Margaritaville at Lanier Islands

On those blistering Georgia summer days, what can be more refreshing than a day spent at a water park? Margaritaville at Lanier Islands is located on Lake Lanier at the northwest corner of Buford in south Hall County.

Margaritaville is part of the 1,500-acre Lanier Islands Resort complex on the southern end of Lake Lanier. The main attraction at Lanier Islands is the water park operated under the brand Margaritaville. Margaritaville Resorts are a brand of singer Jimmy Buffett and true to Buffett’s style, the theme of the park will take you to a carefree place filled with tikis, sun, sand and all of the water rides you can possibly want.

The waterpark has something for everyone starting with children 42” tall and under with their own play area called the Family Fun Zone. There’s a smaller version of the wave pool called Wiggle Waves, mini water slides and various sprinkler features. The Family Fun Zone is situated next to Paradise Beach, a more than half-mile long white sandy beach perfect for making sand castles.

The park features Georgia’s largest wave pool, Wild Waves, along with nine unique slides to fit any level of daring, an aquatics course on the open water of Lake Lanier called Wibit and even a zip line that flies over Paradise Beach to land in the lake.

All of those water rides will work up an appetite and although outside food is not allowed inside the park, one can find plenty to eat inside. Along the beach, the Chill Zone offers pizza at Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, burritos and tacos at Paradise Cantina, hamburgers and hot dogs at L2C Grill and fried foods like chicken tenders and shrimp baskets at Feeding Frenzy Fried Shack. At the end of Paradise Beach, the LandShark Bar and Grill offers street tacos, salads, sandwiches, burgers and more all overlooking the daily boat docks at LandShark Landing.

For more information about Margaritaville and pricing, visit margaritaville
resorts.com/margaritaville-at-lanier-islands. Margaritaville is at 7650 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford. 

Andretti Indoor Karting and Games

Buford’s newest attraction is Andretti Indoor Karting and Games located across Interstate 85 in the new Exchange at Gwinnett, which also houses Top Golf. The Buford location officially opened their doors in mid May and is the sixth location for Andretti Indoor Karting and Games nationwide.

Andretti Indoor Karting and Games is a $30 million facility featuring indoor karting, arcade games, virtual reality, duckpin bowling, racing simulators, two-level laser tag and more. 

Their climate-controlled indoor racetrack gives adrenaline junkies hairpin turns and long straightaways to test people’s skills as they drive the best of the best in electric karts in the industry. The Buford location also features mini Mario karts for drivers 4 to 7 years old.

Andretti Indoor Karting and Games also features an interactive 3D movie experience called the Andretti 7D Experience.  Up to 12 riders can enjoy battling to receive the highest score using laser blasters while fighting on-screen enemies. Riders can “feel the earth-rumbling movement and wind.” 

For those wanting to run around and obliterate their friends or enemies in a custom designed arena, there is the Laser Tag attraction. Players can pick from 10 different games to play, as well as customize the settings on their weapon. The arena features numerous base stations, energy gates for special power ups during the game and wall targets. Play as a team or try the zombie mode.

The activities and games can be purchased individually or a package including several attractions is available.

To satisfy guests’ appetites, their grill has a wide variety of food like burgers, sandwiches, salads, fajitas, pasta, pizzas and desserts. The menu is competitively priced, so it won’t break the bank.

For more information about Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, visit andrettikarting.com/buford.

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