A Bavarian-style alpine village
Helen is most known for its Bavarian-style architecture, which looks like a charming village lifted right out of Germany and transplanted in the mountains of Georgia. What's most interesting is that the town didn't start with this look in mind.
Downtown Helen is known today for its Bavarian charm
Once a sleepy town that people passed by on their way north into the mountains, in 1969, the townspeople of Helen re-thought their community's image. Deciding that they needed to encourage more tourism, a few local businessmen asked an artist to draw up some plans based on the time one man spent in service in Germany. The local shop owners and City Council approved the plans, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. By the fall season of that year, many shops and buildings in the town had a new facade that would boost Helen's tourism for decades to come.
Today, the area around Helen is known for its mix of arts, activities, unique history, Bavarian cuisine, and so much more. Here are a few of our favorite suggestions to explore in the area:
Enjoy the great outdoors
If adventures in the open air are your preferred way to spend your free time, you’re in luck.
Hiking
In the city of Helen, you'll find the Unicoi to Helen Trail, a nearly 3-mile moderately-rated hike (or 6 miles, round trip) with the trailhead at the Unicoi Hill City Park, near the corner of N. Main Street and White Strasse. Accessible year-round, the winding trail crosses over Smith Creek and passes by plenty of scenery like meadows, lakes, and local foliage, before the turnaround at the Lodge at Unicoi State Park.
A shorter option that's also ADA accessible is the Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail. Parking is located at either end of the trail: at Hardman Farm State Historic Site or downtown Helen. Along the mile-long path, you'll follow the Chattahoochee River and learn about native plants and animals, the local history, and previous residents of the homestead: the Nichols family and the Hardman family.
About 5 miles north of Helen is a roughly 2-mile hike (just short of 4 miles round trip), known as Andrews Cove Trail. It begins as an easy to moderate climb that follows along an old logging road and gets steeper as you approach Indian Grave Gap; the last quarter-mile that approaches the famous Appalachian Trail is rated as moderate to difficult. In addition to hiking, Andrews Cove offers camping sites, stream fishing, and picnic areas complete with grills.
Water and other attractions
Horse Trough Falls is easy to reach for newcomers – off a trail that's only 0.4 miles in length. Anna Ruby Falls is another option with a short 0.4-mile hike on a paved path, but note that this option is mostly uphill. On the way, you'll find benches along the trail for resting or enjoying the scenery, and at the base of Anna Ruby Falls in an observation deck. Dukes Creek Falls is also considered easily accessible, off the 0.8-mile Dukes Creek Trail.
Anna Ruby Falls is a popular option that’s easy to get to.
For a longer hike, the 2.5-mile trail to Ravens Cliffs Falls is considered one of the most beautiful hikes in Northern Georgia, ending at the unique falls which flow through a split in the face of solid rock.
If viewing the water isn't close enough for you, how about getting in? In season, you can book a tubing trip, where you'll float down the Chattahoochee River and enjoy the view. A couple of different companies in Helen offer tubing with short (1 - 1.5 hours) or long (2 - 2.5 hours) trips available. We suggest looking up your options ahead of time to know what to expect and how to get started.
If you're looking for a little less leisure and a little more workout, an option like paddle boarding or kayaking may be more your speed. Both options are available in season at the Unicoi State Park & Lodge. We also recommend checking out the other great outdoor options here, like mountain biking, ziplines, GPS scavenger hunts, and more.
Go on a tasty tour
From authentic flavors of Bavaria to your favorite everyday staples, Helen has dining (and drink) options for everyone.
Authentic fare
Bratwurst, schnitzel, and spätzle are just a few of the well-known German staples you'll find at a variety of restaurants spread across Helen. We recommend that you do your research to find the menu that's most appealing to you. Still, it won't hurt to get started with a look at these: Hofbrauhaus Restaurant & Pub, The Heidelberg German Restaurant, Bodensee Restaurant (a fine-dining option), or the Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant & Lounge.
If a sweet treat (German chocolate cake or Black Forest cheesecake, anyone?) or fresh-baked German bread is what you’re looking for, check out Hofer’s of Helen Bakery and Cafe. There's also Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen, along with several ice cream shops, and other delicious options spread around the city.
Local wine
At first consideration, it's easy to think that Georgia's climate is not a match for growing grapes because the area receives high rain volume at times. As it turns out, north Georgia's red clay soil does not allow water to absorb easily. When combined with a hilly terrain that helps rain to drain off the surface quickly, the higher elevation areas of north Georgia have proven to offer excellent growing conditions.
The area around Helen offers several wineries, and there are even companies in the area that offer wine tours. Habersham Vineyards and Winery, one of the oldest and largest wineries in Georgia, has produced wines since 1983. Located a half-mile south of Helen in historic Nacoochee Village, you'll find plenty of well-known varietals (chardonnay, merlot, rosé, and so on) and bubbly options. There are also unique options like muscadine, renowned as a native grapevine throughout the southern US. A spin-off of Habersham's premium-label offerings, Creekstone Vineyards and Winery is just a stone's throw away in Sautee.
Muscadine is grown as a regional wine option.
Just south of Helen, you'll find Yonah Mountain Vineyards in Cleveland. A family-owned "boutique vineyard" situated on 200 acres of former farmland, the brand offers Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Chardonnay – to name only a few. Yonah Mountain Vineyards also prioritizes sustainability at the property, intending to achieve complete energy interdependence.
Also, in Cleveland, you'll find CeNita Vineyards and Winery. Once a dairy, today the family-operated property is focused on growing both traditional Vinifera vines (the most well-known grape varieties, native to the Mediterranean region; also called Old World wines) and Hybrid vines (made by crossing the Vinifera vines with American vines) for producing their wines.
Take in arts, history, and culture
Helen has something for almost everyone when it comes to the arts and cultural offerings. Whether it's art classes (think pottery, jewelry making, painting, and more) or festivals and events you're interested in, the Helen Arts and Heritage Council is a great resource to find out what's going on each month. There's also the Sautee Nacoochee Center, a non-profit that's home to the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, an African American Heritage Site, and the Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center.
Depending on the timing of your trip, Helen also offers a variety of event options. Summertime is known for the annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race and Festival, the oldest hot-air balloon event in the region. In the fall, you can celebrate at the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States with traditional dancing, food, and plenty of beer at events around the city. The party lasts for weeks and coincides with the crisp mountain temperatures and beautiful fall colors for which the mountains are known. In the winter, you'll find the annual WinterFest Arts Tour, where you can check out art made by professionals. There's also a German Christmas market, Lighting of the Village, and Dropping of the Edelweiss New Year's Eve celebration.
Exploring Helen in your favorite Toyota
These are just a few of the things to see and do in Helen and you’re sure to have a great time! No matter which activities you pick, the good news is that Helen is easy to get to from just about anywhere in the southeast. So pack your bags, stash some snacks in your Toyota, and hit the road soon for a getaway that’s practically in your backyard.