Helen, GA

Travel Guide
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 Atlanta'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.

Where to stay in Helen

Riverbend Motel & Cabins
Riverbend Motel & Cabins
2 out of 5
134 River Street, Helen, GA, 30545
The price is $109 per night from Jun 4 to Jun 5
$109
per night
Jun 4 - Jun 5
Stay at this motel in Helen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the comfy beds in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (751 reviews)
Must stay.
"The hotel was right on the river. Sufficient parking. Close to downtown Helen so all the sites and attractions are within walking distance. Pet friendly. Recommend this hotel to anyone wanting to experience the whole Helen Georgia experience."

Reviewed on May 30, 2023

Riverbend Motel & Cabins
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Helen, GA
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Helen, GA
2.5 out of 5
877 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA, 30545
The price is $112 per night from Jun 12 to Jun 13
$112
per night
Jun 12 - Jun 13
Stay at this spa hotel in Helen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"I thought the bed was a little hard, but my partner didn’t mind it. The breakfast was great and the staff was wonderful. Most importantly, the place is clean."

Reviewed on May 30, 2023

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Helen, GA
Unicoi State Park & Lodge
Unicoi State Park & Lodge
3 out of 5
1788 Highway 356, Helen, GA, 30545
The price is $169 per night from Jun 6 to Jun 7
$169
per night
Jun 6 - Jun 7
Stay at this 3-star lodge in Helen. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient parking in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (695 reviews)
"We came to Helen for Memorial day weekend. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the lodge. Everyone was super nice and helpful. The room and public areas were very clean. There was one person, though, who really made our stay amazing, and that was Rhonda! She was the lodge's shuttle driver, and she ..."

Reviewed on May 30, 2023

Unicoi State Park & Lodge
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
2.5 out of 5
273 Carrie Cox Dr, Helen, GA
Stay at this condo in Helen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Unicoi Hill Park and Charlemagne's Kingdom are located nearby. ...
7.6/10 Good! (16 reviews)
"Overall a good place to stay. Only issues we had was you can hear everything your upstairs neighbors are doing. And no one answers the front desk when you call."

Reviewed on Apr 2, 2023

Alpine Crest Resort
River Retreat - 3rd Night Free - Stay 01/19 to 02/28
River Retreat - 3rd Night Free - Stay 01/19 to 02/28
Helen, GA
Stay at this family-friendly cabin in Helen. Enjoy a water park, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Helen Tubing & Helen Water Park and Alpine ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (76 reviews)
Very nice
"Clean very close to town river right behind cabin sounds of water very peaceful"

Reviewed on May 29, 2023

River Retreat - 3rd Night Free - Stay 01/19 to 02/28
Alpine Creek - Cozy Cabin for Two in Alpine Helen
Alpine Creek - Cozy Cabin for Two in Alpine Helen
Helen
Stay at this family-friendly cabin in Helen. Enjoy a water park, onsite parking, and barbecue grills. Popular attractions Alpine Mini Golf and Helen Tubing & ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (81 reviews)
Honeymoon spot
"Wonderful quite time in mountains"

Reviewed on May 19, 2023

Alpine Creek - Cozy Cabin for Two in Alpine 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.

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