If you are looking for a unique place to visit during this Holiday Season, we highly recommend spending time in Helen, Georgia!
Checking in at the campground
We spotted Sasquatch at Unicoi State Park Campground
Holiday Season in Helen Georgia
Helen GA is celebrating 100 years this year – 2023
Helen is a picturesque mountain town in northeastern Georgia. And since it was only about a three hour drive from Brian and Eve’s home, we decided it was the perfect time for us to visit. Brian had told us during our visit, that he and Eve had reservations for a long Christmas weekend in Helen at Unicoi State Park. So we immediately made a reservation for a couple of nights as our next stop on our way to New Orleans.
This is what many of the building look like. I ❤️ the railings!!!
Helen is well known for its vineyards and Bavarian-style buildings. And with Unicoi State Park so close to downtown it was the perfect place to stay. Not only does the park have a gorgeous lake and lots of campsites with full hookups, they also have cabins, yurts, primitive campsites and a lodge with 2 restaurants. There are trails that run through the Chattahoochee National Forest (part of Unicoi SP) to the Anna Ruby and Raven Cliff waterfalls. In nearby Smithgall Woods State Park, there is Dukes Creek which is known for awesome trout fishing.
History of Helen GA
Beautiful lake by Unicoi State Park
The town of Helen was platted in 1912 and incorporated in 1913. It began as a logging town but when that industry waned, the city reinvented itself by becoming a replica of a Bavarian alpine town, in the Appalachians instead of the Alps.
Where do these steps lead?
The Valley was named “Helen”, after the daughter of the railroad surveyor. The lumber company, which had been located in the center of Helen on the Chattahoochee River, continued sawmill operations until 1931. They shipped lumber to Europe and the United States until all timber was cut. Settlers left for opportunities in other places.
So why does Helen GA have a German theme
In 1968 a group of local businessmen wanted to make the town more appealing to tourists. It was John Kollock’s vision which was inspired by having been stationed in Bavaria during World War II. With Helen’s mountain landscape in mind, he drew up a set of sketches for an alpine-inspired town, which dressed up the rows of concrete buildings in the town.
Feeling the chill as the sun sets on Main Street
The transformation created for the best little German town in America with a population of only 543 people!
More lights along Main Street
When we visited a couple of weeks ago, Helen was already decked out for the Christmas holiday season. The entire town looked like a scene from a snow globe, minus the snow.
An evening stroll on Main Street
Alpine Helen Main Street
After settling in at our campsite, we decided to take a stroll along Main Street for a little retail therapy. We found a charming souvenir shop with awesome magnets to add to our collection. And, of course, we just HAD TO go into the candy shop for some luscious Dark Chocolate Salted Caramels! Don’t get me started on the Christmas lights. This tiny town was lit up in every color of the rainbow. Holiday lights were everywhere. It was just fabulous!!!
Smith Creek Tavern at Unicoi Lodge
Inside Unicoi Lodge just outside of Smith Creek Tavern
But we were getting quite hungry. So we headed back to Unicoi State Park’s Lodge to have dinner at the Smith Creek Tavern. The Unicoi Lodge was exactly what you picture a mountain lodge to be. Soaring ceilings and lots of wood gave it the perfect ambience.
Our dinner
Steve’s “Heidel” Burger
Steve ordered the “Heidel” Burger, a double smash burger with muenster cheese and peppered bacon, topped with hand-dipped onion rings and drizzled with smoky BBQ sauce,. All of that was served between two slices of grilled sourdough bread and accompanied by perfect French Fries.
My Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese
I opted for the Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese because I LOVE pimento cheese. This extremely yummy sandwich had everything a Southerner could want. Tart fried green tomatoes, lots of house made pimento cheese and apple-wood smoked bacon between two slices of sourdough. The sandwich was grilled to make the pimento cheese creamy and luscious. And my dinner also came with those same perfect fries. Lots of them!
Holiday Season store window in Helen Georgia
The only problem with our meals was that both sandwiches were unbelievably filling. Neither of us could finish more than half of our meals. The great thing was that we had dinner for the next night!!!
An awesome place to spend the holiday season in Helen Georgia
Holiday lights at a park along Main Street in Helen GA
If you’ve ever imagined a quaint mountain town as the backdrop of your Christmas celebration, Helen, Georgia, is your place. Nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains, Alpine Helen is a German-inspired small town that comes alive during the holiday season.
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