Helen, Georgia - “Georgia Alpine Village”

“Take a detour. Discover small towns and friendly faces that don’t grow along the highway.”

Khamg Kijarro Niguyen

Gruss Gott. While driving around the Georgia mountains, Joe got a hankering for an authentic German meal so we decided to head to Helen which was only just over a half an hour from where we were. Our drive to Helen was beautiful with the rolling hillside on these back country roads with wonderful views of the mountains. We saw many log homes and farms gracing the countryside and thought it must be good living out here.

As we entered Helen this Friday, the traffic was not bad even though we knew the Oktoberfest was happening and the festivities would open that night in the Festhalle starting at 7. We drove in on Georgia 75, the road that goes straight through town. We drove past all the buildings along Main Street that were decorated in the Bavarian German style, we felt like we had just gone back to southern Germany. It brought back fond memories of our time spent in Germany while Joe served in the Army and doing just what we did today; driving through the country to visit some of the small towns. They did such a great job with making Helen feel and look like a truly German town.

Walking around the town you will see a variety of stores that sell German items, novelty stores, beef jerky stores, ice cream shops, German Christmas store, clock shops, antique stores, and so much more. There are many restaurants to choose from while you are in town. This quaint town is only 2.1 square miles in size but is has much to offer. Helen offers much to do with families such as they have a couple miniature golf courses, tubing on the river, horse back riding, and they are now building an Alpine coaster ride. Since Helen is surrounded by state parks, there are many trails to be hiked and nearby waterfalls to see.

We went right to the Bodensee Restaurant on Munich Strasse for lunch. They had a great menu and the waitresses were all wearing authentic Dirndl dresses which were just beautiful. German music was playing in the background which set the mood. I ordered their chicken Schnitzel and Joe ordered the Jager Schnitzel covered with mushrooms and gravy and spatzle on the side. The food was fantastic and good size portions. Joe ordered a German beer and I ordered a German Chardonnay to go with lunch. We were stuffed though and had no room for their most amazing looking desserts. That was too bad as their apple strudel looked heavenly.

After lunch, we walked around the town and enjoyed seeing all the fall decorations that were up on the street lights and buildings. They keep this town so clean and festive. The town was starting to fill up with tourist coming in to go the Festhalle that evening.

This town is located along the Chattahoochee River and was home to the Cherokee Indians many moons ago. Then it became a logging town and as it was going through a decline, the residents had a meeting about how to make this town into a destination. They brilliantly decided to make this sleepy town into a Bavarian masterpiece. It was mandated in 1969, that from that point on the town was zoned that all buildings had to have a southern German style to them even to include the Huddle House that is located on Main Street. The population of this town is only 542 residents as of 2016. This town is thriving now so that decision years ago was a smart one.

This year is the 48^th annual Oktoberfest which brings in the crowds. They have a huge Festhalle and they have authentic German music, dancing, and food. It is set up just as it would in in Germany for the Oktoberfest. The Oktoberfest in Helen is open during September, October, and November and that is when Helen is bursting at it seams. It is a great time to go to get the full feel of the town. It a great place to celebrate with friends and family and enjoy a good German beer. Prost! If you have been to Germany before it will make you long to go back.

Why not head to the mountains today. You will not be sorry. Enjoy. Alles Gute.