50 State Lines

Being from Charleston, we have easily visited and truly enjoyed Savannah. It is not a far drive for us and it’s similar to our hometown but unique in itself. We’ve also had a great trip to Atlanta as part of our Civil Rights Southern Road Trip. However, with this post I am choosing to highlight the town of Helen, GA. It’s unlike anywhere else I’ve been, and our kids had a ball there.

Located about two hours north of Atlanta, Helen was reinvented in the 1960s when local business owners decided to give the struggling logging town a facelift. Inspired by alpine villages in Germany and Switzerland, they transformed downtown into a Bavarian wonderland. We visited in March, and we strolled through candy shops with fresh fudge, tasted bratwursts at a biergarten, and listened to live polka music. I’d be remiss to not mention the authentic German eats like schnitzel, pretzels, and strudel. Even my German-born husband approved.

Helen is European flair with a Southern twist. Cheaper than a trip to Europe, and almost as much fun!

Helen is, of course, famous for its Oktoberfest, when each fall the Festhalle comes alive with traditional music, dancing, hearty food, and endless steins of beer. (Note that Oktoberfest events usually happen mostly in September!) But Spring and Summer bring tubing trips down the Chattahoochee, and winter transforms Helen into a storybook holiday town with twinkling lights and festive markets.

If you’re not in town during a festival, check out these other adventures:

Anna Ruby Falls – a twin waterfall just a short hike from town
Unicoi State Park – perfect for hiking, ziplining, and paddleboarding
Dukes Creek Falls – a scenic trail leading to one of the area’s most impressive cascades
Wine Country – North Georgia’s wine region is nearby, with vineyards offering tastings and mountain views

But wait, it gets even QUIRKIER! Do you remember Cabbage Patch Dolls? The doll factory is near, and you can visit. BabyLand General Hospital is open to guests Monday through Saturday.

At the heart of the experience is the “birth” of a Cabbage Patch Kid. Visitors gather around a large, leafy cabbage patch where a licensed “patch nurse” oversees the delivery of a new doll. The process is theatrical and engaging, with the nurse announcing the arrival of the baby, who is then presented to the audience with a birth certificate and adoption papers. It’s absolutely weird, but for us 80s kids, it is a fun blast from the past. Admission is free and it’s located at 300 NOK Drive, Cleveland, GA.

Where to Stay

You’ll find tons of mountain-view Airbnbs, charming bed-and-breakfasts, and rustic lodges all around Helen. We booked a great cabin for the four of us through Georgia Mountain Rentals. They offer a wide selection of mountain cabins with hot tubs on private decks and cabins with sweeping mountain views and budget-friendly choices as well.