Helen GA is a fun and unique mountain town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. What makes this beautiful town unique is that's its completely themed, like a Bavarian Alpine village.
The town of Helen features cobblestone streets, the unique look of an Alpine village and architecture, shops, live performances, all with a classic German flare.
We visited during the busy fall color season her in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the October 2023, and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We flew down mountain coasters, visited fun locally owned shops, discovered waterfalls, great food, and so much more!
Interested in exporing Helen GA with us? Let's go ...
Updated: 8/21/2024
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
A popular choice for many visitors to Helen GA, especially since the covid pandemic are cabin rentals. Cabins provide safe and clean accommodations with many amenities, at very reasonable prices.
You'll find many cabin rental options in and around Helen GA, and you will find at least a few that meet your needs, and make the kids happy too!
Hotels in Helen GA
The most popular accommodation option when visiting Helen GA are hotels, and for good reason. Hotels provide many nice amenities, reasonable prices, and often place you right in the heart of the activities in Helen.
There are several really nice and highly rated hotels in Helen GA.
Here are our top picks:
Camping in Helen GA
Whether you're looking for luxury RV hookups or a simple tent camping site with a magnificent spot to hang that hammock, Helen GA campgrounds provides you with several great options.
You'll enjoy relaxing outdoors in one of the many quiet campgrounds, going to sleep with the crackling sound of a fire, waking up to coffee, and the sounds of nature at its best.
Camping allows you to not just adventure into the outdoors, but to experience it during your entire stay in Helen GA.
Best Restaurants in Helen GA
Not only is Helen GA themed as a Bavarian town, but it has authentic Bavaria dining to back it up as well!
Pretzels, sausage, schnitzel, and craft beers are just a few of the great tasting food items you can expect to find in restaurants in Helen GA.
If you aren't into Bavarian food (it's ok, not everyone is), there are plenty of other dining options as well.
Restaurants in Helen even offer different style options, from formal to very relaxed. There are even several very family friendly options as well.
Here are our selections for the 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
Photo by: Clevergrrl
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
Photo by: anil_raj
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
Photo by: Melkir
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
