Ultimate Family Weekend Guide to Helen

Helen works for families because most of what kids want to do here is outside and cheap: a river, a waterfall with a paved path, a coaster you steer yourself, and a bucket of rough gems to wash in a sluice. This is a three-day plan built from attractions with published prices and hours, with a swap for each season, since tubing is a summer activity.

The short answer

Friday: tubing in summer (or Unicoi's Lake Trail in other seasons). Saturday: Anna Ruby Falls in the morning, gem mining and the Georgia Mountain Coaster in the afternoon. Sunday: the North Georgia Wildlife Park or a stop at Nora Mill and Hofer's. Expect to spend a few hundred dollars on activities for a family of four, before lodging and food.

What the activities cost

Friday: arrival and river time

In summer, aim to arrive by mid-afternoon and tube the Chattahoochee. The daily season runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend; outfitters may open on warm fall weekends, so check their booking calendars and call ahead. The float takes about one to two and a half hours depending on the route, and the shuttle is included. In other seasons, take the Lake Trail around Unicoi Lake instead, or walk the Heritage Trail toward Hardman Farm.

For dinner, the Troll Tavern is on the river under the bridge, with patio seating and a big dining room (open until 9 PM Monday to Thursday and 10 PM Friday to Sunday). Our family restaurant guide has other ideas.

Saturday morning: a waterfall

Anna Ruby Falls is the easiest big payoff: two creeks, Curtis (about 153 ft) and York (about 50 ft), falling side by side at the end of a paved trail. The trail has some steep pitches, so younger kids may want a break. The site opens at 9 AM, and arriving then helps with parking. Admission is $6 for ages 16 and up, and 15 and under are free; the ParkPass isn't accepted. The operator says the inclines are too steep for wheelchairs and suggests the paved 0.1-mile Lion's Eye Trail.

For little legs, the flat Lake Trail at Unicoi is 2.5 miles around the lake, and you can turn around whenever you like.

Saturday afternoon: gems and the coaster

Kids love gem mining: you buy a bucket of rough, wash it in a sluice, and see what's inside. Outpost Gold and Gems at 7901 S Main St sells buckets from $7 (a quart) to $100 (a six-gallon family bucket). Then ride the Georgia Mountain Coaster at 8409 S Main St, where you control your own speed. A ride is $17 for adults, $14 for ages 7 to 12 and $10 for ages 3 to 6, and the height rules are in the table above.

Spend the late afternoon downtown. The Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen is at 8078 S Main Street (706-878-2443), and for dinner see our German restaurant roundup. The Heidelberg's dining room is open until 9 PM Sunday to Thursday and 10 PM Friday and Saturday.

Sunday: animals and a mill

The North Georgia Wildlife Park is about 25 minutes from Helen, with a drive-through safari and a petting farm. The visitors bureau lists Tuesday 11 to 3 and Thursday through Sunday 10 to 5, so confirm before you drive and book encounters online.

On the way out, stop at Nora Mill (open 10 to 5 on weekends), which has a demonstration kitchen where you can taste products, and pick up a bag of pancake mix. Hofer's Bakery is open Sunday, but closed Tuesday and Wednesday, and its cafe stops at 3 PM.

Where to stay and what to pack

A cabin rental gives a family room to spread out, and Unicoi Lodge is a good option if you want lodge rooms and trails on site. Bring water shoes for tubing, layers for mountain weather and a change of clothes for the car. For the whole picture, see our family planning guide.

Other trips and seasons

Fall is the busiest season: Oktoberfest runs through Sunday, November 1 (see the Oktoberfest guide), and Sunday admission is free. For holiday trips, read Christmas in Helen and the winter guide, and for color see the fall foliage guide. If a rainy day wrecks the plan, our rainy day guide lists indoor options.