The Perfect Weekend in Helen
A three-day itinerary for a mountain getaway
The short answer
Three days is enough to see Helen's best without rushing. The Helen Welcome Center and our events calendar list what's happening that weekend. Tweak the pace to your style, with more porch time or fewer stops.
The weekend at a glance
Times and costs in one place
| Day | When | Plan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Afternoon | Check in and settle. Walk the river path downtown. | Free |
| Friday | Evening | German dinner at Bodensee or Heidelberg, then a night walk through the lit-up village. | Restaurant prices |
| Saturday | 9 AM | Anna Ruby Falls at opening (gate opens 9 AM, last ticket 5 PM). | $6 per person 16+ |
| Saturday | Late morning | Unicoi's 2.5-mile Lake Trail, or lunch downtown. | $10 per vehicle for the park |
| Saturday | Afternoon | One or two tasting rooms: Habersham Winery in Helen, Yonah Mountain Vineyards in Cleveland. | Tasting fees vary |
| Saturday | Sunset | GA-348 pull-offs or Hogpen Gap, then dinner at Hofbrauhaus or another German restaurant. | Free |
| Sunday | Morning | Smithgall Woods' Laurel Ridge loop, or the Nacoochee Mound in the valley. | $10 per vehicle at Smithgall |
| Sunday | Before you go | Shops downtown, then Nora Mill Granary for grits and pancake mix (open 10-5 on Sunday). | Shopping |
Day 1: Arrival and downtown
Friday afternoon and evening
Check in and let the trip start. If your cabin has a deck or hot tub, use it. Then head to the river path for a first walk through the Alpine-style village. Pick up a coffee at JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters (retail store 706-219-3854) or a bit of fudge at a candy shop. See the parking guide before you drive in.
For dinner, Bodensee Restaurant serves German dishes (reservations aren't being accepted right now), and Heidelberg is another German choice. After dinner, walk the village again once the lights are on and the crowds have thinned.
Day 2: Waterfalls, wine and a sunset
Saturday
Anna Ruby Falls is the natural stop near Helen not to skip. Go right at 9 AM.
Morning. Anna Ruby Falls is about 6 miles and 20 minutes from downtown, at 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Road. The gate opens at 9 AM, and the lot fills on weekends. A paved path of about 0.4 mile each way leads to twin falls, Curtis Creek (about 153 feet) and York Creek (about 50 feet). Admission is $6 for ages 16 and up, and kids 15 and under are free. You pass through Unicoi on the way without paying Unicoi's fee. Afterward, walk the 2.5-mile Unicoi Lake Trail ($10 ParkPass per vehicle).
Afternoon. Eat lunch downtown (Hofbrauhaus, Troll Tavern and Muller's Famous Fried Cheese Cafe are all on the visitors bureau's dining list), then visit a tasting room. Habersham Winery is in Helen, and Yonah Mountain Vineyards is about 20 minutes away (706-878-5522; check hours). Our wine trail guide has more.
Evening. Drive GA-348 for ridge views, or go to Hogpen Gap, about 25 minutes from town. Come back for dinner, then end the night in the hot tub.
Day 3: A park or a mound, then home
Sunday
Smithgall Woods State Park is about 10 minutes from town. Every visitor registers at the visitor center, and the 1.6-mile Laurel Ridge loop is a good morning walk ($10 ParkPass per vehicle; the office opens at 8 AM). If you'd rather keep it easy, the Nacoochee Mound sits in the valley on the way south and makes a short stop.
Before you leave, browse the shops and stop at Nora Mill Granary, 7107 S Main St. The mill has run since 1876 and still grinds with its original stones; the store is open 10 to 5 on weekends. Grits, cornmeal and pancake mix travel well.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do Friday night in Helen?
Arrive in the afternoon, check in, and walk the river path as the village lights come on. For dinner, Bodensee and Heidelberg are German options; Bodensee isn't taking reservations right now, so go early. Keep Friday easy and save energy for Saturday.
What should I do Saturday morning in Helen?
Eat an early breakfast (Hofer's of Helen Bakery and Cafe is on the visitors bureau's dining list), then drive about 20 minutes to Anna Ruby Falls, which opens at 9 AM. The paved path is about 0.4 mile each way with a few steep sections. Tickets are $6 for ages 16 and up, and the ParkPass isn't accepted.
How do I avoid crowds during a Helen weekend?
Do outdoor stops before 10 AM or late in the day, eat lunch before 11:30 or after 2:30, and head to a winery in the Nacoochee Valley or Cleveland on Saturday afternoon instead of staying downtown. Shop Sunday morning. The parking guide has lot details.
What is worth doing versus skipping?
Don't miss Anna Ruby Falls, a walk through the village, a German meal and the river path. Unicoi State Park and GA-348 are strong second-tier picks. With kids, add the Georgia Mountain Coaster or Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland. Skip anything that doesn't fit your pace; two or three stops a day is plenty.
Where can I get breakfast on Sunday?
The visitors bureau's dining list includes Hofer's of Helen Bakery and Cafe and Muller's Famous Fried Cheese Cafe, plus other casual spots. Call for current hours, because winter and off-season schedules change.
What is the best sunset spot?
GA-348, the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway, has pull-offs with ridge views north of town, and Hogpen Gap at about 3,461 feet is the high point with parking by the Appalachian Trail crossing. Arrive 30 minutes early and bring a layer, since it's cooler up high. Brasstown Bald closes at 5 PM, so it isn't a sunset stop.
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