Venture Out

Spring Fling Festival is a local tradition that provides hours of entertainment for the whole family. The festival itself takes place in beautiful Smithgall Woods State Park where you will be surrounded by lush forests and everything inside. Kids will have the opportunity to participate in egg hunts, face painting, candle making, and even panning for gold. There will be live animals for them to pet and home-made games for the whole family.

The Smithgall Woods State Park warrants visits outside of Easter as well! This gorgeous 5,664-acre park puts you right in the heart of the mountains and allows you to experience many different forest experiences like archery, hiking, biking, and fishing. These can be experienced in a cozy cottage or a tent! However you want to enjoy nature, the Smithgall Woods State Park is always a good call.

The Alpine Mini Golf Village is a gorgeous 18-hole mini-golf venue that is a must-do on any trip to Helen. Visitors always describe it as one of the best mini-golf experiences they’ve ever had and it’s no wonder why. The course is immaculately kept year-round without ever a brick out of place. Every hole has fun decor dedicated to making you feel like you’re living in a fantasy.

The course is family and pet-friendly so don’t hold back: bring the whole crew! The course is open most days, but sometimes the weather can get pretty rough up in the mountains, so call ahead in the winter to make sure it is open.

Winterfest Arts & Coach Tour is an annual event that trolleys guests over between three different locations: Unicoi State Park & Lodge, Helen Arts & Heritage Center, and Sautee Nacoochee Center. Each center will feature its own unique style of art presented by local artists and more distant talent. Each site will feature food and drink vendors and live music to accompany your art viewing.

This festival is an interactive experience that will let you really interact with the community while participating in artistic endeavors. The locations will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday. Trolleys will be available at all stops, so you can pace the festivities however you like.

Alpine Fun Factory is a massive space dedicated to bringing you everything your family could want under one roof. There’s a huge diversity of activities, but the main feature is a go-kart race track that boasts the fastest karts in all of Helen. Race your family and friends or partner up in doubles as you zoom around the track at lightning speeds. If you want to feel like a racecar driver, this is the place for you!

Besides extreme go-karting, many other family-friendly activities are lined up and waiting. For the kids, there is a full arcade and bounce zone with over 9 bounce houses to play around on. Bring your video games to life in a Call of Duty Black Ops-style laser tag session and see who the stealthiest family member is.

This one-of-a-kind event space is open Friday through Sunday every week (with special holiday hours). Party packages are also available so that you can make your kids’ birthdays unforgettable.

On December 14, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, the streets of downtown Helen will be transformed, as holiday favorites parade down the streets. Participants will be dressed to impress in their favorite holiday attire. Countless floats will be present and Santa may even be making an appearance. The floats and designs are all handmade, and the participants love to go all out!

After the parade, the town typically continues the celebration, so make sure to stick around downtown and continue with the festivities. This parade has become very popular, so make sure to get there early for a good spot.

Art-Oberfest began as a way to channel the energy of Oktoberfest into a fun, creative showcase of local talent. However, its popularity has exploded and this year, the festival will run for three days from October 25 through October 27. On all three days, the festivities will begin at 11:00 am and run until the participants decide to stop. Come see the finest artists and craftsmen from all across Northeast Georgia. Their displays will dazzle you, and Helen always knows how to throw a party. There will be plenty of live mountain music, face painting, hand-crafted pastries, and everything else this fine city has to offer. Tickets are free and all are invited so make sure to stop by and see the creative side of Helen.

Oktoberfest is an extended holiday dedicated to celebrating German culture through stylish lederhosen, overfilled steins, juicy brats, and only the best live music. What better place to experience these festivities than Helen? This city oozes Bavarian culture, and so Oktoberfests in Helen are some of the most authentic on this side of the Atlantic.

While most cities stop the Oktoberfest celebrations at beers and brats, Helen wants to show you just how much more there is to this holiday. The live bands will have plenty of accordions, cowbells, and alphorns—and the residents won’t be shy to show off their polka skills. If this sounds like your cup of tea, bring the kids and dogs too. This celebration is one for the whole family!

Now, that may seem hard to do given just how much diverse grub there is to be enjoyed. Luckily for you, it’s that time of the year when the city puts together a food festival so you can gorge yourself on all of the delicious local crafts in one place at the same time! Say hello to Taste of Helen.

Taste of Helen will take place on August 14 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The festivities will take place right at the Helen Festhalle. Your ticket will provide you with samples from the best local eateries so you can experience all the gastronomic bliss that Helen has to offer. Since you’re in Helen, you will also, of course, have the best beer around to wash it all down with!

Restaurants will always have a shank on the menu and only the best beer in the world will make its way to your glass. As you make your way through the picturesque streets, you will be greeted with plenty of shopping opportunities and venues to see.

Maybe you’ll be feeling up to an award-winning pastry or sandwich at Hofer’s of Helen. Better yet, maybe you want to take a trip under the bridge and drink like a monster at the Troll Tavern.

Whatever your fancy, Downtown Helen is the perfect compliment to your stay at Valhalla Resort Hotel. Make the most out of your trip to Helen and get a real taste of the Bavarian life.

One good way to start the sight-seeing journey is with the Chattahoochee River. This gorgeous meandering river is both a destination and a vehicle that allows you to get a unique tour of Helen.

If you head about a mile south of Valhalla Resort Hotel, you will find the Chattahoochee River and the many tube and water gear rentals that line it. Floating down this lazy river is one of the best ways to not only see Helen but also to get an adventure out of it.

There are several drop-off points with more information available at most tube rental shops. Be sure to start your adventure early, as the river can get pretty packed during peak times and holidays. This trip is a local gem!

It makes sense, then, that we’re right next to the Unicoi Wine Trail. Made up of seven vineyards, it snakes by the Blue Ridge Mountains, through small towns, and along the Chattahoochee National Forest. From our property, the full route clocks in at 38 miles roundtrip — and each mile is worth it.

Each winery offers a different experience: Generous tastings, stunning scenery, and more ensure that everybody — even those who’d don’t drink — leaves satisfied. And during the cold season, there’s even more to do. Despite the chilly weather, the trail comes alive thanks to the Winter Wine Passport, an annual, three-day event that offers discounted access to each member vineyard.

Find your keys and grab a map; your tastebuds will thank you.