What began as a creative distraction during the quiet days of the pandemic has blossomed into one of Georgia’s most heartfelt and colorful fashion stories. Mandi Paris Designs, a hand-painted clothing and fabric brand, is where art meets Southern grace—and where personal loss has been transformed into beauty, purpose, and joy.

Most people who visit Helen, Georgia, come for its Bavarian-themed downtown, Oktoberfest celebrations (coming up soon), and scenic Chattahoochee River tubing. But tucked away beyond the gingerbread storefronts and beer halls are lesser-known gems that reveal a different side of this North Georgia mountain town. If you’re looking to go off the beaten path, here are some obscure yet rewarding places to explore in Helen—plus a few insider tips to make the most of your trip.

Flannery O’Connor is one of the most enduring voices in American literature, and her story is deeply rooted in Georgia. Born in Savannah in 1925 and later moving to Milledgeville, she lived most of her life in the state, drawing inspiration from its people, culture, and landscapes. Georgia did not simply shape her identity—it shaped her work.

Some songs feel lived before they're written. Gregg Allman's "Midnight Rider" is one of those—part blues confession, part Southern folk tale, and part outlaw hymn. Its origin story is just as restless as the song itself, stretching from the quiet banks of Lake Juliette to a late-night break-in at Macon's Capricorn Studios.

In the heart of Southwest Georgia, a small-batch distillery with a big personality is making waves across the country. Founded in 2009 by Alton Darby and Kent Cost, Thirteenth Colony Distilleries began as a passion project rooted in family, tradition, and a little Southern ingenuity. Today, the company stands proudly as Georgia’s oldest operating distillery—and its story is as smooth and compelling as the spirits it produces.

In a bright upstairs studio tucked into the historic downtown of Macon, Georgia, Eric O’Dell is doing what he’s always done best—listening, observing, and making. As an associate professor of fine art at Mercer University and a dedicated artist in his own right, O'Dell brings a rare blend of humility, craftsmanship, and emotional depth to his work and his teaching. His journey began, perhaps unsurprisingly, with a moment of clarity at 18: “You’ve got to do what you love,” his high school English teacher told him. For O'Dell, that turned out to be art.

Scott Tyson remembers, “It was a gut punch when we first learned of his diagnosis. I remember calling my mother and pastor after we got the news and I had a hard time even speaking to them. I couldn’t get words to exit my mouth.” Scott’s young son, Mason, had cancer.