Helen

Helen is a tourist town in Georgia's Northeast High Country, designed as a re-creation of an Alpine village. In the 1960s, the declining timber town was reinvented as a Bavarian-themed attraction, and today its chalets, cobblestone-style streets, and German-inspired architecture draw visitors year-round. The town is nestled in the Chattahoochee National Forest along the Chattahoochee River, providing access to mountain recreation, waterfalls, and outdoor adventures.

Helen's biggest draw is Oktoberfest, one of the longest-running Oktoberfest celebrations in the South, running from September through November. Other popular events include Fasching (a German Mardi Gras), the Annual Trout Tournament, and the Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival. The town is also a gateway to Unicoi State Park, Anna Ruby Falls, and the Appalachian Trail.

The mountain climate is cooler than the rest of Georgia, with mild summers, colorful autumns, and occasional winter snow. Helen is busiest during Oktoberfest and fall foliage season, but pleasant to visit year-round.

By Plane

By Train

By Car / Road

From Atlanta via I-85: Take I-85 North to Gainesville Exit 113 (I-985), continue on Hwy 365 for 42 miles to Hwy 384, turn left, go 16 miles to GA Hwy 75, turn right and go 3 miles into Helen (~1.5 hr). From Atlanta via GA 400: Take GA 400 North to the end, continue on GA Hwy 115 to Cleveland, turn left on US 129 North, then right on Hwy 75 North, 9 miles to Helen. From Chattanooga: I-75 South to Dalton, Hwy 76 to Ellijay, Hwy 52 to Dahlonega, then to Cleveland and GA Hwy 75 (~3 hr).

Most of downtown Helen can be seen on foot with several convenient public parking lots. Pegasus Horse Drawn Carriages can take you throughout the city. The surrounding mountains require a car for exploration.

• Anna Ruby Falls — A waterfall in the Chattahoochee National Forest with a trail to a viewing platform (also accessible for the visually impaired).

• Babyland General Hospital (Cabbage Patch Kids) (Cleveland) — Where Cabbage Patch Kids are "born."

• Charlemagne's Kingdom — An Alpine model railroad.

• Nora Mill Granary & Country Store — A granary mill built in 1876 on the Chattahoochee, 2 miles south of Helen.

• Sautee Nacoochee Center — A museum, nature preserve, and heritage site.

• Sautee Store — An old store museum carrying Scandinavian gifts.

• Scarlett's Secret — A plantation-style museum with Gone With the Wind and Civil War memorabilia.

• Unicoi State Park — Camping, hiking and biking trails, trout fishing, a lodge, and rental cabins.

• Anna Ruby Falls — Hiking trail to a viewing platform at the base of twin falls.

• Unicoi Outfitters — Fly fishing on mountain streams.

• Horseback riding through the Chattahoochee National Forest.

• White water rafting — Southeastern Expeditions and Wildwood Outfitters offer guided rafting trips.

• Tubing — Helen Tubing and Cool River Tubing on the Chattahoochee River.

• Innsbruck Golf Club — Mountain golf with scenic views.

• Pirates Cove — Mini-golf for families.

Festivals and Events

• Fasching — German Mardi Gras held before Lent.
• Annual Trout Tournament — Trout fishing tournament held annually.
• Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival — First weekend in June.
• Oktoberfest — One of the longest in the South, from September through November.

• Budget: Alpine Village Inn (1005 Edelweiss Strasse, +1 706-878-2296, toll-free +1-800-844-8466) — Affordable motel with Alpine-themed décor.
• Budget: Econo Lodge (100 Edelweiss Strasse, +1 706-878-8000) — Budget-friendly option near downtown.
• Mid-range: Hampton Inn on the River (147 Unicoi St, +1 706-878-3310, toll-free +1-800-426-7866) — Comfortable hotel with river views.
• Mid-range: Castle Inn (N Main St, +1 706-878-3140, toll-free +1-800-395-3644) — Themed motel in the heart of town.
• Upscale: Helendorf Inn (33 Munichstrasse, toll-free +1-800-445-2271) — Riverfront inn on the banks of the Chattahoochee in downtown Alpine Helen.
• Upscale: Sylvan Valley Lodge (747 Duncan Bridge Rd, +1 706-865-7371) — Sautee, GA, with mountain views and upscale amenities.

• Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen (8651 N Main St) — Homemade candy; the owner wrote Candy Making for Dummies.
• Scandinavian European Import Company (8669 N Main St, +1 706-878-2357) — Handcrafted cuckoo clocks, beer steins, Russian nesting dolls, amber jewelry, and trolls.
• Downtown Helen shops — German-inspired boutiques, gift shops, and specialty stores.

• Dahlonega (30 mi east, ~40 min) — Site of America's first gold rush with gold mine tours and a wine trail.
• Blairsville (25 mi north, ~35 min) — Mountain town with Vogel State Park and Brasstown Bald.
• Gainesville (40 mi south, ~1 hr) — Lake Lanier, poultry capital, and gateway to the mountains.
• Blue Ridge (40 mi east, ~1 hr) — Scenic railway and apple orchards.
• Helen to the Appalachian Trail — Access the trail at nearby Neels Gap and Blood Mountain.