Similar to what everyone says, the City of Helen is a tourist trap and a little on the cheesy side,…read morebut that's exactly what my family and I wanted for a quick weekend getaway in North Georgia. We stopped by in Cleveland to check out a dog friendly waterfall, and drove about 20 minutes to our cabin in downtown Helen. Tubing was great! Unfortunately, we visited during peak season, so it was slammed - but it was a great experience nonetheless. There's a ton of hidden natural beauty on and around this city. We were able to fully unplug and just enjoy each other's company while doing something each of us wanted to do. Traffic can get a bit overwhelming, but the walkability in this city if great. My advice, do what you need to do on the earlier side of things to get ahead of the crowds. Overall, we had a great time. Helen is a great beginner level city for those wanting to explore the North Georgia mountains.

We were fortunate enough to visit Helen when it wasn't too packed or during an Oktoberfest, I'm…read moresure that would have been fun, but we were here for a short time and were getting ready to go to an eventful 3-day music festival in Gatlinburg, so a more mellow experience on our first visit was just what we hoped for. Helen is a unique place to visit, with plenty of shopping, eating, and drinking abound, you are sure to find something fun to do while you are here. During the slower tourist peaks, there were still some activities and live music in the main downtown area at the Biergarten and Bandshell off Main St. We didn't find any live German Polka, dancers of that sort; mostly a one-man band with karaoke, not what I was hoping for but at least there was some live music. There are plenty of spots for great photo op's and from a distance Helen looks really beautiful but when walking around town and assessing the buildings we noticed how dirty and dilapidated everything was. It seems like no one cares to keep up on this place except for a few exceptional stores. This is one of the main reasons we didn't stay long, we originally planned to stay two nights but only stayed one and left the next evening. A few places that you should check out if you are in or around Helen, GA are the Anna Ruby Falls, The Glass Blowing Shop, Lindenhaus Imports, Jolly's Toys, The Nacoochee Village Antique Mall, The Folk Pottery Museum, Tim's Wooden Toys, Betty's Country Store, and the Visitor Center. Helen is also known for the fantastic tubing down the Chattahoochee River. All-in-all, we had just an ok experience during our visit to Helen. Nancy say's it's a once and done, so we might not go back but if we are in the area again, I wouldn't mind going tubing.

Been going to the Topton USPS just about every day for 3+ years to drop off outgoing mail. Can't…read moreleave it in my mailbox due to theft. Small post office but very friendly and helpful.

I grew up just down the road from the Topton Post Office and I can honestly say it is lacking. They…read moreonly have one postmaster and often times the mail is not sorted by 10 am or 11 am. This is not the fault of the postmaster, it is simply understaffing. My parents had two mailboxes at this particular location and anytime I would get magazines or comic books in the mail the would be bent or creased which obviously is not what I was hoping. There are only about 150 mailboxes at this particular Post Office. Many of the locals get mail delivered but it is an extremely remote part of the country. In many of my other Topton/Nantahala reviews I mention that cell phone service is non existent. There are no restaurants or gas stations in Topton either. If you decide to move to this part of the country please be aware of the fact that technology is non existent. It is one of the most beautiful parts of the country but they are a little bit behind the times. When I visit I will have zero cell phone coverage for well over 20 miles. The Post Office is what it is. You cannot expect it to have all the amenities of the newer post offices in progressive areas.

Came to Brasstown Bald Observation Tower for the views and it was a sight to see! It's not everyday…read more(at least where I live) that you can stand in such a high place and be able to see mountains spanning across 4 different states. The entry fee was 8 per adult (kids are free) which also includes a van ride to the overlook. Or you can choose to hike which wasn't a long hike but steep from what I saw. A must do for anyone visiting the area! Ohh... and make sure you watch the little movie at the top, it's very cool to see how one place is its own little world in different seasons and the history behind the place.

The current Brasstown Bald observation tower was built in 1965, replacing an earlier stone tower…read morethat was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1935. The original 1935 stone tower was torn down in 1947 and replaced with a steel tower before the current structure was built - we'll folks looks like it's time to build another tower this one is in a state of disrepair. I came here to observe 4 states from the highest point in Georgia, but apparently the observation tower is in such bad shape that it is now closed to the public and your adventure will end after climbing a few flights of stairs ending at the base of the observation deck yeah there's a view from the lower level but in my opinion not worth the price of admission. Thankfully there's a shuttle van that takes you from the parking lot level to the top it runs about ever 10 minutes, our driver was very friendly and tried his best to entertain us during the short drive to the top but there's not much to say - the museum at the top is okay and takes about 2 minutes to tour it then time you walk the lower deck and wait for the shuttle back down - I purchased a refrigerator magnet for the RV from the gift shop and headed for the truck. I guess I am fortunate that I came and saw this, although it was never on my bucket list, I'm still trying to figure out why there's an old train engine in the museum it's quite the anachronism...

We went to sign up for Medicare. I had heard so many horror stories about what an ordeal it was to…read morego to any social security office. It opened at 9:00 am and we were in a line of maybe 8 people and other folks trickled in as we waited. When you go into the office there is a kiosk for you to sign in and to indicate why you are there. You can make an appt prior to your visit for many things but not enrolling in Medicare. You are issued a number that pops out of the kiosk and you wait to be called. Apparently your number correlates with the type of service you require. We probably waited 15-18 minutes and then were called up to a booth. The young man assisting us was very professional and polite. It all went very smoothly . I would recommend this location.

I am applying of SS benefit's this year and I could not find the answer to two important questions…read morethat I had anywhere on the website. I called the Winder SS office and after a short wait I was connected with fantastic agent named Alexa who was able to provide me with the answers that I needed. What a great experience!!

ON YOUR MARK, GET READY, SET…read more.. I will tell you when it is time to GO but for now, allow me to just whet that appetite. Remember when Dawsonville was just about the outlets? Well that is about to change because there is a crazy amount of construction going on in the form of two centers directly across from each other. If you are driving to the outlets via 400, you will encounter the Publix Shopping on the right and the Kroger complex on the left, just prior to reaching the outlets. The first thing I noticed about the Publix center is that there a couple of new restaurants there, Brooklyn Joe's, (currently open) and La Hacienda Mexican restaurant, (opening soon). These are a great addition because my biggest complaint about this area has always been about the limited number of restaurants. I am so excited to just have some new options and not feel that I have to wait until I get home in order to eat. There are also other retail businesses in this center such as a nail salon, pet store and other stores not yet identified. Directly across the street is that behemoth of a grocery store, Kroger. I visited both stores and Kroger wins hands down! We are talking about a bicycle vs a Harley with a side car. This will be the place you will want to stop if you want to eat a meal in-house, visit Starbucks, get some delicious donuts, great organic groceries and so much more. A new Marshalls is scheduled to open very soon and Ross will be added along with a couple of other retailers. I imagine that everything will be up and running by mid-January. I will certainly keep you posted! In the meantime, you will have to deal with the crazy road construction and increased traffic issues. My objective is to just avoid those high traffic times knowing that it will all be worth it in the end!

I needed to file for SSDI. With the virus I knew it was not…read moregoing to be normal. I set up an appointment for them to take my application via telephone. My application was taken via phone 3weeks later it was a pleasant experience. Ms. Rafuna was very caring, showed compassion,but kept us on on track. After we closed the call, over the next weeks, I had some questions regarding the process and she always returned my calls promptly and asked good qualifying questions to be able to answer the questions correctly. I was in the hotel sector for 30yrs and I could have only dreamed of having her on my staff. She had a job to do with a lot of procedures to be done but did it with keeping my emotions in check and showing me respect. RT I am very happy with the service she and her team has shown me.

Thank you Monica for your patience, help and knowledge with assisting me with this request on…read moreDecember 12th. I really appreciate the information you shared with me. Your are an asset to your team and what you guys do to help others. Be blessed.

I had called this prison for two days! Finally got ahold of someone who didn't have a clue as to…read morewhy employees were not in the mailroom at 9:14am. Call back he told me! Checked online and haven't seen any information on their closing and becoming a transitional facility at this time.

It would be nice if they would answer the phone! I haven't heard from my inmate for weeks and I'm…read moreextremely concerned and also I have many questions on how to use their system. I can't seem to get any help anywhere; the website is not working according to my computer. I'm extremely frustrated; I can't send my inmate money for phone and commissary because although she has me on her visitation list jpay says I'm not on her list! InmateAid takes 3-4 days to send her my email and cards that I send online. I know she needs things and is wondering if we have abandoned her! LASP needs to answer the phone!

Early on a Saturday afternoon, the Cherokee County Courthouse in Murphy was all buttoned up and…read moresecured, which somehow made it even more striking as I walked the quiet square and took in that big presence that really dominates the block. The Classical Revival design hits you right away with those tall columns and the kind of symmetry that feels like it was built to impress. The 1927 construction date shows in all the best ways with that sturdy early 20th century confidence. With no one around, it was easy to stroll the perimeter and just let the building show off in the afternoon light. Cherokee County was formed in 1839 and Murphy has been the county seat from the start. When you see how this courthouse anchors the town, you get why they never moved it. Even locked up, it feels like a place that has seen a lot of local history roll right past its steps. The combination of its scale, the stonework and the mountain backdrop gives it a kind of quiet authority that sneaks up on you. It is impressive and imposing in the best way, and it makes for a surprisingly satisfying stop when you are wandering around town on a slow Saturday. [Review 514 of 2026 - 4609 in North Carolina - 25696 overall]

After jumping through all the hoops to find what I was looking for, paying online for the info,…read morenever received the report.

Amazing to watch the shadow come around and morph into a bear! If you are in the area in mid-late…read moreOctober, make sure you check this out! Bear comes around 5:30 pm but definitely get there early as there is limited parking.

Are you looking for something to do this fall? Have you ever heard of the "Shadow of the Bear" in…read moreNorth Carolina? This was highlighted in "Our State" magazine, I think last year but I could have saved the article from the year before, but this was one of those items on my "local" bucket list to see. I love the Shadow of the Bear in Cashiers! The "Shadow of the Bear" is visible for 30 minutes daily (on sunny days!) between 5:30-6:15 PM from mid-October through early November as the sun sets behind Whiteside Mountain between Sapphire Valley and Highlands, North Carolina. It's best seen on clear days around 5:30 p.m., with the show lasting for about a half-hour. The photos below are from 2022; I'm pretty sure we'll visit again this year. PS I agree with Ginger L. that the camaraderie with all the people standing on the side of the road to watch is an experience in itself. A note of caution, to view the bear, you park your car on the side of a road hugging the edge of a mountain and people crossing the road that has a curve around the mountain so use caution while driving through the area and walking along the road!!!! But its all worth the view!!!