We love the Autumn season, and here is why! Fall is a beautiful time of year in Helen, Georgia. The surrounding mountains have breathtaking views of the fall foliage, and there is much to celebrate.
As summer fades and the new season dawns, it brings cooler months and many fall festivals with fun things to do that kids won’t hate, and some planned family fun activities you can enjoy. If you’re planning to head to the north Georgia mountains for Oktoberfest this Fall, you’ll want to schedule your visit around some of these fun and exciting events.
Fall Festivals
Oktoberfest
It’s the longest-running and largest Oktoberfest celebration for miles around! The Alpine village of Helen is known for its Bavarian theme and culture, but the city takes things to a whole new level during the weeks from the middle of September through the end of October. The first Helen, GA celebration of this beloved German festival was in 1970. Come out to Helen to experience the fun firsthand as you enjoy a cold beer, dancing, live polka music, and authentic German fare, and share a one-of-a-kind experience with new friends and old.
Georgia Apple Festival
Georgia may be known for its peaches, but our apples are delicious too. During Oktoberfest, make a trip to the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds for the Georgia Apple Festival. While there, you can purchase unique gifts and items from hundreds of vendor booths. If you want to inspire your creativity, many vendors will demonstrate how you can make crafts.
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival
The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee is a great place to be. The Georgia Mountain Fall Festival draws visitors from all over each year. With a spectacular mountain backdrop and beautiful fall colors, the fair boasts booths with handcrafted arts and crafts, demonstrations, the annual flower show, live performances, and the Georgia State Fiddler’s Convention. There is an admission fee for attendees ages 12 and over; children under 12 are free.
Gold Rush Days
Helen and its surrounding areas are known for gold, and Dahlonega is no exception. Having played a central role in America’s first Gold Rush in 1828, the people of Dahlonega invite visitors to drop by each October to celebrate their history and heritage. You and your loved ones can take a look at more than 300 art and craft exhibits, watch a parade, attend a fashion show, participate in gold panning and wheelbarrow contests, experience hog calling, enjoy live music, and more – all while pleasing your taste-buds with some delicious eats.
Blue Ridge Fall Arts in the Park
The Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association and Art Center have hosted the Fall Arts at the Park Celebration for more than 40 years. Each day, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a truly unique art experience as you visit hundreds of fine arts, crafts, and food booths. Activities are also available for the little ones throughout the day. There is admission for adults; children are free.
Fun Things To Do Kids Won’t Hate
Lilly Pad Village
Taking a family vacation is supposed to be a fun experience, but so often, Mom and Dad’s idea of fun doesn’t quite match up with what the kids think. Mom and Dad want to hike, enjoy the scenery, and relax in the mountains.
Kids want to be active, get their hands dirty, and run around. You’ll get the best of both worlds while on your next family vacation to Helen, GA. At the Lilly Pad Village, you can experience outdoor fun for kids and parents alike.
Lilly Pad Village offers several fun things to do in Georgia, with exciting adventures all set against the scenic backdrop of the north Georgia mountains.
Fore!
You have never seen a mini golf course quite like the one at Lilly Pad Village. The folks at Lilly Pad threw out conventional putt-putt golf wisdom when building their park to preserve the natural surroundings. So instead of loud music and brightly colored obstacles, you’ll hear the sounds of wildlife and see the natural colors of trees and foliage.
Go Fish!
The entire Lilly Pad Village is around a one-half acre pond stocked to the brim with fish including catfish, brim, and smallmouth bass. Kids will never forget the experience of catching their very first fish with the help of Dad (or Mom). They will feel so proud of their outdoor accomplishment and their trip to Helen, GA will be even more special.
Strike It Rich and Take A Jewelry Making Class
Gold and gem mining has a long tradition in Helen, GA. At Lilly Pad Village you have a chance to try your luck at this mountain trade. Grab a bucket and start mining for precious gems. You might find emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and beautiful quartz as you use your sieve to sort through rocks and wash the dirt away in the flume. You can then turn your rough gems into fine jewelry by taking a jewelry class at Lilly Pad Village.
Take A Hike
Lilly Pad Village is all about the natural mountain surroundings of the north Georgia area. Choose from the guided hikes offered by Lilly Pad Village, which immerse you in the natural beauty of the waterfalls, mountains, and rivers. Lilly Pad also provides snow hikes and walks so you can see the beauty of the four seasons in Helen, GA. Lilly Pad Village includes transportation and hiking supplies for all of their nature walks and hikes.
With so many options for things to do, it’s no wonder that more and more folks are choosing the north Georgia mountains for their Georgia vacation. Make sure everyone in the family gets what they want from your next vacation together. Head to Lilly Pad Village and enjoy all the fun the mountains and Helen, Georgia have to offer.
Planned Family Fun Activities
In Helen, GA, Oktoberfest is one of the most exciting celebrations. Every year tourists pour into town to experience the German festival. The weekends are always the most advertised and favorite times to visit, but there are attractions for your family to enjoy all week long.
Burt’s Pumpkin Patch
Take “A One Day Fall Vacation” at Burt’s Pumpkin Patch, and you’ll get a taste of fall at the barn store where they have a delicious pumpkin pie and pumpkin roll. Your kids will love learning how pumpkins grow and seeing the giant pumpkins Burt’s is famous for, weighing in at 150 pounds! The whole family can enjoy a hayride together behind a John Deere tractor, fall treats, and lots of fall decorations! Don’t forget your camera. Burt’s Pumpkin Patch has beautiful scenery for capturing memories you will cherish for years to come.
Charlemagne’s Kingdom
Charlemagne’s Kingdom is an Alpine Model Railroad Museum in the Georgia Mountains. It has a 50-foot exhibit that features HO Scale German Model Railroads depicting the terrain and architecture of Germany. The name Charlemagne comes from a time in the 700s when the Frankish King ruled German lands. This exhibit is a work of art and is the result of the original owners, Willi and Judi Lindhorn, love of their homeland. Visiting Charlemagne’s Kingdom will serve as an educational experience as well as a fun memory for your kids!
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf
Your family or friends will love putting through the Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf miniature golf course. Pirate’s Cove is located right across Edelweiss Strasse from the Oktoberfest Festhalle, which makes it an easy find for visiting adventurists. Pirate’s Coves all over the country have won beautification awards for the attractive scenery, with waterfalls, caves, lush gardens, footbridges, and pirate décor that add to the atmosphere. They invite you to come and have some swashbuckling fun for the whole family!
Hansel and Gretel’s Candy Kitchen
Hansel and Gretel’s Candy Kitchen brings the fairytale to life in this aromatic chocolate and candy shop. Everyone will enjoy delicious sweets like fudge, chocolate truffles, world-famous Chattahoochee snappers, chocolate-covered caramels, hand-dipped apples, and more. Once you’ve had enough, you can get some treats to go for your family and friends at home, all packed nicely in the store’s crafted gift boxes.
Enjoy The Great Outdoors During Oktoberfest
Unicoi Zipline and Ariel Adventure Park
If you love the outdoors and are a challenge, you will want to take the adventure of zip lining! Unicoi Zipline is about two miles from Helen and is backed by the industry LEADER in Safer zip line equipment, construction, and retrofit. They have all you can imagine, offering zip lining with family-friendly courses, a zip line canopy tour, an experiential nature trek in the treetops, and a bird’s eye view of the north Georgia mountains! Bring someone to watch children under 50 pounds and younger than eight years.
Anna Ruby Falls
If the waterfalls at Pirate’s Cove sound beautiful, you haven’t seen anything yet. Anna Ruby Falls is a combination of twin waterfalls that fall from 153 feet and 50 feet. The trail around the falls takes about half an hour to complete, but is paved and offers many scenic photo opportunities.
State Parks
Helen is known for its proximity to the mountains and surrounding towns that offer several outdoor activities such as zip lining, bike or horseback riding through the trails, hiking, fishing, and mountain climbing to keep you busy during your visit.
Our Additional Oktoberfest Content
In our Oktoberfest topic cluster, explore articles, videos, and graphics for planning your next Oktoberfest celebration. Here is a list of blog posts you’ll find there.
- This Year’s Oktoberfest Schedule Of Events (Helen Georgia)
- What Is The Big Deal About Oktoberfest In Helen Georgia?
- How To Plan Your Trip To Oktoberfest In Helen Georgia
- The Best Places To Eat Like A German During Oktoberfest In Helen Georgia
- Consider One Of These Oktoberfest Adventures In Helen Georgia
- 5 Ways You Can Experience German Influence in Helen GA
- These Four Things Are Why Helen Is THE Place To Be For Oktoberfest
- Top 5 Places To Stay During Oktoberfest in Helen
- The Music Of Oktoberfest – Folk, Polka, Schlager, and more!
- Do You Know Answers To These Ten Oktoberfest Questions?
- Visit Scarecrow Trail And Other Halloween Attractions While In Helen Georgia
Have you ever attended any of these fun fall festivals and events in the greater Helen area?
We’d love to hear your tips or advice for future visitors. Share in the comments section of our blog.
