Mountain City

Travel 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 P5,853 per night from Feb 22 to Feb 23
P5,853
P6,599 total
Feb 22 - Feb 23
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Boone. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and wired Internet (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
Very clean room and the staff were so friendly.

Reviewed on Feb 15, 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 P6,431 per night from Mar 15 to Mar 16
P6,431
P7,251 total
Mar 15 - Mar 16
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Boone. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,290 reviews)
Well-kept, clean, good location, good breakfast!

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2026

Graystone Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel
4 Seasons at Beech Mountain

4 Seasons at Beech Mountain

2.5 out of 5
608 Beech Mountain Pkwy Banner Elk NC
Book a stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Banner Elk. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (479 reviews)
yes

Reviewed on Feb 12, 2026

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4 Seasons at Beech Mountain
See all 5,807 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
Book a stay at this family-friendly apartment in Banner Elk. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (789 reviews)
The size and accommodations of this stay exceeded my expectations!

Reviewed on Jan 25, 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 WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Sugar Mountain Resort and Grandfather Mountain ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (273 reviews)
The staff was great, after hours check in was easy, location was close to everything. Room was clean and quaint. Would stay again!!

Reviewed on Feb 18, 2026

Smoketree Lodge
Heritage Hill Cabins

Heritage Hill Cabins

3 out of 5
161 Alnic Ln Banner Elk NC
Stay at this cabin in Banner Elk. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Beech Mountain Resort and Alta Vista Gallery ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (41 reviews)
Better than expected!!!

Reviewed on Feb 15, 2026

Heritage Hill Cabins
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 exploring the galleries in Johnson County Welcome Center and Museum during your travels in Mountain City. Discover the area's mountain views and restaurants.

Johnson County Welcome Center and Museum

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 do some window-shopping at Roan Valley Commons during your visit to Mountain City. Discover the area's mountain views and restaurants.

Roan Valley Commons

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 relaxing area, or seek out the fishing spots.

Red Tail Mountain Golf Club
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

Touching untouched land at Snake Mountain which cuts through Zionville, NC, highlights the beauty of the land that Appalachia stands for. The beauty of the Appalachian Mountains is apparent as my friends and I risk encountering dangerous animals and steep hills as we hike through untamed, flourished plants. Weeding through the hectic trees we encountered an even deeper meaning of untouched land as we came across cows and horses grazing in the land. The beauty of Snake Mountain is apparent as human trails are highlighted with slight indentations in the grass and burnt fire pits that are inhabited by the local animals. The pure lack of industrialization is a welcoming feature and trait of Appalachia that people of the region love and embrace. #appalachianechoes

Zionville