Are you looking for a vacation destination that’s near to home, offers a wide selection of activities for everyone in the family and won’t break the budget? Consider scenic Helen, Georgia. Helen, located in north central Georgia in the Appalachian foothills, offers hiking, fishing, wineries and some of the most scenic landscapes in the south. If you haven’t been to Helen or haven’t been there lately, you owe it to yourself and your family to add it to your vacation list.
What to Do in and around Helen Georgia
Helen may be a relatively small town, but there’s no shortage of things to see and do in the area. Below are just a few ideas:
- Galleries and Museums – Think galleries and museums are only located in big cities? Wrong! Helen is home to a number of art galleries, most of which are devoted to local art, such as the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, Willows Pottery and the Dahlonega Gold Museum.
- Dining – One needn’t go hungry in Helen. For those in a cabin rental, Helen GA offers a good selection of eateries…and not all of them are German. Local favorites include Paul’s Steakhouse, La Cabana Mexican Restaurant and the Wurst House for excellent bratwurst, knockwurst and kielbasa.
- Shopping – Helen’s Alpine-style central shopping district features a collection of unique, locally-owned shops. Among these are The Amish Red Barn for hand-made items from Ohio and Pennsylvania’s Amish communities; Betty’s Country Store for a little bit of everything; and Hickory Flat Pottery for locally-made ceramic items.
- Wineries – There are eight wineries in and around Helen, including Habersham Vineyards, one of Georgia’s oldest and most respected wineries. Most are wineries feature tasting rooms where you can sample the house wines for a nominal charge.
- Relaxing – Some of the best days in Helen are spent relaxing with a good book or newspaper outdoors.
Outdoor Activities around Helen
Outdoor sports enthusiasts will find a myriad of opportunities to enjoy the scenic beauty of northern Georgia in the Helen area.
- Hiking – The mountains and forests around Helen offer a wide range of hiking opportunities for hikers of all skill levels. There are even some ADA accessible paths that make it possible for older and/or disabled visitors to enjoy the outdoor scenery.
- Rafting – River rafting is popular in north Georgia. Rivers, including the Sogue, Chattahoochee and Chattooga (of “Deliverance” fame) offer rapids to suit beginners to the most skilled rafters.
- Panning for Gold – Gold panning is one unique activity that’s especially suited for those visitors in a cabin rental. Helen GA and the surrounding area were the site of a gold rush in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and there are still gold mines in the region. Many welcome visitors to try their luck panning in the streams.
- Horseback Riding – Sitting atop a horse gives you a different perspective of the north Georgia landscape. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned rider, the stables in the Helen area can accommodate you.
- Fishing – The rivers of north Georgia offer some of the best trout fishing in the United States. In addition, the area’s recreational lakes are stocked with bluegills, catfish, crappie and trout.
- Appalachian Trail. The 2,184-mile Appalachian hiking trail, a contiguous, scenic trail that connects Georgia with Maine, begins just outside of Helen. If you’ve ever thought of challenging yourself with hiking a section of the Trail, Helen makes a good home base.
Oktoberfest: Helen’s Best Season
For a festive fall season in Helean, GA, Oktoberfest runs from mid-September to early October; the longest-running such festival in the southern United States. Helen’s Bavaria-inspired downtown shopping district erupts into a three-week street party for Oktoberfest and features polka dancing, live music and German food like potato pancakes, schnitzel and strudel. There’s even an elaborate parade with decorated floats and costumed marchers that culminates in the tapping of the beer keg.
Cabin Rental Helen GA
One of the best ways to enjoy all that northeast Georgia has to offer is with a cabin rental. Helen GA offers a variety of scenic spots and cabins. At Cedar Creek Cabin Rentals, we combine the creature comforts we all have come to expect on vacation with beautiful wooded settings.
We offer cabins directly in Helen and up to 25 miles from town. Our cabins range from one to five bedrooms and cabin amenities include Jacuzzi tubs, pool tables, full kitchens, sleeping lofts and outdoor decks. Some of our units are dog-friendly, so you don’t have to leave your “best friend” at home.
Have you visited Helen before? What activities did you enjoy there? Did you stay in a cabin or a more traditional lodging? Share your experiences with our readers by leaving a comment below.
