Things to do in Helen Georgia on Vacation

Helen, Georgia, is somewhere we had visited for work conferences, and as children during family holidays to the Blue Ridge Mountains. But it wasn’t somewhere that pulled me back. Then I heard that there were lots of new attractions; and a renewal of sorts was taking place in Helen. With so many new things to do in Helen GA, and with our family in desperate need of a relaxing vacation, it felt like the perfect time to rediscover the city.

Disclaimer: We were hosted by the Alpine Helen / White County Convention & Visitors Bureau + many businesses in Helen GA on one of our visits. However, as always, all opinions are my own.

History of Helen GA

Helen has a rich history linked to the Cherokee Indians and the Mississippian mound builders; as well as the early settlers from all over who came to the area as miners and for the lumber industry. This alpine town was given a Bavarian makeover in the 1960s, in a bid to revitalise the town. This twist on an alpine town is now a selling point! With a population of only 430 residents in 2.1 square miles, it is the 3rd most visited city in our home state of Georgia.

Places to stay in Helen GA

Unicoi State Park & Lodge

We have been to the Unicoi State Park & Lodge many times for conferences. This is a good option for hiking, team building and other group trips. It is a little outside of Helen though, so this would be your option if the state park was your primary reason for travel.

Freedom Finder Cabin

If you’re looking for a cabin near both Unicoi and Helen, then the Freedom Finder Cabin might be just the place for you. This large self contained home has loads of amenities and a sweeping porch from where you can enjoy the lush surroundings.

Disclaimer: We were guests of Freedom Finder Cabin, however, all opinions remain our own.

Valhalla Resort

We haven’t stayed at Valhalla, but dined there (see below under ‘Restaurants in Helen’ for more information). Not only is the food amazing, but the resort offers a full service spa, pool, and golf course on site as well. This is not, in any way, a hotel you would expect to find in Helen Georgia. This is a luxury resort in a spectacular location that provides a complete vacation without ever leaving the property. Located not far from Atlanta, this resort would be the perfect getaway from the big city to escape to luxury on the side of the mountain.

Bear Creek Lodge & Cabins

On our most recent visit to Helen, we were lucky enough to stay at the Bear Creek Lodge. This pet-friendly accommodation is rustic and homely and sits right on the river. Perfect for quiet family time, fishing and a proper relaxing vacation in Helen. The lodge his huge, and sleeps 13 people; and is a short walk from downtown Helen. With such warmth and charm, I had to write a dedicated post for Bear Creek Lodge, because we had such a lovely time!

Disclaimer: We were guests of Bear Creek Lodge & Cabins, however, we write from the heart and being hosted does not guarantee a favorable review.

Love the mountains? Then a stay in Gatlinburg in the Smoky Mountains is for you!

Things to do in Helen Georgia

Did you know that Helen has been hosting an annual Oktoberfest for 50 years?

Alpine Helen – White County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Like any destination, make sure you start your visit to Helen at the Visitor Center. They will help you pick the best activities to suit your visit, and help you get the lay of the land!

Georgia Mountain Coaster

The Georgia Mountain Coaster, Georgia’s first alpine coaster, is located in downtown Helen. No need to drive out of the city to experience this adventure, it is located right next door to Paul’s Steakhouse and just steps from the river. If you are traveling with any adrenaline junkies, like our Payton, then the Georgia Mountain Coaster is definitely the activity in Helen for them! (Hosted)

Zipline in Helen GA

When it comes to zip lines and obstacle courses, we are not beginners, however, we are not advanced zip liners either.  We are more like somewhere in the middle.  Parts of this course were challenging and unnerving, but it was fun and I always felt safe.  Included in the adventure are 19 zip lines and 7+ suspension bridges that range from 75 to 2,000 feet long and as high as 100 feet from the ground!

Tubing on the Chattahoochee River

Tubing is another adventure that you can enjoy in Helen.  There are multiple companies to choose from. Helen Tubing offers access to their water park in the ticket price.  If you have kids, then this might be a good all-day adventure for you. The other company is Cool River Tubing – and if you’re just wanting to do the river section, the tubes are the same.

Helen Waterpark

This isn’t the biggest or best waterpark we have been to, but if you’re traveling with family and need an activity, it will work for you.  It includes a lazy river and 2 or 3 slides, but not much more.

Some of the other tubing companies include zip lining in your ticket price so you may want to compare them before deciding which extra you’d prefer.

Habersham Winery

The winery is located just outside of Helen and is in a truly beautiful setting. The tastings include your choice of five wine samples and a souvenir wine glass to take home. The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly and the wines are fantastic. After the tasting, John and I grabbed a glass of our favorite and headed outside to soak up some sun and savor the wine.

Payton enjoyed the chocolate cups made on site – minus the wine! We love visiting wineries during our travels and this one did not disappoint. Tasty wines, cozy atmosphere, and friendly service. We also discovered that they have another winery located close to our home in Statesboro, Georgia. (Hosted).

The River near the Winery

After visiting the winery, I would recommend walking across the road to take in the views of the river.

Unbeknown to John and I at the time, this picture was taken and edited by Payton. Isn’t it amazing how our kids see us? Me with camera in hand and John by my side as always! After our visit I realized that Payton had taken over 100 photos on her phone (I guess she gets that from me), but not all of them were as flattering!

Betty’s Country Store

No trip to Helen would be complete without a visit to Betty’s Country Store. This has to be one of the coolest stores ever and offers huge variety. It is a complete grocery store that also includes a large wine and beer section, a gift shop, a candy shop, and all kind of other uniques treasures. We left with many goodies!

Swimming Holes

Some of Georgia’s best waterfalls are in this area so you don’t want to miss some of the falls and swimming holes.  There is a local swimming spot on Wild Cat Creek called sliding rock.  My husband remembers going there as a child so we had to take Payton.  She enjoyed it, but the water remains pretty cold!

Fishing

I have it on good authority from my husband and daughter that the trout fishing in the Chattahoochee River is fantastic! John would go down to the river every morning from the lodge and fish. Payton caught 3 trout all on her own, and had people passing while tubing on the river wave and cheer her on!

Hiking

Whether you choose to hike in the Unicoi State Park, or just in the trails around Helen, there are walks for every fitness level. We followed a trail from Bear Lodge and discovered the entrance to one of the original gold mines in the area. What a perfect opportunity to teach Payton about the history of the area.

Don’t forget to stop by Unicoi Outfitters for all your last minute hiking and fishing needs. Not only are they a full service fly fishing store, they also sell fishing apparel, sunglasses, and various other outdoor equipment. If you are new to trout fishing, Unicoi Outfitters also has guides and trips available. You can pay for 1/2 day or full day trips, wading the cool, crisp creeks around Helen. They also offer guided raft fishing trips on larger rivers nearby.

Old Sautee Store

Just outside of Helen, you’ll find the Old Sautee Store. The authentic charm is obvious upon arrival – it really is like stepping back in time to 1872 (perfect for a homeschool history lesson). This store has a market, apparel, home goods, gift boxes, and amazing cheeses which are available to sample.

Mark of the Potter

John wanted to venture just slightly further out of town to take Payton to a place he remembered visiting in his childhood, the Mark of the Potter. The name says it all. There is a multitude of pottery on display for sell and more being created everyday. The building itself is a old corn grinding mill from the 1930’s that overlooks the Soque River. Back in 1969 a retired couple purchased the closed building, made some much-needed repairs, and opened it as a studio for their art. Now, 50 years later, the history lives on.

Feed the Trout

Outside you will find their giant “pet” trout waiting to be fed which is a lot of fun for kids and adults. These fish are huge and seem to be very greedy!

Where to Eat in Helen

Cafe International

This authentic German restaurant offers amazing food and excellent service. Cafe International offers indoor and outdoor seating but I cannot imagine being indoors with this kind of view. Our table was located next to the railing overlooking the river. It was here that I tried my first ever Reuben sandwich and it was out of this world. We were told that people drive many hours just for this sandwich and I can see why. (Hosted)

Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Cafe

Love cheese? Then you’ll love Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Cafe! This restaurant serves authentic German and Czech cuisine, and cheese… lots and lots of cheese! Not being familiar with the menu or some of the descriptions, we asked our friendly server for recommendations. She was very knowledgeable of the menu and helped all three of us choose the perfect meal.

We started off with an appetizer that consisted of 3 different cheeses fried on a skewer. And I chose the original Hungarian Goulash with bread dumplings for my main. It was a such a generous portion that I was able to share with John and Payton! This traditional beef stew is slow cooked until the meat is tender, and is made using Hungary’s famous smoked paprika.

Valhalla Resort

Located in a gated preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this resort is a welcome surprise. The resort offers 2 dining options – the classy dining in the Caledonia Dining Room or the Sky Bar located on the fourth floor overlooking the mountains. We chose the rooftop bar, as we wanted to take in the views of the mountains. We watched the sunset set and enjoyed the view while we dined – it was a perfect end to the day. (Hosted)

Cowboys and Angels

Located in the center of Helen, this is a perfect option when out and about exploring the city. I enjoyed the avocado bison burger so much the last time, that we just had to go back to Cowboys and Angels. Cowboys and Angels offers great varied menu and in a great central location in Helen. (Hosted)

Fred’s Famous Peanuts

Just outside of town you’ll find Fred’s Famous Peanuts roadside country store. How do you prefer your peanuts?  Boiled, cajun boiled, fried, cajun fried, roasted, and salted roasted are all available to sample and purchase. They also sell Fresh pork rinds, pralines, peanut brittle, jerky, honey, cider, jellies, jams, preserves, pickles, sauces, marinades, and hot sauces. If you are like us, the decision is too difficult so you have to purchase some of each!

Paul’s Steakhouse

At Paul’s there is the primary restaurant located on main street and also a margarita deck located just behind the restaurant, both overlooking the Chattahoochee River. The margarita deck is open air and offers a lively scene. There is a wide variety of food and drinks available, great views of the river, live entertainment, and special events. (Hosted)

Mully’s Nacoochee Grill

We have eaten here many times and it never disappoints. Maybe it’s the Bloody Mary’s, but brunch is my favorite meal of the day. Mully’s is our go-to brunch spot in Helen – you must try the chicken and waffles!

Things to do on vacation in Helen Georgia

Whether you just want a laid back weekend away, or fancy a fun filled family vacation, Helen has a wealth of activities and scenic spots. We spent 3 days in Helen, and its the perfect length of time to savor what the area has to offer. A great weekend retreat from Atlanta, Helen GA caters to all different tastes, dining experiences, and attractions. It has become one of our favorite weekend getaways.

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