On the lookout for issues to do in Helen? We’re right here to assist!
Helen, Georgia is a quaint, Bavarian-themed mountain village providing a wealth of issues to do in practically any season. Very similar to Bavaria, Germany, Helen’s pristine countryside, clear air, festivals & traditions entice vacationers from throughout.
The truth is, Helen ranks among the many prime three most visited locations in Georgia. Its Bavarian aesthetics, vineyards, mountain forests, waterfalls, historic homes and festivals attract over 2 million guests per 12 months. And that’s with a inhabitants of below 600!
As soon as a logging city, now Helen appeals to vacationers with its structure, its meals, the beer, and, like Bavaria, Oktoberfest. Come on, let’s take a tour via Helen, GA. Discover standard issues to do, from memorable locations to eat, drink & store; to sightseeing & climbing; or panning for treasured minerals.
Issues to Do in Helen, GA – Get Away to Bavaria within the US
So, what are the most well-liked actions in Helen, GA? Let’s dive proper in, beginning first on the Chattahoochee River.
Tube the Chattahoochee
In hotter months, often from Could to September, vacationers can spend the day floating down the Chattahoochee River. Outfitters like Helen Tubing & Waterpark, and Cool River Tubing present drop-off and pick-up.
Tubers can float the scenic river for 1 to three hours, with picnic areas alongside the way in which. The river cuts via mountain forests, offering loads of shade, and winds via the middle of Helen on its course.
Don’t wish to depart the water after the tubing? Cap off the day at one of many river excursions’ Waterparks. Each provide an escape from scorching days and enjoyable for all ages, whether or not touring solo or with associates & household.
Experience the Georgia Mountain Coaster
One other standard attraction, particularly for households, the Georgia Mountain Coaster is open 12 months spherical. It’s the first Alpine coaster in Georgia, with twists and turns via the woods and down the mountain.
Touring as much as 35 mph, riders select their very own private cart which they will really management. Every cart has a hand lever you’ll be able to push ahead to go sooner, or pull again to go slower.
The journey carries passengers up a hill earlier than racing them down a monitor suspended over forest mountain trails. It twists and turns and finally returns to its Bavarian-themed station overlooking the city of Helen.
Mine for Gold & Treasured Minerals
How about we sluggish it down and relive part of Helen’s historical past: gold & gemstone mining. In any case, the “gold rush” of Georgia first occurred within the Helen and Dahlonega areas. And whereas this was the distant previous, guests may nonetheless strike it wealthy within the northern hills.
So why not learn the way at Dukes Creek Gold & Ruby Mines? Right here, visitors can discover a group of knowledgeable gold and ruby panners prepared and accessible to show their secrets and techniques. Guests pan for gold within the picturesque Georgia panorama on the gold & ruby mines.
Dukes Creek attracts historical past fans, journey seekers, gold diggers, and curious households alike to hunt for treasure. It guarantees “the perfect working gold & gem mine” in White Nation, with an abundance of treasured stones.
There are a selection of choices for gold & gem panning. Guests can pan via random buckets of combined gems & gold ore. Different choices embody the premier gold bucket, or fossil, bloodstone and quartz crystal buckets. Specialists educate pan for every completely different mineral, making certain everyone finds one thing particular to take dwelling.
Style A number of the Finest North Georgia Wine
Seeking to expertise North Georgia vineyards? Habersham Vineyards & Vineyard has a menu as wealthy as its historical past. Courting again to 1983, its number of North Georgia wines has earned over 150 medals since opening.
Its vineyard is certainly one of Georgia’s oldest and largest, providing premium, vintage-dated, and the best hand-crafted wines within the state. In the meantime, a romantic stroll via its sprawling vineyards ranks among the many finest issues for {couples} to do in Helen.
As well as, the tasting room encompasses a present store with gourmand meals and wine specialty gadgets from across the globe. Discover imported cheeses and all of the fixings for the proper picnic and to finest praise the wine.
See Native Arts & Historical past
If it’s raining or chilly in Helen, think about a visit to Helen Arts & Heritage Middle. This non-profit artwork gallery & historical past museum homes the whole lot in a Bavarian-style constructing.
Inside, guests can expertise Helen’s historical past, get artwork training & artwork remedy, or buy paintings from native artists. It’s a fantastic place to fulfill and be taught concerning the native artists’ group, and to take lessons or go to festivals.
There are completely different occasions year-round, so make sure to verify their calendar when visiting to seek out out what’s on.
Expertise Oktoberfest
Come mid-September, Helen celebrates its Bavarian roots with its personal Oktoberfest. The truth is, the competition is the longest-running within the US, with its everlasting dwelling within the metropolis’s riverside Festhalle.
The competition kicks off with a vibrant parade downtown, and festivities fill the village till the beginning of October. There are numerous issues to do, from the costumed Bavarian performances, to conventional track & dance, and, in fact, the beer!
Revelers don conventional apparel, lederhosen and dirndls, whereas dancing to the polka. There’s German bratwurst and wienerschnitzel, and tall mugs of frosty beers throughout. Actually, if not touring to Munich, Germany for the actual factor, Helen’s Oktoberfest is an expertise to not miss.
Go to Helen from Atlanta, GA for a Wine Nation Tour
Another choice for a day-trip to Helen is the North Georgia Wine Nation Tour. An effective way to get out of town, Helen is in reality simply 90 minutes from Atlanta. The tour departs with a private information for the journey on an air-conditioned bus to Georgia’s Wine Nation.
When there, vacationers can have 13 completely different tastings at 3 native wineries, with a cease in Helen afterward. The journey to Helen consists of native procuring together with a guided tour for guests to expertise a style of Germany.
Get pleasure from highlights from the rolling hills, to the wineries, and the mountain city of Helen all in below a day.
Journey, Sights & Climbing in Helen
On the lookout for a sightseeing hike via the Blue Ridge Mountains, or maybe some journey? Helen has loads of each: from scenic mountain trails and beautiful mountain-top views, to journey parks for adrenaline seekers.
Unicoi Hill Park
If in search of a enjoyable and low cost day trip in Helen, think about Unicoi Hill Park. This vibrant park is simply 4 minutes north of downtown Helen, free to enter, and encompasses over 1000 acres. It presents many free issues to do like out of doors adventures and thrills, or facilities like cabins and campsites.
Present in Helen’s mountain forest, guests can get pleasure from GPS scavenger hunts, paddleboarding, archery, ax throwing, fishing, and ziplines. In the meantime, Anna Ruby Falls in addition to Helen Tubing & Waterpark are close by for extra sightseeing and journey.
Hardman Farm Heritage Path
One other place to see historical past & go climbing in Helen, GA is Hardman Farm Heritage Path. This one-mile path walks alongside the Chattahoochee River from Hardman Farm State Historic Website to Alpine Helen. Info panels element native vegetation and animals on the hike, whereas the farm property itself gives glimpses into the previous.
The positioning maintains buildings from the time interval of the Nichols household homestead of the 1870s. It consists of historic shops, a mansion with servants quarters and a greenhouse, barns, an Indian mound and extra.
The path is open from daybreak to nightfall, and guests ought to “depart no hint” – choosing up litter and after pets.
Yonah Mountain Climbing close to Helen
For a problem extra appropriate to intermediate hikers, Yonah Mountain is just some miles exterior of Helen. If in search of close by day-trips, it’s positively an choice, with a view nicely definitely worth the hike.
On the path, the start parts are beautiful, with unbelievable boulders and rock formations. The truth is, there are such a lot of, this place offers Stone Mountain a run for its cash. The half-way level gives the primary view wanting off the mountain, and will get steeper from there.
On the prime, there’s a giant open space for pitching a tent or having a fireplace, whereas all views are off to the aspect. It gives fairly the vantage from 3,166 ft, with quite a few viewing factors and breathtaking picture alternatives.
Nacoochee Adventures
What about out of doors adventures in Helen for thrill-seekers and adrenaline lovers? Nacoochee Adventures is an out of doors adventures firm with ziplines, ATVs, an aerial journey park, and in a single day treehouse tenting.
Guests also can be taught concerning the historical past of North Georgia, each typically and concerning the Nacoochee Valley. The park options the historical past of its Native American inhabitants, in addition to the Gold Rush and early moonshine makers.
A number of journey programs wind via the forests, with leisure on the bottom and within the bushes.
The place to Eat & Refresh
Now, let’s reply the place to quench your urge for food, and the place to buy groceries when visiting Helen.
The Troll Tavern & Restaurant
Beginning first with the Troll Tavern, this Bavarian-style tavern sits proper alongside a creek of the Chattahoochee River. Unattainable to overlook, the tavern is often the primary restaurant guests discover going into downtown Helen. It serves each American and German meals and beer, with exterior seating proper alongside the creek.
Diners can watch tubers go by on the waters whereas having fun with meals and a variety of German beers. are American burgers, German Wurst & Wienerschnitzel, in addition to vegetarian, vegan & gluten-free choices.
Simply take into accout that is certainly one of Helen’s extra standard eating places, so think about reserving a reservation prematurely.
King Ludwig Biergarten
Wish to expertise a German biergarten (“beer backyard”) in downtown Helen? Try King Ludwig Biergarten. This open-air neighborhood tavern and social house gives an enormous beer backyard, and serves German specialty dishes.
Get frosty, tall mugs of beer to clean down sausage platters, bratwurst, frankfurters, pretzels and extra. All whereas having fun with the surface air within the day-time, or as town involves life at night time. It’s one of the vital standard spots to wind down, chill, and style native specialties whereas experiencing Helen’s distinctive ambiance.
Chattahoochee Cheese Market
For slightly style of France in Bavarian Helen, head over to the Chattahoochee Cheese Market. Right here, guests will discover a fantastic breakfast choice very first thing within the morning. Together with a big selection of cheeses, the market serves gourmand sandwiches, espresso, beer and wine.
Inside, its old school rustic inside hosts visitors with a wide range of charcuterie boards, baked items and contemporary espresso. Pop in for a fast breakfast, or drop by for a snack whereas exploring or procuring downtown Helen.
Purchasing in Helen
Nacoochee Village Vintage Mall
Do you have got a penchant for historic objects, vintage treasures, and heirlooms? In that case, Nacoochee Village Vintage Mall gives procuring in Helen for hours. The mall sits inside a historic village inside a home from 1876.
Inside, the mall homes one of many largest collections of antiques and household heirlooms. Customers can browse gadgets from 40 to 50 vintage sellers. Every guarantees treasures with deeply rooted tales behind them.
If solely to expertise the odd feeling of nostalgia, this vintage mall is value a go to. And who is aware of, maybe you’ll discover a future heirloom or memento to take dwelling out of your travels.
Betty’s Nation Retailer
If staying in Helen in a single day or for a weekend, Betty’s Nation Retailer is a staple place to buy on the town. It has that small, hometown procuring really feel, a fantastic number of native meals, and loads of beer and wine.
Maybe what makes it actually stand out, nonetheless, are the home made peanut butter cookies. And these aren’t simply any cookies right here. These are huge saucers the dimensions of dinner plates!
Take a cookie exterior to the lately added porch, the place consumers also can sit down and revel in their favourite drinks. You may even get fortunate and run into one of many few locals right here.
Zuzu’s Petals Rock Store
Now, for one of many hidden gems of Helen, GA, buy groceries at Zuzu’s Petals Rock Store. It is a must-see store for any rockhounds or gemstone collectors, and only for looking typically. The shop can also be child-friendly, and loves seeing youngsters discover all of the completely different stones of their assortment.
The store sits on White Horse Sq. on Primary Road, hidden in an alley subsequent to Windmill Dutch Imports. Inside, the shop presents a big selection of geodes, gems, crystals, and stones from all over the world.
Each piece of jewellery is actually distinctive and is designed on the retailer. They use sterling silver, nice silver, copper, or 24K gold for his or her items. It’s even potential to request customized jewellery by design or with completely different stones.
Jester’s Magic Dragon
One other cool place to buy in Helen is Jester’s Magic Dragon, however watch out when looking their retailer. In any case, you wouldn’t wish to lower your self on one of many many artisian-smithed swords, axes or knives on the market!
Jester’s Magic Dragon is a hidden-gem, popular culture retailer with a novel mix of collectibles, replicas, physique artwork & extra. It has cube for gaming, Lord of the Rings and Hobbit replicas (armor & weapons), and even backpacks and socks.
The artists actually care about what they put their title on as nicely. Whether or not it’s Captain America’s protect, or non permanent physique artwork, the standard right here is all the time spectacular. Think about stopping in, even when it’s solely to browse the elven longswords and orcish battle axes.
The place to Keep in Helen
On the lookout for locations to remain in a single day or for a weekend in Helen? Let’s get to it for an inexpensive value.
Alpine Village Inn
Simply an 8-minute stroll from downtown Helen, Alpine Village Inn presents inexpensive lodging. It’s conveniently situated close to Robertsontown, and seven miles from Anna Ruby Falls with Helen Festhalle just a few steps away.
On the property, there’s a backyard with a communal hearth space, video games, free WiFi, and personal parking for visitors. Nice for {couples} or solo vacationers, there are deluxe king-size rooms or deluxe double-rooms.
Chattahoochee Rivers Edge Condominiums
On the lookout for cheap riverside lodging, maybe with a balcony overlooking the creek? Chattahoochee Rivers Edge Condominiums is situated within the coronary heart of Helen, not removed from Helen Festhalle. It is usually about 4 miles from Smithgall woods, 6 miles from Andrews Cove, or 8 miles from Anna Ruby Falls.
Rooms include a full kitchen and a eating space, personal bogs, and a few have a seating space and/or patio. Every is air-conditioned, fitted with cable TV, and accessible in one-bed or two-bed rooms.
Hofbrau Riverfront
One other place to remain in Helen, this one nearer to Anna Ruby Falls, is Hofbrau Riverfront. This lodge is only one mile from the waterfall, or a 10-minute stroll from downtown Helen.
It has free personal parking on website, continental breakfast, and a restaurant 1 mile from the property. Additionally, simply 3 miles away, visitors can journey to Yonah Mountain Vineyards to pattern native wine and benefit from the surroundings.
Issues to Do in Helen, GA – Last Ideas
Helen, GA lives as much as its title as a prime vacationer vacation spot within the state. There are issues to do in practically any season, and actions for any kind of traveler.
So why not seize your pack and begin exploring Bavaria within the Blue Ridge Mountains? Expertise historical past & tradition, hop onto the river, chill with a beer or wine, and get you some Bratwurst. Helen guarantees to not disappoint, particularly if in search of a city with wealthy historical past & tradition.
As all the time, we want you content travels, and we hope to see you on the highway quickly!
