Overview
Helen is a tourist town that is a re-creation of an alpine village. It is located in Georgia's Northeast High Country.
7 sights · 14 things to do · 21 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Helen
Anna Ruby Falls
A waterfall located in the Chattahoochee National Forest. A trail to the waterfall is also provided for the visually impaired.
Babyland General Hospital - Cabbage Patch Kids
Where Cabbage Patch Kids are "born". Located in the neighboring Town of Cleveland.
Charlemagne's Kingdom
An Alpine Model Railroad.
Nora Mill Granary & Country Store
A Granary Mill built in 1876 on the Chattahoochee just 2 miles south of Helen.
Sautee Nacoochee Center
A museum/nature preserve/heritage site.
Sautee Store
An old store museum that carries Scandinavian gifts.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 88°F; winter lows dip to about 31°F. Wettest: Jan and Mar. (climate data from nearby Historic High Country)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PDK DeKalb Peachtree Airport, Atlanta — 66 mi away. Directions
- TYS McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville/Maryville — 78 mi away (major hub). Directions
From Atlanta, GA Approximately 1 1/2 hrs.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Anna Ruby Falls, Nora Mill Granary & Country Store, Scarlett's Secret
- Afternoon Unicoi Outfitters, Wildwood Outfitters
Day 2
- Morning Babyland General Hospital - Cabbage Patch Kids, Sautee Nacoochee Center, Unicoi State Park
- Afternoon Horseback Riding, Helen Tubing
Day 3
- Morning Charlemagne's Kingdom, Sautee Store, Ana Ruby Falls
- Afternoon Southeastern Expeditions, Cool River Tubing
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Get in
By car
From Atlanta, GA Approximately 1 1/2 hrs.
I-85 North. Go north to Gainesville Exit 113, which is I-985 and turns into Hwy. 365. Go 42 miles continuing on Hwy. 365 to Hwy. 384. Turn left, go 16 miles to GA Hwy. 75, turn right and go three miles into Helen.
From Atlanta, Georgia via GA 400 GA 400 North. Take 400 North until it ends. Continue ahead on GA Hwy. 115. Go 5 miles to the traffic light. Turn right on to Hwy. 115. Go 13 miles to Cleveland. At traffic light, turn left onto US 129 North. Go to the next traffic light and turn right on Hwy. 75 North. 9 miles to Helen.
From Chattanooga, TN Approximately 132 miles - 3 hrs.
I-75 South. Go South on I-75 to Dalton, GA. Take Hwy. 76 to Ellijay. From Ellijay continue south on Hwy. 52 to Dahlonega. At Dahlonega continue on 52/115 to Cleveland, GA. At 1st traffic light in Cleveland, turn left on Hwy. 129 North to next light and then right on GA Hwy. 75 and travel 9 miles to Helen.
From Birmingham, AL Approximately 3 1/2 hrs.
I-20 E take I-20 East to Atlanta, then I-285 by-pass north toward Chattanooga. Take GA 400 North to the end. Continue straight ahead on a county two-lane road (Long Branch Rd.) for 5 miles to a traffic light. Turn right on Hwy. 52/115 for 13 miles to Cleveland, GA. At traffic light turn left on Hwy. 129 North. At next traffic light turn right on Hwy. 75 and go 9 miles to Helen.
From Florida I-75 to I-675 to I-285 to I-85 and see above from Atlanta.
Get around
Most of downtown Helen can be seen on foot and there are several public parking lots that are convenient.
Pegasus Horse Drawn Carriages can take you throughout the city.
See
Do
Festivals and events
Buy
- Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen, 8651 N Main St. The owner of this "Candy Kitchen" knows how to make candy so well that he was asked to and did write Candy Making for Dummies.
Sleep
Motels
Stay Alpine Village Inn
Cabins
Campgrounds & RV Resorts
Go next
- The neighboring town of Cleveland where you my find Babyland General Hospital - Cabbage Patch Kids Where cabbage Patch Kids are "born".
Eat & Drink
Shop Pauls Steakhouse
- Cafe International, Main Street, +1 706 878-3102.
Shop Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant
Nearby
Blairsville
City / town · 8 listings · 18 mi away
Dahlonega
City / town · 15 listings · 19 mi away
Lake Chatuge
Rural area · 2 listings · 22 mi away
Clayton
City / town · 5 listings · 22 mi away
Toccoa
City / town · 6 listings · 25 mi away
Gainesville
City / town · 13 listings · 28 mi away
Dawsonville
City / town · 5 listings · 30 mi away
Morganton
City / town · 3 listings · 32 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.