An alpine coaster with a hand brake. A half-mile trail to twin waterfalls. A drive-through safari where zebras walk up to the car. A river you float straight through the middle of town. Helen packs far more variety than the storefronts on Main Street first suggest.
Ninety minutes from Atlanta and ringed by the Chattahoochee National Forest, Helen became famous after local leaders transformed a former logging town into a Bavarian alpine village in the late 1960s. This guide covers the attractions worth building a trip around, organized by what your group actually wants to do: thrill rides, the river, wildlife and family stops, waterfalls and hiking, and the downtown village itself.
Thrill Rides and the Georgia Mountain Coaster
The Georgia Mountain Coaster is the state’s first alpine coaster, built into the hillside just off Main Street. Riders control their own speed with a manual brake, so one cart can go full throttle while the next takes it slow through the trees. It’s a mile of track, walkable from downtown, and works for a solo thrill-seeker or a parent riding with a younger kid in the same cart, reaching speeds up to 28 miles per hour.
It’s a short ride — only a few minutes — so plan on riding twice. The second run is usually discounted, and most people want a second lap once they understand how the brake works.
Floating the Chattahoochee River
Tubing is the attraction most associated with Helen, and for good reason. Cool River Tubing and Helen Tubing have run trips down the Chattahoochee for more than three decades, with routes ranging from a short hour-long float to a longer 2.5-hour trip. Tubes, shuttle transportation, and life jackets are included, and the route runs straight through downtown, so you’re floating past the same shops and riverfront you walked earlier in the day.
This is a warm-weather attraction, best from Memorial Day through early fall. Both companies offer changing rooms, showers, picnic areas, and parking.
Ziplining and Outdoor Adventures
Nacoochee Outdoor Adventures sits just outside town and runs one of the longest zip lines in the country, along with challenge courses, a giant swing, and a guided tour through an 1800s gold mine on the same property. The Moonshine Canopy Tour is the entry-level option, a series of zip lines that start low and build up. The Big Zip Intimidator is nearly half a mile long and runs with a view of Yonah Mountain.
Nearby, Unicoi State Park offers 1,050 acres of hiking trails, mountain biking, canoe rentals, and a swimming beach. A lodge and cabins make it a solid base for anyone wanting to stay close to the trails.
Wildlife and Family Stops
The North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park in nearby Cleveland runs both a drive-through safari and a walk-through petting farm, with several hundred animals across the property. Kids can hand-feed goats in the petting area, then stay in the car for the safari drive where animals approach the windows. It’s a half-day stop, especially if your group wants to do both sections.
Also in Cleveland, BabyLand General Hospital is the birthplace of the original Cabbage Patch Kids. Admission is free, and the self-guided tour includes a live “birth” ceremony for a new doll — nostalgic for the parents as much as fun for the kids.
Waterfalls and Hiking Trails
Anna Ruby Falls features two waterfalls where Curtis Creek and York Creek meet, reached by a paved, stroller-friendly trail under a half mile long — one of the most accessible waterfalls in the north Georgia mountains. Unicoi State Park, just two miles from downtown, is the access point for the falls and has its own set of trails around Unicoi Lake, along with mountain biking and canoe rentals.
Adventure Acres — Cleveland, GA
Thirteen private acres about 25 minutes from downtown Helen. Blue Creek runs through the property, with private trails leading to it, and a custom treehouse with an eight-foot slide and climbing wall gives kids their own world between day trips.
Check AvailabilityDowntown Helen: German Food, Shopping, and Village Charm
The downtown shopping district is the part of Helen most people picture: Bavarian-style storefronts, cobblestone-style walkways, and more than 200 specialty shops selling everything from pottery to cuckoo clocks. It’s a great place to wander for a couple of hours, especially paired with a meal on the riverfront.
Helen is known for its German food. Bodensee Restaurant serves spaetzle, goulash, and wursts paired with local German beers and wines. Other favorites include King Ludwig’s Biergarten for giant pretzels and beer, Cafe International for a Reuben with a river view, and Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Cafe for German and Czech cooking. For a sweet stop, Betty’s Country Store is filled with baked goods, local wines, and gifts, and Hofer’s Bakery is known for its German pastries and breakfast.
Special Events and Festivals
Helen hosts events year-round, with Oktoberfest the most famous — running September through October with traditional attire, polka music, German food and drink, and a parade. Other notable events include the Helen Art and Wine Festival in May, the Helen Christmas Parade in December, the Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race in summer, and the Winterfest Art Tour in October.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Helen from Atlanta?
About ninety minutes by car, which makes it an easy weekend trip or even a long day out.
When is the best time to go tubing?
Memorial Day through early fall. Tubing is a warm-weather activity, and both outfitters typically run from late spring into the first stretch of autumn.
Is Helen a good destination for kids?
Yes — between the alpine coaster, the wildlife safari, BabyLand General Hospital, and the stroller-friendly trail to Anna Ruby Falls, there’s plenty that works for younger travelers.
What’s the closest place to stay outside the crowds?
Adventure Acres sits on 13 private acres in Cleveland, about 25 minutes from downtown — close to the attractions but quiet enough to retreat to at the end of the day.