Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you never planned.
If there’s one thing you should know about our family, it’s that we don’t do sitting around very well.
Give us a free Saturday, a full tank of gas, and somewhere within driving distance, and chances are we’re going to find ourselves an adventure.
This particular Saturday, however, wasn’t supposed to involve a Bavarian mountain town at all.
We originally had plans to visit Six Flags for Fright Fest. But after a recent tragedy at the park, we decided we’d feel more comfortable doing something different.
The kids?
Well, let’s just say they weren’t exactly thrilled with our change of plans. 😂
They had been looking forward to roller coasters and Halloween thrills, and apparently the words “Let’s go explore North Georgia instead!” weren’t quite the exciting alternative we’d hoped they’d be.
But we loaded up anyway.
And what started with a little teenage grumbling turned into one of those unexpectedly perfect family days that reminds me why we love spontaneous adventures so much.
First Stop: Uhuburg Castle 🏰
Our first stop was Uhuburg Castle, tucked into the North Georgia mountains near Helen.
Now, I love a good castle. Historic architecture, beautiful grounds, sweeping views? Sign me up.
And fortunately, this is where the kids finally started warming up to our revised itinerary.
We spent about an hour wandering around the property, exploring the grounds, and taking in the mountain scenery.
There’s also a spire lookout tower with some beautiful views.
Did I climb it?
Well… halfway. 😂
You know how I feel about heights.
I made it far enough to appreciate the experience, and then decided I had seen quite enough of North Georgia from above, thank you very much.
Overall, Uhuburg was a neat place to explore, especially if you enjoy unusual architecture and checking out attractions that aren’t your typical tourist stops.
But here’s where I’ll give you my honest opinion.
After visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, Uhuburg just didn’t have that same wow factor for us.
Of course, they’re very different properties, and it’s not entirely fair to compare them. But when it comes to castles and grand architecture, Biltmore has set the bar pretty high in my book.
Would we visit Uhuburg again? Probably not.
I’m glad we went, the kids enjoyed exploring, and we can officially check it off our list. But it’s more of a one-and-done attraction for our family.
And that’s okay! Not every adventure has to become an annual tradition.
Hello, Helen! Oktoberfest in the Mountains 🍁🇩🇪
We’ve visited Helen plenty of times over the years, usually during the warmer months when we’re ready to spend a day tubing down the Chattahoochee River.
But experiencing Helen in the fall?
That was a whole different adventure!
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. A crisp 55 degrees, plenty of sunshine, and that wonderful mountain air that makes you want to spend the entire day outdoors.
And Oktoberfest was in full swing!
There was German music, dancing, tourists dressed in lederhosen and dirndls, and beer just about everywhere you looked.
Some of the songs were absolutely hilarious. One was even specifically about beer!
And then we spotted something I wasn’t expecting.
A moving bar.
Not just any moving bar, either. This thing was being pedaled down the street by the very people sitting around it, drinking their beer!
Apparently, Oktoberfest takes multitasking to a whole new level. 🍻
The entire town had such a fun, festive atmosphere. We’ve always enjoyed Helen, but seeing it transformed for Oktoberfest made me fall in love with it all over again.
Schnitzel, Pretzels & Beer Cheese? Yes, Please! 🥨
Of course, you can’t spend Oktoberfest in Helen without eating German food.
Well, I suppose you could, but why would you?
We stopped at the Heidelberg for lunch, and it was exactly what I wanted from an Oktoberfest meal.
Schnitzel.
Pretzels.
Beer cheese.
Basically, a plate full of everything that feels appropriate for a crisp October afternoon in a Bavarian village.
And it was delicious!
There’s something about enjoying German food while listening to Oktoberfest festivities outside that makes the whole experience feel even more special.
Sometimes food is just food.
And sometimes it’s part of the adventure.
This was definitely the latter.
Georgia Mountain Coaster: Our Little Theme Park Compromise 🎢
Remember how the kids were disappointed about missing Six Flags?
Well, we couldn’t let the entire day go by without at least one thrill ride.
So we headed over to the Georgia Mountain Coaster.
It was busy, which wasn’t surprising given the gorgeous weather and Oktoberfest crowds, but thankfully the line moved reasonably well.
There were options for single or double riders.
Since Aubrey was away for the weekend, we opted for individual rides this time.
And honestly, I think mountain coasters are such a fun compromise for families.
You still get the excitement of a coaster, but instead of being surrounded by concrete and massive amusement park structures, you’re riding through the mountains.
Plus, I generally find them a little more my speed than some of the enormous roller coasters my kids love.
I’ll take a mountain coaster over a giant vertical drop any day. 😂
Wanted: The Family Bootlegging Gang 📸
Next up?
Old-time photos.
Because apparently our family couldn’t resist the opportunity to dress up like a group of bootlegging gangsters in an old Western saloon.
And I’m so glad we did!
We stopped at Steve’s Old Time Photos, picked our outfits, stepped into our characters, and snapped some absolutely adorable pictures.
It’s one of those touristy experiences that might seem a little silly until you’re actually doing it.
Then suddenly everyone’s laughing, getting into character, and having the best time.
I love activities like this because you leave with more than just another attraction checked off the list.
You leave with a memory you can hang on the wall.
And a photographic reminder that your family would’ve made a pretty entertaining group of outlaws.
A Sweet Stop at Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen 🍎
No Tiny Train Traveler adventure is complete without a sweet treat.
And if there’s ever a season that practically demands a caramel apple, it’s fall.
We wandered through Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen, taking in all the tempting chocolates, candies, and other sugary goodness.
But for me, the caramel apple was calling.
Something about caramel apples, crisp mountain air, and October just feels right.
Honestly, between the pretzels, beer cheese, and candy shop, Helen was doing a pretty excellent job of keeping us fed.
Tiny Traveler Sweet Stop 🍰: Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen is a fun stop while exploring downtown Helen. Just be sure to ask about ingredients and cross-contact if you’re navigating food allergies, especially with handmade sweets.
Saving My Favorite Part for Last: Horseback Riding at Sunset 🐴❤️
Now, if you know me, you already know this next stop was probably my favorite part of the day.
Horseback riding.
I don’t care how many times I’ve done it.
If someone says, “Hey, do you want to go horseback riding?”
The answer is yes.
Always yes.
I spent my childhood summers visiting my grandmother’s horse farm, and I think that’s where my love for horses really began.
There’s just something about climbing into a saddle, listening to the rhythm of hooves, and exploring the outdoors that takes me right back to those summers.
And I’ll take just about any excuse to experience it again.
After our afternoon in Helen, we drove roughly ten minutes outside town to Chattahoochee Stables.
There, we climbed onto our horses for a guided, one-hour sunset trail ride along the Chattahoochee River.
And it was beautiful.
After spending the afternoon surrounded by Oktoberfest crowds, music, and excitement, it was the perfect way to slow everything down.
Just horses, mountain scenery, the river, and the peaceful feeling of being outdoors.
I could’ve stayed out there all evening.
And maybe, just maybe, if I keep convincing my husband to go horseback riding with me, he’ll eventually decide he wants a horse as badly as I do.
A girl can dream, right? 😂
But seriously, this was such a wonderful way to end our day in the mountains.
If you’re visiting Helen and want to add something a little different to your itinerary, horseback riding is absolutely worth considering.
Especially in the fall.
One Last Stop… Back Home for Mexican 🌮
By the time we finished our horseback ride, it was time to head home.
We had about an hour-and-a-half drive ahead of us, and rather than squeezing in another restaurant in Helen, we decided to head back and grab Mexican food at one of our favorite local spots.
Because apparently German food, caramel apples, and a full day of adventures still weren’t enough to finish us off. 😂
And just like that, our completely unplanned Saturday came to an end.
Tiny Trip Snapshot 🚆
Destination: Helen, Georgia, and the surrounding North Georgia mountains
Trip type: Family day trip
Season: October, during Oktoberfest
Drive from home: Approximately 1½ hours each way
Our adventures: Uhuburg Castle, Oktoberfest festivities, German lunch at the Heidelberg, Georgia Mountain Coaster, Steve’s Old Time Photos, Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen, and sunset horseback riding at Chattahoochee Stables
Best part: For me, horseback riding along the river at sunset. But the entire day was such a fun mix of activities.
Would we go again? Absolutely! Helen is one of those mountain towns that feels especially charming in the fall.
Tiny Tips for Visiting Helen During Oktoberfest 🚆
- Expect crowds. Helen is a popular fall destination, and Oktoberfest brings plenty of visitors. Give yourself extra time for parking, restaurants, and attractions.
- Enjoy the atmosphere. You don’t have to spend the entire day at one festival event to experience Oktoberfest. We loved the music, dancing, festive outfits, and energy throughout town.
- Mix up your activities. A mountain coaster, a candy shop, old-time photos, and horseback riding made the day fun for everyone.
- Dress for mountain weather. Our sunny, 55-degree day was absolutely perfect, but fall temperatures can change quickly.
- Plan your horseback ride. Check availability and ride times before heading to the stables, especially if you’re hoping for a late-afternoon experience.
- Leave room for spontaneity. Some of our favorite travel memories have happened when we didn’t plan every minute.
Money Tucking 💰
Here’s the part that surprised me!
After scrapping our Six Flags plans, we ended up spending approximately $500 for our entire day in Helen, including Uhuburg Castle, horseback riding, the mountain coaster, old-time photos, German food, and sweet treats.
That was only about $200 more than we’d originally planned to spend on Six Flags tickets alone!
And that doesn’t include our Mexican dinner back home, which was already in the plans regardless.
Could we have spent less? Absolutely! Helen has plenty to enjoy without paying for every attraction.
But for roughly $500, we packed an entire day with completely different experiences, made some wonderful memories, and gave the kids a pretty good consolation prize for missing Fright Fest. 😂
Save on the things that don’t matter much to you. Spend on the experiences that do.
Worth the Drive From Atlanta?
Absolutely.
Helen is close enough for a spontaneous day trip but different enough to feel like you’ve escaped everyday life.
The Bavarian-style buildings, mountain scenery, seasonal celebrations, and nearby outdoor adventures make it easy to spend an entire day without getting bored.
And while Oktoberfest is especially fun, there’s plenty to enjoy in Helen beyond the festival itself.
Would We Do It Again? ❤️
Absolutely!
We’ve enjoyed Helen for years, especially during tubing season, but Oktoberfest gave us an entirely different reason to visit.
The cooler weather, festive atmosphere, German food, and mountain adventures made for a fantastic fall day.
Would I return to Uhuburg Castle? Probably not. I’m glad we experienced it, but once was enough for us.
Would I return to Helen for Oktoberfest, another ride on the Georgia Mountain Coaster, and more horseback riding?
In a heartbeat!
Remember When We…? ❤️
Remember when we canceled Six Flags, the kids were less than thrilled, and we somehow ended up exploring a castle, celebrating Oktoberfest, dressing like gangsters, and riding horses into the sunset?
What started as a disappointing change of plans became one of those wonderfully random family days we’ll remember for years.
Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you never saw coming. ❤️
Tiny traveler. Big adventures. No airplanes required. 🚂❤️
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