Welcome to Helen, Georgia–a cute, German town nestled against the Chattahoochee River in the USA’s Blue Ridge Mountains
Although it covers only two square miles and has a population of just 545 residents, Alpine Helen continuously ranks as the third most visited city in the state. The charming little village is best known for its Bavarian architecture, specialty shops, and authentic German dining. It’s small in size but so big in heart, so there’s an endless amount of things to do in Helen. Here’s our 50 favorite:
50 Things to Do in Helen, GA – the Best Attractions
Free Things to Do in the Alpine Village of Helen, GA
The Alpine Village is the most popular area of Helen, Georgia and the primary reason most tourists venture to this tiny little town hidden away at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are plenty of free things to do in Helen while strolling through the German shops and plaza. You’ll want to check out the famous windmill, see live demonstrations by local artisans and craftsmen, sample free candy, admire the art galleries, or perhaps take a relaxing walk along the riverfront or nearby park. These free activities make up the first 11 entries of our top 50 list of things to do in Helen, GA.
1) See the working Helen windmill at the Heidi Motel and Windmill Suites.
It’s one of the oldest as well as most photographed landmarks in Alpine Helen, GA, so go ahead and take that selfie. And if you’d like to stay the night here, Heidi’s is the only motel in the area where you can stay in an authentic windmill suite.
Helen Windmill
8820 N Main St
Helen, GA 30545
Watch Free Live Demonstrations in Helen, GA Alpine Village
2) Watch bees at work making honey at the live beehive inside Betty’s Country Store (and then purchase some fresh, local honey to take home with you)
2023 Update: It looks like the beehive is no longer in the store, but you can still shop and take home some local honey with you before you go!
3) Watch live glassblowing demonstrations at the Glassblowing Shop for free in Helen, GA.
The owners of The Glassblowing Shop make hand-blown creations of unique glass figurines like fairies, flowers, dragonflies, butterflies, and hummingbirds. They hold free, in-house demonstrations while you shop, and you can even purchase your favorites to take home with you. I especially love their unique glass butterfly necklaces and their personalized items where you can have your own name constructed fully in glass.
The Glassblowing Shop
8600 Main St, Unit 1
Helen, GA 30545
(706) 878-3156
4) Watch hand hewn wooden bowls being made at Wright the Bowl Maker for free in Helen, GA.
These wooden bowls are crafted completely by hand, and you can stop by to watch him work or ask questions about his craft, free-of-charge.
Wright the Bowl Maker
60 Chattahoochee Strasse #307
Helen, GA 30545
5) Watch toys being made at Tim’s Wooden Toys for free in Helen, GA.
Everything from wooden swords and wooden dolls to wooden trains and wooden, rubber-band guns are made at Tim’s Wooden Toys. You can watch them being made live right in front of you as you browse the shop.
Tim’s Wooden Toys
8635 N Main St #8
Helen, GA 30545
6) Watch candy being made at Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen (and get free samples).
There are many different dessert shops in Helen, but Hansel and Gretel is by far my Favorite! It just makes me feel like I’m stepping into an old fairytale book. You can watch candy being made fresh inside the store, and they’ll even let you sample some pieces for free. Definitely make sure you try their free fudge samples! They’re sooo good, but be warned that you probably won’t want to leave without purchasing some to take home with you!
Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen
8651 N Main St
Helen, GA 30545
7) Watch a free pottery demonstration at the Willows Pottery.
The Willows Pottery is located about a half mile south of the main shops of the Alpine Helen Village. You can find them inside the Historic Nacoochee Village.
Willows Pottery
2242 GA-17
Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
Art Education – Free Galleries and Museums in Helen, Georgia
8) Charlemagne’s Kingdom
At this Alpine Model Railroad Museum, you can see the recreation of a German town, complete with a functioning railroad. The impressive, 50-foot exhibit details Germany’s terrain from the North Sea to the Alps. It’s a completely free attraction in Helen, but donations are appreciated if you are able to contribute.
Charlemagne’s Kingdom
8808 N Main St
Helen, GA 30545
9) Helen Arts & Heritage Center
The Helen Arts and Heritage Center is an art gallery and education facility as well as a history museum. They offer classes and workshops in pottery, wood carving, painting, jewelry-making, and other crafts. Art exhibits are open to the public and completely free in Helen to attend, but classes will require an additional fee.
Helen Arts and Heritage Center
25 Chattahoochee Strasse
Helen, GA 30545
10) Alpine Festival of Arts & Crafts
Located in the Gesellschaft Haus underground mall, the Alpine Festival of Arts and Crafts displays and sells local paintings as well as other artwork and crafts. With over 5,000 square feet of merchandise, they’re the largest craft shop in Helen. It costs nothing to walk through the store to look at all the art, so we always visit it each time we take a trip to the Alpine Village.
Alpine Festival of Arts and Crafts
8600 N. Main Street
Helen, GA 30545
The Chattahoochee River in Helen, GA
11) Go for a scenic walk along the riverfront for free in Helen, GA.
Tubing down the river is a popular activity in Helen, but if you’d like to save money, you can just walk along the river for completely free. There are even some areas where a sidewalk or paved path runs along the river’s edge. There are also lots of rocks that serve as popular spots for people to sit to fish or just relax and watch the tubers float by. (Alternatively, you can also take a stroll down a walking trail of the local park, but you’ll see more details for that entry in our Outdoors Activities in Helen section listed a little further below in this article.)
Other Fun Things to Do in Alpine Helen Village
These activities might cost you a handful of your pretty pennies, but if you’ve got a few dollars to spend, we think they’re well worth it.
Shopping in Helen for Unique Gifts and Yummy Treats
12) Marvel at the color-changing candles inside Notre Gift before purchasing one to take home with you.
Notre Gift of Riverwalk Village
60 Chattahoochee Street, Building 307
Helen, GA 30545
13) Take home some house-made beef jerky from the Jerky Snack Shack or House of Jerky in Helen, GA.
2023 Update: Sadly my favorite Helen Jerky store, which also happened to be named The Jerky Store, shut down in 2020. But don’t fret! There are 2 other jerky stores that exist in Helen in 2023: Jerky Snack Shack and House of Jerky. We plan to visit again later this year, so we’ll update this post with our new favorite flavors once we check them out!
Any type of jerky you could imagine, they have it here. In addition to traditional beef jerky, they carry elk, kangaroo, alligator, and various other exotic meats. The Black Label line’s alcohol-infused jerky flavors such as Whiskey Straight, Chipotle Tequila, Draft Ale, and Caribbean Rum are all incredibly popular as well. The Jerky Store also sells its very own line of house-made jerky, and they’re absolutely delicious. If you’re going to purchase jerky, I definitely recommend trying their homemade brand. With flavors like lemon pepper and spicy garlic, they’re sure to impress.
14) Sample and purchase a slab of your favorite fudge from Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen. And then grab a box of Deer Poop or Chattahoochee River Rocks as well.
They make and sell over 20 different flavors of fudge, and you can sample them in-store before buying. I especially love the Amaretto Almond, Chocolate Raspberry, and Peanut Butter Flavors.
Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen
8651 N Main St
Helen, GA 30545
15) Purchase beautiful ceramics from Windmill Dutch Imports.
Windmill Dutch Imports has been in business for over 30 years, and everything in their shop has been imported directly from Holland. They carry ceramics, wooden shoes, Dutch food, and other collectible items.
Windmill Dutch Imports
8660 White Horse Square
Helen, GA 30545
16) Shop for quirky German souvenirs, tee shirts, traditional German hats, and lederhosen at HGA Gifts and Apparel.
This German souvenir shop in Helen is where you’ll want to go for all your quirky shopping needs. It’s especially popular during Oktoberfest in Helen, when you’ll see groups of tourists wandering around downtown while wearing the fancy little hats.
HGA Gifts and Apparel
8641 N Main St
Helen, GA 30545
17) Choose a sword & become a warrior at Tim’s Wooden Toys (and then practice beating up your siblings at home).
This is one of my favorite shops in Helen because it’s so fun inside! Just look at that wall of swords and shields! This is an especially fun place to hang out for kids. The whole store is full of handmade, wooden toys, and you can play with them to your heart’s content.
Tim’s Wooden Toys
8635 N Main St #8
Helen, GA 30545
18) Bring home windchimes from Wildewood.
Wildewood is known for its dreamy collection of windchimes. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll want to take one of these home with you to hang outside your window.
The Wildewood Shop
52 River St
Helen, GA 30545
19) Shop for holiday decorations year-round at the Christmas Shoppe.
This is one of the most popular tourist shops in Helen because there’s a life-sized Santa statue waving hello from outside of the store. You can even climb aboard the bright red sleigh that sits nearby, and snap a quick photo souvenir from your trip. Inside the house, the Christmas Shoppe sells every type of holiday decoration that you can imagine.
Christmas Shoppe
8749 N Main St
Helen, GA 30545
Souvenir Photos in Helen, GA – Old-Fashioned Style
20) Steve’s Old Time Photo
Located inside the Gesellschaft Haus Building beside the Glassblowing Shop on Main Street, Steve’s Old Time Photo will dress you up in centuries-old fashion and then send you home with a black and white photo to commemorate your visit to Helen.
Steve’s Old Time Photo
8600 N. Main St.
Helen, GA 30545
21) Wild West Old Time Photos
A similar souvenir photo shop, you’ll find Wild West Old Time Photos just around the corner from Steve’s Old Time Photo. They were also once known as Old Tyme Portraits, and the building they’re housed in is adorably cute.
Wild West Old Time Photos
19 Chattahoochee Strasse
Helen, GA 30545
Where to Eat in Helen, GA – The 4 Best Restaurants You Must Try
22) The Heidelberg – for Live German Music and Food in a Central Location
One of the most popular and picturesque German restaurants in Helen, the Heidelberg is situated in a prime position in the Main Street Square and is the place to dine to hear live German music and bands. The three-story restaurant serves authentic German dishes and is one of the oldest restaurants in Helen, Georgia.
The Heidelberg
8660 N Main St
Helen, GA 30545
23) The Troll Tavern – for Riverfront Dining
The Troll Tavern sits directly on the Chattahoochee riverfront. Aside from its specialization in delicious German fare and beer, its spacious outdoor patio makes it a place you won’t want to pass up. The stone deck provides one of the best views in town before disappearing under a rocky bridge that you can’t help but think would make a perfect place for a troll’s favored hiding spot. If you want to dine in a festive atmosphere reminiscent of old fairytale charm, then eat at the Troll’s Tavern on your next stay in Helen.
The Troll Tavern
8590 N Main St
Helen, GA 30545
24) Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Cafe – for German and Czech Specialty Cuisine
Mullers serves authentic German and Czech cuisine. You must try one of their fried cheese specialties such as the Fried Cheddar Cheese Stuffed with Ham, Fried Cheese Kabab, or Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Steak, a slab of mozzarella stuffed with ham, then hand-breaded and fried to golden perfection. I also recommend their Original Hungarian Goulash with Czech Bread Dough Dumplings.
Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Cafe
60 Chattahoochee Strasse
Helen, GA 30545
25) Hofer’s Bakery and Cafe – for German Breads, Pastries, and Coffees
Hofer’s of Helen is an authentic German bakery known as a konditorei. The interior of the cafe is super cute and features furniture imported from Germany. Hofer’s bakes all their own breads in a stone hearth oven, and you can even order online to have them shipped directly to your house.
Hofer’s Bakery and Cafe
8758 N Main St
Helen, GA 30545
Outdoor Attractions within the Alpine Village of Helen
You can visit these places without having to get back in your car and drive to another destination after visiting the main shops and attractions within the Alpine Village. Everything here is located within walking distance either within the village or directly adjacent to it.
26) City of Helen Alana Falls Walking Trail & Gazebo of Unicoi Hill Park
This cute spot lies directly next door to the Alpine Helen Village and is a popular spot to park because there’s always spots available. In addition to the little waterfall, there’s also a small park, Unicoi Hill Park, containing a walking trail lined with pretty flowers, a scenic gazebo, and a covered, wooden bridge. This is also the spot where we always park in order to walk to all the cute German shops and restaurants.
27) Cool River Tubing
If you’d like to tube, you’ll find the entrance to Cool River Tubing just across the street from the Helen Welcome Center of the Alpine Village. Sign up there to start your adventure. If you’d prefer to just spectate, you can also watch tubers float down the Chattahoochee from the riverfront patio of the Troll Tavern while you enjoy a nice lunch. Or you can walk along the sidewalk running along the edge of the river for no cost at all.
In 2023, Cool River Tubing offers a one-hour trip or a two-hour trip (the river entry-point determines the length) for $14 per trip on weekdays or $18 per trip on weekends and holidays (regardless of which length you choose). (All green tubes you see floating down the Chattahoochee River are from Cool River Tubing.) The company provides free shuttle service from their parking lot to the two entry points on the river (and back again).
Cool River Tubing
590 Edelweiss Strasse
Helen, GA 30545
28) Helen Water Park and Tubing
The Helen Water Park contains 4 water slides over 50 feet tall, a 1,000-foot lazy river, a kiddie play area, and a 25-foot rock wall for climbing. Note: Admission to the water park years ago used to include free unlimited tubing down the Chattahoochee River, but this is no longer offered in 2023. Helen Tubing is now considered a separate company, and you must purchase a separate ticket in order to river tube with them. (All pink tubes that you see floating down the river are from Helen Tubing). A single ride lasts around 2.5 hours, and the park provides a free shuttle bus to transport you back and forth between the river and water park.
Helen Water Park and Tubing
222 Edelweiss St.
Helen, GA 30545
29) Pirates Cove Adventure Golf
Putt your way through caves and under waterfalls on this pirate-themed mini-golf adventure.
Pirates Cove Adventure Golf
1081 Edelweiss Strasse
Helen, GA 30545
30) Outpost Gold and Gem Mining Co.
Outpost Gold and Gem Panning lies just around the corner from the Helen Welcome Center of the Alpine Village, so you can easily walk to it. It’s the newer, second location to the popular mining company Dukes Creek Mines. At Outpost, you can pan for gold, screen for gems, mine for fossils, or break apart a geode.
Outpost Gold and Gem Mining Co
7901 S. Main St.
Helen, GA 30545
Other Outdoor Things to Do in Helen, GA (Outside of the Alpine Village)
The Alpine Village of Helen is just a small section of the town of Helen, and there are many of other great things to do within the local area. The following activities are all located within the city of Helen (or just outside it) but are a little farther away from the Alpine Helen Village, so we’ve included them in their own separate section (since it may require a drive to reach them).
Helen Waterfalls & Mountains
31) Anna Ruby Falls
Distance from Alpine Helen Village – Approximately 6.5 miles
Difficulty Level: Easy
Trail Length: 0.9 miles round-trip
The paved trail to reach this double waterfall is under a mile round trip. There’s a viewing platform at the halfway point to observe the 150-foot Curtis Creek Waterfall and the 50-foot York Creek Waterfall as they tumble over a cliff before heading on to eventually join the Chattahoochee River.
32) Dukes Creek Falls
Distance from Alpine Helen Village – Approximately 6.5 miles
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Trail Length: 1.9 miles round-trip
Gold was first discovered on Dukes Creek in 1828, launching America’s Gold Rush. The historic 1.9 mile round-trip trail leads hikers through a series of trails and platforms before reaching the creek and then continuing along to three switchbacks before finally arriving at Dukes Creek Falls.
33) Raven Cliff Falls
Distance from Alpine Helen Village – Approximately 7 miles
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Trail Length: 5 miles round-trip
This triple-drop-waterfall hike leads you past a 60-foot drop, followed by a 20-foot drop into a deep pool, before finally reaching a 20-foot cascade into Dodd Creek. The best part of this hike is the approach at the trail’s end to a towering, 80-foot-tall cliff where the rocks crack in two, and the Raven Cliff Falls gently flow in between the narrow split in the boulders.
34) Yonah Mountain
Distance from Alpine Helen Village – Approximately 7.5 miles
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Trail Length: 4.4 miles round-trip
This trail doesn’t contain a waterfall but will lead you to the top of a mountain with breathtaking views of the surrounding forest and valleys. It’s especially pretty during springtime, when the mossy-boulder-filled forest paths come alive with wildflowers. This hike features an endless, uphill climb to the summit and contains many steep, drop-offs, so it’s considered a moderately strenuous task.
35) Blue Hole Falls to High Shoals Falls
Distance from Alpine Helen Village – Approximately 13 miles
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Trail Length: 2.4 miles round-trip
The 20-foot-tall Blue Falls cascades into a deep, blue-colored pool at the one-mile marker of a trail that continues on to reach the even taller, 50-foot High Shoals Falls. With this hike, you get two gorgeous waterfalls in one one trail in just 2.5 miles round-trip.
36) Helton Creek Falls
Distance from Alpine Helen Village – Approximately 17.5 miles
Difficulty Level: Easy
Trail Length: 0.6 miles round-trip
In just over a half mile total, you can hike in and out of this forest valley to see both the upper and lower falls of the Helton Creek Falls. It’s a beautiful waterfall and an easy hike, perfect for bringing your pets or kids.
37) DeSoto Falls
Distance from Alpine Helen Village – Approximately 21 miles
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Trail Length: 2.2 miles round-trip
This hike will take you to a lower falls as well as an upper falls, where a nice, wooden platform provides the perfect spot for admiring and photographing the multi-tiered cascades. A piece of armor was found at the DeSoto Falls that, according to legend, is believed to date to the mid-1500s expedition of explorer de Soto.
Helen Gemstone Mining
38) Dukes Creek Mines
Distance from Alpine Helen Village – Approximately 2 miles
This is the parent company to Outpost Gold and Gem Mining Co. At Dukes Creek Gold and Ruby Mines you can pan for gold, screen for gems, mine for fossils, or break apart a geode. They’re located near the site of the first major discovery of gold in Georgia–Dukes Creek–which played an essential role in launching America’s first Gold Rush. According to George White’s 1849 book Statistics of the State of Georgia, “the first discovery of gold in this state was made at Dukes Creek.” The current shop owners have been in the mining business for over fifty years and are eager to teach you all about the history of mining. When I visited years ago, guests who stayed at the Heidi Motel and Windmill Suites were invited to mine for free, but I’m not sure if that is still the case or not in 2023. Definitely ask when you go!
Dukes Creek Mines
6145 Georgia Hwy 75
Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
39) Gold ‘N Gem Grubbin
Distance from Alpine Helen Village – Approximately 12.5 miles
Pan for gold as well as gemstones at this authentic, historic gold mine from the mid 1800s gold rush. They’re North Georgia’s only commercially operating gold mine and have been featured on The Travel Channel. Before you leave, you can even have your finds cut and set in custom gold & Sterling silver jewelry or camp out on their 7 acre lake.
Gold ‘N Gem Grubbin
75 Gold Nugget Lane
Cleveland, GA 30528
Ziplining in Helen GA
40) Cool River Adventures
Distance from Alpine Helen Village – Approximately 1.5 miles
This is a sister company to Cool River Tubing but is located a little further away from the German village, so you’ll definitely want to drive and park there. They offer a zip line, two aerial adventure courses, and a 24-foot climbing wall.
Cool River Adventures
112 Poplar Stump Rd.
Helen, GA 30545
41) Nacoochee Adventures
Distance from Alpine Helen Village – Approximately 1.5 miles
This outdoor adventure company specializes in ziplines, aerial adventure parks, ATVs, and overnight tree house camping.
Nacoochee Adventures
7019 S Main St
Helen, GA 30545
42) Unicoi Zipline and Aerial Adventure Park
Distance from Alpine Helen Village – Approximately 3.5 miles
Zipline through the North Georgia Mountains on the largest zipline canopy tour in North Georgia. They have ziplines designed for beginners and smaller children as well as ones designed for more advanced adventurers. Their longest zipline spans 2,000 feet, and their tallest lets you soar through the air at 100 feet from the ground. They also feature multiple skywalk bridges and aerial towers. The best part–their guides take photos of your adventures, and you get to take them home with you for free.
Unicoi Zipline & Aerial Adventure Park
1788 Hwy 356
Helen, GA 30545
Special Events in Helen, Georgia
43) Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race and Festival
This annual springtime race begins in the Alpine Village of Helen and is the United States’ only long distance hot air balloon race as well as the oldest balloon event in the South. The festival in Helen lasts three days.
Helendorf River Inn
33 Munich Strasse
Helen, GA 30545
44) Annual Lavender Fest
The lavender festival takes place in June each year. It’s located in Sautee Nacoochee–just 4 miles away from the Alpine Helen Village–at the Lavender Cottage and Garden. Guests can cut their own fresh lavender bouquets directly from the garden. The event features culinary lavender tastings and lavender wand making. There will also be face-painting, storytelling, and vendors selling arts and crafts.
The Lavender Cottage and Garden
53 Highway 255 N.
Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
45) Oktoberfest in Helen
The longest running Oktoberfest in the United States can be found in Helen GA. It features live German music from bands around the country, a parade, German beer, and German food. The 2023 Helen Oktoberfest will run from September 7 through October 29 this year.
Helen Festhalle
1074 Edelweiss St.
Helen, GA 30545
46) The Lighting of the Village
Every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving (Black Friday), Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in Helen to light the village and kick off the holiday season. Live bands perform, and kids can meet Santa from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. This is a free event.
Downtown Helen at the Bandshell
8600 N. Main St.
Helen, GA 30545
47)
Festival of Trees
2023 Update: It looks like the Festival of Trees has retired and will not be returning this year. We’ll update this page if we hear any further information about this Helen event’s possible return.
The Festival of Trees is held every year in order to raise money for charity. Beautifully decorated trees and wreaths are on display for weeks before finally going home with the highest bidders on the last day of the event.
Unicoi State Park
1788 Highway 356
Helen, GA 30545
48) Helen Christmas Parade
Helen’s Annual Christmas Parade is held on a Saturday at the beginning of December. Santa and floats full of costumed characters make their way from downtown Helen to the Festhalle on Edelweiss Street. A bonfire with s’mores follows the parade.
49) Christkindlmarkt – Christmas Market in Helen
Helen’s Christmas Market offers unique Christmas gifts, decorations, and candies in the Downtown Marketplatz during the first two weekends in December.
If you plan on heading to Helen for the holidays, check out our detailed guide on the 16 Best Things to do During Christmas in Helen.
50) Dropping of the Edelweiss
Helen celebrates the New Year every year with music, hors d’oeuvres, party hats, dancing, and a midnight champagne toast. This is not a free event.
Helen Festhalle
1074 Edelweiss St.
Helen, GA 30545
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