State Park / Outdoors
Unicoi State Park & Lodge
Lake, hiking, biking, fishing, paddling and outdoor recreation immediately outside Helen.
Unicoi · Approximate drive: About 6 minutes
Read the Unicoi State Park & Lodge guideYour North Georgia guide
Things to Do Near Helen, Georgia
Waterfalls, mountain trails, historic places, wineries, and the mountain town of Helen are all part of exploring North Georgia. Use our local guide to discover places to visit during your stay at Creekwood.
Ideas for your visit
Start Exploring
Not sure where to begin? These destinations offer a starting point for discovering the waterfalls, mountain scenery, local history, and small-town character of North Georgia.
History / Shopping / Food
Old Sautee Store
Historic general store atmosphere with local history, gifts and an adjacent market.
Sautee-Nacoochee · Approximate drive: About 10 minutes
Find Old Sautee Store on Google MapsArts / Culture / History
Sautee Nacoochee Center
Cultural campus with galleries, museums, theater, heritage resources, gardens, nature path and events.
Sautee-Nacoochee · Approximate drive: About 10-12 minutes
Read the Sautee Nacoochee Center guideNature / Hiking / Fishing
Smithgall Woods State Park
Conservation park with trails, birding, biking, picnicking and Dukes Creek trout fishing.
Smithgall / Russell · Approximate drive: About 13 minutes
Find Smithgall Woods State Park on Google MapsRiver / Seasonal
Cool River Tubing
Seasonal Chattahoochee tubing with float options and operator transportation.
Helen · Approximate drive: About 13-15 minutes
Find Cool River Tubing on Google MapsWinery
Creekstone Winery
A Sautee-Nacoochee winery with tasting experiences and vineyard surroundings.
Sautee-Nacoochee · Approximate drive: About 13-15 minutes
Find Creekstone Winery on Google MapsMore Places to Explore
Town / Shopping / Dining
Downtown Helen / Alpine Village
Walkable Alpine-themed downtown with restaurants, German food, shops, river scenery and seasonal events.
Helen · Approximate drive: About 12-15 minutes
Read the Helen guideHistory
Hardman Farm State Historic Site
Historic farm property with an 1870 Italianate mansion, dairy history, Unicoi Turnpike context and the Nacoochee Mound nearby.
Sautee-Nacoochee · Approximate drive: About 14 minutes
Read the Hardman Farm State Historic Site guideWaterfalls
Anna Ruby Falls
Paved uphill walk through national forest to the twin falls of Curtis and York Creeks.
Unicoi · Approximate drive: About 16 minutes
Read the Anna Ruby Falls guideWaterfalls / Hiking
Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area
A waterfall outing in the national forest. Check current trail conditions and access with the Forest Service before heading out.
Smithgall / Russell · Approximate drive: About 16 minutes
Find Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area on Google MapsScenic Drive
Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway
Mountain highway through the Chattahoochee National Forest with overlooks and access to waterfalls and trailheads.
Smithgall / Russell · Approximate drive: About 15-20 minutes to route
Find Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway on Google MapsArts / Pottery / Scenic
Mark of the Potter
Long-running North Georgia pottery destination in a historic mill on the Soque River.
Smithgall / Russell · Approximate drive: About 20-25 minutes
Find Mark of the Potter on Google MapsBrowse by interest
Find Your Kind of Day
Some ideas are close to Helen; others are longer North Georgia day trips. Drive times are approximate planning estimates from Creekwood, not live routing. Confirm travel, hours, admission, access, and activity requirements with the destination before you go.
38 destinations shown
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Smith Creek Trail
Longer forest route connecting the Unicoi area with Anna Ruby Falls.
Approximate drive: About 6 minutes to Unicoi access
Unicoi State Park & Lodge
Lake, hiking, biking, fishing, paddling and outdoor recreation immediately outside Helen.
Approximate drive: About 6 minutes
Unicoi Zipline & Aerial Adventure
Guided zipline and aerial experiences at Unicoi State Park & Lodge. Check the operator’s requirements and tour availability.
Approximate drive: About 6 minutes
Stovall Mill Covered Bridge
Small historic covered bridge over Chickamauga Creek with a simple scenic stop.
Approximate drive: About 9 minutes
Old Sautee Store
Historic general store atmosphere with local history, gifts and an adjacent market.
Approximate drive: About 10 minutes
Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia
Regional museum dedicated to Northeast Georgia folk pottery and two centuries of pottery history.
Approximate drive: About 10-12 minutes
Sautee Nacoochee Center
Cultural campus with galleries, museums, theater, heritage resources, gardens, nature path and events.
Approximate drive: About 10-12 minutes
Alpine Mini Golf
Landscaped miniature golf in Helen that works for families, couples or an easy evening activity.
Approximate drive: About 13 minutes
Georgia Mountain Coaster
Mountain coaster in downtown Helen where riders control their speed.
Approximate drive: About 12-15 minutes
Habersham Winery
Long-established Georgia winery and tasting room in Nacoochee Village.
Approximate drive: About 13 minutes
Helen Arts & Heritage Center
Local gallery and history museum with rotating exhibitions, regional artists, classes and heritage programming.
Approximate drive: About 13 minutes
Laurel Ridge Trail
A forest trail at Smithgall Woods. Consult the park’s current trail map when choosing a walk.
Approximate drive: About 13 minutes
Smithgall Woods State Park
Conservation park with trails, birding, biking, picnicking and Dukes Creek trout fishing.
Approximate drive: About 13 minutes
Wetland Loop Trail
Easy Smithgall Woods loop with wetlands, a beaver pond and boardwalk.
Approximate drive: About 13 minutes
Cool River Tubing
Seasonal Chattahoochee tubing with float options and operator transportation.
Approximate drive: About 13-15 minutes
Creekstone Winery
A Sautee-Nacoochee winery with tasting experiences and vineyard surroundings.
Approximate drive: About 13-15 minutes
Downtown Helen / Alpine Village
Walkable Alpine-themed downtown with restaurants, German food, shops, river scenery and seasonal events.
Approximate drive: About 12-15 minutes
Hardman Farm State Historic Site
Historic farm property with an 1870 Italianate mansion, dairy history, Unicoi Turnpike context and the Nacoochee Mound nearby.
Approximate drive: About 14 minutes
Helen Tubing & Waterpark
Seasonal tubing on the Chattahoochee combined with a family waterpark.
Approximate drive: About 13-15 minutes
Helen-to-Hardman Heritage Trail
A riverside walking route connecting Helen and Hardman Farm. Check the site’s current trail and access information before visiting.
Approximate drive: About 14 minutes
Valhalla Golf Club
Golf at Valhalla Resort in Helen. Contact the club for current tee times and course information.
Approximate drive: About 12-15 minutes
Nacoochee Adventures
Nacoochee Valley outdoor operator with zipline, aerial and seasonal river experiences.
Approximate drive: About 13-15 minutes
Nacoochee Indian Mound
Iconic gazebo-topped mound in the Nacoochee Valley, preserved as part of Hardman Farm.
Approximate drive: About 14 minutes
Anna Ruby Falls
Paved uphill walk through national forest to the twin falls of Curtis and York Creeks.
Approximate drive: About 16 minutes
Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area
A waterfall outing in the national forest. Check current trail conditions and access with the Forest Service before heading out.
Approximate drive: About 16 minutes
Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway
Mountain highway through the Chattahoochee National Forest with overlooks and access to waterfalls and trailheads.
Approximate drive: About 15-20 minutes to route
Uhuburg
Castle-inspired estate near Helen with murals, gardens, mountain views and scheduled visitor experiences.
Approximate drive: About 22 minutes
Mark of the Potter
Long-running North Georgia pottery destination in a historic mill on the Soque River.
Approximate drive: About 20-25 minutes
Mount Yonah Trail
Steep mountain climb to the upper reaches of iconic Yonah Mountain.
Approximate drive: About 20-25 minutes
Raven Cliff Falls
Longer forest hike following Dodd Creek through cascades toward the cliff and falls area.
Approximate drive: About 20-25 minutes
Serenity Cellars
A winery near Cleveland offering wine-tasting experiences.
Approximate drive: About 20-25 minutes
Yonah Mountain Vineyards
Estate winery at the southeastern base of Yonah Mountain with vineyard scenery and tasting experiences.
Approximate drive: About 23 minutes
BabyLand General Hospital
Cleveland home of Cabbage Patch Kids with displays, shopping and a theatrical brand experience.
Approximate drive: About 25-30 minutes
Hogpen Gap / Appalachian Trail
High-elevation Appalachian Trail road crossing and mountain-view area along the scenic highway corridor.
Approximate drive: About 25-30 minutes
Vogel State Park
Historic mountain state park with Lake Trahlyta, trails, paddling and waterfall scenery.
Approximate drive: About 40 minutes
Brasstown Bald
Georgia's highest mountain, with observation facilities and long-range Southern Appalachian views.
Approximate drive: About 40-45 minutes
Dahlonega Historic Square
Historic Gold Rush town with a walkable square, restaurants, shops and access to another major wine region.
Approximate drive: About 45 minutes
Tallulah Gorge State Park
Two-mile-long gorge with rim overlooks, waterfalls, suspension bridge access and challenging hiking.
Approximate drive: About 45 minutes
Put Your Outing on the Map
Use a destination’s Google Maps link to explore its location and plan your route. You can browse the entire directory without opening a map.
Outing ideas
Choose a Pace That Suits You
Use these as starting points, not fixed itineraries. Leave room for travel, changing conditions, and time back at Creekwood.
A Few Hours to Explore
Pick a stop such as Old Sautee Store, Stovall Mill Covered Bridge, Hardman Farm, Helen, or Anna Ruby Falls. Choose one starting point and check its visitor information rather than trying to fit them all into a short visit.
A Day on the Trails
Compare Smith Creek Trail, Dukes Creek Falls, Raven Cliff Falls, Mount Yonah Trail, and Hogpen Gap. These are separate outing ideas with different demands; choose a route and check its current conditions before leaving.
A Relaxed Afternoon
Consider Hardman Farm and the Nacoochee Village area, or look into tastings at Habersham Winery, Creekstone Winery, or Yonah Mountain Vineyards. Check the individual venue’s arrangements and plan your transportation.
When the Weather Changes
Look into the Folk Pottery Museum, Sautee Nacoochee Center, Helen Arts & Heritage Center, tastings, or local shopping. Check opening information and weather conditions; an indoor option is not a guarantee of access during severe weather.
Take a Closer Look
Our four destination guides offer a more focused starting point for planning your visit.
Helen
Shops, dining, and the Alpine-style town along the Chattahoochee.
Explore the Helen guideSautee-Nacoochee
Explore the area Creekwood calls home, with arts and local history.
Explore the Sautee-Nacoochee guideAnna Ruby Falls
Plan a visit to the twin falls, including what to check before you go.
Explore the Anna Ruby Falls guideUnicoi State Park
Explore a lake-and-trail outing and the park operator’s activity options.
Explore the Unicoi State Park guidePlan your stay
Make Creekwood Your Home Base
Spend your days discovering North Georgia, then return to Creekwood’s quieter wooded setting. Explore our cabins and RV sites to find a place to stay.