One of North Georgia's most popular tourist destinations is the Alpine Village of Helen. Although the Bavarian façade of the town is relatively new, the history of the area is long and diverse.
The ancient Mississippians who inhabited these lands gave way to the Cherokee Nation, who settled these rich valleys in the sixteenth century. There are still burial mounds visible in the region. However, European settlers desired the fertile farmlands of the mountain valleys and eventually removed the Cherokees. The local economy became one of agriculture and timber harvesting.
As the timber was depleted, landowners in the Nacoochee Valley area sought an industry to replace logging and supplement agriculture.
The quaint Alpine village style of modern Helen was conceived in the 1960's as a way of drawing tourists to the area. Since that time, Helen has remained a North Georgia center for shopping, dining, relaxing, hiking and family-style entertainment.
You can spend hour after hour in it's quaint and unique shops. Or you can enjoy a Bavarian style feast of Bratwurst and sauerkraut. A horse-drawn carriage rides through town could top off a great meal. And best of all, it's less than a two hour ride from Atlanta! Helen can be very busy at certain times of the year, particularly during Oktoberfest.
Helen is just slightly over a one hour drive from downtown Atlanta, but is worlds apart. If you are planning a visit to the Atlanta area, be sure to add Helen to
Photos courtesy of Richard Weisser and North Georgia Photos
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Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor |
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All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required. Visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. North Georgia Photos.
Oh my word-- what a lovely place to get lost in. Thank you so much for sharing this, Richard. I've added it to my vacation things-to-see-and-do list for August! We will be passing through on our way to FL. Cool!
Richard,
This is the first I have ever heard of Helen, what a quaint area a real must see. How close to the Tn. line?
Thank you sir.
Don R.
A swiss village in Georgia? Who knew? We have numerous villages like that up here...They are quite the attraction.
Carolyn...
It's a fun place, and not expensive at all! If you get a chance to go by, I know you will enjoy the side trip. Thanks.
Don...
Actually, it's closer to North Carolina ... about 50 miles South of the state line. It's an interesting destination, the Chattahoochee River flows through town and it has a great feel to it. My friend owns some vacation properties there so we have spent many a weekend! Thank you.
Clint...
Been around since I've been in GA (1973) and a place I take out of state guests, although it is TWO hours from Newnan! But what's a two hour drive to a man from Montana? Thanks as always.
Richard -- I used to drive 2 hours to go grocery shopping...LOL!
Richard, so it's up around the mountains and the Gatlinburg/Cherokee, NC area?
Richard, I was just reading the part about "Or you can enjoy a Bavarian style feast of Bratwurst and sauerkraut." to my husband. We are hungry now! Nice localism post!
Clint...
I believe it! There's a lot of territory to cover in Montana!
Don...
Hmmm More due south of Murphy North Caroline .... in the Blairsville region!
Lori...
Thanks, as I mentioned, I have a friend who owns vacation rentals in the area so I know it well, and the sausages are GREAT!
Richard,
My mother and sister (who live in the Atlanta area) spend time in Helen every year and rave about it....thanks for sharing...
Helen is such a cool area to visit! We went up there last year for a day trip...I loved it!
Julie...
You need to get up there ... not all the world is sand and beaches! lol
Jeremy...
You REALLY get around! Glad that you enjoyed your visit!
Richard - brats, kraut and Oktoberfest. I might just have to give Helen a try this year.