Where is Helen GA?

Helen's location in the Georgia mountains makes it ideal for a quick trip or a longer excursion.

At roughly an hour and a half north of Atlanta, Helen is easily accessible for city dwellers seeking a gorgeous and unique mountain escape. For those traveling from further distances, many regional airports are within driving distance, with many flying into Atlanta.  

From North Carolina, and specifically the Asheville area, Helen GA is about 2.5 hours away along a beautiful and scenic mountain drive.   

Where to stay when visiting Helen GA

Helen offers several different lodging options for those desiring to stay overnight or even for a few days.  Whether you're visiting for a cozy, romantic getaway, a budget family trip, or to experience some Bavarian luxury, Helen Georgia has multiple options for you to choose from.

Downtown Charm: Immerse yourself in all the action by choosing a hotel or inn located directly in Helen. Many options even have balconies overlooking the busy streets.

Alpine Ambiance: For a more secluded and nature-focused experience, consider a cabin rental. Located in the mountains surrounding Helen, rental cabins offer peace, quiet, and often beautiful views. Luxury accommodations like fire pits and hot tubs add to the experience and relaxation.

Riverfront Retreat: Several hotels and resorts line the banks of the Chattahoochee River, providing waterside settings with the added benefit of easy access to water activities like kayaking or fishing.

Luxury Lodges: For those seeking a more upscale experience, Helen has a few luxury lodges and resorts where you can expect spacious accommodations and high-end amenities.

Our Picks for fun things to do when visiting Helen GA

We've visited Helen GA several times over the past few years, and have always had a great time when visiting. We love the shops, attractions, vibe of the town, and restaurants. Be sure to see our Helen GA Travel Guide for more information.

But if you're focused on fun things to do, here are top picks!

Our Helen GA Video

During one of our many visits to Helen GA, we not only took tons of photos like always, but some video of our Helen GA adventure as well. You can come along with us on our visit in our Helen and North Georgia YouTube video.  

Be sure to follow us on YouTube!

Wrapping Up

Helen GA is this charming town in the north Georgia mountains. You can have all kinds of outdoor fun and it's got a cool Bavarian vibe. Helen has it all - waterfalls, hikes, shops, and tasty food!

Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, a fun-filled family vacation, or a just a simple solo escape into nature, Helen promises unforgettable fun and a unique experience.

We highly recommend a visit to Helen, GA–a place where Bavarian fun and relaxation await!

Our Video of North Georgia, featuring Helen GA

Where is Helen Georgia?

Helen GA is in White County, Georgia, on the Chattahoochee River. Georgia Highway 75 runs right through and is the main road used to access Helen.

The town is about 100 miles north of Atlanta, in the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains. The mountains surround the town and sits at an elevation of 1,400ft.

History of Helen Georgia

On August 18, 1913, Georgia officially established the town of Helen GA. John E. Mitchell of St. Louis laid the town out. A local lumber official recommended his daughter's name as the name for the town. Since many of the town's citizens worked for the lumber company, very few argued, and they used the name Helen.

As the lumber business declined, the city re-branded itself in 1969 as a Bavarian themed tourist town. Today, tourism is the key to Helen's success and economy. Helen has become one of the Georgia's most popular tourist attractions, especially in the Fall during its popular Oktoberfest.

Where to stay in Helen GA

The key to enjoying your stay in the beautiful Bavarian themed town of Helen GA is to find the perfect place to stay. Options for where to stay in Helen GA include riverside, downtown, resort and park locations, and even remote out of the way options. Options for where to stay include:

• Cabin Rentals/Airbnb
• Hotels
• Camping

Cabins in Helen GA

Hotels in Helen GA

Camping in Helen GA

Best Restaurants in Helen GA

Oktoberfest in Helen GA

By far, the largest event for Helen GA is Oktoberfest, which begins in September, and runs through the first week of November.  Oktoberfest has been Helen tradition for over 50 years.  

The event includes multiple weeks of beer, food, dancing, and singing. Oktoberfest in Helen GA is the longest running celebration of its kind in the United States!

They hold the event in the city's Festhalle.

You'll also find many merrymakers of all kinds (and from all over), dressed in traditional German attire, including lederhosen and dirndls, and there is no shortage of polka music!   

Oktoberfest begins in September with the Oktoberfest Parade. Similar to the real-deal in Germany, celebrations differ from week to week, and from weekdays to weekends.

Weekends are more popular with tourism and young college groups, while weekdays are more family-friendly.

Oktoberfest in Helen Georgia is open to all ages, and there is an admission fee, which does not include food and drink.

During the week, the event begins at 6 p.m. throughout the week and at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Christmas in Helen GA

Helen GA was voted one of Southern Living's Best Christmas Towns in the US and for a number of good reasons:

• Beautiful natural surroundings
• Alpine aesthetic
• Holiday Decorations
• Numerous Holiday activities
• The Christkindlmarkt - A traditional german Christmas Market
• and more!

Christmas in Helen GA is truly a magical and wonderful experience.  Who can turn down an Alpine themed town, decorated to the hilt with Christmas decorations?  Hard to resist, right?

Lighting of the Village

Christmas in Helen GA begins shortly after the completion of Oktoberfest and opens with the Lighting of the Village ceremony the day after Thanksgiving. 

On Friday, the village lights up to begin the holiday season, and Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at Riverside Park. Local groups play Christmas music the whole time, and children can meet with Santa from 5PM to 7PM.

Christkindlmarkt at Marktplatz

Christkindlmarkt is a traditional German event that offers everything from unique Christmas decorations, gifts and assortments of sweet and savory foods, drinks and candied holiday treats. 

These treats, fill the town with Yuletide scents like mulled wine, freshly baked cookies, and other baked goods.  

You'll find Helen’s Christkindlmarkt in Helen's downtown Marketplatz, where plenty of merchants sell gifts and treats.  The event has grown so much that it expanded into Helen's Festhalle for 2021.

At Christkindlmarkt, you'll find lots of holiday themed handmade crafts, ornaments, decorations for your home, and more. You'll also find delicious fudge, candied apples and more freshly baked goods than you'll know what to do with.  

Annual Christmas Parade

Of course no Christmas is complete in a small mountain town, without a Christmas Parade, and Helen GA has a fantastic one! 

Each year, they schedule for the Parade around the 2nd week in December. Your family will love the display of hand-crafted and beautifully designed floats, characters, and horse-drawn carriages that parade through town starting at 2pm.

Oh, and did we mention lots of sweet treats are tossed to the kids (and yes, you adults as well) along the way? 

The mile-long parade begins at the Helen Welcome Center, behind on Edelweiss, goes west, then turns on Chattahoochee Street, then right onto Main Street and ends at Betty's Country Store. 

You can watch the parade from Edelweiss Strasse, Chataloochee Street, or North Main Street.

Things to do in Helen GA

Rather than ask what to do in Helen Georgia, it would be easier to answer what not to do. Helen itself is full of things to do, and surrounded by even more things to do, within a short drive.

Just a few of the many things you can do in Helen GA are:

• Tubing and Ziplining
• Shopping at one of the many locally owned shops, including unique craft shops
• Ride the Alpine Mountain Coaster
• Eat at one of the many restaurants, including many that have german themed food. Hofer's of Helen is very famous.
• Enjoy the beautiful park
• Attend one of the many events that happens throughout the year

Nearby, you can visit:

• Anna Ruby Falls
• Babyland General Hospital
• Nora Mill Granary Grist Mill & Country Store
• Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway
• Hardman Farm and The Sautee Nacoochee Indian Mound