Woodstock, GA

Woodstock, one of Georgia's historic towns, was established in the early 1800s. The Little River and Noonday Creek provided the energy needed to operate gristmills, and that -- combined with mining -- helped the settlement to grow. The railroad arrived in 1879 -- at the time, Woodstock's population was about 300. The arrival of the railroad helped the community grow even larger. By the 1890s, cotton shipping had become a major part of the economy, with Woodstock shipping more than 2,000 bales of cotton every year.

It isn't entirely clear how Woodstock was named. Some believe it was named for an early school teacher who founded a school here; others think it was taken from a novel by Sir Walter Scott. That novel, Woodstock or the Cavalier, was written in 1826. It tells the story of a time in 1651, just after the English Civil War, when parliamentary commissioners took over a royal home in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Woodstock has experienced significant growth and development as part of the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. The city has seen substantial population increases over the past decade.

The Elm Street Cultural Arts Village serves as an arts center in Woodstock. The center offers musicals, plays, concerts, art exhibits, and classes throughout the year. The iThink Improv Troupe performs shows monthly.

Woodstock hosts community events throughout the year, including Downtown Restaurant Week, Friday Night Live, the Summer Concert Series, September Brown Bag Concerts, and Woodstock Buzz.

Downtown Woodstock features historic architecture, murals, and public art. The Woodstock Memorial, a 10-ton polished granite monument, stands in tribute to Woodstock veterans.

Woodstock offers numerous dining establishments. Century House Tavern operates from the historic Hubbard House, built in 1894. The restaurant serves turn-of-the-century cocktails and dishes including Low Country Shrimp & Grits, Grilled Pork Chop, and Roasted Scottish Salmon. J. Miller's Smokehouse on Towne Lake Parkway specializes in barbecue. Pie Bar, located on Main Street in Downtown Woodstock, makes pies using fresh, local ingredients.

Salt Factory Pub in downtown Woodstock maintains a selection of over 50 draft and bottled beers. The gastropub serves comfort food prepared with local and organic ingredients.

Reformation Brewery features a 2,000-square-foot Keeping Room in Downtown Woodstock for events. The brewery provides tours and beer tastings. Barrel and Barley Craft Beer Market offers domestic and international beer selections. ICE Martini & Sushi Bar serves cocktails, sushi, and tapas.

Dixie Speedway, a clay oval racing track, hosts stock car races on Saturday nights from May through October. The venue also presents Demolition Derbies, Monster Truck Nationals, and FMX Freestyle Motocross.

While Woodstock does offer some businesses, most residents commute to nearby cities -- including Atlanta -- for work. I-575, which runs north to south, connects residents with I-75 and Downtown Atlanta. Highway 92, which runs generally east to west, connects Woodstock residents to Alpharetta, Roswell, and Norcross.

Because Woodstock has grown so much very rapidly, I-575 can get quite congested during rush hour. The average commute into Atlanta is about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Since MARTA (Atlanta's rapid transit system) doesn't come anywhere near Woodstock, you will need your car for commuting.

Downtown Woodstock is very pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly, and bike lanes in Cherokee County do connect with other nearby cities. For quick trips throughout downtown, the Woodstock Trolley is ideal -- not to mention scenic.

Located in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Woodstock is ideal for outdoor adventures. Lake Allatoona is a 12,000-acre lake popular for boating, swimming, and fishing. The massive lake includes 13 public beaches, boat ramps, and hiking trails. Red Top Mountain State Park, which offers camping, picnic areas, hiking trails, a marina, and fishing docks, is located on the lake.

The Greenprints Alliance has developed a number of multi-use hiking and biking trails around Woodstock. The 60-mile network leads through parks and greenspace, connecting Woodstock with nearby towns and cities. Popular city parks include Olde Rope Mill Park and Woodlands Park.

Rent in Woodstock averages about $1,493 per month, which is about 4% below the national average. Woodstock is part of the Cherokee County School District. Schools include Woodstock High School, winner of the Gold State Achievement of Georgia for excellence in academics.

You’ll never get tired of strolling the sidewalks in Downtown Woodstock and discovering amazing treasures in the art galleries, antique stores, gift shops, boutiques, jewelry stores, and more. But when you want something a little different, Woodstock is home to the Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta. Featuring more than 90 outlets by names like Kate Spade, Coach, Off Fifth, True Religion, and more, the Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta attract shoppers from all over the region.

The Woodstock Farm Fresh Market features produce, meats, cheeses, and specialty items from local farmers and artisans. Vendors at this market are required to grow at least 85 percent of what they bring to the market. The market is held May through October, every Saturday morning.