helen, ga and blue ridge
I had heard of Helen, Georgia, the little German inspired town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We decided to AirBNB a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains, near Helen, for Thanksgiving Break. I have shared some spots I recommend and some spots that were a “pass” for me.
Jumping Goat Coffee Roasters - The coffee is 4/5 but the view is 10/5. Make sure to go to the location that is a bit farther from Helen. Its five more minutes and so worth it! We spent hours outside playing frisbee and enjoying the view.
Duke’s Creek Falls - This is a short 2.3 mile hike and is great for kids! The payoff at the end is so worth it. Take the trail less traveled and veer off the path before the bridge to the waterfall. Its a bit treacherous but there is a rope hooked on a rock to help you get down to the bottom of the falls. The kids loved playing in the water and climbing around.
Jumping Goat Coffee Roasters - I don’t know if they are believers, but this cross was on the property and I just felt very close to God here. Quiet and off the beaten path. I put it on here twice for a reason! 2404 Helen Highway, Cleveland GA 30528
Downtown Helen - Maybe its because I am from St. Augustine, FL which is a beautiful old town that has VERY touristy parts, but Helen was not for me. The surrounding parts of town had some sweet spots but downtown was a 1/5 for me. Please don’t get me wrong, the little side streets were cute, but these shops were not filled with local wares. More like foreign imports and Amazon specials.
The Cabin - I am going to link the cabin we stayed in. Fellow COE22 members, which we didn’t know when we booked! The property was 8 acres and I have NEVER stayed at a place that catered to children and outdoor activity as much as this. There was every outdoor game you could think of. The kids were outside the entire time, which made up for the pretty rustic interior of the space. Book here.
Unicoi State Park - There is a great hike around the lake that I highly recommend. It has some up and down, but it very easy. It is not stroller friendly!
Old Sautee Store - This general store is a historical landmark and I enjoyed shopping around and talking to the adorable women who worked there. I bought several pairs of the “World’s Comfiest Socks” and so far, they haven’t been proved wrong. 5/5 on the general store scale.
Nora Mill Granary - I cannot communicate how much I adored this store. I spent close to an hour picking out grains that were being milled right there in the house. This is a working grain mill that was established in 1876. Let’s just say I spent more money here than any other place on my trip. They even had samples, yum! Please take a visit to this granary if you are anywhere near Helen.
