The Best Small Town Getaway In Georgia: Best Things To Do In Helen
By Melissa Mahoney|Published August 08, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Have you ever wanted to visit Europe but didn’t feel like hopping on a plane to fly thousands of miles away? Well, there’s one place in Georgia that, once you visit, you’ll feel as though you’re on holiday in Europe. With its Bavarian-style architecture surrounded by forests and mountains, it’s more like Germany or Switzerland than a small town in Georgia. Welcome to Helen, the perfect community for a getaway that will have you dreaming of foreign lands as you experience the local culture and surrounding natural beauty here. And whether you’re a resident or a visitor, there are so many wonderful things to do in Helen!
Once you visit Helen, Georgia, you may want to move here. This small town that’s tucked away in the mountains of northeast Georgia is home to just under 600 residents and has a lot to offer. From outdoor adventures and wineries to local historical sites, museums, restaurants, and its annual Oktoberfest, Helen will quickly become your favorite getaway destination. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a day trip to Helen, you’re sure to have a memorable and enjoyable time on this Small Town Getaway.
Helen is absolutely worth visiting! From its old-world European-style charm to its Alpine architecture and stunning natural beauty, this small town is quaint, friendly, fascinating, welcoming, and certainly a worthwhile destination for your next getaway. It’s also incredible to know that as small as Helen is at two square miles, it offers a plethora of sights and activities for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.
You may be wondering, what is Helen known for? The town started out in the early 19th century when it was settled by Cherokee natives. In the late 1800s, it thrived on the lumber industry which died out over the decades. And then, Helen made a comeback...
To drive tourism to town in the late 1960s, the town was transformed into a Bavarian village. The exteriors of old, worn buildings became those of a German town, and the plan worked! Since its transformation, Helen has become a premier destination for tourists in Georgia.
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How To Get To Helen
To get to Helen you’ll need a car as there is no train or nearby airport. However, the closest airport is in Atlanta, and, from there, you can rent a car and drive to town.
As Helen is located in the northeastern part of Georgia, to get here, you'll have to take major routes like the Helen Highway (GA-75) or US-17 depending on what part of the state you're coming from.
Another option to get around town (unique to Helen, of course!) is by horse-drawn carriage. This is actually a big deal here in Helen and, if you have a chance to take one, do not pass the opportunity. Your chariot awaits!
The time of year you visit largely depends on the experience you’re looking for as each season brings a little something different with it. While the springtime brings stunning blooms of flowers and comfortable temperatures and summer brings about the opportunities to go tubing or hit the water park, fall and winter are perhaps the favorite seasons to visit Helen.
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the fall in Helen is absolutely breathtaking! With fall foliage hues covering the landscape, it's the perfect time to visit.
On top of the colorful leaves, with fall comes Oktoberfest. And if there's one event a German-inspired town knows what to celebrate it's Oktoberfest!
And then there's the winter and the Christmas season. 'Tis the season for Helen to transform into a magical wonderland filled with Christmas lights and decor and holiday cheer. It's no wonder this small alpine-style village starred in a Lifetime Channel Christmas movie.
In 2020, A Taste of Christmas premiered on the Lifetime Channel and Helen played a starring role!
The historic district in downtown Helen, Georgia comes alive with holiday lights that transform it into a winter wonderland. Spending time in Helen during the Christmas season is simply magical!
Despite its small stature, Helen has quite a few accommodations that range from B&Bs to chain hotels to vacation rentals. Depending on your budget and what you prefer, you can decide for yourself where you’d like to stay but here are some options to consider:
If you're in Helen for a romantic getaway, Valhalla Resort Hotel is your best bet for relaxing. And it's for adults only! Enjoy some time at the pool or the spa without worrying about kids running around. Sounds lovely, right?
Valhalla Resort Hotel, 688 Bahn Innsbruck, Helen, GA 30545, USA
Valhalla Resort also has a golf course, a bar, on-site restaurants, and activities.
Prefer the privacy of a vacation rental instead? Just eight miles away from Helen is a pet-friendly mountaintop cabin situated on 25 acres. You'll have all the privacy your heart desires! Furthermore, the views are spectacular.
The home has four bedrooms and can sleep up to 12 guests. There are also plenty of. board games to entertain you and your guests as well as a fire pit outside for those nights you may want to make s'mores.
Another option is the Cozy Bear cabin located in Sautee Nacoochee just four miles away from Helen. Surrounded by trees, this cozy cabin has two bedrooms and can accommodate up to six guests.
Between the fireplace indoors and the screened-in porch, you may never want to leave this adorable cabin!
Day One Itinerary: Explore Downtown Helen
Ready for the Day One travel guide? Here are some fun activities in Helen you can enjoy today:
Guten Morgen! Start your first morning off right with a hearty breakfast at Hofer's Bakery and Cafe. This German-inspired bakery and cafe is considered by Trip Advisor one of the "Top Restaurants in the World," so of course you must have at least one meal here, right?
Try the Country Morning Breakfast with scrambled eggs and ham on a croissant or, perhaps, the German Potato Pancakes. There's also Alpine French Toast, Hofer's Belgian Waffles, and so many more delicious options to get your day going.
Keep in mind, though, that Hofer's is closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
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After fueling up at Hofer's, it's time to explore downtown Helen. The town is charming, it's whimsical, and you'll definitely be enchanted as you explore.
One stop you must make in town is Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen. In a fairytale town like Helen, it's not at all surprising there's a candy store named after a fairytale, right?
Whether it's brittle, fudge, or chocolates you're in the mood for, go ahead and load up on some sweet treats!
Make sure to spend some time at Helen Arts & Heritage, the town's premier art center. Here you'll find a gallery, a museum, a pottery studio, and a history museum that preserves the town's unique culture and heritage.
After popping in and out of shops in the downtown area, you've probably worked up an appetite. Time for dinner! Of course, you can't come to Helen and not try the local Hofbrauhaus.
Situated along the river in downtown Helen, the Bavarian-style Hofbrauhaus Restaurant might make you believe you're in Germany. Dine on classic German fare like goulash, schnitzel, sauerbraten, etc. And don't forget the apple strudel for dessert!
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Day Two Itinerary: Explore Helen’s Natural Beauty
Are you excited for Day Two and all the natural attractions you’ll get to enjoy? There’s so much natural beauty around town that it’s a great idea to take a day and explore all while getting some fresh air and exercise. Here’s what to do in Helen’s great outdoors:
I know you're excited to get outside but it's important to fuel up before we explore. Welcome to the Huddle House for a casual breakfast in Helen! This place is open 24/7 so you can come here at any point.
Breakfast is affordable here and the portions are large, perfect for a day of enjoying the town's surrounding wilderness. Whether it's an omelet, stuffed hash browns, pancakes, waffles, or a big breakfast plate, you will not leave hungry!
After breakfast, it's time for a hike! And hiking trails are abundant around Helen which is surrounded by the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. One trail you can take is the 2.3-mile out-and-back Dukes Creek Trail which leads to beautiful waterfalls.
For a trail map and other trail options around Helen, do yourself a favor and download the AllTrails+ app.
Tubing down the Chattahoochee River through Helen is almost a rite of passage. Through an outfitter like Cool River Tubing, you'll be provided with everything you need for your tubing adventure.
Set aside 1-2 hours for the float trip which will cost $14 on Monday-Friday and $18 on weekends. The price includes a tube, a life jacket, tie straps, and a shuttle ride.
You can also go tubing along the Chattahoochee at Helen Water Park which also has a pool, water slides, and a lazy river. Sounds fun, doesn't it?
Order bratwurst, schnitzel, a Bavarian pretzel...there are so many delicious options. And while you're here, you can purchase your very own beer stein to remember your time here in Helen!
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in this charming town, despite its tiny size. Have you ever visited this Bavarian-style town in the Georgia mountains? Let us know if you have!
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