Mount Vernon, Iowa travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Mount Vernon is a city located in the I-380 Corridor region of Eastern Iowa. Home to historic Cornell College, Mount Vernon is a vibrant community uniquely influenced by the college but possessing an individual identity. It is frequently cited in travel magazines for its unique culture and excellent food.

1 sights · 2 places to eat

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Mount Vernon

King Chapel

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 12°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Cedar Rapids)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
CID The Eastern Iowa Airport, Cedar Rapids — 15 mi away. Directions
DBQ Dubuque Regional Airport, Dubuque — 49 mi away. Directions
DSM Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines — 118 mi away (major hub). Directions

Mount Vernon is located primarily to the northeast of the intersection of Iowa Route 1 and US 30.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

In many respects, while they maintain separate identities, the histories of Mount Vernon and Cornell College are inextricably linked. Cornell was founded in 1853 as the Iowa Conference Seminary but, in 1857, it would be renamed after iron tycoon William Wesley Cornell, a distant cousin of Ezra Cornell (founded of Cornell University). As the college expanded, the town invariably also enjoyed the benefit. Today, many members of the faculty and staff at Cornell are also long-time residents and participants in the community, which gives the town a strong college feel. The entire Cornell campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mount Vernon has also historically benefited from its close proximity to Iowa City and Dubuque as it is on the primary route between the two.

Get in

Mount Vernon is located primarily to the northeast of the intersection of Iowa Route 1 and US 30.

Get around

The primary method of travel within the city is car. However, many portions of the community are entirely walkable including the downtown area and Cornell campus.

See

See King Chapel

Cornell's ornate original chapel, King Chapel is visible from Route 30 and is a point of pride for the community. Call ahead to see if the interior is open, which houses one of the largest pipe organs west of the Mississippi. The chapel has hosted a number of famous speakers including Booker T. Washington, Helen Keller, Carl Sandburg, Amelia Earhart, Milton Friedman and more recently, Barack Obama.

📍 600 First Street SWLocated on the Cornell Campus, immediately to the east of Bowman-Carter Hall☎ +1 319 895-4000

Maps