Mountain City, TN

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

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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 AED 356 per night from Mar 8 to Mar 9
AED 356
AED 401 total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
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! (1,005 reviews)
Awesome staff Awesome stay

Reviewed on 1 March 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 AED 429 per night from Mar 8 to Mar 9
AED 429
AED 484 total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,302 reviews)
Perfect great stay and calm environment

Reviewed on 28 February 2026

Graystone Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel
Little Creek Cabin, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 Baths (Sleeps 4)

Little Creek Cabin, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 Baths (Sleeps 4)

Fleetwood NC
Stay at this cabin in Fleetwood. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ashe Lake and Five Ridge Theatre are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (69 reviews)
Paul was great and the cabin was perfect !

Reviewed on 1 March 2026

Get rates
Little Creek Cabin, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 Baths (Sleeps 4)
See all 5,802 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! (802 reviews)
Pros: The suite was clean. The space is large and roomy with plenty of blankets, and kitchen pans, appliances, and dishware. Check-in and out was easy and staff friendly. Location is very nice with a great view from all suites. Enjoyed the real wood fireplace. Bought some logs at local store and ...

Reviewed on 25 February 2026

The Highlands at Sugar
Little Creek Cabin, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 Baths (Sleeps 4)

Little Creek Cabin, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 Baths (Sleeps 4)

Fleetwood NC
Stay at this cabin in Fleetwood. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ashe Lake and Five Ridge Theatre are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (69 reviews)
Paul was great and the cabin was perfect !

Reviewed on 1 March 2026

Little Creek Cabin, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 Baths (Sleeps 4)
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! (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 February 2026

Smoketree Lodge
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

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

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

Reviews of Mountain City

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 21%
4 - Good
8
4 - Good 42%
3 - Okay
6
3 - Okay 32%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 5%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

It’s a bit far from Boone which was the original request for a reservation. 35 minutes mountain driving. But the views are worth it.

4/5 - Good

R.B.

liked Mountain City. Will go back.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Nice, quiet town