Hop aboard the Vail Summer Gondola and enjoy a leisurely hike and picnic, or keep the kids entertained for hours on end at Epic Discovery with zip-lining, a mountain coaster, summer tubing, and much more. After a yoga session in the park, head to the Manor Vail Lodge, which will make all your Centennial State dreams come true. But here's a secret: visiting in the summer might very well be your ticket to vacation utopia. During your stay, lace up your hiking boots for an adventure with Maine Huts & Trails,  like exploring the Bigelow Preserve or venturing onto the Appalachian Trail. Sleepy? Summer is hot. Heritage Farm Museum and Village is nestled in West Virginia's Ohio River Valley and is dedicated to allowing visitors to discover the proud history of Appalachia. Then, treat yourself to grub at Moe's Original BBQ, where ordering just one banana pudding is about ten too few. For more information, visit mccallchamber.org. Federally protected since 1832, the springs are part of Hot Springs National Park, which surrounds a portion of the city. Check Out The South's Best Mountain Towns, Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. When the food coma sinks in, you'll be grateful you're staying on the property that houses the restaurant, the ever-tranquil Shore Lodge. music and that last slice of leftover pizza. (Unless, of course, we just inherited Great-Aunt Harriet’s 200-year-old home in the Smokies, in which case we’ll be busy turning it into a B&B.) When hunger strikes, stroll over to Hill & Holler Pizza and order yours with extra foraged mushrooms. This north Georgia mountain village, less than 100 miles from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Atlanta, is teeny-tiny, with most of its prime offerings clustered along a few blocks of East Main Street. skiserge1/Getty Images, Credit: For one heck of a view, h. Perri is the former food editor at Reader's Digest. If staying in place is more your thing, try painting your own collectibles at The Willows Pottery. Nestled in the Laurel Highlands in southwestern Pennsylvania (Columbus, Ohio, is three hours away), it's hard not to fall in love with the people and pace of life here. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io. When you take a break from hiking and biking or skiing and snowshoeing, check out The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts on the Appalachian State campus downtown. Located in the Pine Tree State's western mountain region, Carrabassett Valley gets its fair share of winter visitors, thanks to the Sugarloaf ski area, but summer here is just as magical thanks to ample off-the-grid activities, smaller crowds, and warm temperatures. 26 Photos of Romantic Destinations Across the U.S. A Rare White Bison Was Spotted in Missouri, 17 Things You Didn't Know About Mardi Gras, 30 Seriously Romantic Valentine's Day Getaways, 38 Best Christmas Light Display Across America. On Saturdays, April through October, you can rock out at the Appalachian Jam. This summer also marks the 44th anniversary of the Snowmass Rodeo, so don't miss the weekly Wednesday events, live music, barbecue, and calf ropin' for kids. Moving east along I-40, Black Mountain is arguably one of the best small towns to live in NC. Mountain color makes Dahlonega a popular fall wedding venue, but we’re partial to Christmas in this endearing and welcoming wine country town. First things first: When you visit Helen, head straight to the Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen (the pecan brittle will teleport you to childhood). Glistening in all their powder-covered glory, mountain towns seem to get all the love in colder months, when skiers (and après skiers) invade and conquer their snowy peaks.But here's a secret: visiting in the summer might very well be your ticket to vacation utopia. The Paper Mill Playhouse is one of the region’s top facilities for the arts. When you work up an appetite, allow all of your farm-fresh fantasies to come true at Liquids and Solids. Sisters hosts the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, the largest outdoor quilt show in the country, in June. But Blue Ridge packs some impressive quality into a small space, from renowned Oyster Fine Bamboo Fly Rods to the fantastic farm-to-table Harvest on Main. Blame it on the Hallmark channel, but most of us have, at one time or another, fantasized about a romantic escape to a mountain cabin. Dahlonega (pronounced Duh-lon-a-ga, if you're curious), is where the first major Gold Rush in America took place back in 1828—and it's held onto its pioneering spirit ever since. After a restorative dip,  keep the pampering going at The Cove with an invigorating massage. For more information, visit killington.com. FYI, the town takes its name from The Blowing Rock, a cliff some 3000 feet above the Johns River Gorge. After a quick java jolt at Rocky Mountain Roasters,  head to Lake Dillon for some outdoor adventure. The village contains more than 15 log buildings, five of which provide unique heritage-inspired tourist accommodations – … More about us. But you'll also want to stay to visit the, where the scallops alfredo practically melt in your mouth and the. Richard Parks/EyeEm/Getty Images, Credit: For more information, visit shenandoahcountyva.us. This quaint hideaway, situated in the Ozark Mountains, is close to lovely shops, galleries, and restaurants, which you'll definitely want to visit should you ever decide to tear yourself away from the dreamy wraparound veranda. In the summer, hiking, paddleboarding, and mountain biking are all good ways to earn that evening libation at the legendary Wobbly Barn. Head out to Spearfish Canyon, which has three amazing waterfalls, and after you've gulped up all that refreshing mountain air, swing by Gem Steakhouse, which features a menu inspired by the real-life versions of the characters on the TV series Deadwood. Enjoy a college town’s abundant food and drink, including popular favorites Melanie’s Food Fantasy, Stick Boy Bread Co. Think: downright delicious seafood, outstanding local shopping and boutiques, and … The ’Burg is hoppin’. Located in the Shenandoah Valley, picturesque Staunton is just large enough to be interesting but still small enough to be accessible and relaxing.