Helen, Georgia, is in White County, about 75 miles northeast of Atlanta. The town is located near the Chattahoochee National Forest, making it a stop for tourists bound for the forest. Visitors who choose to spend a day in Helen can find a variety of activities that make the town a destination in its own right. Many of the things to do in Helen take place outside, appealing to lovers of the outdoors.
Charlemagne's Kingdom is on North Main Street near White Strasse Street in downtown Helen. The attraction has served the city of Helen since Feb. 1, 1996. A family-owned and operated business, the Kingdom is a model railroad museum.
Visitors can tour the two-floor exhibit area at Charlemagne's Kingdom, which has a train display that resembles a village in the Alps mountain region of Germany, the area where one of the owners was born. A focal point of the display is a scale-model of the Matterhorn peak, which rises to a height of 22 feet.
Charlemagne's Kingdom is open daily throughout the year, closing only on major holidays. General admission was $5 as of October 2010. Children and individuals with disabilities receive admission discounts. Free, on-site parking is available.
Black Forest Bear Park is on South Main Street near the intersection with Waldheim Strasse Street to the southeast of downtown Helen. The privately owned park opened in July 2001 and is an animal attraction, where visitors can view a variety of live creatures.
The Black Forest Bear Park is home to 16 adult bears that visitors can watch from above as they move through their habitat enclosures. For a fee, guests can purchase food to throw to the bears. The park also has an exhibit of snakes, tarantulas and lizards that children and adults can handle.
Black Forest Bear Park is open seven days per week. The facility is open year-round, but the bears hibernate for several weeks beginning in January. General admission was $5 for the bear exhibit and $1 to enjoy all of the other exhibits as of October 2010. Children under 2 receive free admission. Free on-site parking is available.
Helen Tubing and Water Park is on Highway 75 North near Highway 356 northwest of downtown Helen. The company offers inner-tubing trips along the Chattahoochee River. Visitors can choose a two- to three-hour-long run or a one- hour to 90-minute short run. A shuttle bus picks participants up at the park facility and drops them off at the entry point. Hourly and all-day rates are available for tubing.
The water park attraction of Helen Tubing and Water Park has four water slides and waterfalls for splashing. A lazy river is located at the park for tubing as well and measures 1,000 feet in length. An on-land playground is also located at the water park for children.
Helen Tubing and Water Park operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day; the facility is open daily during that time, closing only for inclement weather. General admission to the water park with all-day tubing included was $15 for the 2010 season. Children under 42 inches tall receive discounted admission rates. Free, on-site parking is available.
