Young Harris

Young Harris is a small city in Towns County (1,098 people in the 2020 census) built around Young Harris College, which gave the town its name, according to Wikipedia. There's no Bavarian theme and no big crowds, just a campus, mountain views and a few places worth planning around. It sits below Brasstown Bald, so you can pair the trip with Georgia's highest point.

Artemas Lester, a circuit-riding Methodist minister, founded the school in 1886, and it was first called McTyeire Institute. A judge from Athens, Young L.G. Harris, gave enough money to keep it open, and the college and town were later named for him. A fire destroyed the main classroom building in 1911, and local people rebuilt it as Sharp Hall, as Wikipedia tells it. The campus is at 1 College Street; visit through the college.

The resort at 6321 US Highway 76 has an 18-hole Scottish links-style golf course, the Equani Spa, and stables where you can ride horses into the forests or try axe throwing and archery. Rates change by season, and the resort posts current deals on its Packages & Specials page. Call 706-379-9900 for rooms and tee times.

The family-owned winery sits about three miles north of town at 1040 Crane Creek Road, with two tasting rooms within walking distance of each other. Both are closed Mondays.

From Crane Creek Vineyards; hours can change, so check the site.

The Tennessee Valley Authority built Chatuge Dam in 1942, and the reservoir covers about 7,000 acres in Georgia and North Carolina, according to Wikipedia. It's the highest major lake in Georgia. For boating and shoreline details, read our Lake Chatuge guide and the Hiawassee guide.

The college's Rollins Planetarium also runs public shows; check the college site for dates.

The drive from Helen is about 45 minutes. Combine Young Harris with Brasstown Bald, Vogel State Park or Lake Nottely, or plan a fall loop with our fall color guide.