An overnight trip is sometimes all one needs to overcome the hum-drums of every day life.

We did just that last weekend by visiting the mountains of NE Georgia where we spent one night in Georgia near the Chattahoochee National Forest of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, in the little ‘Bavarian Alpine Village’ of Helen, Georgia.

Alpine Helen, is a little tourist town with the look and feel of a Southern German village, a bunch of import shops and restaurants, cabin rentals and an annual Oktoberfest. Since I grew up in Bavaria, and Nick has been there several times as well now, we weren’t too horribly impressed with the little town of Helen. We thought the town had definitely seen better days, and even on a weekend in early May it was overrun by tourist, but we still had fun and took the time for a photo-op.

As you can see in the following pictures, the north-east area of Georgia is very beautiful and picturesque. Only about 4 hours away from where we live in SC made visiting the Helen area a perfect weekend getaway to clear the mind and see some new sights.

Just outside Helen you can’t miss the famous Nacoochee Indian Mound you see in the picture below. It is one of the most photographed sites in all of Georgia. You can read about the legend of the Indian lovers from opposing tribes that are buried within the mound here.

The Anna Ruby Falls are easily accessible by car on a winding, paved road just north of Helen (there is an entrance fee of $3 for ages 16 years or older). The walking trail to the waterfalls is less than 1/2 a mile and also paved. It’s a pretty easy hike, even for families with small children as well as older adults. There is also a nice visitor information center, picnic areas and interpretive signs along the trail.

You can learn more about Anna Ruby Falls, outdoor attractions and the parks operational hours.

Find more photos from this trip on our Photo Gallery page. 

Other fun things to do in the NE Georgia area:

• Visit Babyland General Hospital – The birthplace of the Cabbage Patch Kids in Cleveland, GA.
• Rent a Cabin and spend a weekend exploring the Chattahoochee National Forest.
• Hike the Yonah Mountain hiking trail.
• Tube or raft down the Chattahoochee river.
• Check out one or more of the local vineyards and wineries.
• Have a meal in one of the German restaurants in Helen.
• Sit and relax in the King Ludwig Biergarten in Helen.
• Try your luck finding gold or precious gems.
• Go horse back riding.
• Visit one of the aerial adventure or water parks.

Have you been to the town of Helen or the NE part of Georgia or plan to visit? Leave us a comment below.