Mountain towns are sometimes thought of as places to go skiing in the winter, and while this is true, these places are fantastic all year round. Best mountains towns in USA communities really are made for all four seasons, whether you’re camping and climbing as the leaves change to flaming shades of rust and orange in the fall or hiking along hillsides carpeted in wildflowers in the spring.

With Wild West saloons, historic adobe houses, and Bavarian-themed beer gardens, life here slows down or perhaps goes back in time. What’s best? Even while it may seem like you’re miles from anything beautiful, such as Yellowstone, a top-notch ski resort, or lakes that reflect the sky, you’re generally only a short drive away. Along the way, you’re also guaranteed to see stunning scenery and a fantastic brewery (or a city full of them). These communities in the shadow of giants are some of our favourites.

Taos, New Mexico

Unless you’re being very literal, Taos isn’t exactly a summertime hotspot. But Taos becomes a must-visit destination once October begins to cool the fire. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which surround this New Mexico adventurer’s paradise, more than make up for their size with personality. A breathtaking mountain view is almost always visible, regardless of what you’re doing, including fly fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, river rafting, hot springs, or llama (yes, llama) trekking. 

More than 80 art galleries can be found in the town, which is a haven for artists complete with the Santa Fe charm of adobe huts. Plan to people-watch while enjoying margaritas at the lively Adobe Bar at the Taos Inn at any time of year, or sip Tecate while playing shuffleboard at The Alley Cantina, the town’s oldest building.

Lake Placid, New York

You might believe you need to work out before visiting this tranquil Adirondack town best renowned for the “Miracle on Ice” because it hosted the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Games as well as the annual Lake Placid IRONMAN triathlon. While you can use the town as a base for action-packed activities like scaling the 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks or bobsledding at the Olympic Complex, no one will bother you if you just fill up your growler at Lake Placid Pub & Brewery and stroll the Mirror Lake trail. Additionally, there are other spots for lakeside dining and drinking, including The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn, a gondola ride, and a picturesque railway.

Telluride, Colorado

You may experience the raw, inspiring power of mountain living by taking a stroll through this peaceful Old West town, which is perched just beneath the enormous, snow-capped San Juan peaks that rise up from its box canyon setting. While exploring the soulful peaks is a great way to spend the day, you don’t want to be soulful all the time. The Last Dollar Saloon and the rooftop of the New Sheridan Hotel are two excellent places to divert your attention. Telluride, which in our opinion is Colorado’s best small town overall, is renowned for hosting an absurd number of prestigious music and film festivals. If your night gets a little raucous, don’t bother about getting a designated driver because gondolas are the only mode of public transportation in this area.

Bend, Oregon

Todd Lake in Deschutes National Forest offers stunning views of Mount Bachelor in addition to other natural features including volcanoes, waterfalls, buttes, caverns, and even rough badlands that are just waiting to be discovered. Simply said, Bend is all you would expect from Oregon, except the hipsters. The Deschutes Brewery established the groundwork for this famed beer town. Its dining and drinking culture rivals that of cities three times its size. In addition, it is a cannabis-friendly outdoor music hotspot that is situated in a mountainous intersection of a former mill town and a contemporary Pacific Northwest city.

Additionally, it serves as a gateway to adjacent destinations like Sisters, another charming mountain town with a western flavour that lies in the shadow of three snowy peaks, in case you somehow haven’t had your fill of mountain town love.

Burlington, Vermont

Burlington, the largest city in the Green Mountain State, is like a greatest hit of Vermont’s best attributes, which explains why locals are always in a good mood. A destination-worthy farmers market, some of the best and most sought-after beer in the world, impossibly delicious restaurants where almost all of the ingredients are locally sourced, easy access to a whopping six ski resorts tucked away in the nearly endless mountains, and more can all be found on dreamy Lake Champlain. Once you leave the city limits, you will find yourself surrounded by boundless countryside, red barns, general stores, and sugar shacks. You might perhaps stay inside and strike up a conversation at the nearby brewery. Most likely, the same amiable individual farmed one of the components in your cloudy beverage.

Truckee, California

A selection of the best mountain communities would not be complete without Lake Tahoe. However, you may keep your chakras clear in the hospitable North Lake Tahoe town of Truckee rather than the congested tourist trap resorts and casinos that take a little of South Lake Tahoe’s soul. While one of the world’s top ski and snowboard destinations, Truckee’s historic downtown area is what really sets it apart as a top mountain destination. A leisurely drink at Moody’s or a meal at the Jax At The Tracks café both provide a bird’s-eye insight into the fine art of clean mountain life.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Some contend CDA isn’t sufficiently close to the hills to qualify as a true mountain town. We believe those people are only acting selfishly. This mountain/lake retreat is made to perfection by Lake Coeur d’Alene’s crystal blue waters, brilliant pine trees, beautiful sunsets, leisurely beaches, and laid-back ambiance, especially in the peaceful, relaxing bubble when summer crowds have already peaked but the weather is still lovely. You may also play golf on one of the best courses in the world with a floating green on the 14th hole, trek the Northern Idaho Centennial Trail, or eat a burger (no fries) at the famous Hudson’s Hamburgers.

Asheville, North Carolina

This eccentric, artistic community has developed over the past several years into one of the top drinking and live music cities in the country. The Asheville Brewing Company and Wicked Weed are two of the many breweries that are now functioning in the city and throughout the surrounding area. In addition to all of that, the Blue Ridge Mountains and hip farm-to-table eateries are available. Right there, they are. As is the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the best drives in the entire country and essentially like hiking for your car.

Livingston, Montana

This boisterous hamlet of 8,000 people is an hour’s drive from Yellowstone and sits at the confluence of the wild west mythology and artistic expression. Free spirits and nature enthusiasts congregate here due to the exceptional fly fishing, rafting, and other outdoor activities available nearby. Before visiting a densely populated array of saloons and cafes on the pedestrian-friendly Main Street, saunter up to the de facto town center—the always bustling Murray Bar. Or, go outside under the expansive sky. You might be heading to the neighbouring Chico Hot Springs for a dip or to face the river and channel your inner Jim Harrison. Whatever the case, it’s likely that you’ll be back at the Murray by dusk, eager to listen to tales about the city’s turbulent past while embracing its vivacious present.

Park City, Utah

Before The Great Waldo Pepper’s star entered the picture, Park City’s reputation as a fabled mountain community was already established. Sure, this region has some of the best skiing in the country, but it’s also a picturesque setting where trollies are still available to transport you if your feet become too sore from trekking in the surrounding Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Experience a contemporary western bar at High West, one of the best distilleries in the nation, or an old-school one at No Name Saloon.

You can enjoy all the traditional mountain town activities like biking, hiking, river rafting, and horseback riding in addition to the extra-fun ones offered by Utah Olympic Park, which includes one of the two longest bobsled rides in the United States.

Leavenworth, Washington

At Leavenworth’sMunchen Haus, you could actually wake up from a bender thinking you’d been kidnapped and transported to Von Trapp territory, unlike Bavarian-style communities in the South and the Midwest. Here, the snow-capped peaks enclose Bavarian structures, giving the area the appearance of a Germanic Brigadoon. This area is a centre for world-class climbing, hiking, and skiing that draw climbers from all over the world. Is it a bit cliche? Yes, particularly around Christmastime when the majority of the Pacific Northwest visits to pet reindeer. However, because to its remote location in the middle of the highlands, it remains largely off the beaten tourist path throughout the year, so you can escape here with confidence that you’ll have the place to yourself for the most part.

Lewisburg, West Virginia

Lewisburg has a terrific arts culture, but it’s not the kind where going from gallery to gallery and attending poetry readings is the only thing to do. Everything can be done here. The General Lewis Inn, which doubles as a hotel and a museum, is beloved by history aficionados. Visit the Lost World Caverns, take a morning trek, and then eat at the Stardust Cafe for lunch. Hawk Knob offers locally made cider to help you unwind. Go antiquing (it’s a thing), and if it’s summer, stop by the Saturday farmers market, where the bustle belies the town’s low population of 4,000.

Each month’s first Friday begins at 5 p.m. with live music, food vendors, and art galleries (the event is helpfully called First Fridays After Five).

Lead-Deadwood, South Dakota

I think it’s about time South Dakota got what it deserves. This incredibly undervalued state is home to some of the best mountain scenery in the Midwest, if not the entire country, as well as a rich Native American history and culture, expansive national parks, and completely strange roadside attractions. Consider Lead-Deadwood, a pair of old mining towns located amid the Black Hills’ peaks and woodlands. 

One of only two neutrino reactors in the world, saloons packed with as many hardy locals as nuclear scientists, haunted opera houses, and more Wild West fun are some of the unusual goodies you’ll find in the area, aside from the draw of the area during the colder months (come winter, nearby Terry Peak turns both cities into great jumping-off points for skiers and snowboarders who like their slopes uncrowded and serene). It should be obvious that there are very few boring conversations around here.

Homer, Alaska

There is no doubting the allure of this charming small town at the southern end of the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula, regardless of whether you refer to it as the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World” or the “Cosmic Hamlet by the Sea.” Take in the expansive Kenai Mountains from the air or the water, or drive out onto the Homer Spit—the longest road that extends into the ocean—to observe eagles and enjoy a drink at the legendary Salty Dawg Saloon.

If you choose to stay close to home, you can explore the hippy vibes of the eccentric town (at locations like Ptarmigan Arts) and enjoy a few drinks with local fishermen at Homer Brewing Company. Kachemak Bay State Park is Alaska’s only state wildlife park.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

You would struggle to find a town as unique as this tiny Ozark treasure, with its historic Victorian buildings and winding lanes. You can view your burger and Bloody Mary at Balcony Bar or your disastrous green-screen karaoke performance at Eureka Live Underground as a history lesson because the entire city is included on the National Register of Historic Places. There are also zip-lining, cave tours, boat excursions on the lake, and picture-perfect foliage in the fall when you’re ready to stop “learning” and start exploring. Don’t forget to take a trip to the stunning glass church in the woods known as the Thorncrown Chapel, which is close by.

Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson, which is near Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons’ entrance, is sometimes criticised for being a playground for the affluent and extravagant. Fair. However, it also means that this small town boasts a fantastic culinary and beverage scene that appeals to all tastes. Jackson is the location of the renowned Melvin Brewing, which is situated in a Thai restaurant and produces the renowned 2×4 IPA, as well as the fabled Snake River. For those who dislike white tablecloths, eateries like Gun Barrel provide excellent steaks, while the legendary Million Dollar Cowboy Club is what would result if someone envisaged an Old West saloon as a multi-level amusement park.

If you don’t want to socialise, you may still enjoy a delicious lunch and a fine beer in a charming town before going full Grizzly Adams in the adjacent woods. You can also find more interesting destinations through the related hashtags on listhashtags.com.