Helen With Teens: Adventure They'll Actually Like

Teens in Helen get what most family towns don't offer: things they can steer, race or climb on their own. Tubing the Chattahoochee (locals call it "shooting the 'Hooch") and hiking Mount Yonah are the two bookends, one a lazy float with friends, the other a real workout. In between you've got a coaster, ziplines and go-karts.

The Alpine look can seem like a gimmick at first. Helen was remade in that style starting around 1969, and behind the storefronts are plenty of things to do. Check the Helen Welcome Center or our events calendar for seasonal events.

Oktoberfest runs September 10 to November 1 in 2026 and works fine for teens on weekdays and Sundays. Sunday admission is free, and kids 6 to 12 pay $5 Monday to Thursday. The Saturday evening crowd skews toward adults, and every adult is ID-checked at the door. Details are on the Oktoberfest page.

The Georgia Mountain Coaster

On a regular roller coaster you just hang on. On the Georgia Mountain Coaster, you drive. Riders control their own speed on the way down through the forest, so a teen can go fast or coast. It's on S Main Street within walking distance of downtown; call 706-878-1347 with questions.

To drive solo, riders need to be at least 54 inches tall and able to work the manual controls. Smaller riders can ride as passengers if they're at least 38 inches and 3 years old. Loose items like bags and drinks stay behind, and the ride is off-limits to pregnant riders and people with heart conditions or back and spine injuries. Hours and prices are in the table above.

Shooting the 'Hooch: river tubing

Tubing is the classic Helen group activity: social, wet and easy to do with a pack of friends. Cool River Tubing offers a short trip of 1 to 1.5 hours and a long trip of 2 to 2.5 hours, with the shuttle included in the ticket. Helen Tubing is the other outfitter, with free parking at its North Office on Highway 75 and a shuttle back to your car. Personal tubes aren't allowed in its lots.

Outfitters reopen around Memorial Day weekend, so this is a summer plan. Check the outfitter's site for current dates and water levels. Our tubing guide has more.

Ziplines and aerial courses

Nacoochee Adventures at 7019 S Main St runs ziplines, an adventure tower challenge course and a giant swing, and it's open Friday through Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM (or call 706-878-9477 to reserve). Book ahead for weekends. Unicoi State Park has its own zipline operation too, and Cool River Adventures offers ziplines and climbing courses near the coaster.

Go-karts, laser tag and escape rooms

When it rains or the group needs a break from the sun, Helen Fun Factory at 115 Escowee Dr has adult go-karts at $25 a race, laser tag at $20 a person and an arcade that takes cash only. Call 706-943-3840. Escape rooms are another good rainy-day pick for a teen group: the Helen CVB lists MindEscapes and The Lost Room on its family fun page, so confirm hours and age rules with them before you go. Alpine Slot Cars on S Main Street runs slot-car racing; check its site for current hours.

For teens who want bragging rights, Mount Yonah is the climb: a steep trail to a bare granite summit of about 3,170 feet with long views across the Nacoochee Valley. It's a moderate-to-strenuous hike, so bring water and start early. Read the trail page for the route and current access before you go.

Teens travel on their stomachs. Muller's Famous Fried Cheese Cafe on Chattahoochee Strasse is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and early dinner, and the Helen CVB's dining list covers pizza, Mexican, barbecue, a candy kitchen and more. For a family-wide plan, see the family vacation guide.