Waste Away in Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands This Summer

A portion of Lake Lanier Islands in Buford (that’s in Hall County) is getting a Jimmy Buffett makeover, the AJC reports. Can’t make it to Key West or the beaches along the 30-A this summer? No problem. Margaritaville at Lanier Islands will have plenty of Buffett’s signature LandShark beer, tunes, and food options for a landlocked lake beach trip starting in May.

The 1500-acre Margaritaville (formerly LanierWorld) with its lakeside beaches and waterpark will transform Sunset Cove Café & Club into LandShark Bar & Grill serving fish tacos, wings, and beer. A tiki bar serving frozen drinks aptly named The Tiki Bar will also be among the new offerings at Margaritaville as well as Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria; named for Buffett’s 1982 song.

Over in the “chill zone” there’s License to Chill Bar for beer, margaritas, and bloody marys. Burgers and dogs can be had at L2C Grill. Check out Feeding Frenzy Fried Shack for fried seafood, chicken tenders, and wings. The former Gianni’s Italian Bistro & Pizzeria is turning into Paradise Cantina (it’s barefoot-friendly), serving tacos and burritos paired with margaritas and sangria.

Also part of the Margaritaville complex are two campgrounds, a “luxury RV resort” (like glamping?), and tram transport for getting around the resort area.

With all that LandShark and tequila flowing, the tram is going to be necessary to get back to the hotel room or camper to sleep it off—or escape from the margarita-soaked merrymaking.

7650 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford. lanierislands.com/margaritaville.