America's 50 Best Small Towns in the Mountains. In the heart of western North Carolina's High Country, Banner Elk sits at an elevation of 3,701 . Walland. In the summer, these same ski hills feature downhill . months that turn the rest of the South sticky: the Blue Ridge Mountains, which keep temperatures at a lovely 75 degrees in August," Tuff says. The Appalachian Mountains in Maine are the most remote point in New England from the population centers of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. You already love towns like Charlottesville, Asheville, and Fayetteville for their outdoor vibe, but the Southern Appalachians are full of lesser-known small towns that boast vibrant scenes and access to incredible adventure. Chattanooga. To help you make the most of your getaway in Sevier County, we've put together a guide to the 5 best towns in the Smoky Mountains: 1. Grand Highlands encompasses 300 acres of woodlands and meadows. Morgantown. Site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Games, Lake Placid still feels like an Olympic village. It is, of course, celebrated for the unusual rock formation that is the town's namesake- a huge stone thrust over the Johns River. The Appalachian Trail's northern most point is Mt. Just over 20mi (32km) south of Nashville is Franklin, a fast-growing city in Williamson County. 03-09-2015, 10:56 PM Shakeesha : Location: Nashville, TN. The most recent of a long list of awards was Community of the Year by the Asheville Builders Association (ABA). Here Are The 7 Best Mountain Towns In Tennessee You Can Actually Afford To Live In. Whether you love hiking or cycling, Appalachian Mountains is a region where 20 hidden gems are waiting to be explored and visited. 5 /21. The metro area takes pride in its involved community, is rich in history, has a main street, and is the cheapest place to live in the . N CAROLINA Boone, N.C. has a built-in air conditioner for the summer. Nantahala Outdoors Center is located in the Nantahala Gorge and provides excursions for whitewater rafting, ziplining, mountain biking . Though there are only 500 residents who live in Helen, it's Georgia's third-most visited city. While it's very popular for skiing and snowboarding each winter, they have an impressive trail system for hiking and mountain biking in the summer. A north Georgia mountain town with an old soul, Blue Ridge is a fun town for retirees. You can check out the winners from last year's Best . 2. Its cobblestone streets are full of cute little chalet-style shops. Appalachia (/ ˌ æ p ə ˈ l æ tʃ ə,-l eɪ tʃ ə,-l eɪ ʃ ə /) is a cultural region in the Eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York State to northern Alabama and Georgia. At Montaluce Winery, the rolling landscape and Italianate villa channel the Tuscan countryside, while Wolf Mountain . Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. 2. The Culture Trip names Chattanooga as one of the most beautiful places to live in Tennessee, as this urban location is surrounded by natural beauty. Each of our North Carolina mountain towns has its own personality and charm, offering an authentic Appalachian experience unlike any other. 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville; 800.581.8032; hike-inn.com. County: Wise County. Jon Bilous/Shutterstock. Summer golf and scenic chairlift rides too. Quality of life attractions include historic districts, six golf courses and a regional airport, and all Chevrolet Corvettes have been built in Bowling Green since 1981. . Average Home Cost: $237,708. There's also the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which . Beech Mountain Condo (7 guests): $102/night. Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, this eclectic city has a thriving art and music . Crowd-free is a way of life in our charming mountain towns. 11. 5. 1,049) 1 / 7. It is the capital and largest city (53,000 people) of Wyoming and is an interesting place to retire. Bryson City, North Carolina, is a small town with big views. Isle of Hope, Georgia. Check the top places to visit in the region and plan your next adventure today. And is a good place to live (my personal favorite on today's list). Beckley, West Virginia, is the epitome of small-town America. 13. May 29 - May 30. However, as a mountain range, there are numerous places to hide and where you can be well . It was founded in 1799 by Abram Maury Jr, who named the city after founding father Benjamin Franklin. We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). 29 Jun 11. Best Places 2021-2022 Rank: 52 Metro Population: 366,678 Median Home Price: $161,000 Average Annual Salary: $41,840 Located in the Catawba Valley of North Carolina, Hickory is a part of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 2. From endless miles of hiking trails to local art shops to award-winning restaurants, these eight towns along the Blue Ridge Mountains make the perfect day-trip for anyone visiting the area. Stowe, Vermont. NOBO 2,075, SOBO 115. The best Homesteading area lies north and west of I-95 and east of US 201 in north central Maine. Take advantage of the snowy scenery and enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and sledding at Chestnut Mountain Resort, as well as sleigh rides. Here are some of the best places to find them. Spring Mountain Ranch State Park has Yoga on the Meadow classes that allow you to stretch and relax near the colorful rocky landscape. Credit: Courtesy of Cristian Xavier. These are the best small mountain towns with populations of about 10,000 or . We want to know your favorite town in four categories: Best River Town, Best Trail Town, Best Music Town, and Best Beer Town. With a population of 3,715, this is the ideal North Georgia town for someone who loves becoming friends with their neighbors. WV is the only state completely covered with the Appalachian Mountains. Related: 7 Reasons to Quit Your Job & Become A Ski Bum: This is the coolest town on our list for temperature (highest town in the eastern USA at 5,506 feet elevation). Mentone, Alabama. 2 Conway, New Hampshire. These small mountain towns in NC obviously have lots to offer, and in my opinion Blowing Rock (population 1300, altitude 3500+ feet) is truly amongst the finest. Blue Ridge is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Georgia because of Lake Blue Ridge, the Toccoa River, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Courtesy of Peak Lodge. 3. The rustic inn features bunk beds, linens, a bathhouse, and family-style meals. Kevin Oliver - Flickr. Adorable Helen is one of the best small towns to visit in Georgia. Jasper. Ellijay. For the best views of the 4,393-foot . The Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail are options for scenic drives or hikes in the area. In many ways, Gatlinburg is filled with contradictions. September, June and August are the most pleasant months in Appalachia, while January and December are the least comfortable months. There are less than 300 people in this darling town, one that's known for its pastoral scenes and kind locals. However, they would all be a duplicate of the Aspen model: a classic small community thriving off of the local resort. In the heart of western North Carolina's High Country, Banner Elk sits at an elevation of 3,701 . West Virginia's mountain towns are more than just launchpads for Appalachian adventures.From the charming towns of Fayetteville and Lewisburg to historic Harpers Ferry, the state's favorite mountain communities (and small cities) are also amazing spots for immersing in arts and culture, studying local history, relaxing in nature, and digging into delicious local fare. Set along the southern Atlantic coast, the friendly small town of Port St. Lucie is a known affordable place to retire near the water, with a third of the population over the age of 60. Telluride, Colorado. While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, to Cheaha Mountain in Alabama, Appalachia typically refers only to the cultural region of the . City. Gatlinburg is the most famous mountain town in Tennessee, boasting a convenient entrance to the national park along U.S. Route 441. Here are the best Virginia mountain towns. The town has its roots in the railroad, which still operates today with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Anne Gorin/Getty Images. The town has less than 2,000 permanent residents, which gives it a . With a median income of $31,500, this peaceful little town has everything you could want. Townsend. Where to play: Truckee is teeming with outdoor adventures, from skiing to mountain biking, but sometimes all you need is a nice place to sit and sip a glass of wine. Lee Coursey - Flickr. The second annual Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine Best Mountain Towns poll is back, but this year we added a twist. 1,627} Tucked in the far west corner of the state, Murphy can be summed up in four simple words: mountains, lakes, rivers, and streams. Stowed away in northern Vermont, this small town is nestled in a valley at the foot of Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in the state. Begin with our list of the best mountain towns in North Carolina. West Virginia's mountain towns are more than just launchpads for Appalachian adventures.From the charming towns of Fayetteville and Lewisburg to historic Harpers Ferry, the state's favorite mountain communities (and small cities) are also amazing spots for immersing in arts and culture, studying local history, relaxing in nature, and digging into delicious local fare. Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in Tennessee, and it is also known as the 'Scenic City.' The city sits at the Great Smoky Mountains' foothills by the Tennessee River, Chickamauga Lake, and Nickajack Lake. Top 10 Cheapest Mountain Towns to Live. 1. No, you haven't landed in a German village. This is an ideal place to take a farm tour and celebrate the seasons with family festivities. 1. Alabama's quintessential mountain town is Mentone, which is set atop Lookout Mountain and filled with charming spots, including the Wildflower Café, Mentone Log Cabin Village, and Mentone Arts and Cultural Center. Spring Creek Barbecue is top notch food with a small-town vibe. Wikipedia/Acroterion. Culture, beauty, arts, and great people." - Andrew Elstein; Jacksonville, FL. 1. 4.5 out of 5. Big Stone Gap is a town in Virginia that has been voted the best place to live by many magazines and . Part of the Rome metropolitan area, the tiny town is widely considered one of the best places to live in North Georgia because of its rich history and picturesque town square. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our . According to Trico Long Distance Movers, the best place to live in the mountains in the United States is Telluride in Colorado. The town's name originates from the area's major attraction, historic . Quirky Small Town: Banner Elk, North Carolina (pop. Blue Ridge, Georgia. Once again, there are plenty of spots in this region that meet the criteria. Like many of Georgia's mountain towns, Ellijay offers both small town charm and plenty of things to do. 2. Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Some small towns are lucky enough to be tucked into the mountains where people can explore on foot, bike and skis — all with hardly another person in sight. 1. Fontana Lake outside of Bryson City, N.C. Photo: Tom Branch/Bryson City CVB. Zip Codes: 24216. Well-renowned as a home for artists, there are more than 100 art dealers in town, as well as unique shops, galleries and antique malls. Think New England charm with a twist: Conway is a ski haven that just so happens to also be a shopper's . Credit: Boogich/Getty Images. $233. Mountain Towns. It is a small community of approximately 2,500 people, and the main industries in this area are skiing and tourism. Come explore the best . Aerial drone image of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Population: 10,438. Ogden, Utah. Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues. Worry not though, magazine House Beautiful has listed the most affordable mountain towns in the USA to make that dream a reality. Despite having a population of under 800 people, this tiny town in Vermont's Green Mountains sure packs in a lot of action. Credit: C2 Photography. Woolly Worm Festival Todd Bush. But it has a lower cost of living. Published on 3/17/2016 at 4:12 PM. At an elevation of 4,118 feet, the temperatures, even in the peak of summer, rarely get above the high 70s. Plus, it's our first of 3 places. Credit: Robbie Caponetto. Blowing Rock, North Carolina is one of the best Appalachian towns, and located just 10 minutes from Boone it has a small village vibe. Just outside of town, you'll find trails and the famous mile-high swinging bridge. Best Appalachian/Blue Ridge Mountain area/foothills for families?, General U.S., 13 replies Looking for place to live in mountains, but only 1-25 minutes from beach., General U.S., 25 replies North Carolina Mountains vs. Colorado Mountains, General U.S., 76 replies mountains vs mountains, General U.S., 11 replies Want to move. Small towns and wide-open landscapes are great places to be. Helen, Georgia. Cozy Mountain Cabin (6 guests): $117/night. Murphy {pop. Helen is a Bavarian-style town located a 15-minute drive away from Unicoi Gap, a popular route on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. 3. per night. Helen, Georgia. Highlands Performing Arts Center. Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Washington. Blue Ridge, Georgia. For avid skiers, Beech Mountain Resort lies to the north. Collegedale is a great place to live if you enjoy being a little away from the hustle and bustle of city life, but still enjoy being close enough to be able to experience it when you want. This July, test your fitness skills at the Dirty Girl Mud Run obstacle course race, or your culinary knowledge at the Killington Wine Festival. Hiker Hostel - Founded by AT veterans Joshua and Leigh Saint, this comfortable hostel holds three bunk and two private rooms, all with their own baths. "The town, 100 miles north of Asheville, stays hip, thanks to. Living in a mountain town is the best way to achieve the ski-bum dream, but unfortunately, mountain homes don't tend to fit a ski-bum budget. Blowing Rock NC. R&A Orchards, Mountain Valley Farm, the Reece Apple House, and Hillcrest Orchards are all located here. Learn More. There are so many ways to experience Virginia, from the beaches on the Eastern Shores to hiking the Appalachian Trail, but visiting the small towns of Virginia provides a new kind of experience in the state.Many of Virginia's quaint towns thrive around their main streets, which are central to their . There are probably 10 other Colorado towns include on this list of 5 Best Mountain Towns To Work In (and probably another 10 in Alaska, California, and Oregon).