Helen

Helen is a town in White County, Georgia, US, fully designed in Bavarian style, with timber facades and bell towers. The buildings line the Chattahoochee River and create a cohesive alpine village scene within the Appalachian foothills.

In the 1960s, local business owners decided to transform the declining logging town into a Bavarian village to boost tourism. The makeover began in 1969 and converted the entire downtown within a few years.

The town's restaurants serve German dishes such as schnitzel and bratwurst, while bakeries offer pretzels and strudel. The annual Oktoberfest draws visitors who sample German beer under large tents and listen to traditional music.

The Chattahoochee River runs through the center and offers tubing and fishing opportunities during summer months. Hiking trails in nearby Unicoi State Park lead through forests and to waterfalls and are accessible year-round.

Babyland General in town houses a hospital ward where Cabbage Patch Kids dolls are hand-stitched and officially adopted. Visitors can watch the dolls being made and receive birth certificates for their new companions.

Location: White County

Inception: August 18, 1913

Website: http://cityofhelen.org

GPS coordinates: 34.70250,-83.72750

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:00