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
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 ₩152,034 per night from Mar 8 to Mar 9
₩152,034
₩171,425 total
Mar 8 - Mar 9
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! (1,002 reviews)
Large clean rooms and a very friendly staff.

Reviewed on Feb 11, 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 ₩165,967 per night from Mar 8 to Mar 9
₩165,967
₩187,127 total
Mar 8 - Mar 9
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! (1,284 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 Feb 9, 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! (476 reviews)
yes

Reviewed on Feb 12, 2026

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4 Seasons at Beech Mountain
See all 5,806 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! (270 reviews)
Clean room, friendly and helpful staff, cozy lodge atmosphere with the game room, heated pool, and hot tub. We had a great weekend!

Reviewed on Feb 8, 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! (40 reviews)
The cabin was clean and cozy. The property was gorgeous and seeing the goats were so cute. We loved the communication we received. We felt the team here went above and beyond with texting us recommendations of things to do in the area before check in.

Reviewed on Jan 21, 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

4/5(1 review)

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

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

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

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

Johnson County Community Hospital

Though Johnson County Community Hospital might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Mountain City while you are here.

Johnson County Community Hospital

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