The Best Mountain Town in America Is the Perfect Summer Getaway

If you're into hiking, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking or other elevation-centric sports, you love a great mountain town. The very best mountain towns in the U.S. to live in or to visit stretch from New Hampshire's White Mountains to California's Sierras to the Alaskan Range with a whole lot of hills of all sizes in between. They are also great places to take it easy and just enjoy your picturesque surroundings. Offering world-class food and libations with unmatched ambiance, the perfect mountain town offers an ideal way to escape the daily grind and relax.

Our pick for the best overall mountain town is Steamboat Springs, CO, for its laid-back cowboy vibe and unbeatable, multi-season adventure offerings—from summer rafting, angling, and hiking to what's still the best glade skiing resort in the Rockies. With dozens of incredible spots from coast to coast (and beyond) to choose from, it was a tough call.

Below, we've rounded up our favorite mountain towns across the U.S.—plus a few extra far-flung destinations for good measure. If you're itching for a trip that blends the best of rugged and relaxed, the following top mountain towns with their epic trails, microbrews, lakes, and scenic views hit the perfect vibe and altitude.

Related: 50 Best Vacations in the U.S.—Ranked by Travel Experts

Best Mountain Towns in the U.S. at a Glance

• Best Mountain Town Overall: Steamboat Springs, CO
• Best for Hikers and Whiskey Fans: Park City, UT
• Best for Singletrack Warriors: Crested Butte, CO
• Best Great Lakes Getaway: Marquette, MI
• Best Hill Country Hit: Fredericksburg, TX
• Best Far-Flung Favorite: Talkeetna, AK
• Best Quick Urban Escape: Roscoe and Callicoon, NY
• Best for Whitewater Adventure: Pagosa Springs, CO
• Best for Budding Ice Climbers: North Conway, NH
• Best for Beer Fans: Bend, OR
• Best for Art Lovers: Santa Fe, NM
• Plus 24 More Mountain Towns Near and Far That We Love

Best Mountain Town Overall: Steamboat Springs, CO

Colorado's most genuinely Western mountain town, Steamboat Springs is simply hard to top in its Rocky Mountain beauty and unpretentious authenticity. Beneath the Sleeping Giant mountain, the 12,000-foot Flat Tops, and the sharp, solitary summit of Hahns Peak are working cattle ranches spread over undulating green hills that give the town a feeling of big-sky spaciousness.

Downtown, with its century-old red-brick buildings, has an old-school soda fountain (complete with cream sodas and a jukebox) and shops like F.M. Light & Sons, a 100-year-old Western-wear store. Locals head to the pro rodeo on weekends to eat barbecued ribs and watch big names from all over the country compete.

If you're not in town for a race, marathon, or triathlon, chase thrills at Emerald Mountain, where you can conquer 8.8 miles of singletrack and soak up unforgettable valley views. Soothe sore quads afterwards at Strawberry Park Hot Springs, a set of secluded stone pools brimming with 104-degree mineral water. If you're visiting in late summer or early fall, trade the hotel for dispersed camping on Buffalo Pass and thank us later. Come winter, of course, Steamboat transforms into "Ski Town USA"—headlined by one of the world's top skiing and snowboarding resorts.

Getting There: Fly to Denver; drive three and a half hours northwest.

Best for Hikers and Whiskey Fans: Park City, UT

The outside world may associate Park City with glitz—the Sundance Film Festival, luxe ski resorts, restaurants helmed by big-name chefs—but ask locals what they love most and it's sure to be the trails. The hills that surround town hold an unprecedented 400 miles of loops, networks, and connector trails for hiking, trail running, or biking. Best of all, the easy-to-access trails virtually bring the Wasatch Range to you and then drop you off back by quirky Main Street.

Based in Park City, the National Ability Center (NAC) is a leader in adaptive recreation, making outdoor adventures for individuals with disabilities possible. In 2023, the nonprofit debuted the McGrath Mountain Center, to teach adaptive skiing and snowboarding to all. Off-piste, people with disabilities can try programs like rock climbing and archery, too.

Nowadays, High West Distillery in nearby Wanship gets all the buzz, but you can have an equally superb time at Park Silly Sunday Market, a summertime fest of crafts, food, music, and a bloody Mary station with enough accoutrements to make your drink feel more like a paperweight. Since warmer weather means not worrying about being first in line to hit Park City's 9,300 skiable acres, reserve your stay at Washington School House. The hotel is a stone's throw from downtown, and also has a tranquil pool and an unreal free breakfast with bounty from the farmer's market.

Getting There: Fly to Salt Lake City; drive 40 minutes east.

Best for Singletrack Warriors: Crested Butte, CO

The 130-year-old former coal mining camp of Crested Butte is nestled in a bowl of high pasture, a cul-de-sac formed by jagged mountains etched with hundreds of miles of Jeep roads and killer singletrack. Rent a dual-suspension mountain bike from Crested Butte Sports, and get a map marking fabled rides like 401, a 14-miler that starts near the ghost town of Gothic, climbs past Emerald Lake, and descends through helmet-high wildflowers. Alternatively, venture to Evolution Bike Park, which offers over 30 miles of lift-served singletrack, including the machine-built Psycho Rocks, which lives up to its stomach-churning title.

For après-bike, head to Montanya Rum distillery. Turns out that rum ages best at altitude—especially when distilled with raw materials from a spring-fed aquifer. Sure, you could book a hotel, but if you're comfortable in the thin air, camping at Paradise Divide offers car camping at 11,250 feet and wildlife sighting you won't soon forget.

Getting There: Fly to Gunnison; drive 30 minutes north.

Best Great Lakes Getaway: Marquette, MI

Perched on Lake Superior, Marquette proves an excellent home base for the largest city in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP). In the winter, Marquette Mountain becomes a hub for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing, but the county really comes to life in the summer, when you can take on The Iron Ore Heritage Trail, connecting the downtown communities of Marquette County with the great outdoors, spanning 47 miles and suitable for two wheels or heels. The short trail to Thomas Rock more than pays its rewards with cinematic vistas of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Lake Superior, Lake Independence, Big Bay, and the remains of an old Ford sawmill below.

Looking for waterfalls? Step right up to Yellow Dog Falls, Warner Falls, or Big Pup Creek Falls. Swimmers can take a dip in the greatest of Great Lakes at Little Presque Isle Beach—an especially inviting stretch of coast along over 80 miles of Lake Superior shoreline—or in numerous smaller lakes in the area that are popular with paddlers and anglers, too. Count sheep at the Landmark Inn in downtown Marquette, or commute 40 miles up the coast to Big Bay, where you can stay at Big Bay Point Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Getting There: Fly to Green Bay, Wisconsin, drive three-and-a-half hours northeast

Best Hill Country Hit: Fredericksburg, TX

A short drive from the cosmopolitan hubs of Austin and San Antonio lies Texas Hill Country. Amongst this plethora of hamlets and hills, Fredericksburg reigns supreme. Here, you’ll find more than 60 wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms in the area, as well as over 700 historically significant structures—most notably, Sunday Houses. These types of small homes built by German settlers were used on Sundays when families would head from their rural homesteads into town to get supplies, do business, and go to church services. Those German settlers—who first arrived in 1846—have a lasting legacy in eateries like Otto’s German Bistro and lodging like Behr Haus Bed & Breakfast. Visitors can learn about the region’s German history on a trolley excursion with Fredericksburg Tours.

Other worthy stops here include The National Museum of the Pacific War, a tribute to service members in the Pacific during World War II (including native son, U.S. Navy Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz), and Enchanted Rock, the second-largest granite dome in the United States and a Dark Sky International designated park. Conclude any day’s festivities with a “Proseccolina” at the recently opened Piccolina, which makes its signature drink with Prosecco and a scoop of freshly made Italian ice.

Getting There: Fly to San Antonio and drive one hour northwest. Or fly to Austin and drive one-and-a-half-hours west.

Best Far-Flung Favorite: Talkeetna, AK

Talkeetna may rise only a few hundred feet above sea level, but the peaks of the Alaska Range—Foraker (17,400 feet) and North America's highest, Denali (20,320 feet)—hover like white ghosts over the town's thick fringe of spruce trees. During summer, when, as locals put it, "the Gore-Tex is in bloom," Talkeetna bustles with international climbers gunning for some of the world's most formidable summits.

“We love it,” says Alaska Mountaineering School owner Colby Coombs. “Instead of the usual crowd at the Roadhouse, you might end up sitting at a table next to five guys from Greece.”

Long hours of daylight mean no one's in too much of a hurry, and night tends to look a lot like day. Live music pours out of places like Mountain High Pizza Pie and the Village Park. After hours—whatever that means here—the scene becomes mellow and shifts to The Tavern at the Talkeetna Inn, a beloved dive bar. Starting in mid-May, catch the Denali Star Train, which departs from either Anchorage or Fairbanks and stops in Talkeetna, and enjoy jaw-dropping backcountry views and a revamped food menu with an emphasis on local ingredients.

Note to hikers: Talkeetna's immediate surroundings are so wild and full of bears that venturing off into the woods is actually discouraged. But long days allow you to do things the Alaska way, like catching a Talkeetna Air Taxi for a Denali flightseeing tour or hopping a floatplane into the Talkeetna Mountains wilderness for a guided hike or day of fishing on a remote lake.

Getting There: Fly to Anchorage; drive two and a half hours north.

Best Quick Urban Escape: Roscoe and Callicoon, NY

The Sullivan Catskills may be close to New York City, but you’ll feel like you’re on another planet in Roscoe—just 123 miles north of Gotham. Kittatinny Campgrounds is the place to go for an active day, either via whitewater raft or 3,000 feet of dual racing zip lines. Fly fishing enthusiasts will also enjoy the many offerings of nearby Trout Town (Beaverkill is top notch), which houses an entire museum devoted to the sport.

Cap off your getaway by riding the singletrack at Pearson Park on Walnut Mountain to whet an appetite for round two of tastings at Roscoe Beer Co. or Tuthilltown Distillery, the maker of buzzy Hudson Whiskey. When comfort carbs are calling, there’s always Grizzly Bagels, for scratch-made bagels and various schmears.

For another Sullivan County gem in the Catskills just a 25-minute drive south of Roscoe, visitors to Callicoon, NY, can swap Trout Town, USA, for Borscht Belt nostalgia. Callicoon is an artsy town lined with galleries and craft stores that will make you feel far away from the stress of your inbox. Located by the Delaware River, the town lends itself to days of hiking and fly-fishing whilst keeping your eyes peeled for bald eagles, or having indoorsy fun. Think: treasure-combing at Lee Taylor Antiques and other shops along Main Street, or learning about the raw wildflower honey Pollinator Spirits at Catskill Provisions Distillery.

Grab a seat on the main deck or by the pool at Callicoon Hills Resort and dig into your copy of Wilderness Tales: Forty Stories of the Norther American Wild, in which these storied peaks make a cameo. For sleepy time, we also like the Western Hotel, housed in an 1852 Victorian mansion, with a superb bar and supper club on the premises.

Other must-sees during your stay include Seminary Hill, a cidery blending up hard cider from apples grown on its own orchards, and Callicoon Farmers Market to load up on victuals for your picnic at Callicoon Riverside Park.

Getting There: Fly to New York City, drive two hours north.

Best for Whitewater Adventure: Pagosa Springs, CO

Most come to Pagosa Springs for exactly the reason you'd guess. The Colorado town's famed hot springs—the world's deepest—are a worthy attraction, but so are the nearly 3 million neighboring acres of San Juan National Forest and the Weminuche Wilderness Area. Make your first pitstop the Turkey Springs Trail System, which is comprised of 14 interconnected singletrack routes with loops, rocks, short steep pitches, and side slopes. Hikers can hit a stunning stretch of the Continental Divide Trail here. If you're craving whitewater, head out on the San Juan and Piedra rivers. Or, take it easy enjoying nature at Pass Creek Yurt and wash off the day in a solar-powered shower.

Afterwards, you can create your own beer crawl between Pagosa Brewing, Red Leg Brewing, and Riff Raff Brewing—the latter of which brews beer using local spring-fed geothermal heat.

Getting There: Fly to Durango; drive an hour east.

Best for Budding Ice Climbers: North Conway, NH

This New England jewel is surrounded by the 660,000-acre White Mountain National Forest and endless hiking and bike trails. In the warmer months, paddlers can ride the Saco River, where rafting, kayaking, and inner tubing are all exciting options. Come winter, North Conway is all about ice climbing—and home to some of the country's most stunning frozen waterfalls, including the famous Diana's Baths. Climbers of all levels can book guided trips or courses with the International Mountain Climbing School. Nearby Omni Mount Washington Resort puts you in the shadow of mighty Mount Washington, the northeast's largest peak. Or hole up at the Cranmore Inn Bed and Breakfast if you're looking to stay closer to town.

Getting There: Fly to Manchester, NH; drive an hour and forty-five minutes northwest.

Best for Beer Fans: Bend, OR

When you’re thinking of nature in Oregon, chances are your brain is pulling images from this mountain town. Get out on trails like Green Lakes, Sparks Lake, and Big Obsidian Flow to soak in the great outdoors that is Bend.

If hiking isn’t your thing, or if you need a post-hike brew, you can also hit the Bend Ale Trail, a carefully plotted route that will allow you to sample some of the best microbreweries in the region. Before you call it a night after all that drinking and exercise, don’t forget to grab some candy and a flick from the only Blockbuster still in existence.

Getting There: Fly into Roberts Field Airport, drive half an hour to Bend. Fancy a road trip? Portland is only 3.5 hours away.

Best for Art Lovers: Santa Fe, NM

Part-ski town, part-cultural mecca stuffed with more world-class art galleries and museums than a small city perched above 7,000 feet could possibly fit, Santa Fe really does befit its “city different” nickname. East Coasters, beware of that altitude. The highest elevation capital city in the U.S., Santa Fe is home one of the loftiest ski areas in the country at Ski Santa Fe, with a summit elevation scraping over 12,000 feet.

After you’re done cruising along some of the 86 trails (ski season typically runs November through the start of April), visitors can appreciate the Sangre de Cristo Mountains from a new but equally elevated perspective. That is, from the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe, whose chic embrace will unwind you with its spa, Terra restaurant, and pin-drop quiet.

In warmer months, enjoy hiking or mountain biking trails or crank the adrenaline up even more with river rafting on the Rio Grande or Rio Chama. Whichever month you plot your visit, book a reservation aboard the Santa Fe Stargazer Train, equipped with live musicians and an on-board astronomer pointing out constellations. If you’ve got fishing enthusiasts in your posse, we recommend staying at Bishop’s Lodge and signing up for the unforgettable fly-fishing excursions.

Getting There: Fly directly to Santa Fe, or fly to Albuquerque, NM, and drive about an hour northeast.

More Mountain Towns We Love

Hot Springs, AR

The Ouachita Mountains are waiting for you in beautiful, historic Hot Springs, AR. Don’t overlook this majestic range and quirky town at the base of Hot Springs National Park. The namesake waters are a homage to the region’s naturally heated thermal waters, which you’ll be fascinated to learn all about at the storied bathhouses along Bathhouse Row. You can even get a taste of the authentic bathhouse experience at Buckstaff Bathhouse, which was established in 1912.

About as genial as it gets these days, the area was once a hotbed for mobsters like Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, and Lucky Luciano, who live on in infamy at the Gangster Museum of America—or spiritually at The Ohio Club, once a popular haunt for criminals, baseball players in town for spring training (Babe Ruth, among them), and Golden Age celebs like Mae West. These days, Arkansas’ oldest bar is a happening music venue with a heck of a loaded bloody Mary.

Work off the iniquity of yestereve on the Northwoods Trail, a mountain biking mecca with 31 miles of trails only five minutes from downtown. Or, if you’re not quite up for biking, wander around the ethereal Garvan Woodland Gardens, with its striking treehouse, chapel, and other architectural and landscaping marvels. Once you’ve worked up an appetite for dinner and some suds, head to Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the only brewery located in a national park. If you're craving barbecue, opt for McClard’s B-B-Q for tasty ribs and slaw. Hotel-wise, indulge in just about the classiest B&B you’ve ever visited at The Reserve at Hot Springs, famous for its multi-course, truly gourmet breakfast. Or get more vertical at In the Trees Resort, a new treehouse and cabin collective with panoramic mountain views.

Getting There: Fly to Little Rock, AR, and drive an hour southwest.

Warren and Waitsfield, VT

In the Mad River Valley, Holstein cows graze green pastures, big red barns stand beside white farmhouses, and covered bridges span the burbling Mad. Sister valley villages Warren and Waitsfield are places for sedate retro pleasures like lounging on a village green, ogling 19th-century architecture, or playing 18 at Sugarbush's Robert Trent Jones Sr. course.

Locavores, rejoice: Restaurant menus here cite the source of lamb, farm-raised venison, and organic produce. American Flatbread, a Thursday-Sunday restaurant on a Waitsfield farm, does organic-everything pizzas that usually come with a local queue. The BigPicture Theater and Café in Waitsfield features house-made maple-glazed donuts to-go with its program of folk music and art-house movies. Even the local taco joint, the Mad Taco, sources from area farms, smokes its own meats, and serves regional craft cervezas.

To work up an appetite, jump on your road bike. The smooth, sleepy lanes that roll past rivers and creeks full of fly casters are among the best in the country for cycling. Route 100 is pleasant enough, but for a challenge, go for a gap ride like the 50-mile Tour de Hump, which links Waitsfield, Appalachian Gap, and Duxbury Gap.

For a taste of Europe, stay at the Austrian-inspired Grünberg Haus Inn and Cabins. It exudes upper New England charm, and it's located just 20 minutes outside of Waitsfield. It's pet-friendly, too.

Getting There: Fly or take an Amtrak train to Burlington, VT, and drive one hour southeast.

Ketchum, ID

Ketchum sits beside the second-largest roadless area in the Lower 48, the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, which makes it one of the most isolated spots in the country. Heading into the wild is as easy as driving over Galena Summit to Redfish Lake, where the crisp blue water reflects the Sawtooth Range's most impressive peaks. Stare at it from its wide, sandy beach or tour it on horseback.

In town, a strict building code keeps hillsides and ridgelines free of development, yet Ketchum remains surprisingly lively. The town has long been an escape for the rich and famous, who have a firm belief that isolation needn't come at the expense of a good martini and a decent symphony (Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks have homes here). On any given evening, there's a good chance you'll stumble upon a free outdoor jazz concert in one of the town's half-dozen parks or at the $35 million Sun Valley Pavilion. Hit the Roundhouse, a repurposed vintage ski lodge at 7,700 feet, for a pre-concert meal, and then stop by wine bar Enoteca for a drink and wood-fired pizza afterward. When you're ready to pass out, the Knob Hill Inn is equally beautiful in summer months as it is when "snowga" season is in full swing.

Getting There: Fly direct to Ketchum.

Red Lodge, MT

Cradled in a valley just outside the northeast corner of Yellowstone, Red Lodge is a great base camp for exploring America's best national park. Ninety minutes southwest is the Lamar Valley—wolf country—and Specimen Ridge Trail, a tough hike through a petrified forest that leads to a great view of Mount Washburn.

In town, take a guided cruiser-bike tour down the snaking Beartooth Highway, one of America's most beautiful drives. Then get buzzed on a Bent Nail IPA on the sun-drenched deck at Red Lodge Ales Brewing Company, where rancher types and transplants, drawn to the town's lack of pretense, will happily dish on their favorite fishing hole or secret hike. Sleep it off as a guest of the Lazy E L Ranch, where you can arrange to have a local chef prepare first-rate meals for you and your group.

Getting There: Fly to Bozeman, MT, and drive three hours east.

Truckee, CA

Lake Tahoe is the big draw in these parts, but gold-rush hub Truckee, 12 miles away, doesn't suffer the same crowds as South Shore and Tahoe City. Plus, Truckee is within 10 miles of 10 other lakes—including Donner Lake for fishing or swimming, and glass-smooth in the morning and motor-free Prosser Reservoir for standup paddling.

Truckee is also a rising trail running destination, with events like the Palisades Tahoe Mountain Run, Castle Peak 100K, and Sierra Crest Ultra Run held in the area. For the daredevil biker, tackle trails like Jackass or Yogi's, knowing there will be downhill, lift-served mountain biking at Northstar California Resort when you need a breather (or if you simply prefer to take it easy). Reward yourself for setting new PRs with Skydive Truckee Tahoe—or never leaving bed at log cabin-esque Cedar House Sport Hotel.

Getting There: Fly to Reno, NV, and drive 40 minutes west.

Tucson, AZ

Yeah, you want to be cranking out miles in the five mountain ranges surrounding Tucson. But first, pay a visit to the city's Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which is revered across the globe as a model institution for innovative presentation and interpretation of native plants and animals showcased in tandem throughout outdoor exhibits. Thoroughly schooled in desert conservation, get a lesson in astronomy at Kitt Peak National Observatory, about an hour from the city center on the Tohono O’odham nation’s land. Or, school yourself in celestial grandeur at Saguaro National Park, which was certified as the newest Urban Night Sky Place in 2023 by DarkSky International, headquartered in Tucson.

Now, when you want to hop on that bike, feel free to craft a DIY adventure in the Santa Catalina Mountain Range, which boasts some 50 peaks—or leave your itinerary to the capable hands of Homegrown MTB, for guided rides tailored to your skill level. More of a road biker? Customer-favorite The Cycling House specializes in guided road and gravel biking tours around these parts.

When your stomach starts to growl, eat at El Charro Café, a century-old restaurant known for creating the chimichanga (a deep-fried burrito) and its other specialty, carne seca, a sun-dried shredded beef hit with a hearty flip of chiles, tomatoes, and onions. When you’re ready to recoup for another day of action, check into the refurbished roadside motor lodge, Hotel McCoy Tucson.

Getting There: Fly direct to Tuscon. Or fly to Phoenix, and drive two hours southeast.

Thomas and Davis, WV

These neighboring mountain towns may be a trek from major airports, but the journey is worth it. Your Tucker County itinerary should start with live music— whether rock, reggae, or Celtic—at The Purple Fiddle, situated on the edge of the Monongahela National Forest, which locals lovingly call “The Mon.” Speaking of which, said forest is home to Dolly Sods Wilderness and Blackwater Falls State Park, ripe with mountain biking and hiking opportunities.

Suitably sweated up, toast a day in the great outdoors at Stumptown Ales, serving up hoppy, handcrafted beers on a 21-foot-long red oak bar. Then, hang up your hiking boots at The Billy Motel, a boutique property near Blackwater Falls with a bar and cocktail lounge which almost makes you forget you’re in a sparsely populated, rural nirvana. Last but not least, carve out an afternoon at Canaan Valley Resort State Park, tucked away on a high plateau in the Allegheny Mountains, boasting guided wildflower hikes, 18 miles of marked trails, and 47 different ski slopes. You can also stay here in a host of different lodging options running the gamut from rooms to cabins to campsites.

Getting There: Fly to Pittsburgh, PA, and drive three hours southeast. Or fly to Washington, D.C., and drive three hours northwest. You can also take connecting flights to some closer regional airports in West Virginia, or to West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston, WV, roughly three hours away.

Manchester, VT

The Green Mountain State may get plenty of winter love, but in summertime it's a hiker's paradise. Manchester proves particularly ripe for adventure. Kick the dust up on Lye Brook Falls or Mount Equinox trails, the latter of which brings you to the highest point in the Taconic Range, which runs from southern New York all the way up to Vermont. Rest your weary legs at the Kimpton Taconic, which provides cool in-room offerings for hikers, like walking sticks and survival kits (hand wipes, poncho, first aid kit), along with on-site mountain bikes. Once your limbs are adequately exhausted, indulge in leisurely pursuits like an aerial restorative yoga class at Heart of the Village Yoga followed by a meal at The Crooked Ram.

Getting There: Fly or take an Amtrak train to Burlington, VT, and drive two and a half hours south.

Chattanooga, TN

There's no way around it, Chattanooga is a town for active people. Nestled between two mountains at a bend in the Tennessee River, the city of 182,000 has a competition going on most every weekend, including both a full and a half Ironman, along with plenty of hiking, whitewater kayaking, and fishing for the more laid-back. While the outdoors are a big draw here, the top-notch food, drink, and hotels are no afterthought, either.

Don't miss stirring up some foam via kayak on the rapids of the Tennessee River Blueway, hang gliding at Lookout Mountain, and tackling the cracks of the Tennessee Wall, an epic crag on the rim of the Tennessee River Gorge. You can also head out for a great three-mile run on Bluff Trail, which hugs the scenic edge of Lookout. And when you're spent, there's fried chicken and a long beer list waiting for you at Champy's.

Getting There: Fly direct to Chattanooga.

Taos, NM

Taos is a mystical place with a deeply rooted Indigenous presence and imperfectly rendered adobe architecture. The rich red Sangre de Cristo Mountains, towering 6,000 feet above town on three sides, stand beneath an intensely blue sky. Unless you need a T-shirt, skip the central plaza—the Taos Inn, a block north, is the real heart of town. Hole up for a Cowboy Buddha margarita (none of that mix crap—we're talking silver tequila, Cointreau, and real lime juice) and the grilled rattlesnake-and-rabbit sausage appetizer. Or, beeline to the newer Taos Mesa Brewing for a few beers washed down with their Frito pie.

Experience true Southwestern wilderness by hiking or trail running on Wheeler Peak, the tallest mountain in New Mexico at 13,161 feet, or rafting the Rio Grande Gorge, 800-foot basalt cliffs spanned by the dramatic Gorge Bridge. The Taos Box stretch is a full day of intense Class III and IV whitewater in a narrow canyon teeming with eagles, coyotes, and mountain lions. If you're debating on where to stay, the answer is the Greater World Earthship Community, a collection of innovative sustainable homes that redefines off-the-grid living—some of which are available for rent.

Getting There: Fly to Santa Fe, and drive an hour and a half north.

Roanoke, VA

A contender for the mountain biking capital of the East, Roanoke offers a first-rate selection of challenging trails ranging from Carvins Cove (lots of switchbacks) to Mill Mountain Star Trail, which takes you to the world’s largest free-standing illuminated neon star.

When you're done after a long day in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the historic Hotel Roanoke offers in-room massages to relieve tight muscles, and the 24/7 Texas Tavern has been filling hungry stomachs since 1930.

Once you're rejuvenated, hike the three trails at the “Triple Crown” along the Appalachian Trail. Consider that part one of your training for the annual Blue Ridge Marathon, a springtime race with over 7,430 feet of elevation change.

Getting There: Fly direct or take an Amtrak train to Roanoke.

Casper, WY

With a slogan like “The Mountain Town for the Wild at Heart," you know you'll want to pack extra Advil for both physical and booze-based adventures. In Casper, it's a difficult choice between climbing or kayaking Fremont Canyon, but we'll go with the former—all the better for viewing the insane burnt orange reflection of the jagged rocks in the water below. Swing by local adventure outfitters like Mountain Sports or 307 River Sports for gear. Come meal time, steer the crew towards Silver Fox, a laidback steakhouse with tasty baked scallops. After recovering from your food coma, enjoy a beverage at locally owned favorite Moonlight Liquors.

Getting There: Fly to Denver, CO, and drive four hours north. Alternatively, take a connecting flight to Casper-Natrona County International Airport.

Bryson City, NC

The southern gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bryson City sticks close to its roots with killer hickory-smoked barbecue and bluegrass music. The charming town is completely wrapped by dense forest and still has its old-fashioned ice cream fountain, Soda Pops; its mountain-crafts shops selling corn-shuck dolls and sourwood honey; and a big, chugging passenger train that runs right through town twice a day.

But in Bryson, you also find a kayak on every roof rack. Outside town is the Deep Creek section of the park—great for trail running, kayaking, day hikes to a trio of waterfalls, and tubing. Nantahala Outdoor Center is the paddling-rafting nexus of the southeast (if not the country), with a paddling school and float trips on the Nantahala River. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad excursion may sound a bit touristy (it is), but the 4.5-hour roundtrip is a more laid-back way to see the backcountry. Skip the hotels here and a book a cabin like Shooting Star Ridge. It's outfitted with fire pits, a hot tub, mountain views, and the blessing (or curse?) that is WiFi.

Getting There: Fly to Atlanta, GA, and drive three hours north.

Rapid City, SD

Rapid City is a launch pad for even greater adventures than gazing up at nearby Mount Rushmore, with the Black Hills Mountain Range boasting Black Elk Peak, the highest summit in the U.S. east of the Rockies. Lace up and pack extra grub for the Harney Peak Trail, where the northern approach presents a worthy challenge for more experienced hikers.

For lodging, grab an Airbnb—there are plenty of options in town and in the surrounding area. From there, it's a quick drive to Badlands National Park and Custer State Park, a mecca for bison viewing. And since we'd be remiss to not send you to Mount Rushmore's 60-foot faces of Washington and the gang, do that too.

Afterward, sit back at a local haunt and raise a glass to the state's incredible landscape with a signature South Dakota red beer—an unlikely but restorative combo of tomato juice and beer.

Getting There: Fly direct to Rapid City.

Lewisburg, WV

The bucket-list mountain biking challenge here is the Rocky Ridge Trail from the top of Kate's Mountain. Dropping 1,500 feet in less than two miles with no switchbacks, it makes anything else in the sprawling Greenbrier State Forest look easy. Book a room at the General Lewis Inn, which dates to 1834, or The Greenbrier, another historic property dating to 1778 (pictured above), where you can take a spin at skeet shooting or falconry.

When the mood strikes, head to Smooth Ambler Spirits, where a handsome wooden bar is the perfect spot to sip gin or whiskey, and windows let you get a peek at the production side. Still thirsty? Greenbrier Valley Brewing and Hawk Knob Appalachian Hard Cider & Mead beckon.

Getting There: Fly to Charlottesville, VA, and drive two hours west. Or fly to Charleston, WV, and drive two hours southeast.

Grand Marais, MN

Tucked beside the Sawtooth Mountains in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Grand Marais has it all. First up, fuel your adventures at Angry Trout Cafe, housed where an old fishing shanty once stood. Then, embrace your inner Nick Offerman at The North House Folk School, where you can hone your wood carving, fly casting, and sailing skills. Get outdoors at Judge C.R. Magney State Park, where a rugged trail drops you off at a series of waterfalls. Mountain bikers can stop at the Superior National Forest ranger station at the edge of town for maps and trail information.

For lodging, consider a stay at The Hungry Hippie Farm and Hostel, a converted barn perched in the hills above Lake Superior. It's a short drive from Voyageur Brewing Company, which is also worth a visit.

Getting There: Fly to Duluth, and drive two hours northeast.

Vail, CO

Vail’s reputation as an A-list ski resort hogs much of the spotlight here with its 195 trails, 32 chairlifts, and 354 inches of average annual snowfall. But even if you’re more interested in the après-ski life than the act itself, there’s still plenty worth checking out.

We recommend a close inspection of the elaborate cocktails and food options at Fall Line Kitchen. (Four words: tenderloin mac and cheese.) If the weather is great, take a walk in the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. If it’s not, hunker down at Gravity Haus, where you can book a massage, sit in a hot tub, and you—guessed it—eat even more at their decadent in-house restaurant and coffee shop before crawling up to your room for the night.

Getting There: Fly into Denver and drive two hours west. Or fly to Eagle County Regional Airport and drive 40 minutes east.

Aoraki, New Zealand

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park feels like proof that Lord of the Rings is real. Visit the iconic filming locations and get your hobbit on by visiting the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Sir Edmund Hillary used Aoraki as a trial run before summiting Mount Everest. If you have serious alpine climbing chops, give it a shot.

For the rest of us mere mortals (no judgment), there’s the Hooker Valley Track, a 6.2-mile trail that features stunning suspension bridges. You can also hike to the Mueller Hut, a backcountry dwelling that not only offers views of nearby Mueller Glacier, but some of the best dark skies in the region. For more celestial viewing, visit Mount John Observatory.

Grab dinner and a bed for the night at The Hermitage Hotel, an iconic local destination since the late 1800s.

Getting There: Fly into Queenstown Airport (which handles domestic flights from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch), and then settle in for a road trip. The park is three hours from the city via Highway 80 and State Highway 8.

Zakopane, Poland

Flanked by the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is known as the winter capital of Poland. Snowboarding and skiing? Yeah, they’ve got that—and thanks to a still-decent exchange rate, you’ll pay a lot less for your adventures.

After you unwind in the Chochołowskie Thermal Baths, be sure to try some post-ski oscypek, a smoky sheep’s milk cheese made exclusively in the region. Catch the local vibes by staying at Grand Hotel Stamary, a four-star hotel commissioned and built in 1905 by opera star Maria Budziszewska.

Getting There: Fly to Krakow, Poland. For a shockingly cheap option, grab a FlixBus from Krakow to Zakopane.

Cape Town, South Africa

Located at the foot of Table Mountain, Cape Town is technically a mountain town, but you won’t exhaust yourself climbing South Africa’s most iconic peak. The short(ish) hike to the top is great for the less athletically inclined and anyone interested in spotting the dassie, an animal that looks like a rat but is actually closely related to elephants. (Nature is awesome.)

Alternatively, take the cable car if you’re more about embracing epic views of land and sea than appeasing your Fitbit. Get your heart pumping with an off-road scooter ride, or embrace your dignified side with high tea served mountainside at the WIFI Lounge.

Getting There: Fly direct to Cape Town

Kirkjufell, Iceland

It’s difficult to find a spot in the Icelandic wilderness that isn’t jaw-dropping, but Kirkjufell is a highlight among highlights. The most photographed mountain in Europe (or so locals claim), it looks equally epic covered in snow as it does under the northern lights. Take a moment (or a few hours) to appreciate it, photograph it, and picnic by it and the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall.

Since this is pretty remote, there isn’t much else to do—but that’s exactly the point. When you’re ready to call it a night, head to Hótel Búðir, a three-star accommodation that also features one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in western Iceland.

Getting There: Kirkjufell is located a little over two hours from Reykjavík. Make the most of your trip by driving. There are stellar views along the way.

Fujinomaya, Japan

What other mountain has inspired haikus, paintings, and 3,776-meter pilgrimages to its summit? If you’re eager to get to the top of Mount Fuji, you'll want to plan your visit for July through September when the trails are open to hikers. You'll also want to choose your base town from several options encircling the famed peak. Tucked on the postcard-perfect southwestern end of Mount Fuji, Fujinomaya provides some of the most striking views of the volcanic cone away from throngs of Fuji shutterbugs beelining from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko and Yamanakako in the north.

A relatively easy commute to the mountain itself for climbers, the town is also home to the striking Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center, filled with dramatic exhibits that come as close to experiencing the slopes of Fuji as you'll get without actually setting foot on them. Known for its beautiful temples, shrines, and gardens, Fujinomaya's bounty of natural attractions includes Shiraito Falls and Lake Tanuki—the latter one of the best places to witness "Diamond Fuji," occurring when the rising/setting sun perfectly aligns with the mountain's peak.

Getting There: Fly into Tokyo. Take a train from Tokyo Station to Fujinomiya (via Shin-Yokohama, Mishima, and Fuji) in about two and a half hours.

Grindelwald, Switzerland

The Grindelwald area is considered one of the best places to see the Swiss Alps—a claim backed up by its comically beautiful views. It also happens to be a prime adventure location. Gondolas, mountainside go-carts, scooters, skydiving, paragliding—seriously, just take your pick.

For the ultimate high-level experience, take a cog train 11,362 feet to Jungfraujoch, a.k.a. “The Top of Europe,” a UNESCO world heritage site where you can appreciate wintry landscapes and throw a snowball 365 days a year. To enjoy nature in all its glory from your private balcony, book a room at Hotel Kirchbühl.

Getting There: Fly into Zurich, and take a three-hour train ride to Grindelwald.

Chambéry, France

Located within the French Alps, Chambéry is a mountain town that also doubles as a fascinating cultural center. Stroll through the old town and marvel at its vaulted passageways and secluded courtyards. Snap photos of unusual monuments like Fontaine des Éléphants, which—as the name implies—is a fountain featuring life-size elephant statues. Get a university-level education on the history of French art at the Musée des Beaux-Arts.

You’re never more than arm’s-length away from a crepe stand. But if you’d like a little something extra, wander through Marché Couvert des Halles for Beaufort and Tomme de Savoie—both local must-eat cheeses. To spend the night, consider the chic, five-star Petit Hotel Confidentiel.

Getting There: Fly into Geneva and catch the BlaBlaCar, which operates the 55-mile drive south to Chambéry three times per day.

Why You Should Trust Us

Perri Ormont Blumberg is a native Manhattanite who's lucky to have spent time growing up in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York—far from Gotham’s madding crowd. When she's not continuing to explore Sullivan County and the Catskills' other peaks, she's looking forward to her next skiing or hiking trip in towns like Santa Fe, New Mexico and Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Laura Studarus is a travel writer with a taste for off-beat experiences, outdoor adventures, and passport stamps. During over a decade as a travel writer, she's lived large parts of this list by climbing the peeks of Zakopane in a dress, getting hit by a snowball in Grindelwald, and being moved to tears by the northern lights at Kirkjufell. She's probably fighting off jet lag with copious amounts of tea right now.