Woodstock has come a long way in the last few years. The downtown is a true comeback, organic and authentic. Survey the parking spaces along Main Street any given afternoon and you’ll find them brimming with kayak-topped cars and bike rack-clad SUVs.
Here’s why outdoorsy types have voted this city one of the South’s great adventure towns:
1. Water
Woodstock is just southeast of Lake Allatoona. This 12,000-acre reservoir has 270 miles of shoreline and is home to Red Top Mountain State Park. Get on the water with a rental from Little River Marina. They’ve got pontoons, ski boats, paddle boards, and kayaks. You’ll recognize the restaurant at the marina as the picture-perfect location of the Blue Cat Lodge in the Netflix original series Ozark starring Laura Linney and Jason Bateman.
The marina’s namesake, Little River, flows slowly west through Woodstock past a chilly waterfall and on to the lake. Fly fishermen stay close to the riverbanks around Olde Rope Mill Park as paddlers float by on their way to Toonigh Creek Falls.
2. Trails
Woodstock is home to some of the very best mountain bike trails in the state. SORBA Woodstock maintains 14+ miles of trails at Olde Rope Mill Park in Woodstock and also the 14+ miles of trails at Blankets Creek just a few miles up Interstate 575. Both systems offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced level trails. Hikers and trail runners are welcome on the trails. They must yield the trail to bikes and travel in the opposite direction from mountain bikers though. Explore the historical ruins of the rope mill or hike next to the river to find the picturesque train trestle.
Woodstock’s family mountain bike trails at Dupree Park are beginner-friendly with a wide, smooth trail tread. The trails are meant to be fun at slower speeds and there’s a short bike skills trail which provides technical features designed to teach balance control and bike handling. These are excellent trails for kids and for novice off-road riders as well as those getting back on the bike after a long while.
The Greenprints trail system is nearly ten miles of mixed-use trails in and around Downtown Woodstock. The Noonday Creek Trail, the Towne Lake Pass Trail, and the Rubes Creek Trail are popular with walkers, joggers, bikers, and skateboarders.
3. Greens
Set against the backdrop of the North Georgia Mountains and built on historic farm property, The Golf Club at Bradshaw Farm’s 27 holes of challenging golf, superb amenities, and outstanding service have earned it recognition as one of the area’s finest public courses.
4. Great Eats
After a day of adventures outside, refuel with a beer from award-winning Reformation Brewery. Fill up on a pulled pork sandwich from Queenies BBQ, tacos from Pure Taqueria, or arepas from Cylantro’s. Most of Woodstock’s restaurants now offer to-go, curbside pickup, and delivery service during this time of social distancing. Eat well while you stay well by supporting the restaurants at woodstocktogo.com.
5. Safe Stays
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites at The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta is a great place to stay for mountain bikers. It’s just a mile away from Olde Rope Mill Park and there’s a convenient bike wash station by the hotel’s back door. Both the Comfort Suites and the Fairfield Inn & Suites are just around the corner from the southern start of the Noonday Creek Trail and a quick walk to Downtown Woodstock. Each of these hotels are committed to protecting the health of their guests and have implemented measures to keep guests safe during their stay.
Go to visitwoodstockga.com to plan your next outdoor adventure. You can also contact the Woodstock Visitors Center at 770-924-0406 to talk to a Georgia Certified Travel Counselor about more ways to escape in A CITY UNEXPECTED.
