Okay, so summer does officially end this month, but that doesn’t mean that your adventures and road trips have to end along with it. Actually, the fall season is one of the best times to take a vacation. There’s a nice, crisp feel to the air; it’s not stifling hot, and it’s not to cool to walk around outside without a jacket. Soon, the leaves will start turning, and the foliage makes for a perfect backdrop for vacation photo shoots. But what if you’ve done the beach thing all summer and you’re looking for something different to do that’s not really that far from home. Well, Helen, GA, about a 2 hour drive from Amber Chase Apartments, is definitely a change of pace.

Helen, Georgia is a fun and funky German town about 1.5 hours north of Atlanta. Here you can get pretty authentic German food (and chocolate!), go tubing on the Chattahoochee in the summer months, and see AMAZING foliage in the Chattahoochee  National Forest in the fall. Normally the leaves will start to turn mid-September, early October, but now is as good a time as any to go. Even an early winter excursion would be nice; you may even see some snow near the mountains in North Georgia, because  you know we won’t see much living in this part of GA.

For a more homestyle stay in the center of everything, the Best Western Alpine is a great choice. It’s clean and comfortable, and won’t put a supreme dent in your wallet. (You’ll need that extra gas money for the two hour drive. ) Another great place to stay would be The Helendorf River Inn and Conference Center. This hotel offers a heated pool and the Chattahoochee is directly behind the hotel. There are also quaint little cabins and bed and breakfasts to stay in.

So if you’re looking for a quaint, yet picturesque and mildly inexpensive getaway, Helen, GA is a place to consider.

What are you doing with your last days of summer?

photo credit: Wikipedia