I have always wanted to go hiking in Northern Georgia with its lush forests, rolling mountains, and cascading waterfalls. When looking for a central location to call home for a few days, I came across a town called Helen, Georgia. This may be the cutest small town I have ever visited; I fell in love! With so many reasons to visit Helen, Georgia, you must put this charming town on your destination bucket list.
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Free Northern Georgia Itinerary
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1. Enjoy German Flair in this Bavarian Town
When I say it is a Bavarian town, I mean the entire town is Bavarian. Even the Wendy’s is in a Bavarian-styled building. The old cottage-like architecture and traditional German cuisine add to the fairytale charm of the city. Be sure to stop at the Old Bavarian Inn for the best German food in town. Have a beer at King Ludwig’s Biergarten, and snack on a pretzel at Hofer’s of Helen bakery.
2. Taste the Wine
This region of the country is not well-known for its wine production, but vineyards pepper the countryside. The wine produced here is not fine wine, but it is fun nonetheless to sample the different flavors of the area. If you are a fan of muscadines, you will love the wine from Georgia! During our stay we tried wines at Habersham Winery, Helen Wine Company, and Creekstone Winery in Helen. If you are willing to venture outside the city a bit, try the wine flight at Stonewall Creek Vineyards in Tiger, Georgia. The view is the vineyard is beautiful, and the wine brownies are to die for.
3. Hike to Waterfalls
Hiking to waterfalls was one of the main reasons to visit Helen, Georgia, and they did not disappoint. In our 3 days hiking in Northern Georgia, we trekked to waterfalls on 9 trails. And we barely scratched the surface on the available hikes in the area. The two trails that are closest to the town of Helen are Anna Ruby Falls and Duke’s Creek Falls, and these were the two most crowded trails we visited also. If you want to avoid crowded hikes, you will need to venture away from the town a bit. Read How to Spend 3 Days Hiking in Northern Georgia to see all the waterfalls we hiked to. You can also check out atlantatrails.com for trail information in the area.
4. Ride the Georgia Mountain Coaster
Get your heart racing on the Georgia Mountain Coaster. Speed down the mountain and through the woods on this alpine adventure. If you dare to ride the coaster, be prepared to open your wallets. Each ride is $15 per adult, $12 per child (ages 7-12), and $6 per child (ages 3-6). The second ride is half-priced.
5. Cool Off with Water Adventures
One of the main reasons to visit Helen, Georgia is the many water adventures offered in the summertime. If you are an extreme water adventurer, try whitewater rafting in one of the many rivers near Helen. However, if you are looking for an easier water adventure, shoot the ‘Hooch, which is Georgian for tubing on the Chattahoochie River that runs through the middle of town. You can also rent a canoe or kayak and explore one of Georgia’s lakes or rivers.
6. Traverse an Aerial Obstacle Course
At Cool River Adventures, navigate through the extensive obstacle course, soar over the Chattahoochie River with the zip line, and climb a four-lane, 24-foot rock wall. This outdoor adventure is fun for all ages!
7. Devour Southern Foods
From fried chicken to grits, one of the best reasons to visit Helen, Georgia is the Southern-style cuisine. Even though you are in a Bavarian town, do not get in a rut by only eating German food. Southern food in this region is a staple, and a must-try if you never have. On your trip, you have to try fried chicken, grits, fried catfish, and sweet tea. Yummy!
8. Experience Mild Temperatures Year Round
The summers get hot, but not too hot. And the winters get cold, but not too cold making the mild weather one of the top reasons to visit Helen, Georgia. Highs in the summer are in the upper 80s (F), and lows in the winter are in the lower 30s (F). I usually find it difficult to locate good winter hiking because generally mountain areas are too cold with too much snow to be able to walk the trails. But with the relatively mild winters, you can hike even in January.
Did I mention the beautiful fall foliage that Georgia offers? We visited in November, late in the fall foliage season, and it was still so beautiful.
9. Explore Unique Festivals
For 50 years, the Bavarian town of Helen has celebrated weeks of traditional German food, dancing, and beer with Oktoberfest, during the September and October months. The festival kicks off with a parade in downtown Helen early September. Another amazing event in Helen is the Hot Air Balloon Race held every June. The colorful balloons take to the sky for the United States’ only long distance hot air balloon race from Helen to the Atlantic Ocean.
10. Shop at Christkindlmarkt
Christkindlmarkt, or Christmas Market, is a traditional German event held in Helen each year in late November and early December. The Christmas Market takes place at the Helen Market Platz in the center of town. Take this opportunity to load up on Christmas gifts, stocking stuffers, and delicious sweet and savory foods. Also, the town is completely decked out with Christmas lights and decorations and will fill even the biggest of Scrooges with the Christmas spirit.
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How to Spend 3 Days Hiking in Northern Georgia
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