Helen Attractions & Things to Do
Waterfalls, state parks, an Alpine-style downtown, family adventures and scenic Blue Ridge drives
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More Than a Bavarian Village
Helen sits at about 1,440 feet in the upper Chattahoochee valley, with the Blue Ridge on nearly every side. The Alpine-style downtown gets the attention, but the reason people come back is how much sits within a short drive. In one day you can watch twin waterfalls at Anna Ruby Falls, eat lunch on Main Street and be on top of Georgia's highest point at Brasstown Bald by late afternoon.
Nature is the headliner. Unicoi State Park covers 1,029 acres about 10 minutes from town, Smithgall Woods protects another 5,844 acres around Dukes Creek, and the surrounding Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is full of trails, waterfalls and overlooks. Raven Cliff Falls and Dukes Creek Falls are each about 15 minutes from Main Street. Fees differ by site: state parks take a $10 ParkPass, while Anna Ruby Falls, Brasstown Bald and the Forest Service trailheads charge their own.
Kids and groups have plenty to do, too. The Georgia Mountain Coaster lets you control your own speed through the forest, tubing the Chattahoochee is the classic summer float, and there's gem mining, gold panning, ziplines and horseback riding nearby. Use the guides below to build your itinerary.
What the big stops cost
| Attraction | Fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Ruby Falls | $6 for ages 16 and up | Paved 0.4-mile trail each way |
| Brasstown Bald | $10 per adult 16 and up | Steep, paved 0.6-mile trail or a shuttle |
| Unicoi State Park | ParkPass, $10 per vehicle | About 10 minutes from downtown |
| Dukes Creek Falls | $4 per vehicle | 2.2-mile round trip |
| Raven Cliff Falls | $5 per vehicle | 2.6 miles each way |
| Georgia Mountain Coaster | $17 adults, $14 ages 7-12, $10 ages 3-6 | You control your own speed |
| Tubing the Chattahoochee | $14 weekdays, $16 weekends and holidays (Cool River Tubing) | Season runs mostly in summer |
Explore Helen's Top Attractions
Detailed guides to waterfalls, state parks, family fun, scenic drives and historic landmarks in and around Helen.
Waterfall Anna Ruby Falls
Two creeks, two waterfalls: Curtis Creek drops about 153 feet and York Creek about 50, side by side at the end of a paved 0.4-mile trail. $6 for ages 16 and up.
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State Park Unicoi State Park
1,029 acres with a 53-acre lake, a 2.5-mile lake loop, barrel cabins and a lodge, about 10 minutes from downtown Helen. ParkPass is $10 per vehicle.
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Highest Peak Brasstown Bald
Georgia's highest point, at 4,784 feet, with a 360-degree observation deck. A steep, paved 0.6-mile trail or a shuttle gets you to the top; $10 per adult 16 and up.
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Downtown Alpine Village Walking Tour
A walk through downtown Helen's Alpine-style buildings, with the story of how a struggling logging town reinvented itself.
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Family Fun Tubing the Chattahoochee
Float the Chattahoochee through downtown Helen. Cool River Tubing charges $14 on weekdays and $16 on weekends and holidays, and the season runs mostly in summer.
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Historic Hardman Farm Historic Site
A state historic site in the Nacoochee Valley with an 1870 Italianate mansion, a dairy barn and the Nacoochee Indian Mound on its grounds.
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Landmark Nacoochee Indian Mound
A Mississippian platform mound near the GA-17 and GA-75 junction, topped by a white gazebo and built mostly between about 1350 and 1600 CE.
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Downtown Helen River Walk
A path alongside the Chattahoochee through downtown Helen, connecting shops, restaurants and parks.
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State Park Smithgall Woods State Park
A 5,844-acre state park known for trout fishing on Dukes Creek and quiet trails. Every visitor registers at the visitor center, and ParkPass is $10 per vehicle.
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Thrill Ride Georgia Mountain Coaster
Georgia's first and only mountain coaster, where you control your own speed through the forest. $17 adults, $14 ages 7-12, $10 ages 3-6.
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Historic Nora Mill Granary
A gristmill established in 1876 that still grinds on French Burr stones powered by the Chattahoochee. Grits, mixes and a country store; open daily.
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Waterfall Raven Cliff Falls
A 2.6-mile trail each way into the Raven Cliffs Wilderness, ending where the falls pour through a split in the rock face. $5 per vehicle.
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Waterfall Dukes Creek Falls
A 2.2-mile round-trip Forest Service trail to a waterfall, with views toward Mount Yonah along the way. $4 per vehicle.
View guide Drives Scenic Drives
Mountain roads out of Helen, including the 40-mile Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway and the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway (GA-348).
View guide Family Fun Gem Mining
Sift buckets of mining rough at a gem flume and take home what you find. A hands-on family stop.
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Historic Stovall Covered Bridge
A small covered bridge in the Sautee Nacoochee Valley, a quick photo stop on the drive through the valley.
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Valley Sautee Nacoochee Valley
The broad valley just south of Helen, home to historic sites, galleries, wineries and farmland.
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Shopping Old Sautee Store
A historic country store in the Sautee Valley with gifts and local goods.
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Adventure Zipline Adventure
Zipline courses over the forest and the Chattahoochee, from several outfitters in the Helen area.
View guide History Helen Alpine Architecture
How a struggling logging town reinvented itself as an Alpine village starting around 1969, and what to look for on the buildings.
View guide Family Fun Gold Panning
Pan for gold in the area where the Georgia Gold Rush began in 1828. A family-friendly stop at local outfitters.
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Relaxation Spa & Wellness
Spa and wellness options in and around Helen, a good choice for a rainy day.
View guide Family Fun North Georgia Wildlife Park
A drive-through safari, petting farm and booked animal encounters in Cleveland, about 25 minutes from Helen.
View guide Unique Babyland General Hospital
The home of the Cabbage Patch Kids in nearby Cleveland, Georgia, set up like a pretend hospital where new dolls are 'born'.
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Shopping Nacoochee Village
Nora Mill, Habersham Winery and an antique mall on S Main Street, about two miles south of downtown Helen.
View guideTips for Getting the Most Out of Helen
Practical advice from local experience to help you plan the perfect visit.
Start Early at Waterfalls
Anna Ruby Falls and Dukes Creek Falls parking lots fill up by mid-morning on weekends and holidays. Arrive at opening to beat the crowds, or come on a weekday.
Layer Up Year-Round
Mountain weather shifts quickly. Even in summer, the ridges at Brasstown Bald run noticeably cooler than downtown Helen. Bring a light jacket and keep rain gear in the car.
Combine Nearby Attractions
Many attractions cluster together. The road to Anna Ruby Falls runs through Unicoi State Park. Hardman Farm includes the Nacoochee Mound. The Old Sautee Store and Stovall Bridge are minutes apart. Plan your route to hit nearby stops on the same outing.
First Time in Helen?
With so many attractions to choose from, it helps to have a plan. Our weekend itinerary covers the highlights in two to three days, or start with the family-friendly picks if you are traveling with kids.
Continue Planning Your Trip
More guides to help you get the most out of Helen.
