During a road trip through the north Georgia mountains, I began hearing whispers of the Alpine Village. People told me it was a place I must visit, and they gave me tips about where to eat and things to do. But even with all the information I collected, I was wholly unprepared for the majesty of the town.
The city’s leaders rebranded the town decades ago when industries and jobs fled the mountains. After seeing the possibility from a local artist, the town adopted a strategy to transform Helen into a Bavarian-style village.
And they spared no expense.
Gorgeous Bavarian architecture, German drinks and foods, and eclectic shops flawlessly combine to make Helen a gorgeous and exciting place to visit. I found many things to do with my trip. Now, browse this collection of my favorite travel photos of Helen – the Alpine Village of Georgia.


Welcome to Helen, Georgia. All the businesses feature Bavarian-style architecture like what you see here. But it’s more than just the architecture – there are many pedestrian-only alleyways just like what you’d find in Germany.



The Chattahoochee River cuts through the town. Many restaurants took advantage of this natural feature and included outdoor seating along the river or large picture windows to enjoy the view from inside.




Murals and artwork adorn the walls throughout Helen. It’s an added touch that makes the town feel more authentic and much less like a tourist trap.





All of my meals in Helen consisted of Weiner schnitzel. I love this meal made of thinly pounded veal coated in breading and fried until crispy.

I was surprised to find miniature golf courses in Helen. It’s not a common attraction in mountain destinations or Bavarian villages.




Two of the putt putt courses featured mountain themes, but the last had a pirate theme! Buried treasures and scary corridors.


Tubing on the Chattahoochee is a common summer activity. There was a great place to watch the tubers bouncing along the turbulent water through town.


Nearby Unicoi State Park offered a more relaxing outdoor activity – paddleboarding and pedal boats on the artificial lake.



Anna Ruby Falls is one of the most stunning waterfalls in Georgia. It’s about a twenty-minute hike to the waterfall in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.




One of the neatest places to stay in Helen was at Unicoi State Park in one of the Barrel Cabins. This unique cabins were clustered in a small area near the lake and offered a quirky place to spend a few nights.