In the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, lies the charming German Alpine village of Helen Georgia. It has become well known for its Bavarian-style buildings and nearby vineyards. It’s more than a bustling, artistic shopping district; the smells of hot pretzels and candy fudge will delight your senses.
When you visit Alpine Helen, Georgia in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, you will feel as though you have taken a step back in time. Most all the businesses feature Bavarian-style architecture. The town is fashioned after an old-world German Alpine village. Among the cobblestone sidewalks, you will enjoy a wide variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment. The surrounding area has impressive waterfalls and numerous areas for hiking.
Helen is a popular location to celebrate Octoberfest, but it’s the Christmas holidays when the town lights up. Christmas is one of the most popular times to visit this charming fairytale town. It looks more like an Alpine German village than any place you’d find in rural Georgia. If it looks as if you just stepped into a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie, it may be because there have been several films that have used Helen, Georgia as a location.
Where we Stayed:
Walk to Helen Downtown-Gated Golf Resort
We got up early and drove to North Georgia Wednesday after Christmas from South Florida. After a few stops at rest areas and a misguided pause at Buc-ees just South of Macon, we made it to Helen at 3 PM just in time to check into our accommodations. We stayed in a two-bedroom condo that we found in a gated golf course on booking.com. Since we needed two bedrooms, this was the ideal option for us. Walk to Helen Downtown-Gated Golf Resort. The location is near the Valhalla Resort.
Downtown Helen Christmas Lights and Decorations
Helen is a popular location to celebrate Octoberfest, but it’s the Christmas holidays when the town lights up. Christmas is one of the most popular times to visit this charming fairytale town. It looks more like an Alpine German village than any place you’d find in rural Georgia. If it looks as if you just stepped into a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie, it may be because there have been several films that have used Helen as a location.
The decorations along North Main Street are especially pretty. The entire town transforms into a festive wonderland, with twinkling lights, and beautifully decorated storefronts. A beautifully decorated Christmas tree stands at the town center and a dazzling gazebo at Unicoi Hill Park.
As you step into this enchanting village of downtown Helen, you’ll find a bustling alpine village set against a scenic backdrop of mountains, forests, and river banks, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to the cobblestone streets of Alpine Germany as colorful shops dot the landscape and the heavenly aroma of authentic German fare lingers in the breeze.
Hansel & Gretal Candy Kitchen
Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen is where you need to make a stop if you are a chocolate lover! Watch the making of treats like fudge and peanut brittle, then stop by the shop to taste-test afterward.
The shop features fudges, peanut brittles, truffles, candied apples, and chocolates. Brenda is a fan of the peanut clusters and I can’t wait until she opens them.
Helen History
Helen is the 3rd most visited city in the state of Georgia. Formerly a struggling logging town, the city resurrected itself by becoming a replica of a Bavarian alpine village. Helen was named after the daughter of a lumber official. This alpine town was given a Bavarian makeover in the sixties, in a bid to revitalize the town. This twist on an alpine town is now a selling point! There is an ordinance saying that all buildings in Helen must look Bavarian.
Dinner at Bangkok Haus
If you have had enough German cuisine, and you just can’t eat another Weiner Schnitzel, check out The Bangkok Haus. This Thai restaurant serves noodles and rice dishes in a relaxing space. European eateries are on every corner in Helen. Bangkok Haus is one of the best restaurants in Helen if you want to say bye to the brat. As great as the German restaurants in Helen may be, there’s only so much traditional Bavarian food you can eat.
Bangkok Haus: 689 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA
The Troll Tavern & Restaurant
Although we did not get a chance to eat at The Troll Tavern because it was too cool to sit outside, I have heard that when the weather is nice, The Troll is the perfect spot for outdoor dining right on the water. They also have a large selection of German beer.
The Troll Tavern & Restaurant: 8590 N Main St, Helen, GA
Day Two
Breakfast at Betty’s Country Store
Betty’s is a grocery store located in the heart of Downtown Helen. It’s a great store for picking up items such as Apple Butter, Pepper Jelly, Country Ham, and other traditional Appalachian favorites.
One of the main reasons we stopped at Betty’s was for breakfast before heading to Anna Ruby Falls. Baked fresh every morning, their biscuits are impressively light and fluffy. They’re available with any combination of bacon, cheese, eggs, ham, spiced country sausage, and tomato.
Betty’s Country Store (Deli) 18 Yonah Street, Helen, GA
Anna Ruby Falls
In the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, you will find the beautiful Anna Ruby Falls. Once parked at the visitor’s center you will have to hike about a half mile to the falls. Some areas can be a bit challenging with steep inclines but the hiking trail to the falls is paved, and there are several rock benches along the way for resting.
Cascading down Tray Mountain, Curtis Creek drops one hundred and fifty-three feet and York Creek falls fifty before they join at the bottom of the cliffs to form Smith Creek. Visitors should bring $5 per person for admission to the falls. Show an active military for free admission.
Fred’s Famous Peanuts
Coming back from Anna Ruby Falls, you must stop at Fred’s Famous Peanuts. Fred’s is a roadside attraction that was such a unique find. Their peanuts are crunchy, fresh, and tasty. We tried a few samples along with some blackberry cider but ended up buying the salted roasted peanuts. They also have homemade peanut brittle, local honey, salsas, salad dressing, homemade jellies and jams, BBQ sauces, jerky, and more. The folks here at Fred’s have been serving up their famous Southern specialties for over forty years.
Freds Famous Peanuts: 17 Clayton Rd, Helen, GA
JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters:
Sourcing the best coffee beans from around the world, the folks at JumpinGoat roast the coffee in Helen and serve it up freshly ground in every coffee drink. The small coffee shop is located in an old building beside Nora Mill Granary – take the coffee outside to enjoy it by the Chattahoochee River. We took home a box of their smooth signature blend to enjoy at home when we returned.
JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters: 7086 South Main Street Helen, GA
Nora Mill Granary Grist Mill & Country Store
Next door to JumpinGoat, Nora Mill Granary is an operational gristmill sitting alongside the Chattahoochee River in the foothills near Helen, Georgia.
If you love delicious and unique food you can find a wide variety of jams and jellies, baking mixes as well as grits.
Nora Mill Granary Grist Mill & Country Store: 7107 S Main St, Helen, GA
Dinner at Bodensee
You cannot come to Helen without trying some German food. We had to try some Old World German fare at least once while visiting Helen. So, we stood in line for an hour in the cold to eat at Bodensee Restaurant. Unfortunately, they do not accept reservations at this time. Bodensee is one of the most highly-rated German restaurants in Helen. I sampled The House Platter, which includes two kinds of sausage, a smoked pork chop, sauerkraut, and potato salad. Brenda had the Spätzle Gratin.
Bodensee Restaurant: 64 Munich Street, Helen, GA
The Heidelberg
Another option for lunch or dinner is The Heidelberg. If you are lucky enough to sit on the balcony to eat your schnitzel, you can watch all the tourists and beer drinkers in King Ludwig’s Beer Garden below.
Day Three
Breakfast at Hofer’s Bakery (4.5)
We started our last day in Helen with a delicious breakfast from a genuine German bakery. Hofer’s Bakery is a place you need to add to your trip itinerary. We decided to stop and pick up some sweets for the road back to Florida. We tried the Apple Fritters, Cinnamon Twists, and a delicious Chocolate Eclair.
Hofer’s Bakery & Cafe: 8758 N Main St, Helen, GA
Whether enjoying authentic German cuisine, shopping for crafts in the nearby Nacoochee Village, or breathing in the fresh cool mountain air, Helen, Georgia is a perfect place to spend the Best Magical Christmas season.
While North Georgia has great mountain towns, Visiting the Western North Carolina Mountains has many more small charming mountain towns to explore around every corner.
