The Best Rainy Day Activities in Helen, Georgia

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Helen offers a multitude of fun rainy day activities. If your trip to this Bavarian town is interrupted by wet weather, don’t let it spoil your fun.

Despite the outdoor beauty and activities that Helen, Georgia, has to offer, there are plenty of entertaining indoor activities as well. From unique museums to live demonstrations to activities that will expend energy, Helen offers a little bit of something for everyone. In fact, some may argue that rainy days in this Bavarian town will give you a chance to see hidden gems you might otherwise overlook on sunny days. So that’s exactly why you should embrace wet weather during your trip to Helen.

Without further ado, here are the top rainy day activities in Helen.

Rainy Day Activities in Helen

Helen Welcome Center

More formally called the Alpine Helen/White County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Helen Welcome Center is a great place to make your first stop on a rainy weekend. Grab a city map, local coupons and an array of pamphlets for places to stay, restaurants and activities. Also, friendly local staff offer tips on the best-priced parking locations, hidden gems to visit and, of course, their favorite rainy day activities in Helen. If you stop by during Christmas season, check out the intricate Christmas village display.

AxeBilly Axe Throwing

If you’re looking for a fun and exciting rainy day activity for those ages 12+, check out AxeBilly Axe Throwing just off Main Street in downtown Helen. Reserve a lane ahead of time or get a 30-minute slot as a walk-in.

Alpine Speedway

Fast doesn’t always mean dangerous. Try your hand at slot car racing at Alpine Speedway on the largest 1/32 course in the US! Spectating is free and you can also browse the hobby shop.

Gold and Gem Mining

No matter the weather, your kids will jump at the chance to pan for gold or mine for gems. Stop by Outpost Gold & Gems in downtown Helen or Dukes Creek Gold & Ruby Mine just outside Helen in Sautee. Both shops have covered pavilions for mining, which are open year round rain or shine.

Helen Arts & Heritage Center

The Helen Arts & Heritage Center boasts an art gallery for local artists with all sorts of options such as art work, pottery, glass art and handcrafted jewelry. The center also has a gift shop, art classes and workshops, as well as a history museum with artifacts that shows how Helen transformed to a Bavarian town. Art exhibits are open to the public and completely free to attend, but classes require an additional fee. Class and workshop options include painting, leather crafting, drawing, pottery and watercolor painting.

Escape Rooms

If you’re going to be stuck inside on a rainy day, you might as well have fun. Helen offers two well-rated escape rooms: MindEscapes Escape Rooms and The Lost Room Escape Adventures. Many visitors to Helen find themselves going back a second time during their trip because they loved the fun, challenge and adventure.

Helen And Back Food Tours

Rain or shine, you can taste the best German food Helen has to offer by spending the afternoon with Helen & Back Food Tours. So bring your umbrella, rain jacket and walking shoes to fill your mind with Helen history and your belly with German food. The tour stops at 5-6 of Helen’s best restaurants, including popular favorites and hidden gems.

Alpine Fun Factory

Alpine Fun Factory will be your lifesaver with kids on a rainy day! Experience go karts, laser tag, roller skating, arcade games and a giant bounce zone to keep your group of kids or adults entertained for hours.

babyland general rainy day in Helen — *Photo: Courtesy of Babyland General*

BabyLand General Hospital

As the birthplace of the renown Cabbage Patch Kids, BabyLand General is less than 15 minutes south of downtown Helen and an experience your kids will never forget. Entrance is free, but you’d be hard pressed to leave the hospital without a doll or animal in your hands. Let your child choose a doll off the floor—or pay more for the customized adoption process.

Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia

If you love history and art, you’ll enjoy the Folk Pottery Museum at the Sautee Nacoochee Center, just a 5 minute drive east of downtown Helen. Admission prices range from free (for military, teachers and kids 5 and under) to at most $5 for adults. Enjoy an educational film about how pottery was made before modern technology before perusing the fascinating exhibits that focus on generations of family potters.

Solasta Spa

If relaxing on a rainy day is your idea of a good time, book a visit with Solasta Spa, located within the Valhalla Resort just north of downtown Helen. From massages to facials to nails, you can pamper yourself here.

Downtown Helen

There are endless rainy day activities that allow you to explore Bavarian downtown Helen. Stop by dozens of unique shops, with many of them offering locally produced goods and even live demonstrations.

Glassblowing: Stop by The Glassblowing Shop to not only witness amazing art, but to watch craftsmen in action as they work. They will even tell you what they are doing step by step. Children are allowed in the store, but be sure to keep them close and explain about all the breakable items.
Handcrafted Wooden Toys: If you’re looking for a store that is hands-on for kids, Tim’s Wooden Toys is the perfect place to let them loose. Besides toys, the shop sells other items such as wooden cabin signs, Christmas ornaments and even carpenter bee traps. Personalize any item by having it engraved.
Betty’s Country Store: If you’re looking for a bite to eat as well as some entertainment, stop in Betty’s Country Store to enjoy the old fashioned country store displays in the gift shop as well as a live bee hive. Then grab a breakfast biscuit to fuel your day, pick up a chicken salad sandwich to-go for lunch or snag a chicken pot pie or steaks to cook for dinner. And if you have a sweet tooth, try one of Betty’s huge cookies, pastries or cakes. Need wine or beer? Betty’s has that, too. This is the only grocery store in Helen, so it has a bit of everything you will need for your stay.
German Pretzels: You’d be remiss to visit Helen without grabbing a famous giant German pretzel. Many businesses in downtown Helen offer these pretzels, including Hofer’s Bakery and Cafe, Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen, The Heidelberg, Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant—and more.
Candy and Ice Cream Shops: If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can find lots of cheap treat options for less than $5 in one of downtown Helen’s candy shops. Try Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen, Kopper Kettle Fudge Shop or Livi Lou’s Sweets and Treats. Or if you’re looking for some ice cream to cool off in the summer, try one of the many ice cream shops near downtown.
Olive Oil Tasting: If you love to cook, venture out to Alpine Olive Tree to sample unique olive oils and vinegars. Also get delicious recipe ideas from experienced staff on how to combine flavors for tasty dishes.

Nacoochee Village

Just half a mile south of downtown Helen, you’ll find the historic Nacoochee Village, which offers a mix of food, beverages, retail stores and businesses.

Wine: If you love trying new wines, you can get wine 5 tastings at Habersham Winery for only $10.
Coffee: To get your caffeine fix, try the JumpinGoat Coffee shop, which also has a tasting location in nearby Cleveland. Cups are under $5 and you can catch live music on selected days/times. Check the Facebook page for details.
Window Shop: Stroll through the Nachoochee Village Antique Mall to see 50 antique dealers in 7,000 sq. ft. Or stop by the Nora Mill Granary and Country Store to witness an operational gristmill alongside the Chattahoochee River. Be sure to visit the country store to try a sample of the mill and store products, as well as snag some local honey. If you need some fresh air, step out behind the store to witness the Chattahoochee River flowing under the safety of a covered overhang.

The Gourd Place Museum

The Gourd Place is only a 10-minute drive from downtown Helen, but you’ll be amazed at the many things that can be made out of gourds. Entrance to the Gourd Museum is free and you can explore how musical instruments, pottery and even a cash register was made from gourds. The museum also displays gourds from 23 countries as well as one of the largest gourds ever grown.

Bavarian Mountain Mini Golf and Arcade

Even if you can’t play a round of mini golf due to rain, you can still have fun at the Bavarian Mountain Arcade. As the largest arcade within 30 miles, you’ll find a mix of new arcade games as well as old classics such as Skee-ball and Pac-Man. The arcade also boasts two pool tables and air hockey.

Fred’s Famous Peanuts

Just north of downtown Helen on the way to Unicoi State Park, you’ll find Fred’s Famous Peanuts. Rain or shine, these peanuts are a great snack during any weather. Try the classic boiled peanuts or venture out with fried peanuts or Cajun boiled peanuts. And the bonus is you can sample any variety before you buy. While you’re there, look for the highly touted peanut brittle, peach cider and array of jam and jellies.

What are your favorite rainy day activities to do in Helen?

Go Visit Helen

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