Nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains alongside the Chattahoochee River is Helen, Georgia, a town brimming with distinctive attractions deeply entrenched in tradition.
destinations in our latest issue.
By Elizabeth Bonner
Helen holds a rich heritage rooted in history and culture—including a Cherokee Indian village, a Gold Rush hot spot, and a lumber mill mecca—a distinction that put the town on the map in 1913. Helen is characterized by Germanic inspiration, offering a passport-free Bavarian experience blended with a welcoming Southern culture.
In the late 1960s, Helen’s identity hit a bit of a lull, and local artist John Kollock was commissioned to reimagine the town with some sketches. John’s creative inspiration came from time spent in the military in Germany. His artwork served as the basis for the town’s remodel into a replica of an alpine village complete with red-roofed-and-turret-topped structures seated upon cobblestone streets—all of which remain today. Taking a trip to Helen is like stepping back into a quaint Bavarian village in Old-World Germany.
Helen is an authentic small town—named for the daughter of a railroad executive who brought the area its first line. The residential population of little more than 500 swells to accommodate the visitors that fill its 2.1 square miles every year to make it the third-most-visited city in Georgia. Keep reading to find out why people are flocking to Helen for its shopping, culinary scene, and breathtaking sights.
Shop
Many of the town’s 200 specialty and import shops are family owned and operated, often over multiple generations. One-of-a-kind products are evocative of a cozy existence among the mountains. Though stocked with a mixture of antique treasures and modern-day amenities, these shops have a distinctly old-fashioned feel. Porches and rocking chairs greet guests at most storefronts.
Village Peddler doubles as a women’s clothing boutique and a cabin décor shop, and The Willows Pottery produces handmade, alpine-inspired stoneware.
Visit Lindenhaus Imports for an assortment of unique finds from around the world, and stop by Nacoochee Antique Mall for similar hidden treasures.
Savor
Helen’s culinary scene is marked by genuine German influences, such as Bodensee Restaurant’s owner and chef, who spent decades cooking in Germany before coming to Georgia, and the Hofer family, who opened Hofer’s of Helen bakery and café after moving from Germany in the ’50s.
Still, some favorites are simply inspired by the country, like Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen, while others uphold their Georgia roots, such as Habersham Winery.
Stay & Sightsee
Of course, Helen’s unadulterated natural beauty can’t be ignored. Visit Unicoi State Park and experience 1,050 acres of verdant foliage intermingling with autumn hues of yellow, orange, and red while hiking, biking, swimming, boating, or fishing. Anna Ruby Falls, a 150-foot waterfall in the Chattahoochee National Forest, is another frequented favorite.
Finally, the captivating views of the Chattahoochee from the balconies of The Helendorf River Inn offer the ideal backdrop for sitting back and unwinding while watching November’s leaves change.
SaveSave