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.

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:

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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