corsica

Hello,
Can anyone advice on a short trip
to Helen GA in June?

I haven't been to this place in June.
Is it really crowded? I don't have
hotel reservations, yet.

Anyone stayed at the Best Western there?
I saw it was AAA rated.

Any other decent hotels?

We were planning on going to Dukes Creek
falls ? Anyone been there that can comment
on whether it was a short nice walk.

Thank you!!

utahtea

I can only tell you about the crowds over Thanksgiving weekend...bumper to bumper traffic a mile or so before you even reach town! Never again on a holiday weekend!!!

Anna Ruby Falls is nearby and very worth the short hike!

Utahtea

Wayne

I found Helen to be fairly full of tourists during the summer months. It isn't usually unbearable, but as already advised stay away during or near any major holidays. I have been in the Best Western, but it's been a few years. It was fine then; I'm sure it's fine now.

My guess is that in June, you'll find moderate crowds and moderately clogged roads unless you drive at odd times of the day. Good luck.

Bubba2

Helen is pretty much of a tourist trap, but if you're going to go it would probably be more enjoyable in the fall - crowded but better weather.

Dukes Creek is pretty neat - it's a fairly short walk down and then back up. The time we went, it was uncrowded - only saw maybe 4 or 5 people. Ana Ruby Falls are also very scenic.

Bubba2

For info and pictures of Dukes Creek Falls go to http://www.jjanthony.com/waterfalls/...reekfalls.html

atlswan

Helen may be a tourist trap but it is located amid some pretty scenery. Anna Ruby Falls is indeed worth a visit.

starrsville

I agree with atlswan. Helen isn't my favorite town but the surrounding area is absolutely gorgeous. Be sure to drive through the Sautee-Nachoochee valley (you'll see the famous Indian mound as you turn east) and stop at the little general store in Sautee. Good Christmas shop there too. If you want to ride horses, continue east on Hwy 255 to Sunburst Stables right before the Batesville crossroads. If you want a great Italian meal or pizza head north from Batesville for a few miles to Pazzo Pizzeria and Italian Market. Great alfresco dining - you'll think you are in Italy. Can get crowded with the lake people from Burton (which is just yards away). If you like pottery, head south on 197 a Batesville to the renowned Mark of the Potter in an old grist meal along the river. Beautiful pottery. Even if you don't want to shop, stop and feed the huge fish with the fish food on the porch (25 cents from the vending machine).

Scarlett

Sorry, but the name Helen for a town reminds me of the joke, I have been to Helen back

bebalm

Yeah, Helen is much like "Hell and back". I wouldn't suggest any one ever go to such a clogged little "town."...like Gatlinburg on Crack. Even the motels looked like something out of a National Lampoons Vacation movie...i bet the beds still have "magic fingers"

travelmonkey

We've been to Helen twice. Once in March and once in June. What we loved about it is it's like Gatlinburg but not as crowded. We were there in June 3 or 4 years ago over a weekend and it was not crowded. The locals advised us not to come during Octoberfest as that is when traffic is bumper to bumper. I think it's a cute little town. For a relaxing afternoon try tubing down the creek. If you do it make sure you get a tube with a bottom in it as the mountain water is a little nippy!