Taking a vacation is a luxury everyone should be able to afford. But let’s be honest. In today’s economy, we know the cost of a vacation is a stretch for some budgets. So how do you enjoy the benefits of vacation without breaking the bank? One way to stretch your vacation budget is by taking advantage of the many affordable attractions near the cabin rentals in Helen, GA.
You have already made the budget wise decision to rent a cabin rather than stay in an expensive hotel. Now, we’ll show you how to have a trip to remember and still have money left when you get home.
A Day on the River
Ready to take a dip in the Chattahoochee River? Tubing the “Hooch” is a time honored summer tradition in Helen and one that is surprisingly affordable. Both tubing outfitters, Cool River Tubing and Helen Tubing and Waterpark, offer a day full of fun and excitement for $12 to $15 per person. An all day pass includes unlimited trips down the river and full access to both outfits water parks including their water slides.
For even less money, $3 to $5, you can take a single float down the river. A longer float down the river takes two to three hours and a shorter float takes about 90 minutes. Children under three years of age are free! And after you soak in the sun, water and scenery of Helen on your float, head back to your cabin for a relaxing dinner on the deck.
A Forest Adventure
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is essentially the giant backyard of the cabins in Helen. The national forest covers nearly 1 million acres of northern Georgia. It has more than 400 miles of hiking trails and 1,300 miles of trout streams. It includes Georgia’s highest peak — Brasstown Bald — and the southern terminus of the famous and historic Appalachian Trail. There are scenic drives, rock climbing posts, Civil War battle sites, petroglyphs of the earliest Cherokee Native Americans, and the majestic Anna Ruby Falls, a rare double waterfall.
You could spend all summer exploring this national forest and still not see all the wonders it has to offer. The good news is that access to the park is affordable. Many sites have cheap day use fees ranging from $3 to $5. Or, you can buy an annual forest pass for just $25, giving you access to nearly every park attraction.
Downtown Helen
Our cabin rentals are perfectly situated in one of the best attractions in the area, Helen itself. The town of Helen is a re-creation of a traditional Alpine village. Now you can visit the Alps of Europe in Appalachia!
Each building adheres to a strict building code so walking down the street feels just like walking down the streets of an Old World village. Walk around the core of Helen to espy the quaint cobblestone streets, towers turrets, and gingerbread molding on each building. The best part about this attraction? It’s free!
Explore the Arts
The mountain communities of northern Georgia have become known for attracting artists, craftsmen and women, and art enthusiasts. Helen and nearby towns like Dahlonega, Blue Ridge, Sautee and Cleveland are home to several galleries, museums and workshops showcasing these local artists. There are also several festivals dedicated to the mountain arts community each year. Many of the museums are free or have minimal admission charges. Galleries and studios are often free and open to the public as well.
To start your tour of the arts, visit:
- The Willows Pottery where you can watch artists at work and try your hand at the potter’s wheel as well.
- The Sautee Nacoochee Community Association, which includes an art gallery and the Folk Pottery Museum.
- The Gourd Place, celebrating the craft of turning gourds into beautiful pieces of art.
- The Helen Art Gallery and Heritage Center has regular exhibits, competitions and special events focused on the art community.
Take a Drive
The Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway takes you on a leisurely tour through the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and is free. The byway is mild in the winter and cool in the summer and is a great way to check out the changing foliage of the region. The byway forms a complete loop that takes about three hours to drive and longer if you plan to linger at the many sites along the route.
A vacation that won’t break the bank is possible with these top five affordable attractions. What will you do first?
