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
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 ₹8,947 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
₹8,947
₹10,088 total
15 Mar - 16 Mar
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,013 reviews)
Very clean and comfortable. Nice staff.

Reviewed on 9 Mar 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 ₹10,789 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
₹10,789
₹12,164 total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,309 reviews)
Only 1 complimentary water for a room with two people, shower gel/soap dispenser was completely empty and shower door didn’t stay closed… other than that beautiful room and property… best hotel breakfast and nicest staff ever!

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

Graystone Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Abingdon, VA

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Abingdon, VA

2.5 out of 5
940 E Main St Abingdon VA
The price is ₹7,682 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
₹7,682
₹8,627 total
5 Apr - 6 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Abingdon. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,172 reviews)
Didn't use the Wi-Fi or have the breakfast

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2026

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Abingdon, VA
See all 5,773 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! (806 reviews)
The amenities were well kept. The room was very clean and that says a lot because I am a professional cleaner and can spot anything missed. The staff were beyond nice. I would like to return and stay a little longer next time.

Reviewed on 8 Mar 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 Grandfather Mountain and Sugar Mountain Resort ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (275 reviews)
Very courteous staff. The place is very dated but it's a good value for being so close to Beech Mtn (10 mins) and Sugar Mtn (25 mins) ski resorts. Room was well equipped with a mini kitchen and everything necessary to cook (Stove, pots and pans, boiler, toaster, cutlery, plates, bowls...) Quiet despite ...

Reviewed on 20 Feb 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 Tweetsie Railroad and Moses Cone Manor are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (176 reviews)
Cabin was great, but the pull out couch mattress was very springy and uncomfortable to sleep on, in addition to the fact that it was completely missing the sheets and no one from the office picked up our calls when we realized it. Overall, everything else was ok and clean.

Reviewed on 25 Feb 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 family-friendly 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

Red Tail Mountain Golf Club

Enjoy a round of golf in Mountain City at Red Tail Mountain Golf Club. Discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area or seek out the fishing spots.

Red Tail Mountain Golf Club

Heritage Hall Theater

You can make plans for a show at Heritage Hall Theater during your stay in Mountain City. Discover the area's mountain views and restaurants.

Heritage Hall Theater

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

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