As many people know, there is a great variety of Helen GA attractions from which to choose. Some visit the nearby state parks and whitewater rafting. Others come to enjoy the look of the Alpine village of Helen and then partake in a little hiking. All of these things can be found near Helen GA, so it’s no surprise that visitors rave about the area. What might come as a surprise, however, is one of the best-kept secrets of things to do in Helen GA that would be to visit a fantastic and beautifully constructed model railway.
Located in the Alpine Model Railroad Museum in Helen, GA, Charlemagne’s Kingdom is the only one of its kind in the United States. Meticulously created by Willi and Judi Lindhorst, the train set depicts modern German architecture while paying tribute to Charlemagne’s rule in the 700s. This beautiful model train station is their love letter to Willi’s homeland and its people, along with its culture and customs. In fact, Willi can trace his lineage directly back to Charlemagne, so it makes sense that he would want to honor his ancestors in some way.
Once you witness this train station for yourself, you’ll realize that Thomas the Tank Engine pales in comparison. Thomas wishes he could putter around such a gorgeous layout. If he could, he’d be able to witness some of its amazing features.
The first thing he’d probably notice is the overall size:
- The total exhibit is 50 feet in area.
- In all, there are 400 feet of railroad tracks, with computerized trains.
- The mountains are 22 feet high.
Once he was done marveling at the overall size, he’d begin to look around and notice all the exquisite details:
- Lighted cities, towns, and villages
- Oktoberfest
- Motorized carnival rides
- Three-ring circus tents
- Famous German Autobahn with moving cars and trucks
- Thousands of figurines, all hand-painted
- Moving hot air balloons
- Street lights
- Traffic lights
- Sound
- Music
- Seaport
- Lakes
- Rivers
This may sound great, but trust us when we say that “to see is to believe”. Mere words cannot express how incredible this model trail station looks. All of these features don’t mean nearly as much on paper as they do when you’re standing in front of the display, watching the model world go by.
While wonderful views, state parks, hiking trails, and whitewater rafting opportunities might be the bread and butter of Helen GA, once you see Charlemagne’s Kingdom, there is no doubt that you will add this to your list of fantastic sights to see during your next North GA cabin rentals vacation.
