A little bit of Germany can be found in the heart of North Georgia and it is especially magical at Christmas.
German food, arts and crafts and music can be found in Helen year-round but it is at Christmas time that visitors will find a Christmas market, thousands of sparking lights and other special events to celebrate the holiday.
Just a short drive from Banks and Jackson counties, Helen makes for a great day-trip or weekend get-away. If you have more time, plan a longer stay and enjoy all that is offered in the area or take time to just relax and unwind while enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
On a recent family get-away to Helen, we fit in several attractions in the downtown area, as well as trying some wonderful food and shopping.
You can’t go to Helen without trying some German food and the Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant, located in downtown, is a wonderful choice. For dinner our first night, I had bratwurst and Hungarian sausage, served with sauerkraut and red cabbage. It was amazing. For those who prefer American fare, shrimp and steak are among the options offered.
For a great breakfast or lunch spot, go to Hofer’s Bakery, also located on the main street in downtown Helen. We had lunch and I had the best Reuben sandwich I’ve ever had. It had just enough sauce and sauerkraut to not over power the corned beef and Swiss cheese. Hofer’s also has some amazing pastries that you can check out on your way in to the dining room. We bought a few to snack on later and were so glad that we did. They also offer fresh bread and other snacks from Germany.
Our last night in town, we had some great pizza and salads at Nacoochee Village Tavern and Pizzeria. It’s a fun spot to watch the game on a large screen TV while enjoying some wonderful pizza. I also really liked the house garlic dressing on the side salad.
CHRISTMAS FUN
Helen is dressed up for the holidays with festive trees, wreaths, Christmas scenes and thousands of lights. We enjoyed walking and driving through town after dark to check out all of the holiday scenes. Christkindlmarkt, a traditional Christmas market, was in downtown this past weekend and it will also be back next weekend (from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1-2). Lots of unique gift ideas and arts and crafts can be found in the booths that line main street where visitors can shop in a holiday atmosphere.
For even more Christmas cheer, drive up the road to Unicoi Lodge to see the Festival of Trees inside the resort. There is no charge to check out the displays but there is a silent auction in place and you can put in a bid to take one of the trees or wreath home with you. This event is hosted by the White County Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau to raise money for United Way of White County.
AREA ATTRACTIONS
There are lots of family attractions in Helen that adults and children alike will delight in, including the following that we enjoyed checking out during out visit:
•Black Forest Bear Park is where to go to get a close up look at some beautiful Black Bears, Syrian Grizzly Bears, Asian Bears and Cinnamon Bears. You can buy some sliced apples and feed them. A reptile house is adjacent to the bear area.
•Charlemagne’s Kingdom Railroad offers a three-dimensional display depicting the culture and scenery of Germany. Located on two levels, the display covers over 2,400 square feet with moving trains and balloonists. The amazing collection was put together and displayed by Willi and Judi Lindhorst.
•Alpine Helen Mini Golf is all decked all for the holidays with Christmas trees and scenes. It’s always a fun stop while in Helen and it’s even more fun to visit during the holidays so that you can enjoy the festive decorations. An ice cream parlor is beside of the mini golf.
•Alpine Carriage Company offers buggy rides in downtown. We enjoyed our leisurely ride through town with our driver Liz and Nelly, the horse. Blankets are in the carriage so that you can be cozy for your journey. Liz offered information and tips for visitors.
WHERE TO STAY
Best Western Riverpark Inn and Conference Center, located at 8220 South Main Street, is a great place to make your headquarters during your stay. It’s conveniently located to all of the area attractions and is within walking distance of town. The rooms are large with really comfortable beds and comforters. A free breakfast is served in the festively decorated lobby each morning. Cookies are offered at the front desk throughout the day.
To start planning your visit to Helen, check out the website at www.HelenGa.org. Once you’re in town, also be sure to stop by the Helen Visitors Center to get brochures, tips and maps on the area.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers. She can be reached at AngieEditor@aol.com.
