Near Unicoi State Park, and just outside of Helen, lies the breathtaking Anna Ruby Falls. Nestled in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, this stunning waterfall is located at the end of an easy hike – perfect for families with small children. Just make sure to wear good hiking shoes when you visit – sometimes the path can be slippery!

If you’re traveling with friends and family with visual impairments, try The Lion’s Eye Trail, which is equipped with Braille signs and other features to help all guests experience the beauty and joy of a visit to the falls. While the main trail is an easy walk, visitors looking for a hiking challenge can try the 4.6 mile Smith Creek Trail. This trail connects Anna Ruby Falls to Unicoi State Park to experience both attractions in one day.

The falls are created by two separate waterfalls from Curtis Creek and York Creek that join at the base of the waterfall to form Smith Creek, which flows into nearby Unicoi Lake. Named for an early settler to the area, Anna Ruby Nichols, the area is packed with lots of wildlife, while the falls keep things cooler on hot summer days. A visit to Anna Ruby Falls definitely is one of the best things to do in Helen!

Address: 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd.Helen, GA 30545

No trip to Helen is complete without a tubing trip down the Chattahoochee River, a favorite pastime for tourists! Shoot the ‘Hooch for a relaxing float down a leisurely stretch of the river on hot summer days. Tubing season usually starts around Memorial Day weekend and lasts through the summer to Labor Day weekend.

Choose from a variety of floating options, with trips lasting anywhere from one to two and a half hours. Check out Cool River Tubing to plan your tubing adventure and rent your equipment. Their tubing packages include a tube, a shuttle to and from the river entrance and exit points, life jackets, tie straps, and a key-saver service.

Children ages 3 and up are welcome to float, and all child-sized tubes come with a bottom to prevent spills into the water. Cool off in the water and see Helen from a different perspective as you float down the mighty Chattahoochee.

Address: 1978 Island Ford Parkway, Sandy Springs, GA 30350

An absolute must for adrenaline junkies, the hair-raising Georgia Mountain Coaster sees you shoot down the steep slopes of the mountain at an incredible speed. As you twist and turn your way about its tracks, you pass through lots of lovely, lush woods, and enjoy fine views of the surrounding hills and tiny town below.

Only opened in 2019, it has quickly become one of Helen’s top tourist attractions with many people instantly buying another ticket once they arrive at the bottom. Unlike traditional roller coasters, only one or two passengers ride in each cart and the driver controls the speed. While the coaster’s max speed is only 25 mph, it feels much faster as you weave your way about its steep and winding route.

Address: 8409 S Main St, Helen, GA 30545

Opened in 1876, Nora Mill Granary is a gristmill that is still in operation today. Sitting right alongside the northern stretch of the Chattahoochee River, Nora Mill Granary produces grits, cornmeal, pancake and waffle mixes, flours, biscuit and bread mixes, and pioneer’s porridge. This is the perfect stop for the cook or baker in your group!

The mill was built when John Martin decided to make the area his home, after traveling through it to mine for gold. In the early 1900s, Georgia governor Dr. Lamartine G. Hardman bought the mill and named it in memory of his beloved sister. Nora Mill remained in the Hardman family until retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Ron Fain began milling at the site in the late 1990s. Today, Nora Mill Granary is run by third and fourth-generation members of the Fain family, making specialties for visitors to stop in and enjoy.

With a rich history in the area, and a lovely country store and gift shop featuring items you won’t find anywhere else, Nora Mill Granary is a must-see, one of the favorite things to do in Helen Georgia.

Address: 7101 South main street, Helen, GA 30545

Take some time to savor the delights of wines produced at one of Georgia’s oldest and largest wineries, Habersham Winery & Vineyards. Serving delicious wines since 1983, Habersham Winery welcomes adult visitors to visit their tasting room and shop to discover their favorite locally made wine.

Habersham produces a wide variety of wines, with the Habersham and Creekstone labels being the most popular. Both sets of wines are produced with vinifera, a common European grape, and French-American grapes. The Southern Harvest label wines celebrate the Southern Muscadine grape, which is the featured ingredient to enhance the wine’s local flavor.

Habersham’s shop includes a wide variety of cheeses and gourmet foods to accompany your selected wines, making this the perfect place to stock up for an afternoon picnic. Visiting in the spring? Check out their WineFest event, which is the ultimate celebration of Georgia wine. Wineries from all over the state attend to showcase their best bottles, alongside tasty foods and lively music. An unforgettable experience, and one of the best places to visit in Helen Georgia!

Address: 7025 South Main Street, Helen, GA 30545

For a family-fun day to beat the heat, the Helen Water Park is the place to be! With slides, pools, and tubing adventures, the Helen Water is one of the most kid-friendly attractions in Helen and is a must-do in the summer months.

The largest attraction in Helen, the Water Park offers four slides and a big, winding lazy river to float down. Children must be over 42″ tall to ride the slides, but smaller kids can enjoy other areas of the park, like the playground, which is just for them. Concession stands are available to provide food and drinks to guests, so you can make a day of your time in the water!

You can also go tubing from the Helen Water Park, with a variety of tube options and a shuttle to and from the park. These tube tours last two and a half hours, so be prepared for some time on the river. Don’t miss out on this water fun adventure on your trip to Helen!

Address: 222 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen GA 30545

The Hardman Farm State Historic Site displays many historical ties to Helen’s history and is a must-do for history-loving visitors to the area. The home was built in 1870 by Captain James Nichols and is an example of Italianate architecture. Captain Nichols was the father of Anna Ruby Nichols, namesake of Anna Ruby Falls, and here visitors can view her bedroom and belongings exactly as she kept them in her lifetime.

The site is most famous as the location of the Sautee Nacoochee Indian Mound, which was used as a burial site by the indigenous peoples of the area, probably long before the Cherokee tribe settled here. Since its construction, the home has gone through many owners, the most notable being Dr. Lamartine Hardman, former governor of Georgia (and former owner of the Nora Mill Granary) before the home was passed to the state of Georgia in 1999.

When you visit, take a guided tour of the site for all the local tidbits on the home and the area. Guests are also treated to a walk on the Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail. Leashed pets are welcome on the trail and in areas outside the house, but are not permitted to come into the buildings.

Address: 143 GA-17, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571

For another kid-friendly hiking option in Helen, Duke’s Creek Falls Trail is a great choice. The Dukes Creek Trail hikes a moderate 2 miles out and back through a beautiful, mountain stream-filled forest in Georgia just north of Helen. The trail descends alongside a shallow, mossy stream, hiking to several large, cascading waterfalls that tumble at the convergence of Davis Creek and Dukes Creek. At the falls, several large wooden viewing platforms offer stunning views of the main attraction overhead: the exceptionally dramatic, multi-tiered, 150-foot-tall drop of Dukes Creek Falls. With multiple waterfalls to see along this way, this two-mile roundtrip hike is perfect for guests looking for a quick jaunt in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

When you arrive at the platform to view the falls, get ready for some drama! Duke’s Creek Falls offers an outstanding view, the multi-level cascade of water – a display of some of Mother Nature’s most exceptional beauty. The first segment of the trail is paved, which offers a stroller and accessibility-friendly ways to experience this hike.

Camping is not offered along this trail, so it’s truly the best spot for a light walk in the woods. Spend a little time, but get a big payoff when you reach the falls – a win for a quick trip to Helen!

Address: 1699 Richard Russell Hwy, Helen GA 30545

Smithgall Woods State Park offers many unique outdoor activities that you won’t find anywhere else near Helen. Hunting is a popular pastime at Smithgall Woods, so if you’re looking to participate check their schedule to see what you can hunt at the time of your visit.

Fishing is the primary attraction on visits to Smithgall Woods. Duke’s Creek is one of the area’s premier trout streams, but fishing is only permitted on certain days. Make sure to call ahead for information and to reserve your spot for a quality fishing experience.

Guests can stay at Smithgall Woods in one of six beautiful cottages scattered throughout the park. Take advantage of The Laurel Ridge Trail, which is open year-round, for some of the most majestic hiking views in Helen. Other favored activities on a visit to Smithgall Woods include archery, birdwatching, biking, geocaching, and more. You won’t run out of things to do and see when you visit this beautiful state park!

Address: 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen, GA 30545

If you’re on the hunt for more time on the water than tubing will allow, check out Wildwood Outfitters for the perfect river adventure. Make the memories of a lifetime with your family and friends as you kayak or canoe down the Chattahoochee River.

Wildwood Outfitters offers a variety of trips for different experience levels and ages. Children as young as age five can enjoy a trip down the river in some packages, while other sections of the river are more challenging and should be left to older paddlers. Rental rates at Wildwood Outfitters include your boat of choice, shuttle to and from the entrance and exit points on the river, life jackets, paddles, and helmets.

This is a popular attraction in Helen, so it’s best to make a reservation in advance to ensure your spot. Dogs are also permitted to take part in your ride down the river – just make sure they’re comfortable with water and boats before departing!

Address: 26 Megan Dr, Cleveland, GA 30528