EEs? Or MOD the originals?

If you've never played the game, I would go for the original - that's my personal take. I tend to go for original author's vision of the game whenever possible (without mods).

I've played BG a few times over the years. Currently trying to mod it into BGT.

Well tried to mod it to BGT......most of the mods don't seem to work...suggestions, please?

What's the path you are taking while modding? Following the sticky Newbie guide; modding BG1 if you buy BG1 + BG2 from GOG is usually the safest way to do it. I also wrote an installation guide for Linux Mint users. You may take a look there and then if you mention which mods you are trying to use, we can help you.

Here's the list of what I've tried to use......
Throne of Bhaal Extender patch
Ascension
BG2 Fixpack
BG Trilogy
BG Trilogy Graphics Overhaul
BG1 NPC Project
Music Pack
BG1 Unfinished Business
BGSpawn System
BG2 Banterpack
BG2 Unfinished Business
Swoed Coast Stratagems
BGT Tweak Pack
BG2 Tweaks
One Pixel Productions
Ding0 Experience Fixer
BGT Widescreen

the problem seems to be that the can't be found in the games directory.....

I maybe wrong but that sounds ok. Can you start the game? If so, which mods don't seem to work?

Also, are you using Gog Galaxy? if so, don't. Gog Galaxy is known to mess with the mods, especially BG1. I even opened a topic about it years ago. If they fixed it, I don't know.

Nope, not using it.

If it’s the first time you are going to play them, the Enhanced Edition versions provide a better experience.
If you are a returning player who already played the originals, the Enhanced Edition versions provide a better experience.

The only upside of the original versions if for old-timers like me who have strong position on some details of the old games. Hey, I do not even like BGT that a lot of people advocating for the original versions seems to advertise, because it denatures too much of the first Baldur’s Gate.

I have played BG 1 before. I tried playing the EEs but just couldn't get into the changes....cutscenes, etc.....suggestions?

Okay....thanks......

Do you mean the chitin.key or dialog.tlk ?
If so you just excepted the defaults, and haven't browsed to the correct path.

Then exactly where should the mods go?

In your BG2 root directory. The one with bgmain.exe. They will have their own sub-folders, but the setup files will be in the root directory.
For me that is E:\Games\Baldur's Gate 2. See Pic:

Take a screenshot of the error message that says it can't find something.