Kid-Friendly Things To Do Near Helen, GA
There’s no lack of fun activities for all ages when you visit the north Georgia mountains and Helen GA. Here is a handy list of some things to do that guarantee smiles all around.
Things To Do With Family In & Around Helen Georgia
The natural scenic beauty of the nearby Chattahoochee National Forest and the fun and activities available in Helen provide the perfect backdrop for days full of fun with mom, dad, and the kids. Make the most of your time away as a family with these family-friendly activities.
Visit BabyLand General Hospital
BabyLand General is the headquarters for the world-famous Cabbage Patch Kids, operating off of an amazing 650-acre spread that’s modeled after the most spectacular of antebellum architecture and design.
And admission is free!
Your children can see Cabbage Patch Kids created. They can adapt their own, order a custom design, or simply explore the beautiful and educational grounds the “hospital” provides for children’s amusement. There are few better child-focused attractions anywhere in the country.
Live The Pioneer Days At Duke’s Creek Gold And Ruby Mines
Many don’t know this, but the Helen area was home to the first major gold rush in North American history, well before the famous California and Yukon strikes. While the gold boom died off, Duke’s maintains an authentic old-style mine, creating a fantastic combination of education and real-life experience.
You can pan for gold using methods identical to pioneer gold hunters, and you get to keep what you find. You won’t strike it rich since these veins are long tapped out, but you can get a truly unique souvenir for your children, created with their efforts.
Or, simply explore the museum offerings, the old machinery, and the examples of gemstones that have come from the Helen area.
Horseback Riding: Sunburst Stables Are The Gateway To Exploration
Sunburst offers guided tours of the surrounding countryside, with horses ready for beginners or experienced riders alike. Every animal is raised from birth around humans, treated with great love, and in turn, they love interacting with people!
When you take a horseback tour, it can be a few hours of riding or an all-day affair, with stops for a picnic lunch, and mind-blowing views of a Georgia mountain sunset. Sunburst also offers zip-line adventures and ATV rides.
Sunburst Stables offers fun for every member of the family!
Helen Has Plenty of Watery Fun Too
If your kids love water, we’ve got two options depending on their mood. For safe, controlled family fun, check out The Helen Tubing And Water Park. This full-size water theme park offers plenty of slides, lazy rivers, and other exciting floating attractions in a totally safe environment.
Or, if you want to get away from the crowds and construction, make a call to The Cool River Tubing Company. They offer tubing adventures on the Chattahoochee River. The river is mild and gentle most times of the year, making it reasonably safe for attentive children.
With the many lakes, rivers, and streams in the Chattahoochee National Forest, you could spend the whole family vacation in the water enjoying a wide variety of water sports. Grab an inner tube, kayak, or raft and hit the Chattahoochee River, or find one of the many lost lakes of northern Georgia for swimming, boating, and fishing. You can also simply visit the Helen Tubing and Waterpark to slip down slides or float around a lazy river.
The Great Outdoors & Hiking
Begin developing an appreciation for nature in your kids – and get them a break from those screens! – by visiting the majestic waterfalls around Helen. Everyone will love visiting Anna Ruby Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, and Raven Cliffs Falls. The kids can also join the junior ranger programs at the Chattahoochee National Forest or the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
The family can spend some time together discovering nature on any of the dozens of hiking trails in the area. Check out Unicoi State Park for a nice hike around the lake, or check out the walking paths at Smithgall Woods. There are hikes for both beginners and seasoned hikers. If you want more scenic views, there are also trails running along Anna Ruby Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, Andrews Cove, and Raven Cliff Falls.
Mini Golf and go-karts are Always Winners
Spend an afternoon at the Alpine Amusement Park in Helen where you can play a round of mini-golf, ride go-karts, or try your luck at the carnival-style games. Kids will also like exploring the town of Helen and its many restaurants, and shops, and enjoy so many of the Helen, Georgia attractions. Pirate’s Cove is another great-themed mini golf course.
Fishing
There are many great fishing spots in Helen. The Chattahoochee River and Duke’s Creek are both excellent choices for trout fishing. For more fishing fun, travel to Smith Lake where there is not only trout but an abundance of catfish, crappie, and bluegill.
Oktoberfest in Helen, GA
Fall is a beautiful time in northern Georgia. The temperature cools, the air is crisp, and the leaves turn an array of brilliant colors. It’s also the time of year when Helen celebrates her Alpine roots with a three-week Oktoberfest, the longest-running festival of its kind in the southern United States. Oktoberfest features polka dancing, face painting, German music, and crowd-pleasing food. Tantalize your taste buds with potato pancakes, apple strudel, and wiener schnitzel. It’s fun for kids of all ages!
Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center
Scaly Mountain is located about a 40-minute drive from the cabin rentals in Helen, Georgia. They have activities all year long, such as skiing, ice skating, turf/snow tubing, bungee trampoline, and trout fishing. Plenty for everyone to do and enjoy!
The Holidays in Helen are Magical
For a terrific holiday escape for you and your loved ones, you can book some time in a mountain rental cabin in beautiful Helen, Georgia, and make it your home away from home. You can sit by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa listening to the winter winds blowing around the eaves of your mountain hideaway. Helen has a wealth of activities to offer visitors during the holiday season when it is transformed into a Christmas village that offers all the joys of the holiday season.
The Christmas season begins in late November with events such as the Annual Lighting of the Village which transforms the town into a festive atmosphere and includes a visit from Santa Claus. At the same time, The Festival of Trees is underway at Unicoi State Park with gorgeous wreaths and decorated trees throughout Unicoi Lodge.
Christkindlmarkt is a German tradition with booths in the marketplace offering unique gifts and decorations with a Bavarian flair and foods providing the taste of the season. Santa Claus and other costumed characters participate in the holiday cheer of the Annual Christmas Parade ushering in December. Deck the Halls at Unicoi State Park with family fun. Enjoy hayrides, Christmas crafts, and a special meal with music to celebrate the season.
The lights shine under the clear mountain sky. Santa Claus, storytelling, and the joys of the season during the Nacoochee Village Christmas add to the anticipation of the big day. There is nothing more fun than viewing all this beauty while riding in a horse-drawn carriage from Alpine Carriage Company down the streets of Helen, Georgia. The holiday season is a great time to bring your loved ones out to share in the joys of a traditional Christmas in the mountains of north Georgia.
Stay With Cedar Creek Cabin Rentals During Your North Georgia Trip
While enjoying the festivities in Helen, Georgia, you can book some quality time at a luxurious mountain rental cabin. You get all the amenities of home and the advantage of getting away and connecting. Bring the entire family to enjoy all that the area offers.
Oh – and bring Fido too! – we have plenty of dog-friendly cabins for you to choose from.
Of course, with big-screen TVs and WiFi, you and the kids won’t be totally disconnected from the real world. We know even kids these days have a hard time leaving their TikTok and social media behind.
Our luxurious cabins also include:
Full kitchens.
Spas, or saunas.
Real wood-burning or gas fireplaces.
BBQ pits for outdoor cooking – maybe even your own catch!
Private bedrooms with comfy beds.
Billiards tables and other books, puzzles, and board games for the family to enjoy.
Other guides:
Things to Do
Horseback Riding In Helen Georgia – Where To Go For The Best Adventure
Top 3 Scenic Drives & 5 Top Sights To See In The North Georgia Mountains
Winter Things To Do In And Around Helen
There Are More Holidays To Celebrate in Helen Georgia Outside of Oktoberfest
Richard Russell Scenic Highway – A Must See Near Helen, Georgia
Strike It Rich In The Gold Mines In and Near Helen, Georgia
Zip Lining Your Way To Fun In North Georgia: History, Safety, & Operators
Golfing: Getting In A Little Tee Time While Enjoying Helen, Georgia
All The Fun Things To Do With Your Pet In The North Georgia Mountains
Turkey Hunting: Tips & Advice for Shooting In and Around Helen, Georgia
Helen, Georgia Festivals & Other Things to Do During Spring Break
7 Creative Ideas for What To Do During Your Next Cabin Retreat
Play Mini-Golf With Amazing Mountain Backdrop In Helen, Georgia
Feel Like You’re in Germany When You Visit Helen, Georgia
The Top 3 Most Unique North Georgia Getaways
North Georgia is Filled With Extreme Sport Experiences: Here Are 3 To Choose From
Here’s How To De-Stress and Relax While Visiting Helen, Georgia
All The Interesting Bridges To Visit Around Helen, Georgia
