The alpine village offers ideal ways to slow down, relax and savor
ALPINE HELEN-WHITE COUNTY, GEORGIA–AUGUST 2026–Sneak away and enjoy slow travel in the North Georgia Mountain town of Helen. Here, only a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta, visitors may savor scenic drives with dramatic vistas, relax in cabins, condos and chalets tucked within mountain woods and alongside babbling rivers and enjoy perusing more than 150 shops and art galleries, wineries, breweries and Bavarian-style restaurants serving traditional German dishes. You can even ride through town on a horse-drawn carriage!
Relax
There’s nothing like escaping to the mountains to reduce one’s blood pressure. The quiet woods, rustling waterfalls and rivers and the sounds of morning birds and owls at dusk evoke a peace of mind not found very often. Alpine Helen offers many accommodations that inspire guests to slow down and relax, from a wide variety of cabins and beds and breakfasts to vacation rentals and full-service hotels.
Unicoi State Park, only four miles from downtown Helen, features a casual mountain lodge with breathtaking views of the Chattahoochee National Forest, rustic cabins—some that include views of the lake—and an RV site and campground. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy the park and all its amenities, plus nearby Anna Ruby Falls. Smithgall Woods is another Georgia State Park with accommodations, featuring a collection of elegant cabins perfect for retreats, romantic getaways or weddings. Some cabins face the trout stream—bring your pole!—while others contain private hot tubs.
Riverbend Motel and Cabins on the Chattahoochee River gives guests rustic river views only steps from downtown Helen while Helen’s Holiday Inn Express and Suites is ideally located within walking distance to the Festhalle, village shops, restaurants and many local attractions. For more information on Alpine Helen lodging, click here.
Naturally, since Helen is nestled within the mountains and the Chattahoochee National Forest, there are plenty of camping options as well. Make sure to stop by Betty’s Country Store before you set up camp. There’s everything you need to stock up on supplies alongside homemade and specialty items, including the largest German beer selection in Georgia.
Spas
Guests enjoy sweeping mountain views at Valhalla Resort Hotel, a resort that’s built in the style of an ancient Scottish castle. In addition to the relaxing pool, a rooftop sky bar and fine-dining restaurant is the full-service Solasta Spa. Choose from facials, Swedish and deep tissue massage, hair salon services, spa pedicures and manicures.
Outdoor adventure
Helen and the rest of White County are surrounded by mountains and forests, which means hours of outdoor fun. Visitors may enjoy hikes to waterfalls, hiking on numerous trails and more adventurous sports such as mountain hiking, zip lines, taking a ride on the state’s first and only mountain coaster and tubing the Chattahoochee River that runs straight through town. For a more relaxing outing, take a drive to where the Appalachian Trail intersects two highways in White County—Georgia Highway 75 and State Road 348. Visit nearby Yonah Mountain (only nine miles from downtown Helen) and hike the Yonah Mountain Trail to the summit to enjoy spectacular views and wildflowers in season. About 10 miles from Helen, visitors can view or hike the famous Appalachian Trail.
A Taste of Bavaria
The town of Helen originated in the 1800s when gold was discovered in the North Georgia Mountains but in the 1960s, local artist John Kirk reimagined the mountain hamlet as an alpine village. Today, visitors come to Helen for its Bavarian-style restaurants and breweries but also shopping, regional vineyards and arts and culture at the Helen Arts and Heritage Center, showcasing local artists and artisans within a building touting traditional German architecture.
For a unique dining experience, guests may choose between Weiner Schnitzel and other German favorites created by Master Chef Aurel Prodan at Bodensee Restaurant; sample “the Best Reuban Ever!” at Café International on the Chattahoochee River or savor Bavarian recipes seen on “The Food Network” at Hofer’s of Helen Bakery and Café.
If you go
Helen and White County offers a variety of accommodations, including hotels, bed and breakfasts and campgrounds.