As one of Cherokee County’s oldest towns, Woodstock was founded more than 100 years ago and grew in popularity because of its railroad activity and exporting of cotton. Today, Woodstock is one of the fastest-growing cities in the county, growing more than 70% over the past 10 years. A city unexpected, Woodstock is described as a place to escape, gather and refresh with colors, sounds and tastes vibrant and diverse. Being 30 miles north of Atlanta, it provides small-town charm with easy big city access.

Woodstock is listed as one of the Best Places to Live 2021 by Money. Here’s what they have to say: Woodstock is a short drive to Atlanta, but there’s plenty to see and do in this town of 30,000 people. Within Woodstock’s city limits is a lively downtown shopping and dining district with an open container license, allowing you to sip your favorite cocktail while you explore more than 35 locally owned shops selling antiques, artwork, jewelry and floral arrangements. Money lists the media home price in Woodstock at $282,424.

With a population of only 33,039, there is ample opportunity for growth. According to Zillow, there are 277 houses listed for sale in Woodstock ranging from $249,900 to $2.8 million. There are also many rental properties available ranging from $1,350 to $4,100 a month.

There are also highly ranked schools located in the high-performing Cherokee County School District, such as Bascomb Elementary, E.T. Booth Middle and Creekview High.

A growing job market and a small-town atmosphere have made newcomers to Georgia looking to settle down more aware of this hidden gem of a city. Numerous local attractions provide opportunities for shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation in one of America’s Top Adventure Towns.

Nearby all the fun and adventure that the City of Woodstock has to offer is the historic downtown area. Developed in the 1920s as the commercial center for southern Cherokee County, Downtown Woodstock’s modern dining and shopping district boasts 20 chef-driven restaurants and 35 independent retailers. Reformation Brewery, MadLife Stage & Studios and Elm Street Cultural Arts Village all draw a lot of visitors and residents to the walkable city center. In the historic Downtown Woodstock, explore the many locally-owned shops and enjoy a brew from Reformation Brewery or the local Truck & Tap, since Downtown Woodstock is an open container district. The quaint downtown is connected to many surrounding neighborhoods by walking trails, which makes it easily accessible to everyone. There is much to see and experience in this growing downtown district.

The City of Woodstock has more to offer than just the historic downtown area. A few more of the area’s popular attractions are found below:

Shopping and Dining

• Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta.  This outlet mall offers lots of shopping options for everyone. Just some of the stores found here are Brooks Brothers, Coach Outlet, J. Crew Factory, Kate Spade, Saks Off 5TH, Vineyard Vines, and White House Black Market.
• Freight Kitchen & Tap. Located in Downtown Woodstock’s Historic Train Depot, this farm-to-table restaurant has drinks and food that will please everyone. Favorite dishes include maple bacon Brussel sprouts, bourbon fig burger, Chilean sea bass, and wild mushroom risotto.
• Ipp’s Pastaria and Bar. Combining the best of old tradition with fresh new tastes and atmosphere, Ipp’s will be sure to become your new favorite Italian restaurant. Some favorite dishes are Ipp’s famous garlic rolls, chicken parm, Margherita pizza, fig and prosciutto, cellentani Torino, and tiramisu.
• Reformation Brewery. A brewery that focuses on values and believes that why you drink is as important as what you drink. This brewery’s location opened in 2018 with an all-new 6,000-square-foot facility that can comfortably serve more than 200 guests at a time. This location specializes in events and has an outdoor beer garden to enjoy live music, games, and their many brews.
• Woodstock Farm Fresh Market. This local farmer’s market is open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. until noon on Market Street in Downtown Woodstock. Enjoy goods from a number of local vendors including vegetables, flowers, herbs, meat, seafood, jams, jellies and more.

Entertainment and Recreation

• Dixie Speedway. The Historic Dixie Speedway is a 3/8 mile clay oval dirt track. It is home to many film projects and hosts more than 20 events every year such as weekly and National Touring Stock Car Races, concerts and more. This venue has been operating and entertaining fans since 1969.
• Woodstock Arts. Formerly known as Elm Street Cultural Arts, Woodstock Arts has been supplying world-class performing arts productions, concerts, in-depth classes, and exciting camps to north Georgia since 2002. Woodstock Arts also include the Reeves House Visual Arts Center and Elm Street Event Green.
• Elm Street Event Green. An under-construction event green which will eventually house a community garden, state-of-the-art performing arts center, and restoration to the historic farmhouse. The stage and green will be located on the site that was once the 12-acre farm of the Reeves family. The barn and house, which date back to 1898, are original to the land.
• Greenprints Trail System. A series of multi-use trails located in and around Woodstock, these trails allow for non-motorized transportation and pedestrians. To find out more about the trails and where they are located, visit here.
• Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. A 2.7-acre concert and event venue in Downtown Woodstock, this venue’s capacity is estimated to fit up to 10,000 people. The amphitheater is designed to host small local acts, as well as bigger artists, and is home to the Woodstock Summer Concert Series.
• Taylor Randahl Memorial Bike Trails at Olde Rope Mill Park. Olde Rope Mill Park is located on the banks of the Little River and is named after a rope mill from the 1800s. The park is home to the Taylor Randahl Memorial Bike Trails, open daily from 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. and ideal for every level of mountain biker.

Historical Attractions

• Dean’s Store. Much more than a visitor’s center, this time capsule is over 100 years old and has been home to a museum, art gallery, library, concert hall, literary lounge, and gathering place. It is also described as the “Heart of the City.”
• Bob the Turkey. A statue was created in 2012 to honor a famous local turkey named Bob. Located on Main Street across from Salt Factory.
• Downtown Woodstock. There are many historical buildings located in downtown Woodstock. Many shops have now occupied these old buildings, but you can take a tour with Preservation Woodstock, Inc. and the Cherokee County Historical Society. You can grab a brochure and do this walking tour on your own and see which buildings have been repurposed into something new.
• Woodstock Depot. A one-story wood-frame building with Victorian-era architecture, this building is the only structure in Woodstock listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The depot was the focal point for transporting local items including cotton, rope, and other agricultural products.