A Romantic Valentine's Day in Helen
Dinner, wine and a winter walk in the mountains, planned around Valentine's weekend 2027
Valentine's in Helen, in short
Valentine's weekend calendar
| Date | Event | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Feb 6 | Fasching costume party, Helen Festhalle | 6-11 PM | Entrance fee to be announced | Live music, dancing, costume prizes; a fun date if you like dressing up |
| Wed, Feb 10 | Ash Wednesday | n/a | n/a | Fasching season ends |
| Feb 12-14 | Valentine's dinner with music at Valhalla Resort | Over the weekend | Check with the resort | Reservations required; 688 Bahn Innsbruck, 706-878-2200 |
| Sat-Sun, Feb 13-14 | WinterFest Arts Tour | 10 AM-5 PM both days | Free | About 175 artists at the Helen Arts & Heritage Center, the Sautee Nacoochee Center, Hardman Farm and Unicoi's Fireside show |
| Sun, Feb 14 | Valentine's Day | n/a | n/a | Unicoi Lodge's dinner (a four-course menu at $65 per person in 2026) has not posted 2027 details |
More on the arts tour and Fasching: our Fasching guide and the events calendar.
Where to have dinner
Call before you go; Valentine's menus are usually posted in January
| Place | Style | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul's on the River | Steakhouse over the Chattahoochee | 8537 South Main Street | Ask for a window table; call about Valentine's specials |
| Bodensee Restaurant | German | 64 Munich Strasse, 706-878-1026 | Its website says it isn't taking reservations right now, so go early or call |
| Unicoi Restaurant | Lodge dining room, third floor | 1788 Highway 356, 706-878-2201 | Held a chef-crafted Valentine's dinner in 2026; 2027 plans to be announced |
| Valhalla Resort | Resort dinner with music | 688 Bahn Innsbruck, 706-878-2200 | Feb 12-14, 2027; reservations required |
| Harvest Habersham | Farm-to-table, a few miles from Helen | Highway 17, Sautee Nacoochee | Check its site for hours and menu |
For more German restaurants, see our German restaurants guide.
Wine for two
Habersham Winery at 7025 South Main Street is an easy stop before or after dinner. It's been making Georgia wines since 1983. Tastings end 30 minutes before closing, and you can call 706-878-9463 with questions. Tasting room hours are below.
| Day | Tasting room hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 11 AM-7 PM |
| Friday and Saturday | 11 AM-8 PM |
| Sunday | 12:30-7 PM |
For something grander, Yonah Mountain Vineyards near Cleveland holds tastings and dinners in its wine cave. Its events page runs only through December 2026 right now, so check back for Valentine's events. Its Christmas Cave Dinner, for example, is on December 19.
A winter walk
Anna Ruby Falls is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM (last ticket 5 PM) and costs $6 for ages 16 and up. The paved trail is 0.4 mile each way, with steep stretches, and ends at twin falls. It's about 20 minutes from downtown. Winter weekdays are the quiet time to go.
Hardman Farm in Sautee Nacoochee has a gazebo-topped Indian mound, a historic mansion and trails on the old Unicoi Turnpike. Winter hours differ from summer, so check the park page, and remember that it's one stop on the WinterFest Arts Tour.
Where to stay
Unicoi State Park & Lodge, about 10 minutes from town, has lodge rooms and cabins, and Valhalla Resort is another place to stay for its dinner weekend. For cabins, see our romantic getaway guide and romantic cabin picks. Book by early January.
Frequently asked questions
What day is Valentine's Day 2027?
Sunday, February 14, 2027. The busiest dinner night is likely Saturday, February 13, which is also the first day of the WinterFest Arts Tour.
Do I need reservations in Helen on Valentine's weekend?
For Valhalla's dinner, yes. For other restaurants, call ahead. Bodensee's website says it isn't accepting reservations at this time, so plan to arrive early.
What is there to do besides dinner?
Walk to Anna Ruby Falls (paved 0.4-mile trail, $6 ages 16 and up), taste wine at Habersham Winery, or browse the free WinterFest Arts Tour on February 13-14.
