Group Travel

Have you met Helen lately?

Burgeoning Vineyards
and Bavarian Backdrop.

Art Galleries and Abundant Shopping.

North Georgia Wine Country Cuisine and International Fare.

Alpine Helen-White County:
A Natural Beauty in the
Appalachian Mountains.

Pottery at the wheel, art glass from the kiln, folk heritage on the boards, concerts in the park

The Willows Pottery, www.thewillowspottery.com, is a working potter’s studio with a “Paint Your Own Pottery” studio. Mark of the Potter in Clarkesville is a working regional gallery featuring woodcrafts, jewelry, weaving and contemporary pottery (appr. 13 miles from Helen). The Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, www.folkpotterymuseum.com, is the only museum in the nation devoted to this 200-year tradition. See art glass in action at The Glassblowing Shop and Glass Mountain Gallery. For gallery showings, theatre, art and history exhibits and Saturday evening concerts, visit The Sautee Nacoochee Center: Visual and Performing Arts, the Helen Arts and Heritage Council and Unicoi State Park.

Adventures in Dainin (Dining)

Taste “sweets and salties” at Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen, www.hanselandgretelcandykitchen.com, (behind-the-scenes tours), Fred’s Famous Peanuts, www.fredsfamouspeanuts.com, and the authentic Hofer’s German Bakery, www.hofers.com.

For simple pleasures, Southern-style, have a catered meal at a Helen attraction or enjoy fresh, regional cuisine at one of these restaurants: the buffet-style Unicoi State Park Lodge and Restaurant; The Nacoochee Grill, www.nacoocheegrill.com; The Stovall House; and 
Bernie’s Guest House (for smaller groups).

Enjoy internationally spiced gastronomy, authentic German fare and Georgia Wine Country cuisine at these restaurants: Hofer’s Bakery & Café; Old Bavarian Inn; the Hofbrauhaus overlooking the Chattahoochee River; and The Vines European Cuisine (menus tailor-made for groups up to 60).

Put on Your Shopping Shoes

Shop the Alpine Helen Village for imported cuckoo clocks, steins, handcrafted quilts, hand carved bowls and platters, locally made pottery, candy and baked goods and more; Betty’s Country Store, a yesteryear grocery store filled with a vast array of dry goods and foodstuffs including imported goodies; Classics, imports and collectibles in an “Old World” European village ambience; and The Windmill Dutch Imports.

In Sautee, visit the Old Sautee Store, www.sauteestore. com, a combination old store/museum and contemporary Scandinavian gift shop, and these new shops: Shapiro’s Gallery of American Crafts, with the works of 200+ American artists; InsideOut Sautee, www.insideoutsautee.com, for home furnishings, pottery, jewelry, glass in a gallery setting and Elfmade Toys, for 100% natural fun and whimsical toys, including animals, puzzles, blocks, pull-toys, made of quality wood and child safe paints.

In Nacoochee Village, www.nacoocheevillage.com, explore the Nora Mill Granary & Country Store with original 1,500-lb. millstone from 1876 and old-fashioned staples such as stone ground grits; Nacoochee Antiques, a historic mountain home with three full floors of antiques and collectibles; and the wine enthusiast’s paradise at Habersham Winery Gift Shop.

Helen Gets (somewhat) Wild

Nature abounds: Unicoi State Park, with natural, 
cultural, historical and recreational resources, team building activities, hiking and biking on scenic mountain trails; Anna Ruby Falls with its twin waterfalls awaiting at the end of a .4 mile easy-to-moderate walk (benches along the way); the miles of hiking and biking trails, five miles of nature trails, wildlife viewing, trophy trout stream and nature programs at Smithgall Woods Nature Preserve; and the championship 18-hole golf course at Innsbruck Golf Club, www.innsbruckgolfclub.com, with driving range and Innsbruck Bar and Grill banquet facilities for groups of up to 130.

Uniquely Helen Attractions

Surprises await at Black Forest Bear Park, www.blackforestbearpark.com, home to rescued American Black Bears; Charlemagne’s Kingdom, www.georgiamodelrailroad.com, where you can take a trip through Germany in miniature by way of a model railroad; Dukes Creek Mines, www.dukescreek.com, where you can pan for gold, screen for gems and shop for Southwestern-American Indian jewelry; Helen Alpine Mini Golf & Scoop De Scoop Ice Cream Parlor in a beautiful flower garden setting; and Horne’s Buggy Rides and Alpine Carriage Company for romantic, scenic and fun rides through downtown Helen.

Helen After Dark (evening 
entertainment options)

The CVB can help you find the perfect entertainment for your group: Appalachian Music Workshops, Storytelling/Local Lore and Performing Arts, including building and playing the dulcimer. Reserve a beautiful spot for your group’s Wine and Cheese Reception or Dinner by Nacoochee Events and set the perfect tone for your trip. Attend Nature Workshops, Artists and Concert Series and Cooking Demonstrations at Unicoi State Park and Smithgall Woods. Hold a Game Night (many hotels will arrange for game room and activities with after-dinner treats). Arrange for a private Wine Tasting from one of the local wineries.

Vineyards and Wineries  

If you haven’t tasted Helen’s wines lately, the time is ripe to visit one of Georgia’s oldest and largest wineries at Habersham Winery, 
www.habershamwinery.com, with its well-stocked gift shop; Yonah Mountain Vineyards Tasting Room, ww.yonahmountainvineyards.com, in a spectacular mountain setting; and the Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards. More vineyards and wineries are locating to White County in 2010.

Babyland General’s New Home

Visit the beautiful new Southern-style birthplace of the world-famous Cabbage Patch Kids where original, collectible,  hand-sculpted babies are delivered daily. www.cabbagepatchkids.com

Sample Itinerary: Meet Helen

Overnight in Alpine Helen –White County
9:00 a.m.     First stop: Nacoochee Village with Nora Mill and Granary,
        Nacoochee Antiques and Habersham Winery
10:30 a.m.     Arrive at Babyland General, the beautiful new Southern-style
        birthplace of the world-famous Cabbage Patch Kids
12:00 p.m.     Lunch in the scenic Sautee Valley; dine in the restaurant of
        an historic B&B
1:00 p.m.     Sautee Nacoochee Center: The Folk Pottery Museum of
        North Georgia, a regional history museum, art galleries,
        performing arts venue and African American Heritage site
1:45 p.m.     Old Sautee Store and Shapiro’s, InsideOut Sautee boutique
        and art gallery, Elfmade Toys, Yonah Mountain Vineyards
        Tasting Room and Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards and Tasting Room
3:30 p.m.     Return to hotel for R & R or explore the streets of Helen
6:00 p.m.     An evening out and about in Helen: Dinner at one of
        Helen’s unique restaurants, followed by the activities
        and entertainment of your choice

Overnight in Alpine Helen
9:00 a.m.     Driving tour through downtown Helen to Smithgall Woods,
        Anna Ruby Falls and Unicoi State Park
11:00 a.m.     Stop at Fred’s Famous Peanuts to buy snacks and souvenirs
11:15 a.m.     Lunch at a downtown restaurant or a picnic at the covered bridge
1:00 p.m.     Free time in downtown Helen; then depart

The Helen - White County CVB Rolls out the 
Willkommen Mat!

• Assistance with bids and itinerary planning

• Step-on Guide Services available

• Official Visitors Guide, planning guide, 
promotional materials available

• Arrange tours of wineries along the
Northeast Georgia Wine Trail

Helen’s Top Two Festivals

Oktoberfest: Sept. – Oct.
Christmas: Lighting of the Village; Friday after 
Thanksgiving. Parade, first Saturday of December.
go to www.helenga.org for dates

Mileage Chart

Atlanta, GA     88
Baton Rouge, LA    612
Birmingham, AL    230
Charlotte, NC    197
Chicago, IL     715
Columbus, OH     532
Dallas, TX     856
Detroit, MI     688
Jackson, MS    464
Jacksonville, FL     429
Knoxville, TN     178
Memphis, TN     466
Mobile, AL    416
New Orleans, LA     555
New York City     833
Richmond, VA     486
Tampa, FL     539
Toronto, ON     915
West Palm Beach, FL     683

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