HaleyIf you’re planning a trip to Helen this fall, there are plenty of seasonal activities to keep you entertained. Consider these top 11 things to do this fall in North Georgia.
Nestled at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Helen is the perfect place to experience the beauty of the fall season. Whether you’ve come to stay for the day, the weekend or the week, we’ve got a list of fun fall activities that are sure to make your trip to this Alpine town memorable.
Related: Where to See the Most Colorful Fall Foliage Near Helen
Get your fill of North Georgia apples, pumpkins and wine on your fall visit to Helen. And be sure to squeeze in a couple hiking adventures so you can get a first-hand glimpse of the changing fall foliage in the mountains.
Oktoberfest in Helen
- Festhalle located at 1074 Edelweiss St. in downtown Helen
- Thursday to Sunday Sept. 7-27, daily Sept. 28 to Oct. 29
- $10 Monday through Thursday, $12 on Fridays and Saturdays, Sundays are free
One of the best perks of visiting Helen during Oktoberfest is enjoying a Bavarian-style party without the jetlag. You don’t have to travel to Germany to get a taste of Bavarian traditions, such as German beer and foods, lederhosens, live music and polka dancing. Find out everything you need to know about experiencing Oktoberfest in Helen here.
Jaemor Farms Harvest Celebration
- 33 minutes from Helen
- 5340 Cornelia Hwy, Alto, GA
- Weekends in September and daily in October
- $15 for all-access pass for ages 3+
Jaemor Farms offers endless fall fun for families. Test your navigation skills with the corn maze, see the farm on a hay ride or let your kids participate in outdoor activities such as skeeball, duck races, farm slides, a pumpkin train, tricycle races, a petting zoo and apple cannons.
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival
- 37 minutes from Helen
- 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee, GA
- Oct. 8-16
- $12 and includes concerts (parking is free)
If you time your trip to Helen just right, you can head north one day to experience the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in Hiawassee. With its mild temperatures and beautiful scenery, there is no better place to be than the North Georgia mountains in the fall. This annual 9-day event features arts and craft vendors, educational demonstrations and exciting musical performances.
Skitts Mountain Farms
- 22 minutes from Helen
- 7883 Hwy 254, Cleveland, GA 30528
- Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 23 to Nov. 11
- $16.95 per person (kids 2 and under are free)
Open on weekends this fall, Skitts Mountain Farms in Cleveland, Georgia, offers fun fall activities for all ages. Experience the farm’s hayrides, corn maze and pumpkin patch before having fun on jump pillows, cow trains and huge farm slides. Plan to spend 3 to 4 hours with your kids if you have the time.
Blue Ridge Fall Arts in the Park
- 1 hour 10 minutes from Helen
- 420 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA
- Oct. 14-15
- Free
Make your way north to Blue Ridge to enjoy the city’s annual Arts in the Park Festival in the downtown city park. For 48 years, the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association has provided a unique art experience by offering more than 170 artists, exhibitors and vendors displaying a variety of fine arts and crafts, demonstrations, food and more.
Georgia Apple Festival
- 1 hour 25 minutes from Helen
- 1729 South Main Street, Ellijay, GA
- Oct. 14-15, 21-22
- Adults $10, children 12 and under are free
Georgia Apple Festival is held annually at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds in Ellijay. This year marks the festival’s 52nd year celebration. Nearly a dozen North Georgia orchards are represented at the festival, selling many varieties of apples. Expect more than 300 vendors with handmade, hand-crafted items and many on-site demonstrations, as well as a parade and antique car show.
Gold Rush Days
- Downtown Dahlonega
- Oct. 21-22
- Free
Come to Dahlonega’s Gold Rush Days to see fall leaves peaking and celebrate Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold. Walk around the public square and historic district to enjoy more than 200 art and craft exhibitors, as well as food vendors. Listen to live bluegrass and gospel music throughout the weekend—and stick around to find out who is crowned King and Queen of Gold Rush.
Burt’s Pumpkin Farm
- 1 hour from Helen
- 5 Burt’s Pumpkin Farm Road, Dawsonville, GA
- Open daily until Nov. 10
- Free admission, hayride is $6 (ages 2 and under are free)
Just an hour drive from Helen, take a half day trip to Burt’s Pumpkin Farm and stock up on every kind of pumpkin color, size and variety you could imagine. It’s also the perfect opportunity to snag that Insta-worthy pumpkin patch photo. Enjoy more than two miles of scenery on covered wagons pulled by tractors through the farm property.
Local Wineries
- Less than 25 minutes from Helen
- Tasting prices vary
The North Georgia mountains is home to dozens of scenic vineyards—and a handful of them are close to Helen. Read our list of the best wineries near Helen and spend your afternoon tasting their signature wines while soaking up the views of changing fall foliage.
Brasstown Bald
- 27 minutes from Helen
- Georgia 180 Spur, Hiawassee, GA
- Open daily
- $5 per person for ages 16+, includes entrance and shuttle
Brasstown Bald is Georgia’s highest mountain at 4,784 feet above sea level. At the top, enjoy the cloud-level observation deck with stunning 360-degree views of the Southern Appalachian Mountains and valleys. On a clear day in the fall, you can see four states and will get a spectacular view of the changing colors of the leaves. The unique circular building at the top is home to an 8,000 sq. ft. museum, featuring interactive cultural and natural history exhibits. The Brasstown Bald Summit Trail, which connects the parking area to the Visitor Center and Viewing Platform, is a very steep paved foot trail just over 1/2 mile in length. You can take a shuttle service as an alternative to walking the trail.
Anna Ruby Falls and Unicoi State Park
- 5 minutes from downtown Helen
- 1788 GA-356, Helen, GA
- Open daily
- $5 daily state park pass and $3 per person for Anna Ruby Falls (kids under 16 years old are free)
The 1,050-acre Unicoi State Park is just 2.5 miles north of downtown Helen. Hike the 2.2 mile loop around the Unicoi Lake or zipline around the park to enjoy amazing views of fall foliage. You must drive through Unicoi State Park to access Anna Ruby Falls. Reach the falls by walking the 1/2 mile paved trail to the top to two different lookout decks. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also hike the 4.6-mile Smith Creek Trail that connects the base of the falls to Unicoi State Park.
What are your favorite fall activities to do near Helen?
