Helen is the kind of town kids remember in pieces: the smell of fudge drifting out of a candy shop, the cold shock of the Chattahoochee on a hot July afternoon, the moment a twin waterfall appears at the end of a trail. It is small enough that nobody gets lost, walkable enough that little legs can handle Main Street, and surrounded by enough mountains, rivers, and quirky attractions to fill a long weekend without a single “I’m bored.”
We are Blue Creek Cabins, and we have been hosting families in these North Georgia hollows since 2002. Over the years, our guests have told us which trails their toddlers actually finished, which mini golf course has the best pirate ship, and which rainy-day stops saved the trip. This guide gathers all of that into one easy plan.
Below, you will find the best water adventures for every age, the easy hikes and parks that reward small explorers, the indoor stops worth saving for a rainy afternoon, a few day trips just outside town, and a simple two-day itinerary your whole crew will love.
Splash Days on the Chattahoochee
Cool River Tubing
Floating the Chattahoochee right through the middle of town is the quintessential Helen summer memory. Cool River runs shuttles from its outposts to the river, and you drift past biergartens, footbridges, and cheering onlookers before landing back near downtown. It is lazy, silly, and exactly what kids picture when they hear “mountain vacation.”
- Rating: 4.6 stars (5,800+ reviews)
- Address: 590 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545 (Chattahoochee Outpost)
- Phone: (706) 878-2665
- Season: Summer months, weather and river levels permitting
- Family tip: Bring water shoes and a waterproof pouch for the phone. The river bottom is rocky, and you will want photos of the kids spinning through the rapids.
Helen Tubing & Waterpark
If your crew wants more than a float, Helen Tubing pairs its river trips with a waterpark area, so the kids can keep splashing long after the tubes are stacked. It is a great pick for families with a mix of ages, since the little ones can play close by while the older kids head back for another run.
- Rating: 4.4 stars (1,000+ reviews)
- Address: 685 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545
- Phone: (706) 878-7465
- Season: Summer months
- Family tip: Go early on weekends. By early afternoon the lines for tubes and slides grow quickly, especially on holiday weekends.
Small Thrills in the Alpine Village
Georgia Mountain Coaster
Georgia’s first alpine coaster winds down the mountainside on a single rail, and each cart has its own brake. That means the cautious kid can take it slow while the daredevil sibling lets it fly on the next ride. It is the one attraction our guests’ kids ask to do twice.
- Rating: 4.6 stars (3,200+ reviews)
- Address: 8409 S Main St, Helen, GA 30545
- Hours: Daily 10 AM to 7 PM (until 9 PM Fri to Sat)
- Phone: (706) 878-1347
- Family tip: Check the age and height rules before you go, since younger kids ride with an adult. Arrive right at opening for the shortest wait.
Alpine Mini Golf
A round of mini golf is the easiest win in Helen, and Alpine Mini Golf sits right on the south end of Main Street with late hours that make it perfect after dinner. Waterfalls, bridges, and plenty of shade keep the whole family happy, from the toddler holding a putter upside down to the teen keeping score.
- Rating: 4.7 stars (1,300+ reviews)
- Address: 7914 S Main St, Helen, GA 30545
- Hours: Daily 9 AM to 10 PM
- Phone: (706) 878-3328
- Family tip: Play after sunset in summer. It is cooler, calmer, and the course looks great lit up.
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf and Hilltop Overlook Mini Golf
Have a mini golf fanatic? Helen has options. Pirate’s Cove leans into the treasure-hunt theme kids love, while Hilltop Overlook adds an arcade and a view over town. Either one makes an easy second round on a longer stay.
- Pirate’s Cove: 1081 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545 · (706) 892-1205 · Daily 11 AM to 8 PM
- Hilltop Overlook Mini Golf and Arcade: 8065 S Main St, Helen, GA 30545 · (706) 892-2921 · Closed Mon to Tue
- Family tip: Hilltop Overlook’s arcade is a lifesaver when a storm rolls in mid-round.
Waterfalls, Trails, and Wide Open Space
Anna Ruby Falls
If you only do one hike with kids in Helen, make it this one. A paved trail climbs gently through the forest along a rushing creek and ends at a rare double waterfall, where two streams tumble side by side from Tray Mountain. The walk is short enough for small legs, with plenty of benches and creekside spots to stop and look for salamanders.
- Rating: 4.8 stars (1,500+ reviews)
- Address: 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd, Helen, GA 30545
- Hours: Daily 9 AM to 5 PM (visitor center)
- Phone: (706) 878-1448
- Family tip: The trail is paved but steady uphill. Strollers can make it with a little effort, and the visitor center gift shop at the bottom makes a great reward.
For more family-friendly falls within a short drive, see our guide to 7 Must-See Waterfalls Near Helen, GA.
Unicoi State Park
Just two miles from downtown, Unicoi is where Helen families go to run off energy. The lake has a sandy swimming beach in summer, easy trails loop through the woods, and there is plenty of room to spread out a picnic. It is also the starting point for the trail that connects to Anna Ruby Falls, if your older kids want a bigger challenge.
- Rating: 4.4 stars (4,800+ reviews)
- Address: 1788 GA-356, Helen, GA 30545
- Hours: Open daily (beach hours vary by season)
- Phone: (706) 878-2201
- Family tip: Pack lunch and claim a picnic table near the beach before noon on summer weekends.
Fishing at Blue Creek Cove
Kids who have never caught a fish tend to change their minds about fishing the moment they reel in a trout. North Georgia’s cold mountain streams make for a great first lesson, and our own Blue Creek Cove gives guests an easy, low-pressure place to cast a line. For licenses, seasons, and the best streams around town, read our Trout Fishing in Helen, GA guide.
Rainy Day Wonders
Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen
No family trip to Helen is complete without a sugar stop, and Hansel & Gretel is the one kids name first. Watch the candy makers at work, then pick out fudge, taffy, caramel apples, and more treats than anyone should eat in one day.
- Rating: 4.6 stars (2,000+ reviews)
- Address: 8651 N Main St, Helen, GA 30545 (second location at 8078 S Main St)
- Hours: Daily from 9 AM, open until 10 PM on weekends
- Phone: (706) 878-2443
- Family tip: Buy a few pieces of fudge to take back to the cabin. It makes the perfect dessert by the fire pit.
Easy Day Trips Beyond Helen
Babyland General Hospital
About 20 minutes south in Cleveland, Babyland General Hospital is the whimsical birthplace of the Cabbage Patch Kids. Kids wander through a storybook “hospital,” meet the dolls, and can even watch a Cabbage Patch baby being “born” in the Magic Crystal Tree. It is sweet, a little strange, and unforgettable.
- Rating: 4.6 stars (4,800+ reviews)
- Address: 300 NOK Dr, Cleveland, GA 30528
- Hours: Mon to Sat 9 AM to 6 PM, Sun 10 AM to 6 PM
- Phone: (706) 865-2171
- Family tip: Check the schedule for birth times when you arrive, so you do not miss the main event.
Crisson Gold Mine
Georgia had a gold rush before California did, and Dahlonega was at the center of it. At Crisson Gold Mine, kids can pan for real gold and sift for gems, then take their finds home in a little vial. It is roughly 45 minutes from Helen and pairs well with lunch on the Dahlonega square.
- Rating: 4.8 stars (670+ reviews)
- Address: 2736 Morrison Moore Pkwy E, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- Hours: Daily 10 AM to 6 PM
- Phone: (706) 864-6363
- Family tip: Bring a change of clothes. Panning is wet, muddy work, and the kids will love every minute.
A Two-Day Helen Plan for Families
You can absolutely wing it in Helen, but a loose plan keeps everyone fed, rested, and smiling. Here is the family weekend our guests come back happiest with.
Day 1: Waterfalls, mini golf, and fudge
- Morning: Drive out to Anna Ruby Falls while the kids are fresh, and stop at the visitor center on the way back down.
- Midday: Picnic lunch and beach time at Unicoi State Park.
- Afternoon: Head back to the cabin for a rest, a swim, or a round in the game room.
- Evening: Dinner in town, a round at Alpine Mini Golf, and a fudge stop at Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen.
Day 2: River, rails, and Cabbage Patch magic
- Morning: Ride the Georgia Mountain Coaster right at opening.
- Late morning: Float the Chattahoochee with Cool River Tubing or Helen Tubing & Waterpark (in summer), or explore Charlemagne’s Kingdom if the weather turns.
- Afternoon: Take a short drive to Babyland General Hospital.
- Evening: S’mores at the cabin fire pit and an early night under the stars.
Where to Stay With Kids in Helen
With kids, the cabin is more than a place to sleep. It is home base for naps, snacks, and the best moments of the trip. Our Large Family Rental cabins are built for exactly that, with room for 10 or more, full kitchens, and space for everyone to spread out.
- If your kids need entertainment after dark, cabins like Bear Naked, Frohe Hutte, and Monarch Manor come with game rooms, and Bear Naked even has skee-ball and a mini arcade.
- If you are traveling with grandparents, cousins, or another family, our Group Rentals keep everyone under one roof.
- If you want to walk to mini golf and the candy shop, our Downtown Helen Cabin Rentals put you just steps from Main Street.
- If the family dog is part of the crew, our Pet Friendly Cabin Rentals welcome them too.
Want to make arrival easy? Add our Firewood Package so the s’mores are ready the first night, or a Local Goods Gift Basket stocked with treats from Betty’s Country Store.
Plan Your Family Getaway to Helen
Helen is small on the map and big on the kind of moments kids carry home: a first trout, a fudge-sticky grin, a waterfall they walked to all by themselves. The families who love it most are the ones who leave room for the unplanned stuff, like an extra lap on the coaster or a whole afternoon on the cabin deck.
When you are ready to plan the trip, start with the cabin. Browse our Large Family Rentals and we will help you find the right property for the Helen your family wants to experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helen, GA good for kids?
Yes. Helen is compact, walkable, and packed with kid-friendly attractions like river tubing, an alpine coaster, several mini golf courses, a model railroad, and candy shops, all within a few blocks of each other. Easy waterfall hikes and Unicoi State Park are just minutes from downtown.
What is the best time to visit Helen with kids?
Summer is the favorite for families because tubing and the Unicoi beach are in full swing. Fall brings foliage, apple picking, and Oktoberfest, though weekends get busy. Spring offers strong waterfalls and smaller crowds, and winter is quiet, cozy, and lit up for the holidays.
How old do kids need to be to go tubing in Helen?
Age and weight rules vary by outfitter and river conditions, so check directly with Cool River Tubing or Helen Tubing & Waterpark before you book. Many families with younger children choose the waterpark area or the Unicoi beach instead.
What can kids do in Helen when it rains?
Charlemagne’s Kingdom, the arcade at Hilltop Overlook Mini Golf, Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen, and a short drive to Babyland General Hospital are all great rainy-day picks. A cabin with a game room also turns a stormy afternoon into a highlight.
How far is Helen, GA from Atlanta?
Helen is roughly a 90-minute to two-hour drive from Atlanta, depending on traffic. See our guide to the Distance From Atlanta to Helen, GA for routes and family-friendly stops along the way.
