Experience the Charm of Helen, GA Germantown: Your Guide to a Magical Getaway
Alpine Helen, Ga is one of those quiet little towns that once you visit you have to go back again and again. Nestled in the North Georgia Mountains, this town is unlike most you would see in this area. You truly feel as though you have stepped into another country. I have not been fortunate enough to travel outside this great country of ours, so when we found this little place, it was really a treat. As the locals would say, it’s the charm of Bavaria in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The population is just under 500 and with all the quaint hotels, restaurants, and cobblestone pathways, you will be transported to another world before you know it.
Helen also holds the longest (last week of September to the first week of November) Oktoberfest in the world. They generally see more than 1 million visitors during that time. If you don’t like crowds this would not be the time to go. My dad has been during Oktoberfest and loved it. Great people, lots of motorcycles, great beer and good food. My personal preference is Spring & Summer.
What to eat
The food is pretty good at all of the places we tried and there are so many dining options you will not run out of places to eat! Two of our favorites are Paul’s Steakhouse and the Troll Tavern & Cafe International. Both of these are right on the Chattahoochee River. The sweet shops are really delicious and there too many to name and one on every corner.
Where to stay
We usually rent a cabin through VRBO or Airbnb while we are there. If you live in the Atlanta, GA area, Helen is just a short drive north and makes a great day or weekend trip. We usually try and stay 2 or more nights. There are many places that have direct river access and if you go in the Summer, this is a huge plus. We stayed in a cabin that had 2 canoes and 2 kayaks as well as floats for us to use while we were there. The part of the Chattahoochee that runs through Helen and the surrounding area is not very deep by river standards and fairly easy to navigate. Great for kayaking and tubing!
What to do
There are countless activities in the area. One of my favorites is “Tubing the Hooch!” $5 will get you a tube at any of the local tubing shops and transportation to put in the river near the north end of the city. It takes anywhere from 2-4 hours to float. You can bring a cooler and float your cares away on the chilly Chattahoochee River. I recommend swim shoes or water shoes, the bottom of the river is no friend to your feet if you have to get out in the shallow areas to walk your tube through. Shoes are a MUST!
Helen also has its own water park. Nothing compared to White Water in Atlanta, but it is perfect for a day of fun with the kids. It has two water slides, a lazy river, and several other fun things to do. The last time we were there it was $15 for access to the water park and tubing! What a deal!
There are countless hiking trails, lakes and state parks within a short drive of this incredible location. We make Helen our home base and explore the area for a few days each time we go. There is also the Cabbage Patch Hospital in close by Cleveland, GA. Even if you are not a fan of the dolls, it is quite entertaining.
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