Clayton, Georgia
Rabun County's mountain town: Main Street galleries, local food and the Chattooga River on its doorstep
Is Clayton worth the drive from Helen?
Why Clayton
A real downtown with the mountains around it
Clayton is the seat of Rabun County and has about 2,000 residents, but its Main Street holds more than you'd expect: art galleries, boutiques, a craft brewery and a handful of restaurants. The merchants' association says 90 percent of downtown businesses are locally owned, which is easy to believe once you start walking.
The town dates to 1821, when it was called Claytonsville; it took its current name in 1823 for Congressman Augustin S. Clayton, according to Wikipedia. The Tallulah Falls Railway reached town in 1904.
Downtown galleries and shops
Start on North Main Street
Most of the shopping sits along North Main Street within a few blocks. Hours change with the season, so check a shop's page or call before you plan around it.
| Shop | What you'll find | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Butler Galleries | Fine art, vintage finds and home decor; Two Sisters Shop inside sells antiques | 74 N Main St |
| Soul Intention Gallery | Nature-inspired art with owls, horses, moose and bears | 55 N Main St |
| Indigo | Apparel, handmade jewelry and accessories | 75 N Main St, Suite 101 |
| Isadora Popper | Handcrafted jewelry | 33 N Main St |
| Idle + Wild | Home decor, gifts and nature-inspired goods | 35 E Savannah St |
Listings from the Clayton merchants' shopping directory.
Where to eat and drink
Southern plates, pizza, sushi and a taproom
The merchants' restaurant directory is the place to check current options before you go. These are the ones it lists for the Clayton area.
| Place | Known for |
|---|---|
| Sunday Diner | All-day breakfast, plate-sized pancakes, Granny's Loaded Tater Cakes, fried chicken and house desserts |
| Clayton Cafe | Family-style Southern cooking, all homemade |
| Bella's Steaks Pasta & More | Family-run Italian: pizza, pasta, steaks and seafood |
| Friends American Grill | Family dinners and cold drinks |
| Rabun Social | Craft cocktails, Asian-fusion dishes, sushi, smash burgers and an open-air Main Street bar |
| Currahee Brewing Company | Craft beer in a taproom with mountain views |
| White Birch Provisions | Coffee, baked goods and a gourmet market |
| Moonrise Distillery | Craft spirits tasting room at 31 Webb Road; Mon-Thu 11-7, Fri-Sat 11-9, Sun 1-6 |
| Tiger Mountain Vineyards & The Red Barn Café | Estate wines and a farm-to-table café at 2592 Old 441 South in Tiger; call for current hours |
Downtown events
What's coming up
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 31 | Halloween on Main: kids trick-or-treat at Main Street businesses | 10 AM-noon |
| Friday after Thanksgiving (expected Nov 27, dates to be announced) | Christmas in Clayton: shops open late, Santa, a bagpiper and luminaries | To be announced |
| Early December (dates to be announced) | Clayton Christmas Parade | Usually early evening |
| Sat, Dec 12 | Holiday Cookie Crawl, starting at Veterans Park | 5-7 PM |
The Foxfire Mountaineer Festival for 2026 took place on October 3; it's normally the first Saturday of October, with 2027 dates to be announced. See the events calendar for more.
Nearby: river, gorge and mountain
The Chattooga River, a Wild and Scenic River on the Georgia-South Carolina line and a filming location for the movie Deliverance, runs east of town; read our guide before you plan any paddling. Tallulah Gorge is about 25 minutes south, and Black Rock Mountain State Park is a short drive north. The Foxfire Museum is in Mountain City, about six minutes north of downtown Clayton.
Quick questions
How far is Clayton from Helen?
About an hour. The shortest route is roughly 31 miles, much of it on winding two-lane roads.
What is there to do in downtown Clayton?
Browse the galleries and boutiques along North Main Street, eat at one of the local restaurants and check the merchants' association calendar for events like Halloween on Main and the Holiday Cookie Crawl.
Is the Foxfire Mountaineer Festival still coming up?
Not this year. The 2026 festival took place on October 3. It's normally held the first Saturday of October, and 2027 dates haven't been announced.
More to explore
Related destinations, trails and experiences nearby
Related Imagery from Around Helen
