Mountain City Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

gatling burk city view during day
gatling burk city view during day
Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a cloudy day in the early spring
This was probably the most framing that I put into a photograph, and I realized that as I took the picture. I wanted to capture Mountain City, TN in a different way, other than just the beautiful mountains or the gristmill. This photo of all the arrowed signs facing different directions within the city signifies not only what the city has to offer, but the rich history and diversity. Each part of the sign can tell its own story to Mountain City. For example, Doe Mountain is full of recreation and beautiful landscapes, while you can find more history at Heritage Hall, which is a 1923 former high school auditorium. And keeping with the contrasting theme of new while preserving the old Appalachia, compare the Trade Gristmill to the Welcome Center. The Trade Gristmill has been around since 1802 and is one of the first working gristmills in the Johnston County Area. Compare that to a place like the Mountain City Welcome Center, which a spot designed to inform tourists about all the area has to offer such as the gristmill, and you have the old Appalachia becoming part of the new. #appalachianechoes
This is another example of the new vs. the old Appalachia through contrasting nature with development. Instead of a shopping and entertainment center, this is of a newly developed home that is (most likely) hundreds of thousands of dollars. It sits on a smaller hill, right off highway TN-91 in Wills, TN, an extremely small junction halfway between Laurel Bloomery and Mountain City. The frame doesn’t contain as much nature as other photos purposely. The goal in that is to show we can combine the new needs of Appalachia with the old beauty, but at a certain point, the new may strip away ‘too much’ of the old. #appalachianechoes
Americourt Hotel

Americourt Hotel

2.5 out of 5
450 Dotson Lane Mountain City TN
Stay at this motel in Mountain City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
6.6/10 (528 reviews)
Friendly staff

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026

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Americourt Hotel
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Boone University

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Boone University

3 out of 5
165 Highway 105 Extension Boone NC
The price is ₹9,401 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
₹9,401
₹10,599 total
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Boone. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and wired Internet (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
Nice clean room

Reviewed on 21 Jan 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Boone University
Graystone Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel

Graystone Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel

3 out of 5
2419 NC HWY 105 South Boone NC
The price is ₹10,812 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
₹10,812
₹12,191 total
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Boone. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,261 reviews)
We had a great experience starting with staff being friendly and helpful. The room was clean, with everything well stocked and in the right place. There are plenty of USB and regular power plugs. I can turn on the shower to let it warm up without getting wet. The breakfast was well above ...

Reviewed on 21 Jan 2026

Graystone Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel
See all 5,799 properties in Mountain City
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Highlands at Sugar

The Highlands at Sugar

3 out of 5
2173 Sugar Mountain Drive Banner Elk NC
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Banner Elk. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (775 reviews)
Nice space andvamenitues

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

The Highlands at Sugar
Smoketree Lodge

Smoketree Lodge

3 out of 5
11914 Highway 105 Banner Elk NC
Stay at this aparthotel in Banner Elk. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Sugar Mountain Resort and Grandfather Mountain ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (265 reviews)
Well located, near Sugar Mountain. The room was confortable and with very good amenities.

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Smoketree Lodge
Swiss Mountain Village

Swiss Mountain Village

3 out of 5
2324 Flat Top Rd Blowing Rock NC
Stay at this cabin in Blowing Rock. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a picnic area. Popular attractions Appalachian Ski Mtn. and Tweetsie Railroad are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (167 reviews)
Easy check in and out. The cabin and surrounding grounds were in excellent condition and well kept. A call to the office with questions was answered promptly and courteously.

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

Swiss Mountain Village
See all properties in Mountain City
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Fox cub in forest, posing at spring woods

Red Tail Golf Course

Enjoy a round of golf in Mountain City at Red Tail Golf Course. Stroll along the lakeside in this relaxing area or seek out the fishing spots.

Red Tail Golf Course

Doe Mountain Recreation Area

Explore the great outdoors at Doe Mountain Recreation Area, a lovely green space in Mountain City. Discover the area's mountain views and restaurants.

Doe Mountain Recreation Area

Johnson County Welcome Center and Museum

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Johnson County Welcome Center and Museum in Mountain City. Discover the area's mountain views and restaurants.

Johnson County Welcome Center and Museum

Johnson County Public Library

Johnson County Public Library is just one of the places to see in Mountain City, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the area's mountain views and restaurants.

Johnson County Public Library

Roan Valley Commons

You can search for that perfect souvenir at Roan Valley Commons during your stay in Mountain City. Discover the area's mountain views and restaurants.

Roan Valley Commons

Johnson County Community Hospital

If Johnson County Community Hospital is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of Mountain City.

Johnson County Community Hospital

Cities near Mountain City

Aging Covered Bridge

Elizabethton

Another #hiddentreasure of Appalachia is this view from Vilas Overlook. I managed to snap a picture at the perfect time—the leaves are changing colors, the goldenrod is in full-bloom, and the cloudy sky is covering the hills like a blanket. That’s right—not even the cloudy skies can diminish the incredible view that this is. I found it on my way to Trashcan Falls, and it is up a dirt road. The view was different than other overlooks like Thunderhill and Howard’s Knob in my opinion because this one was nestled right in a residential area. You can even see the house I had to park above to get this shot! Luckily it was a lazy Sunday and nobody seemed to notice I was there—they were all probably napping after church! #appalachianechoes #vilas #overlook #appalachia #mountains

Vilas