The best U. S. mountain towns for an amazing weekend getaway

When you don't have time for a weeklong vacation, a mountain town can deliver the perfect change of scenery in just a few days.Across the U.S., these destinations offer everything from scenic gondola rides and pristine hiking trails to cozy cafés, craft breweries and luxury resorts. Plus, many of them offer enough walkable charm that you can leave your car parked for most of the weekend.Whether you're chasing fall foliage, fresh powder, wildflower-filled meadows or cool summer temperatures, these mountain escapes are ideal for a long weekend. Better yet, many are surprisingly accessible from major airports, making them easy to fit into a Friday-through-Sunday itinerary.From the towering Tetons to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Green Mountains of Vermont, these destinations make ideal long-weekend escapes any time of year.Taos, New Mexicomiroslav_1/GETTYThe Sangre de Cristo Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for Taos, where Native American, Spanish and Western cultures come together in one of the Southwest's most distinctive destinations.One of the things I love about this destination is that you don't need to be particularly athletic to enjoy a weekend here. It's easy to spend...