Festive and beautiful are the vibes of Helen, Georgia. This city resembles a Bavarian Village straight out of Germany. From European settlers to modern artisans, residents have created a captivating experience throughout this town. Take a journey down the cobblestone paths with us, as we share our top recommendations for your visit.
About Helen, Georgia
Helen is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, 90 miles northeast of Atlanta. The Native American Cherokee Tribe first inhabited it. In the 1800s, European settlers landed in Helen in search of gold and timber.
Now home to just over 400 residents, this charming city is a popular stop for travelers. There’s a wide range of activities to choose from: hike to waterfalls, enjoy a hot air balloon ride, sip on a brew, visit wineries, or look into the city’s history. For those traveling with dogs, Helen even has pet-friendly restaurants.
Best Time of Year to Visit Helen
For the best weather and mildest temperatures, April-May and September-November are the best times to visit Helen. The temperatures are in the 60s to 70s Fahrenheit. The summer months can be hot and humid but tolerable if you like the 80s and 90s.
Helen is well-known for its Oktoberfest, making October one of the best times to visit for a good brew. December is also a fun time to visit, as the city is festive for Christmas time. It even hosts a traditional German Christmas Market.
Top 10 Things to Do in Helen, Georgia
1. Shoot the ‘Hooch with Cool River Tubing
One of the most relaxing things to do in the summer is tubing down the Chattahoochee River. Shoot the ‘Hooch with Cool River Tubing. You’ll get to do more than float down the river, but also catch their water slides.
2. Experience Anna Ruby Falls
Anna Ruby Falls is a pair of waterfalls located at the intersection of Curtis and York Creeks. The falls are 6 miles north of Helen. From the parking area, you can hike to the waterfalls on a paved path. This area is also dog-friendly.
3. Ride the Georgia Mountain Coaster
Located in downtown Helen, the Georgia Mountain Coaster is a unique, fun, and fast experience for kids and adults. Designed by a top alpine coaster manufacturer, you’ll zoom around the track in a 1-2 person cart.
4. Charlemagne’s Kingdom Model Train Museum
An expression of Alpine art, Charlemagne’s Kingdom Model Train Museum is an inspiring stop in northern Georgia. It’s a 50-foot, handmade model of Germany from the north sea to the Alps. The train museum is located at 8808 N Main Street in Helen.
5. Visit The Nora Mill Granary Grist Mill
In operation since 1876, Nora Mill Granary still produces corn and wheat-based products today. You can visit the mill and shop from their old country store. Located on the southeast side of town, they also have lots of recipes on their website that you can try at home with their products.
6. Eat Traditional German Fare at Bodensee Restaurant
Bodensee Restaurant in the heart of Helen offers traditional German cuisine. From Brie to Schnitzel and much more, you can try multiple dishes. They are open for lunch and dinner.
7. Zipline Through Chattahoochee National Forest
There are a few different locations near Helen to take in the Chattahoochee National Forest from a zipline. Cool River Adventures offers ziplining and other adventure packages. Unicoi State Park has zipline tours that take you across trees and water. Nacoochee Adventures has zipline packages from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours.
8. Pan for Gold at Outpost Gold & Gem Mining Co.
You can pan for gold and learn more about mining at the Outpost Gold and Gem Panning. All equipment is provided and fees are calculated by bucket size. After you pan for gold, there’s a gift shop to visit as well.
9. Check Out Habersham Vineyards and Winery
Habersham Vineyards and Winery is one of Georgia’s largest wineries. Its tasting room is open daily and located just south of Helen. They recently opened a new location just down the road called, Creekstone Winery. The tasting room is also open daily at Creekstone.
10. Explore Unicoi State Park
Unicoi State Park has breathtaking views of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The park provides zipline adventures, camping, a lodge, hiking trails, fishing, and more. It’s located within 4 miles of Helen, making it the perfect location for your RV stay while visiting the area.
Helen, Georgia Is Packed Full of Fun
Helen, Georgia is packed full of fun, adventure, food, and wine. It’s a great place to get away for a solo trip or with friends and family. One of our favorite aspects of this Alpine town is that you have nature and amenities within a few miles of each other. We hope you visit and if you do, let us know your favorite activities.
