Plan a Secluded Escape to One of These Beautiful Mountain Towns Across the United States

Mountain towns have garnered a reputation for combining charm and grit with world-class views. And while the world is still rebounding from the novel coronavirus pandemic, it's important to remember that there are places to go where you can experience culture, top notch dining, and lavish lodging, all while feeling safe. For all of the above and more, the remote locales ahead are a true breath of fresh air.

Book your stay at one of the town's rustic cabins, luxury glamping under the stars, or slopeside stays. Venture down Main Street where the mountain view is so close you could seem to touch the peak. Vertical terrain entices you to explore its switchbacks and wide-open trails from skiing in the winter to leaf-peeping in the fall and hiking in the summer. Gushing geysers, whimsical waterfalls, lush forests, wildlife, rushing rivers, are all part of the scenery.

When planning a staycation of sorts, the mountains offer a much-welcomed reprieve from the hustle of the daily grind, city confinement, and overwhelming air and noise pollution. What's more, they offer a juxtaposition between humble and grandiose—the quaint town and the sky-high peaks. Long days skiing or hiking, white water rafting, or four-wheeling, lead to relaxing nights  warming up by the fire and stargazing. Days off from thrill-seeking permit slow walks along main streets, enjoying the colorful foliage.

While it's hard to narrow it down to just a handful, with so many American mountain towns to explore, we rounded up some of the best to inspire your next trip.

As far as luxury mountain towns go, Aspen is at the peak. Encapsulated by the Elk Mountains, it's a playground for world-class shopping, dining, and imbibing. The town has tourist-pull all year round: In the winter, four unique ski resorts offer challenging and exhilarating terrain to traverse, while the legendary apres-ski scene dominates; in the summer, be sure to rent an e-bike and zip around the iconic Maroon Bells—they're the most photographed mountains in North America.

Dining options are aplenty, and they shouldn't be missed. Have a sunset dinner at Betula for a beautiful view of Ajax Mountain; the breezy décor, French Pan-American cuisine, and DJ will make you feel like you're on an island. For a great cocktail, The Gardener at Matsuhisa is a must. Après ski and truffle fries await at Ajax Tavern. Break up your day of boutique hopping (Kemo Sabe has you covered with its western gear) with crab cakes at Clark's Aspen or a chicken sandwich at White House Tavern.

For lodging, Hotel Jerome combines luxury with Old West Vibes. Guests enjoy a bourbon cocktail called "Judge's Juice" at their beck and call, free of charge. Locals fill the hotel's appropriately named "The Living Room," all day and night, where the staff wear cowboy hats.

More modest in grandeur than the Rockies, the Blue Ridge Mountain provides a poignant backdrop to the hot spot mountain town of Asheville. Hundreds of hiking trails beckon the outdoorsy type to explore their beauty; take the three-quarter-mile trail at Hickory Nut Falls for a breathtaking view of the dramatic 404-foot waterfall in Chimney Rock State Park.

The beer and brewery scene has sensationalized the town in recent years. In Asheville, you'll find more breweries per capita than any U.S. city, with roughly 100 local beers on draft and in bottles. Eat your heart out at one of the town's unforgettable restaurants, like Cúrate—featuring Spanish tapas housed in a 1927 bus depot. If the beer got the best of you the night before, mosey on over to Sunny Point Café for farm-to-table comfort breakfast food that will hit the spot. Check into the charming Westglow Resort & Spa for 360-degree views of the mountains.

Nestled between two majestic mountain ranges, Eugene, Oregon, is home to an array of nature, including diverse wetlands, upland prairie, a generous amount of hiking trails, old growth forests, wildflower fields, and more. When you're not exploring the Umpqua and Willamette National Forests, crowned by Diamond Peak and the South, Middle and North Sisters, you'll want to relish in Eugene's downtown hot spots. Check into the Inn at the 5th, a boutique hotel at the heart of the college town. Take one of the inn's complimentary bikes for a spin around town, stopping at Oregon Wine LAB for al fresco live tunes as you wine taste their William Rose Wine, or try one of the local beers on tap. Locals rave over the sweet-tea-brined fried chicken at Party Downtown, while Grit Kitchen and Wine is the go-to for handmade pasta.

This New England town offers year-round splendor, from its vibrant fall foliage to its reputation as the ski capital of the east, and its lush forests that come alive in the summertime. Stowe is home to Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest mountain, which is very popular among hikers in the summer and skiers in the winter. Take off on an epic hot air balloon ride during Stoweflake Resort's Stowe Balloon Festival, hosted every July. Take a scenic drive along Mt. Mansfield Auto Road, also called the Stowe Toll Road. The 150-year-old route will have you climb 3,850 feet to view the stunning Adirondack Mountains and the Lake Champlain Valley. When you're not hitting the slopes or hiking, the food and beer scene beckons. For an awesome après ski scene, head to The Matterhorn for a casual, eclectic vibe, and the Roost at Topnotch for live music.

With the highest average number of sunny days in the state—averaging 158 clear days per year—it's no wonder that tourists visit this high-desert mountain town. Here, you'll find locals floating down the Deschutes River in the summertime, and busy streets bustling with farmers markets, wine and cheese shops, breweries, topnotch restaurants, and more. Check into the luxurious Tetherow Resort, which surrounds 700 acres bordering the Deschutes National Forest. The 18-hole golf course is a welcoming challenge, while The Row is the go-to for après-ski after hitting the slopes on Mount Bachelor. For a more rustic stay, try The LOGE: this hotel offers a bike tuning station, bike rentals, onsite access to the MTB bike trail system, and ski lockers. Nearby Tumelo Falls is a must, where a 97-foot waterfall on Tumalo Creek awaits.

When it's time to wine and dine, head to Wild Rose for regional specialties from Northern Thailand. Crux Fermentation Project offers more than 20 original craft beers on tap and a dreamy panoramic view of the Cascade Mountains. Spider City Brewing is another must if you're in the area; they offer a brilliant beer selection, and you really can't go wrong with any pint, from their hazy IPAs to their nitro stouts.

Just minutes from Lake Tahoe resides Truckee—the small town with big adventure. Tucked in the Sierra Nevada mountains and bordering the Tahoe National Forest, the once Western outpost has become well known for its abundance of activities. Head to its historic downtown for independently owned and operated businesses, including shops, eateries, and museums. Live entertainment fills the air, while local art is up for grabs everywhere. The Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area is a family friendly resort perfect for beginners. In the summer, head to Donner Lake for boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and more.

The Truckee Railroad Museum is another fun attraction: Inside, you'll find fully restored cabooses and a collection of stories, pictures, artifacts, etc. that pay homage to the history of railroads in Truckee's history. Book a stay at Cedar House Sport Hotel, an eco-lodge offering sleek style. Be sure to dine at Moody's Bistro & Lounge. Located inside the 100-year-old Truckee Hotel, locals love the large, meat-centric platters. Old Town Tap is a must for craft beers.

If you're looking for a family-friendly mountain town jam-packed with activities, look no further than Keystone. The charming small town hugs the base of three adjoining peaks: Dercum Mountain, North Peak, and the Outback. Affectionately dubbed the most laid-back mountain playground in the Rockies, Keystone offers the state's largest night skiing operation (with lifts running until 8 pm), and a 3.5-mile-long trail called Schoolmarm, families flock to the resort for the all-day fun. A stay at Hyatt Place Keystone is a must, as it offers picturesque views of Dercum Mountain. Be sure to check out the views, day or night, from the hotel's rooftop hot tub. Visit the hotel bar for even more views of the mountain as you sip a speciality cocktail and nosh on regionally inspired cuisine. Snake River Saloon and Steakhouse is a stone's throw from Hyatt, and is the crossover joint to visit. Have your white tablecloth dinner, then mosey through the saloon doors to the bar, where live music awaits. After a long day on the mountain, 9280 Tap House in the River Run Village offers a great après vibe. For fairy-tale dining, head to Keystone Ranch; the steakhouse is housed in an authentic 1930s homestead that was once a working ranch.

Located in the Rocky Mountains and less than an hour from Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky is a breath of fresh air all year long. Big Sky Resort is famously known for being the "biggest ski in America," as it offers more than 5,800 acres of skiable terrain spread across four mountains, stretching 4,350 vertical feet. In the warmer months, outdoor adventures are endless, from hiking and mountain biking to the white water rafting and blue ribbon trout streams for fishing. Nearby Yellowstone offers even more wonders to explore including meandering wildlife, hot springs, and gushing geysers. For on-mountain dining, Everett's 8800 is an elegant ski-in bistro with views of Lone Peak. Horn & Cantle offers rustic elegance that will take your tastebuds for a spin, including their elk meatballs and chicken fried quail. Kickback post mountain adventures with a beer at Lone Peak Brewery and stop by Scissorbills Saloon for a shot ski. For a secluded stay, head to 320 Guest Ranch. The upscale resort has been reimagined from its humble beginnings as a homestead dating back to 1915.

One look at Moab, and you'll want to explore its sea of worn sandstone, its bustling Main Street, and everything in between. Camp under the stars in a fully-furnished luxury canvas tent with Under Canvas. Arches National Park and the Colorado River are just a couple of the nearby outdoor playgrounds: Go four-wheeling on the hundreds of miles of mining roads, hike to the spectacular, free-standing Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, and be sure to bike the Slickrock Trail. Moab, as a mountain town, entices with its culture and cuisine. With one of the highest number of artists per capita of any small town around, Moab is overflowing with galleries and studios. Tantalize your tastebuds with a walk through Moab Food Truck Park—a collective of various mobile eateries. Dine with a delightful view of Moab from the hilltop Sunset Grill, ordering the popular Idaho Snake River trout. And after all-day outdoor adventures, try a simply delicious beer and a burger at Moab Brewery.

This one-time wealthy pioneer and mining community has become a hot spot for its world-class recreation, phenomenal dining scene, and picturesque views. Situated in the heart of the Sun Valley alpine skiing area, Ketchum is an idyllic town offering easy access to Sun Valley resort's ski areas at Bald Mountain and nearby Dollar Mountain, along with various hiking, mountain biking and water activities. Take a drive to Shoshone Falls for a sensational scene of Idaho's beauty. For delicious eats, locals love "the Christy" for French classics like the escargots steeped in herbed garlic butter with a hint of Pernod, Town Square Tavern for Mediterranean dishes like the summer fattoush featuring seared halloumi, crispy pita and za'atar, and the Western grub and taxidermy décor at Pioneer Saloon. For local craft beer in Ketchum, stop for a pint at Sawtooth Brewery. A stay at Limelight Hotel offers a modern-chic feel in a brick building that overlooks the main street and mountains. Plus, it's less than a mile from the nearest ski lift.