Some might describe it as ‘urban fringe.’ Some other 7,000+ residents call it home. The Mount Vernon-Lisbon area is known for its rolling hills, beautiful historic homes, and unique shopping districts. Many professionals are drawn to the area for its economic health, educational institutions, and cultural advantages. Located in the technology corridor with easy access to Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Marion, it’s no wonder residents enjoy big-city living in a small-town setting.

As you enter and exit Mount Vernon, you’ll see the rendition of Grant Wood’s American Gothic on the side of a barn. Wander through the uptown business district and you’ll discover a wine bar, a coffee house, antiques, jewelry, shops, and clothing stores. If you wander far enough, you’ll discover Cornell College, the first college west of the Mississippi to grant women the same rights and privileges as men (and later, the first to award a degree to a woman).

Throughout the year, chocolate, sidewalk chalk, art, and chili have their own festivals. Outdoor enthusiasts will also enjoy the area’s proximity to Palisades-Kepler State Park, just a five-mile drive from Mount Vernon, where they can go to hike, camp, canoe and kayak, and explore nature.

In the neighboring town of Lisbon, you’ll discover Sutliff Cider, where the first Iowa hard ciders were introduced, as well as a town history center and an escape room. Near Lisbon, the historic Sutliff Bridge, built in 1897 and 1898, overlooks the Cedar River and attracts locals and visitors across Iowa.