📍 Inside Shoppes at The Castle Inn · Helen, GA

Come BuildA Friend.

One of the most-loved things to do in Helen, GA — pick from 50+ animals, stuff it with love, dress it from a huge wardrobe, name it, and take home something you actually made.

Find us in Helen How it works
Walk-ins welcome All ages 50+ animals Rain or shine
Happy family holding their finished Huggables at Helen Huggables in Helen GA
Finished bunny Huggable in unicorn pajamas
Wall of 50+ unstuffed animals at Helen Huggables
Inside Shoppes at The Castle Inn
8580 N Main St · Helen, GA · Walk-ins always welcome
The Experience

Five steps to your new best friend

The whole adventure takes about 30 minutes — from blank animal to a named, dressed, fully-loved companion ready to take home.

⭐ ~30 min experienceBulldog Huggable dressed in a fisherman outfit at Helen Huggables
1

Pick your animal

Choose from 50+ unstuffed animals — bears, bunnies, frogs, penguins, dragons, raccoons, hedgehogs, huskies, lions, crocodiles, Highland cows, pandas, dalmatians, and more.

2

Choose your outfit & accessories

Browse a massive wardrobe — fishing gear, wedding gowns, tuxedos, cowboy hats, leather jackets, tutus, superhero suits, Hawaiian shirts, and dozens more.

3

Stuff your Huggable

Fill your animal at the stuffing station to exactly the right squishiness. Add a heart or wish star inside before it's closed up.

4

Get your birth certificate

See the cashier, name your Huggable, and receive your adoption birth certificate — the document that makes it real and completely yours.

5

Dress it & take it home

Put on the outfit you chose, give your new best friend one last squeeze, and carry it out into Helen's Alpine village.

Bride bear and monster groom Huggables in wedding outfits
Bride & groom — yours to build
Patchwork bear in a Helen GA t-shirt
The ultimate Helen GA souvenir
Animal bins with lions, crocodiles, bears, pandas
50+ animals to choose from
Who It's For

The right stop for every trip to Helen

Rainy afternoon, birthday crew, or first-time visitor — there's always a reason to come build a friend.

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Families & Kids

Hands-on, screen-free, and genuinely joyful. With 50+ animals and a wardrobe wall full of outfits, every kid walks out with something completely their own.

Plan your visit →
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Birthdays & Parties

Everyone makes their own Huggable and goes home with a keepsake. A party activity, a craft, and a custom gift all in one. Call ahead for groups.

Call to plan a group →
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Helen Day-Trippers

In town for Oktoberfest, tubing, or the Christmas Market? We're the only place in Helen where you take home a souvenir you actually built yourself.

Plan your Helen day →
Helen Huggables sign at the Shoppes at The Castle Inn on Main Street Helen Georgia
Helen Huggables logo
🐻 "Come Build A Friend"
Our Story

A new kind of shop in an old-world village

Helen Huggables is nestled inside the Shoppes at The Castle Inn on N Main Street in Helen, Georgia's beloved Bavarian Alpine village — bringing a make-it-yourself experience to one of North Georgia's most-visited destinations. We're an easy stop between the river, the shops, and everything else that fills a day in Helen.

With 50+ animals and a wardrobe stocked from fishing gear to wedding gowns to tuxedos, no two Huggables ever turn out the same. Want to take a piece of Helen home? We carry a "Helen Ga." bear — a one-of-a-kind local souvenir you can't get anywhere else.

We're the place families come back to on every trip to the mountains — you build something, and it means something.

Find us in Helen
50+
Animals to choose from
~30
Minutes start to finish
All
Ages always welcome
Location
Shoppes at The Castle Inn
8580 N Main St, Helen, GA
Phone
(762) 477-8611
Hours
Open daily
Seasonal hours vary
Reservations
Walk-ins always welcome
Groups — call ahead
FAQ

Questions, answered.

Everything you need before you visit. Anything else — just call us.

(762) 477-8611

What exactly is Helen Huggables?

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A hands-on stuffed animal workshop inside the Shoppes at The Castle Inn on N Main St in Helen, GA. Pick from 50+ unstuffed animals, stuff it at our station, dress it from a huge wardrobe, name it, get your adoption birth certificate, and take it home.

Is this a good rainy day activity in Helen?

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One of the best. We're fully indoors, the experience takes about 30 minutes, and it's fun for every age — an ideal plan B when the river or the trails are rained out.

How many animals do you have?

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Over 50 — bears, bunnies, frogs, penguins, dragons, raccoons, hedgehogs, huskies, lions, crocodiles, Highland cows, pandas, dalmatians, and more. New characters are added regularly.

How long does the experience take?

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About 20–45 minutes from walking in to walking out. The outfit choices tend to spark a lot of fun deliberation. No rush, ever.

Do I need a reservation?

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Walk-ins are always welcome. For birthday parties or groups, call ahead at (762) 477-8611 so we can be ready for your whole crew.

Are you open during Oktoberfest & the Christmas Market?

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Yes — open year-round including all of Helen's major events. Hours vary seasonally; check our Facebook page or call before heading over.

Come See Us in Helen

Your Huggable is waiting to be built.

Walk in any day — no appointment needed. Inside the Shoppes at The Castle Inn, right on N Main Street.

Get directions (762) 477-8611
Find Us

Inside the Shoppes at The Castle Inn

Inside the Shoppes at The Castle Inn on N Main Street — an easy walk from the Chattahoochee River, the covered bridge, and most of Helen's restaurants and shops.

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AddressShoppes at The Castle Inn
8580 N Main St, Helen, GA 30545
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HoursOpen daily · Seasonal hours vary
Check Facebook for current schedule
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ParkingStreet parking is limited, especially on busy weekends — plan for a short walk from nearby public lots
Open in Google Maps