What better way to kick off the start of your summer than with a relaxing getaway to a lush mountain paradise? Many in Georgia would agree with you, in fact Atlanta residents have long had a number of secret getaways hidden in the North Georgia Mountains. Of them, Helen, Georgia may be one of the most unique and least heard of towns in the country. Originally Cherokee Indian territory , and now home to the Alpine Village tourist destination, Helen combines genuine historical charm with many modern amenities and a theme styled getaway. Just down the road from Helen, on the Dahlonega Gold Belt is the town of Dahlonega itself, which boasts a rich gold mining history and has now become not only a popular tourist destination, but is growing into a town rich with the arts and offers numerous entertainment possibilities for families, children and adults.
Though nestled in the scenic North Georgia Mountains, ninety minutes north of the Atlanta perimeter, one of Helen’s most enduring qualities is the Bavarian feel of the decor and store fronts. Created to mirror an Alpine village, complete with stylized murals, niche shopping and Bavarian food and music, a weekend in Helen is like a weekend in the Alps, for a fraction of the cost. However, the Bavarian feel of the town has not completely consumed or destroyed the native history of the place. Originally Cherokee Indian territory, the Helen area and Unicoi Valley still bear traces of those long lost inhabitants and preserves pieces of that history , including the Sautee Nacoochee Mound for the enjoyment of tourists. Somehow, the town’s organizers are able to offer a great deal of family fun , or the ultimate romantic mountain getaway while still preserving the earthy mountain feel of the place. Lodging in Helen is made simple with nine commercial hotels, including a Hampton Inn, a Rodeway Inn, a Ramada and the Alpine Crest Resort, all situated near the downtown area for convenience. Several bed and breakfasts in the area offer more quiet mountain settings, such as Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn located next to Mandala Wellness Retreat and Spa. Both facilities have a gorgeous mountain top location with views on all sides of nothing but National Forests.
For the kids , and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages Helen offers tubing, kayaking, guided hikes, and two parks. Anna Ruby Falls park includes a paved hiking trail that leads to the top of the falls for a spectacular view of the falls which rests inside 1600 acres of protected forest on the side off Trey Mountain. Unicoi State park boasts 100 lodge rooms and , over 80 campsites, plus squirrel’s nests and other shelters and amenities for park visitors.
For the grown ups Helen also offers a number of entertainment possibilities, from the Elvis show at the quaint Remember When theater on Saturday nights, to the Edelweiss German Inn’s authentic Bavarian cuisine and the many pubs that line th e streets there is something for everyone~including golf club resort amenities at the Innsbruck Golf Course just outside the city.
At a mere ninety minutes north of the Atlanta Metro area and thirty minutes from the town of Dahlonega, Helen is a treasure hidden in the mountains. If a relaxing mountain vacation, a romantic weekend or just a family getaway is on your itinerary , then Helen Georgia should be on your list of places to check out!
