July 5, 2026
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One of our favorite things about RV travel, is taking scenic day trips. This time, we headed toward the beautiful North Georgia mountains to explore the Bavarian town of Helen, GA.
As we approached Helen, it quickly became obvious that we had picked a popular day to visit! We passed River Tube Rentals with brightly colored pink and green inner tubes. As we drove along the river there seemed to be an endless parade of happy floaters making their way through town.
Helen itself was bustling with activity. The charming Bavarian-style buildings looked as picturesque as we’d imagined, but every parking space was taken. Rather than spend our afternoon circling for a spot, we decided to simply enjoy the drive through town. Even from the jeep, it was easy to see why Helen is such a popular destination.
As we drove along the streets, one detail caught my eye. Decorative Fourth of July banners hung from the lamposts, each featuring a famous Cabbage Patch Kid. (I don’t think Ken even noticed). That instantly brought back memories of the craze surrounding those dolls in the 1980s. I remembered that their creator, Xavier Roberts, was from this area, and suddenly I knew exactly where our next stop needed to be.
A short drive brought us to Cleveland, Georgia, home of BabyLand General Hospital.
Ken decided to stay in the car and enjoy a snack while I stepped inside to relive a few wonderful memories. Walking through BabyLand was like stepping back in time. Since our girls were little during the height of the Cabbage Patch craze, seeing all those familiar doll faces brought back so many happy memories.
The hospital is much more than a gift shop—it’s an experience. Everywhere I looked were adorable Cabbage Patch Kids waiting for new families. The sweetest part was watching little girls proudly “adopting” their new babies, carefully filling out adoption papers and cradling their dolls as if they were real infants. Their smiles reminded me so much of my own daughters when they were young.
Between the lively river scene, the beautiful mountain drive, and a nostalgic visit to BabyLand General Hospital, it was another wonderful adventure that reminded me how often the best travel memories come from unexpected detours.