueria is one of the best-kept secrets in Gwinnett.
This family-run taqueria (yes, some are inside gas stations — trust me) serves up authentic Mexican street food at prices that won't break the bank. We're talking:
Tacos for $2-3 each
Giant burritos
Handmade huaraches and sopes
Fresh quesabirria tacos
Breakfast burritos that'll fuel your whole morning
The masa tortillas are crispy and fresh, the meats are well-seasoned, and the portions are generous. It's the kind of place where $10-12 feeds you well.
If you've never tried it, this weekend is your sign.
💡 RESOURCE: GWINNETT PARKS & RECREATION
Earlier this week we talked about your Gwinnett County Public Library card — but did you know Gwinnett Parks & Recreation offers a TON of free and low-cost programs for residents?
Here's what's available:
✅ Free parks & trails — 50+ parks with walking trails, playgrounds, disc golf courses, and scenic lake views (Tribble Mill Park, McDaniel Farm Park, and the Environmental & Heritage Center are favorites)
✅ Low-cost classes — Art, pottery, fitness, swimming lessons, dance, sports leagues, and more for all ages (many under $50)
✅ Senior recreation programs — Free and low-cost activities for adults 50+ including clubs, trips, fitness classes, and social events at community centers
✅ Free food distribution events — Drive-thru distributions twice monthly at parks across the county (no ID required)
✅ Summer camps & after-school programs — Affordable options for families
✅ Community recreation centers — 8 locations with gyms, meeting rooms, and programming
How to access:
Browse programs: GwinnettCounty.com/ParksandRecreation
Register for classes: Look for "Explore Events" on their website
Call: 770-822-8840
This is YOUR tax dollars at work — take advantage of it!
💬 YOUR TURN
What's your go-to budget-friendly restaurant in Gwinnett?
Hit reply and let me know — I'm always looking for hidden gems to share with your neighbors.
Have a great weekend, neighbor. Go make some memories.
— Gus Your neighbor at Gwinnett Best
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