Located in White County Georgia, Helen is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains an hour and a half northeast of Atlanta. Home of the Alpine Village, and the historic artistic dsitrict of Sautee and Nacoochee Valleys. Gold was discovered on Dukes Creek in the Nacoochee Valley in 1828. The Great Georgia Gold Rush belt ran from Dahlonega on the west and Nacoochee-Helen Valley on the east. Thousands of miners migrated into the valley and found thousands of pounds of gold. In 1869, business owners and local carpenters began renovations to many buildings and added cobblestone walking paths. Faces of buildings were painted with scenes of Bavaria and North Georgia, to mirror the early settlers.


Things to Do:


Downtown Helen offers a variety of unique shops to browse, tubing down the Chattahoochee River, Black Bear Dinner Theater, Remembering Elvis, Helen Water Park, and much more...







Raven Cliff Falls
A very scenic path that follows along Dodd's Creek to the 50 feet falls.  Along the way to Raven Cliff Falls you will see several other smaller falls.
2.5 mile hike one way
Moderate Difficulty
From Downtown Helen:  Head North on Hwy 17/75 for approx. 2 miles.  Turn left onto Hwy 356 and proceed approx. 2 miles to Hwy 348 also known as Richard Russell Scenic Highway.  Turn right and proceed approx. 2 miles to FS Rd on the left.  Proceed to parking area.
Note: You will pass Duke's Creek Falls on the way to Raven Cliff, which is also a nice falls.



Anna Ruby Falls
A unique double falls.  One falling 150 feet and the other 50 feet. 
A paved 0.4 mile walk one way
Easy/Moderate Difficulty
From Downtown Helen:  Head North on Hwy 17/75 for approx. 1 mile and turn right onto Hwy 356.  Proceed approx. a mile and a 1/2 to FS 242 on the left.  Follow FS 242 for approx 3.5 miles to the visitors center.  There is a nominal per car parking fee.






Horse Trough Falls
A 75 Feet Falls/Cascade
0.4 Mile hike one way, Easy Flat Path
From Downtown Helen:  Proceed North on Hwy 17/75 for approx. 9.5 miles.  Turn left onto FS44 and proceed approx. 5 miles to FS 44F on the right.  There is a campgound here.  Follow the signs around to the trailhead.
 




Chatahoochee River
GREAT river to go tubing down,it's cool and relaxing. Pick a warm sunny day and try it for yourself.


Calendar of Events:

3/27/2010 - 21st Annual Trout Tournament
Location: Register at the Festhalle in Helen, GA. Chatahoochee River
Costs: Entry Fee of $15.00
Contact: Call 706-878-1619 for more information on this tournament.
3/27/2010 - 22nd Annual Magical Easter "Eggstravaganza"     
Location: Babyland General Hospital Cleveland,GA
When: Saturday March 27th  fron 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Description: Events throughout the day include a: DJ, music, dancing, local artists, food, games, moon walk, bungee jump, rock climbing wall. Prices vary according on what you wan to do.The 18,000 Easter Egg Hunt and the Arts & Crafts show will take place on the grounds of Babyland General Hospital. An Old fashion Easter Parade will begin at 12 Noon in downtown Cleveland, GA. 
Contact: White County Chamber 706-865-5356

5/1/2010 - Wurstfest
Location: Helen Marketplatz and Helen Festhalle  in Helen,GA
When: Marketplatz from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM and Festhalle from 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM 
Description: At the Helen Marketplatz the local resturants will be featuring their wurst specials for the day as well as lots of other activites. At the Festhalle there will bePolka music and dancing . There also is events such as a sausage stuffing contest and there is a sausage eating contest you can compete in if you feel up to the challenge. 
Contact: White County Chamber of Commerce 706-878-1619 for more information.

5/15/2010 - Armed Forces Day "A Tribute to Service"
Location: White County Courthouse parking lot
When: Sayurday May 15th  from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Description:  Themed event in honor of our Armed Forces, Dedication of the Freedom Virgil Monument, Tribute to Heros Parade, Arts and crafts on the Square,and The Sgt. Jason Harkins Memorial Motorcycle Run.
Conatct:  White County Chamber of Commerce 706-878-1619 for more information.

6/3/2010 - 6/5/2010 - Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race
Location: Downtown Helen, GA
When: Thurday June 3rd through Saturday June 5th
Description: The hot air balloon race will begin (weather permitting) with a mass ascension of 30 bright and colorful hot air balloons, in North Georgia's Alpine Village - Helen. Race competitors and local flyers will take to the sky at 7 am on 6/4/10. If the weather conditions are too windy or storms are forecast, the take off will be postponed until conditions are acceptable. While the competition to the Atlantic continues, other balloonist compete in local events beginning Thursday evening around 6 pm. Local flying events will take place also on Friday and Saturday. The balloons will fly around 7:30 am & 6pm each day (weather permitting). Balloons will only fly for around 1-2 hours. There will be many opportunities available to the public; assisting with the inflations, being a part of a chase crew, taking a tethered ride in a balloon or a champagne flight over the mountains.
Contact: For more information call 706-878-2271.

7/2/2010 - 7/4/2010 - July 4th Mountain Style
Location: Unicoi State Park , 1788 Hwy 356, Helen, GA 30545
When: Friday July 3rd through Sunday July 4th
Description: The weekend will include events such as a watermelon eatin’ seed spittin contest, sack races, music concert, hoedown, and fun for the entire family.
Contact: For more information call 800-573-9659 ext. 305.

9/9/2010 - 9/19/2010 and 9/23/2010 - 10/31/2010 - Ocktoberfest
Location: Helen Festhalle 1074 Edelweiss Strass, Helen ,GA 30545
When: Thursday September 9th - Sunday September 19th (Open Thursday through Sunday only). Then from Thursday September 23rd - Sunday October 31st  (Open Everyday).
Costs: admission Monday - Friday $7.00,Saturday $8.00, and Sunday FREE....
Description: The Helen Ocktoberfest is the longest running in theUnited States. Come for the beer, brats, and bands this Ocktoberfest  has it all. It is held at the Helen Festhalle. This place has rows of tables set up so you will be able to eat, drink, and seat back and watch all of the festivities.
Contact: White County Chamber of Commerce 706-878-1619 for more information.

9/25/2010 - Outdoor Adventure Day
Location: Unicoi State Park , 1788 Hwy 356, Helen, GA 30545
When: Saturday September 25th from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Costs: There is a $5.00 parking fee,you will need to call for any other fees
Description: Learn how to catch a trout, paddle a canoe, and shoot a shotgun. Try activities like fly tying and casting, bass fishing basics, and trout fishing in the stocked stream, archery, BB gun and skeet shooting. There will also be wildlife shows with live snakes and hawks and hayrides.
Contact: Call for more information 800-573-9659 ext. 305.

10/23/2010 - Hillbilly Hog BBQ Throwdown & 3rd Annual Fall Leaf Festival
Location: Downtown,  Cleveland, GA
When: Saturday October 23rd from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Description:Events features a  Backyard BBQ Challenge, Live Country Music, Agri-Fest & Country Market, Motorcycle Poker Run, Arts & Crafts on the Square,and a Kids Area.



Where to Stay:
This space available...contact info@blueridgemountainchamber.com for more information.

Real Estate Information:

Beverly Polito - Realtor
8873 N Main Street, PO Box 1421
Helen, GA. 30545
Business:  706-878-0021
Cell:  727-798-4486
Fax:  706-878-4021
E-mail:  beverly.polito@century21.com
www.blueridgemountainproperty.com


Favorite Area Restaurants:

Nachoochee Grill
7277 South Main Street
Helen, GA. 30545
706-878-8020
www.nacoocheegrill.com

Review:  Lots of character, good steaks, best in the area.

                                   
                     Troll Tavern
                                    Main Street Helen, GA 30545 
                           706-878-3117
Review: Something for everyone,great atmosphere,overlooking the river.