9 BEST Things to Do in Helen, Georgia

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Helen, Georgia, is like stepping into a Bavarian fairytale—except instead of flying across the world, you’re just cruising through the North Georgia mountains. This tiny Alpine-style town is packed with charm, outdoor adventures, and some seriously good food (yes, pretzels and beer are involved).

I originally thought Helen would be a quick stop on our epic southeast USA road trip—wander around, grab a beer, and move on. But once I got here? Nope. I quickly realized this place deserves more time. There are so many fun things to do in Helen, Georgia waiting to be experienced!

Whether you’re here for a cozy weekend getaway or just passing through, I promise you’ll find yourself wanting to stay longer. So, let’s get into the best things to do in Helen and make sure you don’t miss a thing!

Best Things to Do in Helen, Georgia

1. Enjoy Authentic German Fare

There are a bunch of places in Helen that serve authentic German food, but Bodensee Restaurant was hands-down my favorite of the ones we tried. The food is so good you’ll genuinely forget you’re still in the States. I mean, if you’re coming to Helen, eating German food is a must, and this place does it right.

If you’ve never had spaetzle, it’s basically a soft, dumpling-style noodle, and I had mine with cheese and crispy onions—WOW. Remi got the Jagerschnitzel, which came smothered in a rich mushroom cream gravy, and instead of fries, we went for the German potato salad. 10/10 recommend.

And, obviously, don’t leave without getting a beer stein! If you’re a foodie, this is definitely one of the best things to do in Helen, GA.

2. Grab a Beer and Giant Pretzel at King Ludwig’s Biergarten

King Ludwig’s Biergarten is one of the cutest spots in Helen, with live music, big ol’ steins of beer, and a pretzel literally bigger than your head. Like, I’m not exaggerating—it was massive. And trust me, after a long day of exploring, nothing hits quite like a salty pretzel and a cold beer.

If you want to soak up the Bavarian vibes of Helen, this is such a fun spot to kick back and enjoy the atmosphere.

3. Tube the Chattahoochee

If you visit Helen during the warmer months, I am begging you not to leave without tubing the Chattahoochee. We went with Cool River Tubing, and I’m not even kidding when I say it was one of the most fun things to do in Helen and maybe the highlight of our entire two-week road trip.

You can choose between a one-hour or two-hour float down the river. We originally picked the one-hour trip because it was pouring rain when we got there, and we weren’t sure if we’d even like it. But by the time we got dropped off, the rain had stopped, and we were having so much fun that we instantly regretted not choosing the longer float. Remi even tried paddling back upstream with our stick, but, uh… that did not work out.

And the best part? It’s super affordable. Only $10 per tube on weekdays and $14 on weekends—same price no matter which route you take! Plus, they give you free connectors so you can link your tubes together. We also bought a stick (about $5), which came in very handy for maneuvering around.

Heads up—coolers and drinks aren’t allowed on the river, but they did let us bring reusable water bottles!

4. Explore Anna Ruby Falls

Anna Ruby Falls is a must. It’s a super easy, one-mile paved trail that leads to some stunning waterfalls. The trail is open from 9 AM to 5 PM, and it’s only $3 per person to get in.

We got there around 10 AM, and while it wasn’t crazy packed at first, by the time we were heading back down, there were a lot of people. If you can, try to go on a weekday or right when they open to avoid the crowds. But even if it’s busy, it’s still worth it—just be ready to share the trail!

This is just one of the many waterfalls in Helen, Georgia!

5. Get a Charcuterie Board from the Chattahoochee Cheese Market

Okay, Chattahoochee Cheese Market was one of those unexpected finds that ended up being such a win. We originally went in to grab some cheese and meats for a picnic (which, fun fact, got rained out), but once we saw that they actually make charcuterie boards for you, we couldn’t pass it up.

They have pre-made boards starting at just $15, and they come on a cute little wooden board that you get to keep! Honestly, the presentation, variety, and flavors were so impressive—I wish we had found this place sooner.

Oh, and they also serve coffee, breakfast, and lunch, which looked amazing.

6. Visit Some of Georgia’s State Parks

Whether you’re into hiking, fishing, or just vibing with nature, there are some really great state parks near Helen you should add to your itinerary if you have the time.

• Unicoi State Park – Just a few miles from Helen, Unicoi is packed with outdoor activities!
  • Hike the 2.5-mile Unicoi Lake Trail for some stunning lake and mountain views.
  • Go for a swim, try your luck at fishing, or rent a kayak for a chill day on the water.
  • If you’re staying overnight, you can book a lodge, cabin, or campsite—or just stop by for a picnic!
• Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest – This place is HUGE (like, 860,000 acres huge).
  • Tons of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to serious backpacking adventures.
  • If you’re into camping, fishing, or just driving around taking in the views, this spot has it all.
  • Take a drive along the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway for some next-level mountain views.

7. Visit the Vineyards

If you’re a wine lover (or just love a good excuse to sip something delicious in a gorgeous setting), checking out a few of North Georgia’s wineries is a must while you’re in Helen!

Habersham Winery is one of the oldest and largest wineries in North Georgia, so it’s a solid spot to start. They do tastings where you can try five different wines for just $10, or for $12, you get the five wines and a little souvenir cup to take home—because obviously, you need a keepsake from your wine adventure.

The one that absolutely haunted me for not getting to visit was Yonah Mountain Vineyards. I mean, it’s literally at the base of a mountain. Can you even imagine sipping wine while staring at those views? Ugh. They also frequently have live music on the weekends, which just sounds like an absolute dream. Next time I’m in Helen, I’m making it my mission to finally get here.

8. Downtown Helen, GA

Downtown Helen is adorable. Like, straight-up Alpine village vibes in the middle of Georgia. It honestly feels like you’ve been transported to a little Bavarian town, complete with cobblestone streets, cute shops, and the Chattahoochee River flowing right through it.

There are so many great spots for pictures (which, obviously, I had to take full advantage of). You can pop into quirky boutiques, grab a snack, or just stroll around taking it all in. If you’re visiting Helen, spending time downtown is a must—it’s the heart of the whole experience!

9. Georgia Mountain Coaster

The Georgia Mountain Coaster is one of the most iconic things to do in Helen! This alpine coaster takes you twisting and turning down the mountainside, and let me tell you—I did not expect it to go as fast as it did. You can control your own speed if you want to take it slow, but if you’re like me, you’ll probably just let gravity do its thing and zoom through the course.

It’s open seven days a week (weather permitting), and the hours vary, so definitely check before you go. At nearly $20 per ride, it’s not the cheapest attraction, but honestly? Worth it. The kids and us adults had an absolute blast!

What to Skip in Helen, GA

Carriage Ride

Alright, I’ve given you all the best things to do in Helen, but I’ve gotta be real with you—there’s one thing I’d definitely skip.

I was SO excited about doing a carriage ride, but trying to get in touch with the Alpine Carriage Company was a total nightmare. Turns out, that was actually a blessing in disguise. After digging through the reviews, I saw a ton of people saying it was overpriced, super short, and just not worth it. Plus, there were concerns about how the horses were treated, which is a huge no from me.

I know it looks adorable, but honestly? Save your money for the other fun things to do in Helen!

Helen, Georgia Events

Helen’s biggest event of the year is Oktoberfest, running from mid-September through October, where you can sip German beer, dance to live polka music, and feast on bratwurst. It’s a whole vibe, and there’s even a parade!

Other fun events include the Helen Art and Wine Festival in May (wine tastings, live music, and local art), the Helen Christmas Parade in December (think holiday floats and festive fun) plus the town is all decked out for the holidays, and the Helen Balloon Event in June, where you can watch colorful hot air balloons take over the sky— or even hop in one yourself!

If you’re planning to visit during one of these, book your stay early because things fill up fast. No matter when you go, Helen’s got plenty to keep you entertained!

Where to Stay in Helen, Georgia

• Holiday Inn Express – This is where we stayed, and it was great! It’s the highest-rated hotel in the area on Booking.com, includes breakfast, and is reasonably priced. Plus, it’s just a short 10–15 minute walk to the main part of town and right next to Cool River Tubing!
• Heidi Motel – If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly stay, this cozy and charming motel is a solid choice.
• Bear Creek Lodge & Cabins – Perfect for groups or if you want more of a cabin-in-the-woods vibe.

Check out all available options for your dates here.

Are you ready for you ready to experience the best things to do in Helen, GA?

Helen, Georgia, is such a fun little getaway with so much to check out, from tubing down the Chattahoochee to sipping wine with a mountain view. Whether you’re exploring waterfalls, cruising down an alpine coaster, or just wandering through the Bavarian-style streets, I hope this guide helps you plan an amazing trip! Let me know what you’re most excited to do in Helen in the comments!

Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of our other road trip stops:

Asheville

Chattanooga

Savannah

St. Simon’s Island

Snag my Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for some AWESOME recommendations you may have never thought of! 🙂

Looking for a shorter road trip itinerary? Check out how we spent 4 days in New England in the fall!