A Girls' Trip Weekend in Helen, Georgia
Wine tours with a driver, a spa afternoon, group stays and dinners on the river
The short answer
Where to stay as a group
| Stay | Where | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Valhalla Resort Hotel | 688 Bahn Innsbruck · 706-878-2200 | 25 suites plus bungalows, family townhomes and a nearby villa that sleeps up to eight. Solasta Spa, an 18-hole golf club, a pool and water slide, complimentary valet and bellhop service. |
| Castle Inn | Helen | Twelve rooms and one suite with storybook Bavarian design and a private balcony on every room. Add-ons such as local wine or cheese start around $35. |
| Helen WasserHaus | Six minutes from Unicoi State Park | A converted 1960s fire tower that sleeps up to 10, with an arcade and a hot tub. |
| Bear Creek Lodge | Five-minute walk to downtown | A treehouse 40 feet up (sleeps 5, private hot tub, overlooks a waterfall) and a 1928 log cabin on the river (sleeps 4). |
| Uhuburg Eagle Owl Castle | 571 Ridge Rd | Guest chambers in a Renaissance-style castle for guests 18 and older, two-night minimum, breakfast included. Chambers run Wednesday-Saturday through December; check uhuburg.com. |
| Cabin companies | Throughout the area | Cabin Rentals of Helen, Georgia Mountain Rentals, Georgia Vacation Rentals and Pinnacle Cabins let you search by location, bedrooms and views. Some cabins are dog-friendly. |
Details from the Valhalla Resort site and the visitors bureau's unique places to stay. Our cabin rentals and Valhalla Resort pages have more.
Wine tasting without a designated driver
VIP Southern Tours (the Georgia Wine Bus, 2279 GA-17 in Sautee Nacoochee, 706-348-8747) runs its Classic VIP tour from downtown Helen in a 12-to-16 passenger mini-bus. It rotates through three wineries from a list that includes Serenity Cellars, Yonah Mountain Vineyards, Kaya, Habersham, The Cottage, CeNita, Cavender Creek, Sylvan Valley, Stonewall Creek and Frogtown Cellars, with about an hour at each, all tastings included and a picnic meal. Groups of four or more can book a custom tour, and the company lists bachelorette packages. The visitors bureau also lists Elite Excursions & Wine Tours and North Georgia Wine Tours.
| Winery | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yonah Mountain Vineyards | 1717 Highway 255 S, Cleveland · 706-878-5522 | Eight varietals at the base of Mount Yonah, plus cave tours. Check the website for tasting hours and prices. |
| Habersham Winery | Just south of downtown Helen | Georgia wines since 1983. Open Mon-Thu 10-6, Fri-Sat 10-8, Sun 10-6 (tastings end 30 minutes before closing). Sister winery Creekstone is in the Nacoochee Valley. |
| Serenity Winery | North Georgia | A family-owned boutique winery with a Tuscan feel; known for a chocolate-infused dessert blend. |
| Kaya Vineyard and Winery | North Georgia | Mountain-view tasting room listed on the Helen wine trail. |
| CeNita Winery and The Cottage Vineyard | Cleveland area | Relaxed outdoor tasting rooms; CeNita has cornhole and hammocks. |
See Yonah Mountain Vineyards, Habersham Winery and the visitors bureau's winery guide. The Georgia Wine Highway passport event is held each March. More in our wine trail guide.
Spa day options
Solasta Spa at Valhalla Resort
Facials, Swedish and deep-tissue massage, hair services, spa pedicures and manicures, with a steam room and fitness room next door. Call 706-878-2200 to book.
Lucille's Mountain Top Inn and Spa
A bed and breakfast with gazebos, gourmet breakfasts, a nightly dessert and couples massages, set in Blue Ridge views near wine country. Ask whether non-guests can book spa services.
Solasta details from its visitors bureau listing; Lucille's from the golden getaway guide. Prices change, so ask when you book. See also spa and wellness.
Where to eat as a group
| Restaurant | Where | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Hofbrauhaus Restaurant | 9001 N Main St · 706-878-2248 | German food in a beer-hall setting. Good for a big group. |
| Paul's Steakhouse and Margarita Deck | 8537 S Main St · 706-878-2468 | Steaks and seafood, open seven days 4-10 PM, with a deck over the river that the visitors bureau calls the largest patio in town. |
| Cowboys & Angels | 60 Chattahoochee St · 706-878-3433 | Hand-cut filets, lobster tails and crab cakes. Open daily 11 AM-10 PM with free parking. |
| Caledonia Dining Room and Sky Bar | Valhalla Resort | Southern classics at the resort; Sky Bar has a rooftop patio. |
| Bodensee Restaurant | 64 Munich Strasse | German food on a plant-covered patio. No reservations at this time. |
| Hofer's of Helen | Main Street · 706-878-8200 | Breakfast and pastries for a slow morning; walk-in only and closed Tuesday and Wednesday. |
Hours from Paul's Steakhouse and the Cowboys & Angels listing. Call ahead for groups of six or more. Our parking guide helps with the lots.
More to fill the weekend
Shopping
Lindenhaus Imports for German gifts, Alpine Olive Tree for olive oil and balsamic tastings, and the Nacoochee Village Antique Mall (50-plus dealers, open seven days) are all easy stops.
Easy outdoors
The one-mile Heritage Trail is flat and paved, and Anna Ruby Falls is a short paved walk ($6 per adult).
Something playful
The Georgia Mountain Coaster ($17 per adult; second ride half price), a horse-drawn carriage ride with Pegasus (706-499-1159), or the escape rooms downtown.
Best months
Spring and fall have the best patio weather. Fall is also Oktoberfest (through November 1) and the busiest time, so book lodging early. See Helen through the seasons.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
