Cleveland, Georgia
BabyLand General Hospital, a safari park and a courthouse square, 15 minutes south of Helen
Worth a stop on the way?
BabyLand General Hospital
Where the Cabbage Patch Kids are "born"
BabyLand General is a theatrical take on a hospital, set in a columned mansion and built around the idea that Cabbage Patch Kids are born rather than manufactured. Admission is free. You'll walk past thousands of dolls and see "Mother Cabbage" beneath the Magic Crystal Tree, tended by costumed Patch Doctors and Nurses, and you can adopt a doll before you leave. Most visitors spend at least an hour.
BabyLand General is at 300 N.O.K. Drive and is closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 9 AM-6 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM-6 PM |
| Closed | Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day |
North Georgia Wildlife Park (NOGAWILD)
Safari drive, petting farm and animal encounters
The park at 2912 Paradise Valley Road runs a drive-through safari along with walk-through exhibits, and sells add-on encounters with otters, capybaras, sloths, Scottish Highlanders and honey badgers. Its website emphasizes conservation work with African penguins and kangaroos. Check the park's website for current hours, safari pricing and encounter bookings before you go.
October and November bring seasonal events, listed below. Regular admission applies unless noted.
| Date | Event | Time and cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 23 | Night of the Living Safari, a drive-through Halloween evening. Don't arrive early; there's no parking. | 5-6:30 PM; free, donations welcome |
| Oct 30-Nov 1 | Boo at the Zoo: games, a pumpkin judging contest and scavenger hunts | 10 AM-4 PM; adults $38, children 3-11 $36 |
| Nov 7-8 and 14-15 | Pumpkin Smash | See the park's site |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Christmas in the Mountains holiday market and lighted parade, Courthouse Square | Market noon-7 PM; parade 6 PM |
More dates are on our events calendar.
The courthouse square
White County was created in 1857, and Cleveland has been its seat since then, according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia. The town is named for General Benjamin Cleveland. It sits at about 1,570 feet, and Mount Yonah, the granite peak that dominates the skyline, is a few minutes away; see our Mount Yonah page. Shops and restaurants fill the blocks around the courthouse.
The Chattahoochee National Forest begins at the edge of the county, and Helen's own trails and waterfalls are a short drive north.
Quick questions
Is BabyLand General Hospital free?
Yes. Admission is free. It's open 9 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 6 PM Sunday, and closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
How far is Cleveland from Helen?
About 9 miles, or 15 minutes, south on GA-75.
What is there to do in Cleveland, GA?
Walk through BabyLand General Hospital (free), take the drive-through safari at the North Georgia Wildlife Park, and wander the courthouse square. Mount Yonah is a few minutes away.
Why is it called Cleveland?
The town is named for General Benjamin Cleveland. White County was created in 1857, and Cleveland has been its seat since then.
How much is the North Georgia Wildlife Park?
The park listed 2026 admission of $38 for adults and $36 for children 3 to 11 for its October event weekend. Safari and encounter pricing varies, so check the park's website.
More to explore
Related destinations, trails and experiences nearby
Fitting Cleveland into your day
Cleveland is close enough to work either as a stop on the way to or from Atlanta or as a short half-day from Helen. It's about 9 miles south on GA-75, roughly 15 minutes without traffic.
| Stop | Allow | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BabyLand General Hospital | At least an hour | Free admission; open 9 AM to 6 PM Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM Sunday |
| Courthouse square | 30 to 60 minutes | Shops and restaurants fill the blocks around the courthouse |
| North Georgia Wildlife Park | Check the park's site | Drive-through safari and walk-through exhibits at 2912 Paradise Valley Road |
Looking for more to do while you're in White County? BabyLand General and the wildlife park guide have more detail, and Helen's own day-trip itineraries show how to combine them.
