Somedays, no matter how much you might want or need to, it’s just impossible to get out to the mountains, forest or even a park for a hike through nature. On those days, we try walking our neighborhood or enjoying one our favorite urban trails to put in a few miles.
Such was the case recently when regular maintenance meant taking our Honda minivan to our preferred servicer in Woodstock. After the Monday morning drop off, we engaged in a bit of early morning retail therapy at the nearby outlet mall to upgrade some aging outwear with newer, lighter thermal reflective gear. Then, with a deadline to pick up our grandkids in early afternoon, we headed into Woodstock for a 3.6-mile out-and-back walk on the Noonday Creek trail and a loop around the downtown area.
Which Noonday Creek Trail?
For the unfamiliar, the Noonday Creek trail currently exists in two unconnected sections. The 1.5-mile northern-most and shorter section connects downtown Woodstock to busy Highway 92 near I-575, passing through downtown residential complexes and wooded areas on its way to following the namesake creek. This is the portion we walked.
The southern portion of the trail originates at a trailhead on Bells Ferry Road, continuing approximately nine miles near Town Center Mall, around office and commercial buildings, then alongside Barrett Parkway and Stilesboro Road until ending at its intersection with Mountain to River Trail at Kennesaw Mountain. We’ve done that portion as a bike outing, and you can find that post here.
Walking from Woodstock
Our weekday journey began at the public parking area at the intersection of Elm and Market Streets, convenient to the trail and to the restaurants and shops of downtown Woodstock. Parking here is free, but the main attraction for us was the promise of a post-walk refreshment under the shady oak outside of Reformation Brewery. When the grandkids are in tow, the primary benefit is the Woodstock Downtown Playground and the large event green along Market Street. If you plan to visit on a Saturday between April and December, beware that this also is the location of the Woodstock Farmer’s Market, so parking here may not be an option.
Leaving downtown, the wide, paved, mixed-use trail passes by many of Woodstock’s newer high-density housing developments, all within easy walking distance to downtown and helping to fuel the growth of this historic community. Crossing a small stream that flows into Noonday Creek, the trail skirts a few single-residence homes before entering the wooded area leading to the creek-side route.
The trail represents a preserved green space wedged between growing residential and commercial areas, running parallel to I-575 to the west and continuing residential development to the east. Along the way you’ll find wastebaskets, benches and mileage markers. But the only restrooms are at the trailhead near downtown, or at commercial establishments where the trail meets Highway 92. Dog lovers will be happy to know that dogs are allowed on the trail, and a 1/10th mile spur route leads to Woodstock’s Woofstock Dog Park. Restrooms also are available at the dog park.
Looping Around Downtown
While it was Five O’Clock Somewhere when we returned, we passed on a noontime beverage at Reformation Brewery and continued into downtown in search of food. The challenge for us with Woodstock restaurants is narrowing the choices from the plethora of appetizing options, ranging from burgers and fries to a variety of ethnic foods, pub grub, seafood, coffee house fare, dessert shops and more. Pure Taqueria rates among our favorites, where it’s easy to grab hand-held fare or a filling bowl for outside dining under the trees. (We welcome your list of favorites in our comment section!)
For history lovers and those who enjoy the preservation of these historic downtowns, Preservation Woodstock Inc. and the Cherokee County Historical Society have mapped out a 1.7-mile, 24-stop historic downtown walking tour. You can pick up a brochure with the route and descriptions at the Woodstock Visitors Center, itself located at stop 16, the historic Dean’s Store. Our big tip: we ALWAYS stop here to get the latest about the many local goings-on, and because the visitors center itself is best described as “a visitors center, a museum, a library, an art gallery, a concert hall, a literary lounge, a gathering place, a time capsule.” We’re also partial to the original name! 😊
Other Seasonal Fun in Woodstock
If not obvious by now, we love the history, careful blending of past and future, downtown attractions, dining options and seasonal in Woodstock. One of our favorite summer visits featured a picnic lunch and noontime concert by a friend’s band on the stage at The Park at City Center. In the fall, we make at least one annual trek to the pre-Halloween Scarecrow Invasion, a favorite for our grandsons. And we always drop in at the local clothing shops, plus the Wright Stuff Records and Collectibles. And don’t miss wonderfully wacky and sometimes weird Blue Frog Imports and hippie shop, where the art is fabulous, and the vibe may hearken you back to the more famous Woodstock of music history lore.
