Helen.
- WHAT TO DO
- WHAT TO SEE
- WHAT TO EAT
- WHAT TO EXPERIENCE
The Chattahoochee River cuts directly through the centre of town, shallow and clear over river stones while rubber tubes drift past timber-framed facades. In 1969, local carpenters and a zoning board turned a dying sawmill settlement into an alpine postcard, complete with gingerbread trim and copper-roofed towers. It is unapologetic theatre, yet the pork shank crackles honestly at the table and the mountain laurel blooms thick across the surrounding ridges. Helen is worth visiting if you want hearty Bavarian fare and cold draft beer after hiking the Appalachian trailheads of the North Georgia mountains.
Last updated 6 Sept 2026
Field notes
Photographs · Wikimedia Commons
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What to do in Helen Georgia United States
Helen centers entirely on Main Street and the Chattahoochee River, where shops selling fudge and lederhosen sit beside authentic butcher counters. It suits mountain travellers who enjoy good-humoured spectacle paired with outdoor recreation. You will spend your mornings hiking hardwood ridges or paddling cool water, and your afternoons relaxing over pints of lager and warm pretzels on a breezy wooden deck.
24 hours in Helen Georgia United States
Start with a sourdough rye roll and coffee at Hofer's Bakery before the morning crowds arrive. Walk two miles north to the twin chutes of Anna Ruby Falls, then spend your afternoon floating down the Chattahoochee. Wrap up with roast pork shoulder and potato pancakes on the terrace at Bodensee Restaurant. Select 1 Day above to see it.
2 days in Helen Georgia United States
Head two miles south to Sautee Nacoochee on your second morning to tour the historic farmstead and pick up traditional alkaline-glaze stoneware. Spend the afternoon sampling dry white wines at Habersham Winery, then settle in for a plate of Jaeger schnitzel and a fresh dunkel beer at the Heidelberg. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
3 days in Helen Georgia United States
Use your third day for the winding drive across the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway to hike the Appalachian Trail at Dukes Creek Falls. Finish with an afternoon casting dry flies into the cold pockets of Smith Creek before a relaxed dinner away from the main strip in Clarkesville.
Helen Georgia United States itineraries by interest
Alpine Cooking in Helen Georgia United States
Order Schweinshaxe with braised red cabbage and crisp spaetzle at Bodensee Restaurant or the Heidelberg on North Main Street.
River Recreation in Helen Georgia United States
Rent a pink tube on the Chattahoochee River to float past downtown shoals from May through September when water levels allow.
Mountain Hiking in Helen Georgia United States
Walk the short path to Anna Ruby Falls or climb the steep granite stairs on the Yonah Mountain Trail for valley views.
Wine & Vineyards in Helen Georgia United States
Taste Petit Manseng and Norton varietals along the foothills at Habersham Winery or nearby Yonah Mountain Vineyards.
Craft Beer in Helen Georgia United States
Drink German-style dunkel, hefeweizen, and marzen poured into heavy glass steins at riverside biergartens along Main Street.
State Parks in Helen Georgia United States
Fish for rainbow trout in Smith Creek or launch a kayak on Unicoi Lake inside Unicoi State Park just north of town.
Local Pottery in Helen Georgia United States
Watch potters turn folk face jugs and wood-fired stoneware along Highway 255 in the historic Sautee Nacoochee community.
Historic Sites in Helen Georgia United States
Stand before the 1892 Hardman Farm Italianate mansion and the ancient Mississippian burial mound crowned by a gazebo.
Bakery Traditions in Helen Georgia United States
Grab warm apple strudel dusted with sugar or fresh Bavarian pretzels with coarse salt from Hofer's Bakery on North Main.
Road Trips in Helen Georgia United States
Drive Route 348 over the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway for high-elevation gaps and sweeping Appalachian panoramas.
Fly Fishing in Helen Georgia United States
Cast nymph rigs for wild brown and rainbow trout in the Chattahoochee headwaters and the cold runs of the Soquee River.
Autumn Festivals in Helen Georgia United States
Join the long-running Oktoberfest at the Helen Festhalle between September and October for brass bands and bratwurst.