Food scene
Great lunch spot! Best wings in town, hands down! Personally I really enjoy the garlic Parmesan and hot mixed!
No reservations so be sure to get their early (opens at 11).
Great sandwiches, wraps, salads, German fare and other great options await.
Ps- their Ruben is out of this world!
32 locals recommend
The Troll Tavern
8590 N Main StGreat lunch spot! Best wings in town, hands down! Personally I really enjoy the garlic Parmesan and hot mixed!
No reservations so be sure to get their early (opens at 11).
Great sandwiches, wraps, salads, German fare and other great options await.
Ps- their Ruben is out of this world!
Great bar atmosphere with good food and several TVs!
81 locals recommend
Bigg Daddys Restaurant & Tavern
807 Edelweiss StrasseGreat bar atmosphere with good food and several TVs!
Best steak dinner in helen! Everyone knows this so the wait times can be long, call ahead if possible.
56 locals recommend
Cowboys & Angels Restaurant
60 Chattahoochee StrasseBest steak dinner in helen! Everyone knows this so the wait times can be long, call ahead if possible.
Amazing souther breakfast, cafeteria style. Best biscuits in town! Locally owned!
7 locals recommend
Dottie's Kitchen
8287 South Main StreetAmazing souther breakfast, cafeteria style. Best biscuits in town! Locally owned!
Locals love this place! Great steakhouse with exceptional food. Definitely check this place out if you want to venture outside of helen!
57 locals recommend
Clyde's Tavern and Grill
5 E Jarrard StLocals love this place! Great steakhouse with exceptional food. Definitely check this place out if you want to venture outside of helen!
Sightseeing
Anna Ruby Falls
Anna Ruby Falls RoadEasy, paved hike. Just over 1 mile.
Easy hike. Trail follows the creek for about 2 miles. In the summer you can swim in the pool formed by the waterfall. (Water is freezing cold)
82 locals recommend
Raven Cliffs Falls Trail
3000 Richard B Russell Scenic HwyEasy hike. Trail follows the creek for about 2 miles. In the summer you can swim in the pool formed by the waterfall. (Water is freezing cold)
More difficult of a hike 2.5 miles. Views are some of the best in the are at the summit. There is a sheer drop off cliff at the top so be sure to be aware and careful! Great spot to hang out or relax!
44 locals recommend
Mount Yonah Trailhead
Georgia 75More difficult of a hike 2.5 miles. Views are some of the best in the are at the summit. There is a sheer drop off cliff at the top so be sure to be aware and careful! Great spot to hang out or relax!
Medium level hike with panoramic views of the rolling hills. Located about 35 minutes away this hike comes highly recommended!
86 locals recommend
Blood Mountain Overlook
Appalachian National Scenic TrailMedium level hike with panoramic views of the rolling hills. Located about 35 minutes away this hike comes highly recommended!
Very unique, old school peanut stand located about a mile and a half from our rental space. Treats, jams, jelly’s, peanuts, cider, arts and crafts and other cool stuff await!
Their hours are not consistent in the wintertime but are open most weekends!
7 locals recommend
Fred's Famous Peanuts
17 Clayton RdVery unique, old school peanut stand located about a mile and a half from our rental space. Treats, jams, jelly’s, peanuts, cider, arts and crafts and other cool stuff await!
Their hours are not consistent in the wintertime but are open most weekends!
This trail is a few hundred yards from our unit. Walks along the river following the old railroad tracks. There is local history information along the trail. Also any amazing view of Nora Mill dam can be seen.
This trail is the easiest one in the area. Trail is paved with a parking lot.
15 locals recommend
Hardman Farm Heritage Trail
This trail is a few hundred yards from our unit. Walks along the river following the old railroad tracks. There is local history information along the trail. Also any amazing view of Nora Mill dam can be seen.
This trail is the easiest one in the area. Trail is paved with a parking lot.
I hope you aren’t afraid of heights, this hidden gem is located at the top of bell mountain in Hiawassee. Parking lot is at the top of the mountain, just be sure your brakes are working well before Visiting, road is very steep in spots!
138 locals recommend
Bell Mountain
220 Shake Rag RdI hope you aren’t afraid of heights, this hidden gem is located at the top of bell mountain in Hiawassee. Parking lot is at the top of the mountain, just be sure your brakes are working well before Visiting, road is very steep in spots!
Neighborhoods
German themed, small town, Under 700 residents but one of the leading tourist destination in the state! Worlds longes running Oktoberfest sept-nov.
2021 America’s #1 Christmas city.
Great trails and waterfalls nearby
500 locals recommend
Helen
German themed, small town, Under 700 residents but one of the leading tourist destination in the state! Worlds longes running Oktoberfest sept-nov.
2021 America’s #1 Christmas city.
Great trails and waterfalls nearby
College town with a lot of history. Location of America’s first gold rush back in the 1800s.
199 locals recommend
Dahlonega
College town with a lot of history. Location of America’s first gold rush back in the 1800s.
Cleveland
Home of baby land general hospital.
Home of the Georgia mountain fair! Bell mountain park is nearby which is one of my favorite places around!
57 locals recommend
Hiawassee
Home of the Georgia mountain fair! Bell mountain park is nearby which is one of my favorite places around!
Traveler advice
Getting around
Parking in helen
Parking can sometimes be impossible in downtown helen, I recommend either getting to town early, walking, or paying to park. (There is free parking available near big daddy’s and the hayloft which are close to downtown)
Ways to save
Bring your 32oz beer mugs with you!
All of the bars and restaurants in town offer a discounted “refill cost” for the 32oz mug! If you drink a lot of beer, like I do, it can save you a few bucks.
Traveling with kids
Helen train ride and mountain coaster
On the weekends, the small train (trolly) takes passengers all through the town. It’s marketed towards children and I always see smiles coming from the people riding the train. The mountain coaster is another attraction I would highly recommend, lines can sometimes be long but worth the wait!
Don't miss
Tubing on the river
During the warm months, tubing is open on the river running through Helen. It’s a great experience to bring the kids and enjoy the day outside. The tubing headquarters are located just down the hill from our space and can be easily walked to.