Take an afternoon to venture just outside of Gwinnett and you’ll find Halcyon, Forsyth County’s latest mixed-use development. Located in Alpharetta, just off of GA-400, this idyllic 135-acre gathering place is home to a wide variety of restaurants, curated shops, modern office spaces and beautiful apartments and townhomes.
When I first visited Halcyon, I was immediately struck by the welcoming atmosphere. It was a Friday night and the string lights on the common green were glowing, music was playing and everyone there was laughing, eating, drinking and enjoying themselves. It was clear that this was the place to be on a Friday night!
Choosing a restaurant was difficult… because I wanted to try them all! Halcyon is home to a plethora of dining options, from surf n’ turf at Ocean & Acre, to Mexican street food at CT Cantina Taqueria, to Korean barbecue at Iron Age. And if none of those options are what you’re craving, check out the Market Hall — a food hall with an even wider variety of quick, grab-n-go options from poke bowls to specialty hot dogs.
We decided on Butcher & Brew, which serves American fare with a unique twist. We started with a couple of craft brews and an order of the
truffle parmesan fries for the table (which we devoured within minutes). It was a chilly night and we sat on the patio, so I opted for the tomato basil soup and a grilled cheese sandwich — it did not disappoint!
The events calendar at Halcyon stays full of fun activities that will keep you wanting to come back, such as Karaoke Wednesdays, dance parties, a farmers market and more. The night I visited was the night of the Halcyon Hoedown, so we watched people of all ages learn how to line dance on the green while we enjoyed our meal.
After you eat, check out the shopping options, which range from trendy boutiques like Apricot Lane, to specialty shops like Rise and Wine and Buff City Soaps!
For a nightcap, grabbing a beer at Cherry Street Brewing is a must! If beer isn’t your thing, swing by Kilwins to indulge your sweet tooth, or Land of a Thousand Hills coffee.
All in all, it was a perfect night at Halcyon. With so much to do, see and taste, there’s no way to experience it all in one trip, so plan to return again and again!