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 €106 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
€106
22 Feb - 23 Feb
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! (1,006 reviews)
Beds were comfortable and hot tub was perfect after skiing all day. Breakfast selection was really good as well. Will be back to stay again.

Reviewed on 3 Feb 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 €114 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
€114
8 Mar - 9 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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,284 reviews)
Good everything. Clean room, nice staff and good breakfast with gluten free bread and fresh fruit! Puzzles and games for kids at the lobby. Nothing was really bad but if you're sensitive about the noise, the road outside can get loud. I also wish the pool was a little warmer.

Reviewed on 9 Feb 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
The price is €102 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
€102
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Banner Elk. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (474 reviews)
Hotel needs a refresh however it was clean and the staff was very friendly. You can easily walk to several restaurants close by. We liked how close it was to the ski area.

Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026

4 Seasons at Beech Mountain
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! (788 reviews)
The size and accommodations of this stay exceeded my expectations!

Reviewed on 25 Jan 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 Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ashe Lake and Five Ridge Theatre are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (67 reviews)
Excellent

Reviewed on 2 Feb 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 Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Sugar Mountain Resort and Grandfather Mountain ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (269 reviews)
Everything was great! Would definitely stay again!

Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026

Smoketree Lodge
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