There's lots to do in Helen! We go twice every year for SoWo and the Bavarian Run, so we've seen and done lots.
Shopping, there are certainly all kinds of tourist trap type places to get novelty items and souvenirs. Kind of like a German Gatlinburg. By this point we usually skip most of the shops, but they're worth checking out if you've never been. Definitely visit the fudge shop, they are generous with free samples and will usually make you a deal if you pick out several slices of fudge. It's easy to go crazy and get way too much, so be careful.
We consider ourselves mini golf aficionados and there are two great courses. One is the Pirate Golf across from the Helendorf. Golf and pirates, what more could you want? The other is Alpine Golf on the other side of town. It's a more challenging course but lots of fun, and when you're finished there's a Mayfield ice cream parlor to visit.
Tubing, I've never done it but you can hop on an inner tube and go floating down the river. Bring a swimsuit.
The Festhalle will definitely be a happening place for Oktoberfest. Usually there's live music inside.
Recommended places to eat:
Bigg Daddy's (
yelp) - They have an awesome chicken sandwich called the Georgia Clucker. You can get it grilled or fried. Also have great burgers and wings. Pizza isn't bad either. I recommend sitting outside on the deck.
Cafe International - (
yelp) Large menu featuring dishes from all over the world. You can dine outdoors overlooking the river. Nice food and atmosphere and we've always had wonderful service.
Hofer's Bakery (
yelp) - Get here early for breakfast. Usually packed, but excellent breakfast items. Oddly enough you can't get bacon though. I like the
Apfelkuechle and the Alpine French Toast.
La Cabana (
yelp) - A Mexican restaurant in a Bavarian village? Yes, and it's actually quite good. Two locations, one on the main drag and another behind town near the Dollar General.
Paul's Steakhouse isn't bad, haven't been in a while though. I think it's pricey but you get a ton of food. Ask Zen about the chicken livers
There's also a BBQ place but I've never been. Supposed to be very good though.
Places I would avoid eating at: Troll Tavern, located under the bridge. Seems like a great location, but the times we've went, the service was slow, food wasn't great and the price was high. Jordano's across the street, it's an average pizza place. Not awful but honestly I had better pizza at Bigg Daddy's and I'd rather go there anyways. Old Bavaria Inn, we went once for "authentic" German food and atmosphere, they had the atmosphere but the food itself wasn't fantastic. And the service was slow considering we were literally the only table in the place at the time.
Note that there are also some chains, there's a Wendy's, Huddle House and Subway off the top of my head. I wouldn't bother with them, the only one I have been to is Huddle House and I was extremely drunk so I don't remember what I had there.
