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AREA POINTS OF INTEREST

SAUTEE-NACOOCHEE
On GA. 17 at GA. 255
Music, dancing, art, food, history, and culture are the heartbeat of this small mountain hamlet.
Traveling East from the Sautee Nacoochee Indian Mound at GA. 17 you will find the Village
of Sautee Nacoochee. Step back in time in the Old Sautee Store; enjoy fine dining at Bernie’s
Restaurant, find treasures in the shops of Sautee Junction, or visit the area’s historical sites.The
Sautee Nacoochee Center offers a look into a small portion of the area’s heritage and culture
along with the renowned Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia with functional works of art.
The Stovall Covered Bridge stands as a testament to an era gone by. The Gourd Ladies at The
Gourd Place mix the new with the old, sprinkling a little imagination. Vineyards dot the landscape,
and several tasting rooms have opened to give visitors the chance to enjoy the local “fruit of the
vine.”

NACOOCHEE INDIAN MOUND
Located on GA. 17 just east of GA. 75 near Helen, GA.
State historic site. Nacoochee Indian Mound was the center of the ancient Cherokee town
of Gauxule, visited by DeSoto in 1540 in his search for gold, according to legend. On this
ceremonial mound, 190 feet long, 150 feet wide and 20 feet high, stood the Town House where
a sacred fire burned unceasingly. Ceremonial dances were performed in and around the Town
House. Residents of the town lived on the flat land surrounding the mound. The findings of Heye
Foundation archaeologists who explored the mound in 1915 indicate the advanced cultural
development of the builders.
UNICOI STATE PARK
(706) 878-2201 • 1788 Highway 356 Rd., 2 miles northeast of Helen via GA. Hwy. 356.
Nestled in the North Georgia mountains just two miles from the Alpine village
of Helen, Unicoi is one of Georgia’s most beloved state parks. Throughout
the year, the park offers outstanding programs which focus on natural,
cultural, historical and recreational resources. Groups can make advanced
reservations for specialized programs. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking LOCAL INFORMATION • AREA POINTS OF INTEREST
and biking on scenic mountain trails, especially those leading to Helen and
Anna Ruby Falls. Craft lovers should not miss the lodge gift shop specializing
in hand-made quilts and local pottery. Numerous picnic tables are located
throughout the park. Park Hours are 7AM-10PM.

DAHLONEGA GOLD MUSEUM
(706) 864-2257 • #1, Public Square Dahlonega , GA
Twenty years before the famed 1849 gold rush in California, thousands of prospectors flocked
into the Cherokee Nation in North Georgia, marking the true beginning of our country’s first
gold rush. Their dramatic story is told inside the historic 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse,
the oldest courthouse in Georgia. Dahlonega prospered with this mining activity, and a U.S.
Branch Mint opened in 1838, coining more than $6 million in gold before closing in 1861. The
museum’s exhibits include a set of these coins, a nugget weighing more than five ounces, a large
hydraulic cannon and nozzle used to blast soil from mountainsides, a film and gift shop. Visitors
can also explore the courthouse features, including beautiful wooden chapel seats from 1889
and the judge’s chambers. The town of Dahlonega is a popular destination for gold panning,
shopping and sight-seeing. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9AM-5PM; Sunday, 10AM-5PM; Closed
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

BRASSTOWN BALD
(706) 896-2556 • Blairsville Ranger Office,1881 Highway 515 , Blairsville, GA
The highest point in the state of Georgia is Brasstown Bald, located about 45 minutes from the
town of Helen. The Visitor Information Center, located on the summit of the Bald, offers exhibits,
video presentations and interpretive programs. A steep, paved 1/2 mile trail leads from the
parking lot to the Visitor Information Center on the Bald. For those who don’t want to walk, a
concessionaire operates a shuttle bus from the parking area to the Visitor Information Center
for a fee. There is a fantastic observation platform at the very top of the mountain providing 360
degree panoramic views.