Woodstock, GA

Woodstock, one of the nation's oldest towns, was established in the early 1800s. The Little River and Noonday Creek provided the ideal energy needed to operate gristmills, and that -- combined with mining -- helped the tiny settlement to grow. The railroad arrived in 1879 -- at the time, Woodstock’s population was about 300. The arrival of the railroad helped the tiny 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.

However the name came about, Woodstock has grown into one of Atlanta's largest suburbs and is the fastest-growing city in Cherokee County. In the last 10 years, Woodstock has doubled in size.

The Elm Street Cultural Arts Village is the premier arts center in Woodstock. With a variety of musicals, plays, concerts, art exhibits, and classes, the Cultural Arts Village is a popular destination with a variety of activities and events to enjoy year-round. Take the whole family to see the iThink Improv Troupe, which performs family-friendly improv shows every month.

Woodstock provides a variety of festivals and events year-round. Once you move to Woodstock, be sure to attend Downtown Restaurant Week to see the types of food available at local restaurants. Other events include Friday Night Live, the Summer Concert Series, September Brown Bag Concerts, and Woodstock Buzz.

Historic Downtown Woodstock is filled with beautiful architecture, murals, and public art. The Woodstock Memorial is a 10-ton, polished granite monument dedicated to Woodstock veterans.

Dining out in Woodstock is something you'll want to enjoy often because there are so many great places to choose from. Century House Tavern is located in the historic Hubbard House, built in 1894. This local favorite features turn-of-the-century cocktails and specialty dishes that include Low Country Shrimp & Grits, Grilled Pork Chop, and Roasted Scottish Salmon. For barbecue, head to J. Miller’s Smokehouse on Towne Lake Parkway. For a truly unique experience -- and a bar like no other -- visit Pie Bar. Located on Main Street in Downtown Woodstock, Pie Bar makes homemade pies from fresh, local ingredients.

For a great beer and a great meal, Salt Factory Pub is located downtown and offers a fantastic beer list with over 50 draft and bottled beers. This upscale gastropub also features classic comfort food made with local and organic ingredients.

The Reformation Brewery features a 2,000-square-foot Keeping Room in Downtown Woodstock for events involving craft beer. The brewery offers tours and beer tastings. The Barrel and Barley Craft Beer Market offers beers from around the world. Local breweries are also featured. One of Woodstock's hottest locations, ICE Martini & Sushi Bar, offers a full bar, sushi, and tapas.

The historic Dixie Speedway is a clay oval racing track that hosts stock car races every Saturday night, May-October. The Speedway hosts a variety of events, including 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.

Because apartments in Woodstock are in such high demand, it costs slightly more than average to live here. Rent in Woodstock averages about $1,000, while the median home value is $177,000 (compared to the state average of $142,000).

If you are moving to a Woodstock apartment with kids, 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.