Here’s an example of the “Best” mountain towns in the US!


A h Thrillist publishes this list and updates it occasionally. The towns are in many of the mountain areas of the US. I always think “Rocky Mountains” when mountain comes up. However, there are also mountains in the East. And South Dakota has the Black Hills. If you say, “They’re just hills,” the highest peaks are over 7,000 feet. That’s higher than any peaks in the east.

Here’s the list:

1. Moab, Utah – Spent a night there in 2022 and passed through a couple of times. Mostly just had lunch those times. It’s near both Arches National Park and Capitol Reef NP.

2. North Conway, New Hampshire – Drove near there in 2021 but didn’t go to it.

3. Taos, New Mexico – It’s on my list! Maybe in October this year?

4. Estes Park, Colorado – Been there several times. Spent a night there when my daughters were young. Had a great time.

5. Truckee, California – It’s on Lake Tahoe. I’ve only driven through. But we drove around Lake Tahoe in 2019.

6. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – Spent two nights there in 2019 while visiting Glacier NP and parts of Western Montana. A great little town.

7. Livingston, Montana – I only drove through in the middle of the night many years ago. It’s near Yellowstone National Park.

8. Homer, Alaska – Spent a couple of hours there in 2011 when there for a short fishing trip. A Navy friend lived on the Kenai Peninsula, south of Anchorage.

9. Lewisburg, West Virginia – I missed this place in 2021 when visiting all the states east of the Mississippi.

10. Lead-Deadwood, South Dakota – I’ve been here a few times while visiting the Black Hills.

11. Eureka Springs, Arkansas – I got this one on my list for a road trip called “Parks, Presidents, and Quirky Attractions!”

12. Lake Chelan, Washington – I’m unlikely to make this one but it looks great!

13. Jackson, Wyoming – it’s known for great views, skiing, and a gateway to Grand Teton National Park. I don’t have plans but want to go there.

14. Sisters, Oregon – Unlikely to make this one but put it on your list when visiting Oregon.

15. Stowe, Vermont – I did drive through here in 2021. The Trapp Family Lodge is nearby. It’s well-known as the family from The Sound of Music!

Here’s a link to the Thrillist article about great mountain towns! I hope you can visit a few of them. …. Or all of them???

The mountains are calling, and I must go” – John Muir

Classic Rock song: “Rocky Mountain Way” by Joe Walsh

Let me know if you’ve visited or plan to do so! Here’s how to notify me.

Here is the Premium Subscription page: You will get early views of new blog posts, one extra weekly newsletter, and views of all past published newsletters. And occasionally, I’ll ask for votes on content!

Until next time….. Stan

Featured Post: Here’s a post about Coeur d’Alene, ID. Great small mountain town!

Stan Wiebe

"Rock Star" road tripper checking in! Self-proclaimed anyway! Road trips and visits to all 50 states are my game. Find your next road trip destinations here. Fill your bucket list with fantastic US journeys. I love road trips and spare no effort in making my travels and experiences inviting for members of the road-tripping family! Pick a trip you want to take, or get inspired to plan your own. - - The Driveby Tourist (or call me Stan!)

Read more from Stan Wiebe

Check out this post about the Gunsmoke Trail in Hays, KS. Here's the link. It's part of the Gunsmoke Trail around Kansas which includes Abilene, Dodge City, and Wichita. The Trail is becoming quite a tourist attraction in Kansas! Check it out when you're in Kansas, even if you're just driving through! Until next time... Stan Here's the link to the overview of all four of the cities involved. ,

Travel and novels get you into American history. While driving Route 66, some of the museums you visit along the way display scenes that may represent The Grapes of Wrath. It’s about a family in Oklahoma who lose everything. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s yielded little to no crops. They lose their land. The family reads about “the land of plenty” in California. They, along with thousands of others, go west. The book details their struggles along the way with no money, deaths, auto breakdowns,...

Because it’s there! Sac City, IA, is home to the world’s largest popcorn ball. They made it to celebrate the history of popping corn grown in the area. Initially, their popcorn ball was removed from the record because the Indiana State Fair made one larger. Theirs was 6,510 pounds, eclipsing the Sac City former record of about 5,000 pounds. In 2016, Sac City residents decided to reclaim the record. Their efforts weighed 9,370 pounds and were twelve feet in diameter. The record still stands...