A visit to one of Iowa’s small farm towns is just the ticket when you want to get away from it all. Peaceful and idyllic, rural towns have a slower pace and a certain charm all their own. Here’s a little farm town that’s perfect for a day trip or weekend visit.
Established in the mid-1800s, the little town of Mount Vernon is home to around 4,500 residents. Its vibrant, quaint downtown area is bustling with restaurants, shops, and local businesses.
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Stop in for a bite to eat at Skillet Cafe, located 101 1st Street NE. You’ll find some down-home meals that will hit the spot here.
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The town is also home to Cornell College - a private, liberal arts college with around 1,000 students.
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You’ll find beautiful farms all around Mount Vernon, and they’re both picturesque and lovely.
Rich Herrmann/flickr
Family farms dot the landscape, growing everything from hay to pumpkins. The folks in Mount Vernon definitely eat well, with plenty of sustainably-grown produce.
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You can even take an agri-tour of some of the farms to learn how they operate. Bass Family Farms offers tours May through October.
Bass Farms
The countryside here is so peaceful and quiet that you’ll want to take a stroll or bike ride along the backcountry roads surrounding town.
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Take a country drive to see the American Gothic Barn, which is painted with several rural scenes, including artist Grant Wood’s famous painting. It’s located at 1278 US-30, Mount Vernon.
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Of course, not everyone in Mount Vernon has a farm. For those who don’t, the Farmers Market at the Mt Vernon First Street Community Center is the perfect place to find fresh produce.
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group/Facebook
Make no mistake - this might be a farm town, but its close-knit community always has something going on. Residents and visitors alike enjoy events like the Chalk the Walk festival that occurs every May.
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group/Facebook
Concerts at the Memorial Park gazebo fill the little town with music all summer long.
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group/Facebook
A visit to Mount Vernon makes a wonderful day trip, but if you’d like to stay overnight, you can stop in at Brackett House B&B. Built in 1877, this charming little place offers four beautifully-appointed rooms right on the Cornell College campus.
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The next time you’re looking for a quiet getaway, make the trip to Mount Vernon.
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group/Facebook
We love all of Iowa’s charming little towns! Here are seven tiny Iowa towns that come alive in the summertime – you’ll want to check them out!
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Bass Farms
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Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group/Facebook
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