A colorful, Bacarian-inspired town is bathed in moderate sunlight. The buildings are extravagant, with stone siding, colorful lines, towers, large windows, red-tile rooves and elaborate white fences. There are twinkling lights wrapped around certain business buildings and in the foreground is a sign for Alpine Trading Co.. The town is downtown Helen, Georgia.

Downtown Helen, Georgia. Photo by @gcalebjones

Top Things to Do in Helen

Travel to Germany without leaving Georgia with a visit to Helen and nearby areas, located 90 minutes north of Atlanta. Go tubing through town in summer, celebrate Oktoberfest in the fall, and try outdoor adventures like hiking and ziplining all year.

Two trees flank the shore of a flowing river in Helen, Georgia. The sky is littered with large, puffy, gray-and-white clouds, and in the background are a few German-inspired buildings, with colorful trim and a red balcony. Tubers in green and pink tubes float down the river.

Tubing in Helen, Georgia. Photo by @supersimplesaltylife

Tubing

During the warmer months, typically May to September, spend the day floating down the river with outfitters like Helen Tubing & Waterpark and Cool River Tubing, which drop you off and pick you up. They also offer changing rooms, showers, picnic areas and parking.

Someone zooms down a zipline at Unicoi State Park in Helen, Georgia, their back to the camera. They are wearing protective gear and flying down the zipline through an opening in a dense, green forest.

Zipline at Unicoi State Park in Helen, Georgia. Photo by @gcalebjones

Ziplining

Zipline is another popular activity, which you can experience with Nacoochee Adventures and American Adventure Park at Unicoi State Park. Multiple courses wind through the surrounding forest.

A vertical photo of Anna Ruby Falls in Helen, Georgia, displays a breathtaking scene of the double waterfall, cascading down a deep, forested area lit up by dappled sunlight. There are large rocks, green trees and mist everywhere. Two spectators stand on the fenced-in overhang to admire the waterfalls.

Anna Ruby Falls in Helen, Georgia. Photo by Jacob Tekippe

Anna Ruby Falls

Admire the beauty of Anna Ruby Falls, a rare double waterfall that is formed just before two creeks merge. Although there are many waterfalls near Helen, Anna Ruby Falls is perhaps the most visitor-friendly, accessed by a paved trail. It’s named for Anna Ruby Nichols and is actually made up of two waterfalls.

A red-roofed Bavarian-looking building sits on a street in Helen, Georgia. The restaurant is Hofer's of Helen. There are tall trees behind the building under blue skies.

Hofer's of Helen in Helen, Georgia. Photo by @gcalebjones

Downtown Helen

Stroll through downtown Helen, which features Bavarian-style buildings filled with shops and restaurants. Among them, unique hand-blown glass gifts and art designs at The Glassblowing Shop, and Hofer's of Helen, where you can enjoy meals in the authentic Bavarian dining room and bakery treats to-go.

A few colorful carts on an outdoor track sit in the foreground of this vertical photo of Georgia Mountain Coaster in Helen. There are string lights around the log-cabin building and a large logo with "Georgia Mountain Coaster" written on it at the front of the large, pointed-roof building. There are trees behind the building and the whole scene is under partly-cloudy skies.

Georgia Mountain Coaster in Helen, Georgia. Photo by @gcalebjones

Georgia Mountain Coaster

The most thrilling attraction in Helen is the Georgia Mountain Coaster, the only alpine coaster in the state. Let the wind rush through your hair as you speed through the woods.

A bag of freshly ground grits from Nora Mill Stone Ground Grits in Helen, Georgia sits in the foreground of the photo. Beside it is a wooden spoon and a large, light-blue bowl filled to the top with grits, topped with a square of butter. In the middle is a brown weaved basket full of red flowers.

Nora Mill Stone Ground Grits in Helen, Georgia

Nora Mill Granary Grist Mill & Country Store

Visit this authentic working grist mill nestled alongside the Chattahoochee River to see how corn is ground into grits. Nora Mill grinds corn daily using either the original French burr stones that are powered by the Chattahoochee River or by a more modern "Meal Master" stone grinding system located on the second floor.

A child dressed in colorful clothing looks at the sign for Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia. The sign includes a cartoon stork carrying a cartoon Cabbage Patch doll in a white cloth. Beside these are the words "Cabbage Patch Kids Babyland" visible on the sign. Around the sign is a vast, dusty-blue sky littered with whispy clouds beneath what looks like acres of freshly cut green grass.

Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia. Photo by @benjamingalland

Babyland General Hospital

In nearby Cleveland, native Xavier Roberts founded the Cabbage Patch Dolls brand. Today, visitors can see where they are "born" at the Babyland General Hospital, equal parts museum and store. Admission is free, and celebrity photos cover the walls.

Find more things to do in Helen.

Around 10 hot-air balloons sit inflated on the ground (which is not visible), preparing for the Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race and Festival in Georgia. The tops of the hot-air balloons are colorful with geometric shapes and multiple colors. Behind the balloons is a dense, dark-green forest of trees, behind which are misty tops of mountains under a gray-cloud sky.

Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race and Festival

Events

Summer

The oldest balloon event in the region, Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race and Festival, is part race and part showcase of colorful balloons every summer. The race begins in Helen, and the finish line is I-95 anywhere between Maine and Miami. The shortest distance is 225 miles, and the race usually takes two days. While the racers head to the Atlantic, other balloonists compete in local events beginning Thursday evening. Local flying events also take place on Friday and Saturday.

Fall

Helen is best known for its annual Oktoberfest festivities that run from September through October at the city’s Festhalle, home to beers, food and dancing.

Plan your trip with this Guide to Helen Oktoberfest.

Holidays

The holidays kick off with the Lighting of the Village event the day after Thanksgiving, which includes appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, musical performances and the lighting of the town. Helen's Downtown Christmas Parade is in early December. The annual Christmas Market is held at the Marketplatz, featuring Christmas gifts and decorations as well as sweet treats and drinks. Then, ring in the New Year with the Dropping of the Edelweiss New Year's Eve Celebration, featuring hors d'oeuvres, party favors and midnight champagne toast.

Winter

The Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center is one of the organizers of the Winterfest Art Tour, an event made up of 150 artists spread over three locations with crafts, demonstrations and prizes.

Find more events in Helen.

Published: April 2024

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