I am trying to plan a trip for Labor Day weekend and was looking into Helen, GA. Does anyone have suggestions on where to stay, where to eat, what to do or a complete veto on the idea? Thanks!

There are pros and cons about Helen.

It's a great story of a town finding a way to survive.
It's small, so walkable from shop to restaurant to most hotels.
The river float is pleasant.
Nearby attractions are nice--gourdcrafts, potters and other artists, the state parks, even gold mines down near Dahlongega.

The small main area gets terribly crowded.
The river can be bank to bank innertubes.
The food we have eaten was subpar at best and expensive.

I've been there a few times for just a day or part of a day while staying out in the country and like it less each time. My sister went recently for a day and would love to go back for an overnight. So just depends on what you like.

I took a day-trip to Helen a couple of weeks ago. It was fun for an afternoon, but I can't imagine being stuck there for a whole weekend.

sorry for the late reply,but for a weekend, Helen is not attratcive for me.Id head further north,about 45 miutes to Hiawasee,near Lake Chatuge.You can drive thjru Helen,spend a few hours there,the head northTheres some realy nice places to stay in Hiawasee,rent a boat, go to one of the National Parks nearby--lots of fun stuff--nice resort on the west end of the lake,cant recall name--good luck

I agree with the suggestions to spend an afternoon in Helen and stay elsewhere in north Georgia for Labor Day weekend. Kay2's advice is quite accurate.