Food scene
This is our favorite restaurant in town! Great speciality burgers, and high end entrees.
Palisades Cafe
117 1st St WThis is our favorite restaurant in town! Great speciality burgers, and high end entrees.
Chameleon's Pub & Grub
119 1st Street WestAnother great spot! One of the best places to get an Iowa tenderloin.
Big's BBQ & Brew Pub
106 1st Street WestGood BBQ restaurant. Also a great place to get craft beers.
Glyn Mawr Winery-The Local
103 1st Street WestA local winery with a great selection of wine, and craft beers.
Definitely worth the 20 minute drive! Located in the heart of Grant Wood country. Good food, and great atmosphere.
General Store Pub
12612 Stone City RdDefinitely worth the 20 minute drive! Located in the heart of Grant Wood country. Good food, and great atmosphere.
Sightseeing
Beautiful State Park with a lot of exposed limestone formations. Good hiking paths for any experience level.
21 locals recommend
Palisades-Kepler State Park
700 Kepler DrBeautiful State Park with a lot of exposed limestone formations. Good hiking paths for any experience level.
Wapsipinicon State Park
21301 Co Rd E34Just about 20 minutes north in Anamosa. Beautiful hiking trails.
A small, liberal arts college located in the heart of Mount Vernon. Whole campus is on the national historic register. Definitely worth walking around campus.
Cornell College
600 1st StA small, liberal arts college located in the heart of Mount Vernon. Whole campus is on the national historic register. Definitely worth walking around campus.
Just for Kids
Outdoor Learning experience with a great indoor experience. About 30 minutes north of Mount Vernon. Also has good hiking paths.
7 locals recommend
Wickiup Hill Learning Center
10260 Morris Hills RdOutdoor Learning experience with a great indoor experience. About 30 minutes north of Mount Vernon. Also has good hiking paths.
The Iowa Children's Museum
1451 Coral Ridge AveFun children's museum!
Shopping
Bauman & Co
124 1st St WOldest retail business in Mount Vernon! Just happens to be owned by your hosts. :)
Iron Leaf Press
113 1st St WQuaint stationary store. Produces hand letter-pressed stationary.
A old high school building that has be repurposed to house a variety of businesses as well as a farmers market on Saturdays during the winter and Thursdays during the summer/fall.
First Street Community Center
221 1st St WA old high school building that has be repurposed to house a variety of businesses as well as a farmers market on Saturdays during the winter and Thursdays during the summer/fall.
Silver Spider
117 1st St WSuch a fun store! Tons of toys, knick-knacks, books, etc.
Polly Ann's Vintage Market
103 A Ave SEAn antique store with something for everyone!