Plan your Mount Vernon trip

WHERE TO STAY

Mount Vernon boasts several bed-and-breakfasts to make visitors feel right at home. Here are a few; find more lodging options at discovermvl.com/lodging.

ABBE HILLS BED & BREAKFAST

369 Abbe Hills Rd., (319) 895-8094, abbehillsbandb.com

This historic farmstead is nestled in a quiet country location one mile north of Mount Vernon.

BLYTHE COTTAGE INN

108 Bryant Court SW, (319) 895-0188, pollyanns.com

Located near the Cornell campus, this bed-and-breakfast includes rooms inside the main house and in a private carriage house complete with wood-burning boiler.

BRACKETT HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST

418 Second St. SW, (319) 895-4425, bracketthousebnb.com

Built in 1877, Brackett House has been owned by Cornell College since 1952 and is within walking distance of both downtown Mount Vernon and campus.

ENGELBRECHT INN BED and BREAKFAST

117 Seventh Ave. NW, (319) 895-8895

This farm house-style home was built in 1910 and features a large screened porch for guest use.

GATHERING HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST

514 First St. SE, (319) 249-5921, facebook.com/mountvernoniowagatheringhousebnb

A night in this stately brick home might come with a breakfast featuring farm fresh eggs to enjoy on the wide front porch.

WHERE TO EAT

There are no shortage of places to eat, drink and be merry in Mount Vernon. Here are a few favorites; find more cafes, bars and restaurants at discovermvl.com/dining.

BIG'S BBQ BREW PUB

124 Second Ave. NW, (319) 535-1060, bigsbbqmv.com

Featuring 'Iowa-style' barbecue and a craft brewery in a historic house-turned-restaurant, Big's is one of Mount Vernon's newest eateries.

FUEL

103 First St. NE, (319) 895-8429, facebook.com/tommie.fuel

Fuel up for a day of exploring with coffee and baked goods, and browse the selection of antiques and art gathered from around the world.

LINCOLN WINE BAR

125 First St. NW, (895) 9463, foodisimportant.com

'Food is important' is the guiding principal of this restaurant featuring wood-fired pizzas, inventive salads and sides and a carefully curated beer and wine list.

PALISADES CAFE

117 First St. NW, (319) 895-4041, cafepalisades.com

Specializing in creative food with locally-grown flair, Palisades is a must-eat in downtown Mount Vernon.

SKILLET CAFE

101 First St. NE, (319) 895-8540, skilletcafe.net

Start the day right with a hearty breakfast or take a midday lunch break at Skillet Cafe.

WHAT TO DO

It's easy to spend a day or two exploring Mount Vernon. Here are a few suggestions for places to explore.

DAY AT THE FARM

BASS FAMILY FARMS, 840 Bass Lane, (319) 895-6480, bassfarms.org and KROUL FARMS, 245 Highway 1 S., (319) 895-8944, kroulfarms.com

Venture just outside of town to these family-friendly small farms, both open for agritourism. Stop by to buy some fresh produce, visit the pumpkin patches and see working farms in action.

FIRST STREET COMMUNITY CENTER

221 First St. NE, (319) 895-8060, firststreetcc.com

Stop by the Old School Shops, pick up produce and baked goods at the year-round farmers market, take in an art class, attend a First Friday artist reception or listen to live music at this community center, where something is always going on.

NORTON GEOLOGY CENTER AND ANDERSON MUSEUM

600 First St. SW, cornellcollege.edu/about-cornell/buildings-tour/academic/norton-geology-center.shtml

More than 20,000 specimens of rocks, minerals and fossils are stored with an extensive collection of geologic books, maps and periodicals in this three-story Cornell campus museum, which is free and open to the public.

POLLY ANN'S VINTAGE MARKET

103 A Ave. S., (319) 895-8004, pollyanns.com

Open since 1991, this 3,500-square-foot display of vintage collectibles, antiques, repurposed items and kitchen and home furnishings is displayed on two floors in a historic building.

SUTLIFF CIDER COMPANY

382 Sutliff Rd., Lisbon, (319) 455-4093, sutliffcider.com

Every Sunday through the end of October, enjoy live music and hard cider at Sutliff Cider Company's tasting room and patio just outside town in rural Lisbon. Surrounded by rolling cornfields and an apple orchard, it's the perfect spot to enjoy fall.