Folks with traveling pets can rest easy knowing that Helen offers many options for their furry friends from restaurants to parks and trails, even lodging and special events
ALPINE HELEN-WHITE COUNTY, GEORGIA–SEPTEMBER 2020–The Bavarian town of Alpine Helen-White County, about an hour and a half north of Atlanta, celebrated 50 years in 2019 as Georgia’s Alpine Bavarian Village and this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of Oktoberfest. Folks that know the area well, also know that there are plenty of other reasons to continue the celebration including Oktoberfest, the coming holiday season and the offering of many dog-friendly options for travelers looking to bring Fido along.
Lodging
No matter where you choose to roam, you always need a place to lay your head and Helen has some accommodating lodging partners that welcome pets for overnight stays. Choose from hotels, motels or cabins and enjoy having your four-legged companion on a vacation with you.
A few local motels/hotels that welcome pets and are among familiar properties you’ll recognize include America’s Best Value Inn, Red Roof Inn and Econo Lodge. Helen also has some local flagships that are pet-friendly such as Helendorf River Inn and the upscale, adults-only Valhalla Resort Hotel.
Many travelers find cabins to be a better choice for their family, including pets who are tagging along. Helen offers many options that speak to this point and amenities are different depending on the property itself. Check out Adventure Lodge-Unicoi State Park for rustic, modern cabins with great views, outdoor amenities and close proximity to popular Anna Ruby Falls. Other available cabins include Alpine Helen Mountain Rentals, Bear Creek Lodge & Cabins, Georgia Mountain Rentals and many more.
For a full listing of pet-friendly properties, visit the Alpine Helen-White County website.
Restaurants
Sometimes it’s harder to find places to eat that allow pets than accommodations who do. Not in Helen! Café International is right in the middle of everything on Main Street overlooking the river. With a fabulous menu chock-full of entrée choices (hamburgers, salads, humus, seafood, etc.), this restaurant allows dogs to dine at the outside picnic tables in the parking area.
Don’t miss Cowboys and Angels where yummy burgers and delicious steaks are the mainstays. They aim to please and offer a friendly atmosphere where dogs are welcome on the patio.
Other restaurants that are pet-friendly include Cimmi’s Café (a local favorite breakfast spot for hearty portions of Southern comfort foods–think pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and the like), Mully’s Nacoochee Grill (creative culinary masterpieces with great twists on old favorites like Shrimp and Grits and Prime Rib) and Hofer’s Bakery & Café (German-inspired pastries and foods like Hähnchen Schnitzel and Hungarian Goulasch).
In search of a dog-friendly brewery and taproom? Wander over to NoFo Cleveland in nearby Cleveland, where the hops are locally grown and processed in a 30-barrel system for a variety of beers. Look for sour ales, pales ales, saison and Berlineer Weisse on the weekends from Thursday-Sunday.
For a full listing of local pet-friendly restaurants, visit the Alpine Helen-White County website. Also, please keep in mind, most venues listed will allow pets only in their outside or patio areas as specified on this listing.
Parks and Trails
Enjoy room to roam with trails and parks that are pet-friendly in the Alpine Helen-White County region. Unicoi State Park is a great place to start as it is a 1,050-acre State Park just north-northeast of Helen. Centered around 53-acre Unicoi Lake on Smith Creek, Unicoi State Park is within the Chattahoochee National Forest and offers beautiful trails leading to popular attraction points such as Anna Ruby Falls where you’ll hear the thundering rush of the waterfalls well before you see them. Bring your fishing pole and join others at Unicoi State Park for outdoor fun on the water or try your hand at archery, zip lining and other pastimes.
The Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail is a one-mile ADA accessible trail following the Chattahoochee River from Hardman Farm State Historic Site to Helen. Bring your pet along for this easy walk, including scenic stops and a little exercise at your own pace.
Also, hike the wooden Raven Cliff Falls Trail with a lovely stream, waterfalls and amazing views. The jury is out on whether the pets or the people love it most!
Smithgall Woods State Park is another Helen retreat continuing to gain popularity with anglers, picnickers and those in search of pet-friendly trails. (Note: pets must be on a leash under six feet.) Enjoy 28 miles of trails with resting stops along the way. The Park is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. until sunset.
Special Events and Activities
Cool River Tubing is a catalyst for those looking for lazy days tubing down the Chattahoochee River. What most folks don’t know is that pets are welcome to tube with their owners for no additional fee. Now there’s a real tip!
Many events in Helen are held outdoors so the setting for pets is more accommodating. Check out the Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race and Festival and the annual Christmas Parade for more details. If you have additional questions about dog-friendly Helen, please feel free to visit www.HelenGa.org for details, along with information about lodging, shopping and much more.