The beautiful town of alpine Helen, Georgia is nestled in the north Georgia Blue Ridge mountains near the towns of Cleveland and Blairsville. Helen is famous for its Bavarian look and German influence. There are several German restaurants and bars located in the town, as well as a top-notch German bakery. Helen is a great destination for a day out, a weekend getaway, a vacation, or even a wedding.

Helen began as a settlement during the Georgia Gold Rush of the early 1800s, and expanded due to the arrival of the timber industry in the latter part of the century. The town was named Helen in 1913 after the daughter of the railroad surveyor who brought the railroad to the area.

During the 1960s the town underwent revitalization and revamped the main buildings in town with a Bavarian theme. A number of German and Bavarian themed businesses blossomed, bringing tourism along with them.

Now, Helen has events and attractions that bring visitors to town year-round. From tubing the Chattahoochee and hiking in the summer, Oktoberfest in the fall, Christmas Alpenlights in the winter and “Walk in the Woods” in the spring, Helen is a great place to visit any time of year. Helen is also a great place for a memorable date. It’s a beautiful place to go for a romantic stroll, grab some authentic German schnitzel and potato pancakes, or taste some rare varieties of imported German beer while basking in the mountain scenery and Alpine atmosphere. You could also arrange an intimate picnic with one of the restaurants, taste some sweet treats from the candy stores or the bakery, or shop for souvenirs in the local stores. In my opinion, as a date destination it rates a solid 10 out of 10.

For more information about Helen, directions, and links to local hotels and cabin rentals, visit www.helengeorgia.com.

Guy/girl ratio: 60/40