An hour and a half north of Atlanta in the Blue Ridge Mountains Alpine Helen and White County has two personalities. Families are drawn to the fairytale Alpine village on a tubing river with shops and intown entertainment and accommodations. Serious and amateur outdoor lovers rave about the hiking, mountain biking, tubing, fly fishing, zip lining and more to be found just minutes away in “Georgia’s Official Outdoor Adventure Destination.” Visit two rustic, upscale state parks, mountain bike, zipline, hike a section of the Appalachian trail and work up a sweat while having fun.
In Helen, stroll amid cobblestone pathways and colorful gingerbread-laced buildings through a lively downtown with one-of-a-kind shopping and dining. Attractions for kids and teens include the Georgia Mountain Coaster and Alpine Speedway slot car racing. Bavarian Mountain Mini Golf & Arcade offers two 18-hole courses and an arcade for pinball, bowling, pool and more. Legends of infamous pirates come to life at Pirate’s Cove in an award-winning theme park setting. Putt through caves, over footbridges and under waterfalls. Enjoy the beautiful gardens and landscape at Alpine Mini Golf Village and stop for an ice cream treat afterward at Scoop De Scoop adjacent to the course.
Adventure courses, climbing walls, ziplines and floating the river are all part of the outdoor offerings at Cool River Adventures, while Helen Waterpark and Tubing is the iconic in-town experience. North Georgia Zoo & Farm is home to more than 300 otters, kangaroos, wolves, zebras, camels and more, a petting zoo and Safari Drive-Thru. Pan for gold at Dukes Creek Gold & Ruby Mines in nearby Sautee Nacoochee and the Outpost Gold & Gem Panning. For a Cabbage Patch Kids experience, head over to the colorful and whimsical Babyland General Hospital to witness a magical birth and adopt a Cabbage Patch baby.
Helen has plenty of family dining options, and the tempting aromas waft through the town. Along with familiar American and other food favorites, taste authentic German/Bavarian flavors from schnitzel, pretzels and sausages to bakery favorites and craft brews. Visit the dining section of the website for choices. The local shops of Alpine Helen offer authentic souvenirs to take back home. Local confections and wines, as well as Amish-crafted furniture and arts/crafts, make for great gifts, too. In-town accommodations are colorful and cozy and range from cabins on the river to Bavarian-themed inns and hotels.
Head outdoors. White County surrounds the entertaining town of Helen with protected national forests, designated wilderness areas, state park lands, rivers, scenic highways, roads and trails and provides all the ways to enjoy them. It’s easy to design an active, cabin-in-the-woods mountain getaway, with room to wander and heart-stopping views.
Smithgall Woods State Park was a noted conservationist’s luxurious fishing and hunting retreat. This less-traveled state property offers big rewards for its size. Hikers and bicyclists can explore five miles of trails and 18 miles of roads. Among the hidden gems are the Cathy Ellis/Chunanee Falls Trail which reveals a waterfall on a tumbling stretch of Dukes Creek. Dukes Creek is a top North Georgia trout stream, and is a favorite for catch-and-release fishing (via reservations). Overnight guests may fish year-round during their stay in high-end “cottages” with décor and amenities rarely found in a state or national park. 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen Georgia 30545 (On Georgia Highway 75 Alt. between Cleveland and Helen); 706-878-3087 or 800-318-5248.
The largest state park in White County is Unicoi State Park and Lodge, situated on 1,063 acres adjacent to the Chattahoochee National Forest. Trails lead to Smith Lake and, next door, to one of the most spectacular and popular waterfalls in North Georgia. Within Unicoi, Adventure Lodges of Georgia manages the accommodations and offers nearly every outdoor activity possible, from an ADA-accessible interpretive trail and guided nature hikes to heart-pounding ziplining and Olympic-level mountain biking. Try 3D archery or fly fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding and more. With a tavern, on-site dining, 100 hotel-style rooms, 29 fully furnished cabins, 51 RV sites and 82 tent campsites, including primitive camping platforms, it’s a popular retreat any time of the year. Book ahead for a stay in the unique midcentury-retro Barrel Cabins. Leashed dogs are welcome; check the website or call for details. 1788 Highway 356, Helen, Georgia 30545; 706-878-2201.
Next to Unicoi State Park, visitors flock to the legendary twin waterfalls known as Anna Ruby Falls in the Chattahoochee National Forest. From the site’s parking lot a .4-mile, ADA-accessible paved trail leads to two viewing decks, with benches along the way. With hand rails and braille signs, the Lion’s Eye Trail runs along Smith Creek and is designed to provide visually or physically challenged individuals an opportunity to enjoy the creek and learn about the environment. Avid hikers take the 4.6-mile trail which connects the base of Anna Ruby Falls to Unicoi State Park. More falls can be found at the Alpine Helen-White County website’s waterfall guide.
For more on where to stay, eat, and experience the charm of Bavaria in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, visit: www.HelenGA.org
