"Welcome to Helen, GA or Alpine Helen as some say." Helen by tpangelinan

Helen Travel Guide: 162 reviews and 343 photos

Center of town - Helen
Center of town
A small Bavaria village

Welcome to Helen Georgia, this is a small Bavaria village town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It wasn't always this Alpine village, the town has a long history back prior to 1800 the Cherokee Indian ruled this land. What is now hwy 17 & 75 was an old wagon trail that he Cherokee Indian approved to be constructed 1813 which ran from Savanah to Tennessee. Soon gold was discovered in 1828 and the Great Georgia Gold Rush was on in this area and the Cherokee Indian moved on. Gold mining was taking over the area all the way to Dehlonega, GA but by the end of the century all miners had left. Next came the lumber companies and railroads up the Chattahoochee River to Helen, the valley was named after the railroad survayors daughter in 1913. Lumber opperations ran until 1931, shut down and again the people left for opportunities eslewhere. By 1960 all that was left was a small town with one story concrete building that looked like every other mill town. In 1968 the town got together to see what they could do to improve the town to bring in more tourist and to boost the economy. They asked an artist friend for some help, he had been stationed in Germany and sketched out the buildings with gingerbread, more color and changing the faces of all building and recreate a old Bavaria village. In 1969 construction began, giving the whole town a facelift creating what you see now. If you like Octoberfest, well, here it goes on all year.

Town Fountain
Town Fountain - Helen

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Great wine tasting rooms, good shopping, waterfalls near by
  • Cons:Too much drinking, bikers, too many people on weekend, traffice
  • In a nutshell:A neat little town and lots of this to do near by and in town.
  • Last visit to Helen: Oct 2008
  • Intro Updated Oct 12, 2008
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Reviews (18)

Hansel & Gretel Candy store - Helen A great candy store Shopping (2)

Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen hand a large variety of candy, fudge and much more. You will not leave this store without... more travel advice

The master at his best! - Helen Fudge anyone! Shopping (2)

Now this is some good fudge, as soon as you walk in they give you samples which are wonderful. As you walk along the... more travel advice

Gem Hunting - Helen Try Gem & Gold mining! Things to Do (9)

Now this sounds like fun! There are several places to go and get guided tours to pan for gold in the river, or you can... more travel advice

Festhalle Helen, Ga - Helen Festhalle is were it all happens Things to Do (9)

Oktoberfest 2008 September 11 - November 2 is going on. There are other events that go on all through the year but... more travel advice

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