Helen Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Helen
Helen
Helen
Helen showing signage and wild flowers
Helen

The Bavarian-style pitched-roof houses, cuckoo clocks and Oktoberfest might sound like the Alps, but this riverside village is actually in the Appalachians.

Discover a little slice of Alpine Bavaria in Helen, a cozy town on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Stroll down streets lined with half-timbered houses and traditional pubs in this enchanting getaway, where the South meets Southern Germany. Nestled in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Helen features a remarkable backdrop of wooded hills and nature reserves. Explore forest trails, pristine waterways and vine-laced hillsides in this picturesque corner of northern Georgia.

Get acquainted with Helen’s Alpine character when you stroll through the re-created Bavarian Village. Learn about the village’s history, which includes Cherokee Indian heritage, gold-mining settlers and a local logging industry. Find over 200 specialty and import stores showcasing a range of souvenirs, gifts and handicrafts. Purchase candles, blown glassware, cuckoo clocks or hand-woven quilts. Have a delicious meal at one of the restaurants and pubs, which serve traditional German and Southern American fare. If you’re visiting in September or October, experience Helen’s Oktoberfest celebrations and sample tasty imported beers. For local flavors, check out Habersham Winery or the Nora Mill Granary.

Visit Unicoi State Park & Lodge and experience Helen’s beautiful backyard. The park has an exciting network of hiking and biking trails, as well as the magnificent Unicoi Lake, ideal for summertime swimming, boating and kayaking. Go fishing from the wheelchair-accessible docks or cast a line in the trout streams. Select from plenty of picturesque spots to spread out a picnic and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. If you’re feeling energetic, hike through the woods in the Chattahoochee National Forest and reach the tumbling Anna Ruby Falls.

Helen is located in northeastern Georgia. It is 86 miles (139 kilometers) from AtlantaOpens in a new window's international airport. Stay in a quaint German-style resort or Alpine chalet or book a room in a motel. The town is busiest in the fall, when the leaves of the Chattahoochee Forest are turning and Oktoberfest is in full swing.

Days Inn by Wyndham Helen

Days Inn by Wyndham Helen

2 out of 5
101 Edelweiss Strausse, Helen, GA
The price is AU$151 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
AU$151
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Helen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (448 reviews)
"Only thing I did not like and why I cant return is the daily pet fee of $25.00. Too much charging daily for small teacup breed. Should have size consideration or one time fee."

Reviewed on 30 Jul. 2025

Days Inn by Wyndham Helen
Unicoi State Park & Lodge

Unicoi State Park & Lodge

3 out of 5
1788 Highway 356, Helen, GA
The price is AU$233 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
AU$233
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star lodge in Helen. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Really enjoyed our stay here!!"

Reviewed on 30 Jul. 2025

Unicoi State Park & Lodge
Super 8 by Wyndham Helen

Super 8 by Wyndham Helen

2 out of 5
8171 South Main Street, Helen, GA
The price is AU$102 per night from 13 Aug to 14 Aug
AU$102
13 Aug - 14 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Helen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
6.8/10 (725 reviews)
"It was good."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Super 8 by Wyndham Helen
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Alpine Crest Resort

Alpine Crest Resort

3.5 out of 5
273 Carrie Cox Dr, Helen, GA
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Helen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a picnic area. Popular attractions Helen Tubing & Helen Water Park and Unicoi Hill ...
7.6/10 Good! (130 reviews)
"Alpine was excellent. Pearson at the front gate was great and all smiles. They had instructions and guidance for everything and so close to Main Street. Family loved it. Would definitely go back. Thank you!"

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Alpine Crest Resort
River’s Edge  – Cozy Riverside Cabin Near Downtown Helen, GA

River’s Edge – Cozy Riverside Cabin Near Downtown Helen, GA

Helen
Stay at this cabin in Helen. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Helen Tubing & Helen Water Park and Charlemagne's Kingdom are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (65 reviews)
Rustic yet modern
"This cabin is rustic yet modern. We loved that it was secluded yet close enough to town to make quick trips (you could walk if you wanted to). It was easy once we arrived as all of the access information and detailed map instruction was text to us before we arrived. It was spotless which immediately ..."

Reviewed on 1 Aug. 2025

River’s Edge – Cozy Riverside Cabin Near Downtown Helen, GA
Riverfront dog-friendly condo w/ private deck - free WiFi

Riverfront dog-friendly condo w/ private deck - free WiFi

Helen
Stay at this condo in Helen. Enjoy a water park, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Helen Arts & Heritage Center and Alpine Mini Golf are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (177 reviews)
Hair in the bed
"Everything was good except for the bed. The bed was not clean because it had either pet or human hair."

Reviewed on 20 Jun. 2025

Riverfront dog-friendly condo w/ private deck - free WiFi
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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