When visitors first arrive in Helen, with its cobblestone streets and hundreds of Bavarian-styled local attractions, it’s easy to get caught up in all the things there are to do. However, what makes Helen special is that it’s also the perfect “home base” for your explorations around the North GA Mountains.
The southern Appalachian Mountains offer some of the most stunning scenery and natural vistas of anywhere in the US. It’s no wonder the area is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States, with miles upon miles of mountains, forests, streams, along with a wide range of historical attractions. And Helen is right in the middle of it all, with a wide range of great hotels and mountain cabins!
So what are the best sights to see in north Georgia? It’s hard to pick, but we’ve got a few favorites…
The Five Top Sights You Gotta See Around The Helen Area
1 – Tallulah Falls
Tallulah Falls features some of the most spectacular natural waterworks in the country, plunging into a thousand-foot chasm that was carved in antiquity. With six amazing waterfalls, Tallulah Falls once rivaled Niagra for sheer spectacle. (But we think the Niagra Falls just got a better agent…)
There are miles of hiking trails all around the park, as well as a truly spectacular suspension bridge that may not be for the faint-of-heart. However, from its center, you’ll see sights that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.osas
2 – Unicoi State Park (Especially In Autumn!)
If you’re headed to Helen in October, you’re in for more treats than just Ocktoberfest! Nearby Unicoi State Park, and its spectacular central lake. With trees covering nearly every bank, it’s considered one of the single most beautiful locations in the country to see the fall colors. On a clear, still day the reflections on the lake look like an Impressionist painting come to life.
Unicoi also features more than 12 miles of hiking trails and 8 miles of biking trails, fishing docks, and boat rentals for exploring the lake. It truly is one of the most stunning natural attractions in an area known for its native wonders.
3 – Consolidated Gold Mine
So, perhaps -maybe- one could get tired of the aboveground sights around Northern Georgia. In that unlikely case, head underground instead! The area was home to one of the first gold booms in the US, although it was later eclipsed by the later California strike. The area is home to several historical mines.
Our pick? Consolidated Goldmine. You can go on a walking tour of an actual turn-of-the-century mine, with a live guide taking you through the struggles of 19th Century miners. Ultimately, you’ll travel more than two hundred feet underground, and more than one hundred years back in time!
4 – The Good Ol’ Sunday Drive
Want to see Georgia without getting out of the car? The entire area is covered in scenic driving routes, but our favorite is the Foothills Loop. It’s over a hundred miles of mountains, streams, and beautiful fall colors as you weave between little slices of Americana scattered around the area. There’s less traffic than on some of the more popular corridors, but you’re always on sturdy paved roads the whole way.
To take in a lot of the natural splendor of Georgia in a single day, a drive around the Foothills Loop would fill your camera before the day is out!
5 – Or, See It ALL… From The Air!
Why drive at all when you can take to the skies instead? At Balloon Rides Over Georgia, you can go on the ride of your life while getting views that are on offer in few different places. From the peaks of the Appalachians, all the way down to Atlanta, the Helen area may truly be best seen from the air.
With so many meticulously-maintained parks and attractions around the area, you could practically be looking back into a simpler time, when the bounty of the forests and mountains were all we needed.
Then… Sleep In Comfort, Style, And Splendor
When you’re taking in the earthly beauty of North Georgia, the perfect nighttime accompaniment is a Cedar Creek Mountain Cabin. Nestled in the foothills, just a few minutes outside Helen, we offer state-of-the-art luxury mountian cabins with all of the amenities of an Atlanta hotel… and with none of the noise, fuss, or traffic.
Instead, you can relax in the hot tub, or grill over an open fire, as the wide skies whirl overhead. Say, when is the last time you’ve actually seen the Milky Way? We’ve got it overhead every clear night here in Helen.
If it’s time to get away from it all, just call Cedar Creek Mountain Cabins. We’ll help you build a Helen vacation you’ll never forget!
