I was so looking forward to Labor Day weekend at the lake this year because it was finally the first 3-day weekend I didn’t have a wedding, but plans didn’t work out and we decided super last minute to go up to Helen, GA for a little weekend getaway. It was a fantastic decision because it really allowed me to love and appreciate the culture and activities my home state has to offer and have some down time before the school year really ramped up . Here is what we did and some tips for the weekend:
Lodging:
We stayed at the cutest last-minute AirBNB and I am so thankful we found this place. It is a true BnB as we got served the most delicious breakfast every morning by the sweetest host Frankie and her mother. We stayed in the Heidi room at the hilltop house. It is right outside the hustle and bustle of downtown but close enough to walk down to the excitement. We spent about $285 on the room for 2 people for 2 nights but we also booked it last minute and knew it we would spend less money through other activities.
Afternoon/Night Arrival:
Walk Through Downtown:
When you arrive after you check into your hotel/Airbnb take a stroll through the downtown area to see all the cute architecture and shops. Walk down South Main Street starting from Munich Street all the way Yonah Street and back. There are lots of cute little dessert places and honestly, just great people watching. Stop at King Ludwig Biergarten for a pre-dinner drink and normally live German music!
Dinner at Bodensee:
This restaurant was on my list before we got to Helen but even our AirBNB host recommended it too. It is a little on the pricier side by it really does offer some delicious traditional German food. I went for the traditional pork schnitzel which was amazing.
Day 1:
Cool River Tubing:
I’ve been to this place on multiple occasions and it is great. Highly recommend getting their right when it opens because it will get busy! If you love the river and relaxing get the $12 ticket for the all-day pass and go twice! Try and get on the first trip between 9-10 am because from experience if you try to come back later it gets way to busy. Make sure you wear water-friendly shoes like chacos or tervis but not flip-flops. Also, bring a giant walking stick to help you or you can buy one of their sticks for I believe an extra $7 but you get to keep it for life.
Wine Tasting:
Frogtown Cellars:
Just outside of Helen are the great North Georgia wineries and that is exactly where we headed! About a 25-minute drive from Helen on the most gorgeous mountain roads to make the drive go by quicker. Frogtown cellars offer a tasting for $25 for 5 wines. The views are beautiful but this is the most expensive of the wineries.
Three Sisters:
This winery had a really homey vibe to it for me minus the fact a bus of a 30-year-olds birthday party ran into me before we got in. But the wine and the company made up for it. They even have some interesting snacks that pair with the wine that I loved. Not a ton of seating area and can get a bit cramped inside when there are a lot of people there but they have a beautiful barn you can take a bottle and go sit and enjoy as well. The tasting is $17.50 for 5 wines.
Wolf Mountain:
This winery is a little bit farther away but I love the views here because their deck is super large and you can even walk down towards the vineyard and their wedding venue. The wine selection was really good and they have great little food items to order which we did since we were quite hungry by this point. The wine tasting was $20 for 5 wines.
Dinner at Big Daddy’s:
This place was a perfect American stop for us football loving people on a Saturday night. It was the first weekend of the season and this place had the classics and affordable drinks for a Saturday night. It does get quite busy so try and get there early or snag a spot at the bar which is what we did and it worked out great!
Day 2:
Ana Ruby Falls:
Just outside of Helen guiding you through Unicoi State Park is the trail for this waterfall. Unlike most parks that normally pay per car, it was per person $3 each. Something to consider if you are bringing a large group. Honestly, this waterfall was a very moderate and short hike straight uphill to a very underwhelming waterfall in my opinion. If the trail was a little bit longer I would have liked it more but I am a little bit more of an adventure, but if you are taking people who don’t hike very often or don’t like hiking this would a perfect trail for them.
Duke Creeks Falls:
An awesome recommendation from my AirBnB host this trail is a little bit outside the city but a simple and quick drive. I liked this trail a lot more than the other one because it was much longer and it actually went downhill first and the trail back was uphill. Nice long switchbacks perfect for families or dogs to bring along too. Parking is only $5 and they only take cash.
Raven Cliff Falls:
The longest of the trails near Helen but the most rewarding of the trails. Perfect for families and the busiest as we saw lots of people out and about on this trail and the beautiful waterfall at the end. Make sure you stay on the trail the whole time and don’t try and climb on the waterfall no matter how tempting it may look it is quite slippery!
Driving Tips:
In the summer and fall season, Helen gets really busy and there is only one road that goes through the main part. I discovered by day 2 a back way to come back into town if you head out towards the wineries and some of the hiking. Coming down 75A turn onto Ridge Road until it turns into Escowee Drive. Then take a left onto Hamby street and a right Unicoi Street until it dead ends when you have to take a left. That will lead you out to the main road! It’s a little windy and more local but helps you skip a lot of the backup that happens on the main road.
North Georgia is a great weekend getaway that is very low cost and not too much driving which I love! What I love best is that every time of year there is something to do. In the summer they have the tubing in the fall they have their Octoberfest and in the winter they decorate it beautifully for Christmas time. Comment below if you’ve headed there before!
