Looking for a fall day trip that feels like a getaway without requiring a long drive? Put Mount Vernon-Lisbon on your list.
20-30 minutes from both Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, our two historic communities offer a little bit of everything: scenic trails, family-friendly farms, historic streets, local shops and good food.
Here are five reasons to make Mount Vernon-Lisbon your next fall day trip.
1. Take in the Fall Foliage at Palisades-Kepler
The 840-acre park follows the Cedar River and is known for its limestone bluffs, wooded ravines, scenic overlooks and hiking trails. When the leaves begin to turn, it becomes one of the area’s best places to enjoy the colors of the season.
Pack your walking shoes, grab a coffee to-go (try Fuel or Little Scratch!) and spend a morning exploring the trails. Bass Family Farms is located directly across from the park, making it easy to combine a morning outdoors with an afternoon of fall fun + ice cream!
2. Experience Fall on the Farm
Two local farms, Kroul Farms & Bass Family Farms, offer fun for all ages.
Kroul Farms
At Kroul Farms, find pumpkins, mums, gourds, seasonal displays, farm animals and plenty to explore.
The farm’s corn maze is a favorite fall tradition, with a smaller round-bale maze available for younger visitors. You are also free to check out the farm animals, shop for pumpkins and fall decorations, and take in the Halloween displays.
Admission is free.
2026 Fall Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Friday–Sunday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Kroul Farms is a working farm, so a visit is an opportunity for families to explore, learn about agriculture and see where food comes from. Learn more at KroulFarm.com.
Bass Family Farms
For more family fun, head across from Palisades-Kepler to Bass Family Farms for their Fall Festival, running September 12 through November 1.
The festival includes a corn maze, pumpkins, ice cream and plenty of activities for kids, including the Farm Frenzy slide, giant jump pad, spider web, mini golf, sand playground, teeter-totters and giant games. Hayrides run on weekends only!
Fall Festival Hours:
10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Admission:
$10 weekdays
$12 weekends (Free for children 2 and under)
Learn more at BassFarms.org.
3. Take in the historic small town charm
Take a stroll through the historic downtowns, admire the architecture and make your way up to the beautiful Cornell College campus. The Hilltop’s historic buildings and fall foliage make for a particularly beautiful walk this time of year.
Both communities are filled with historic architecture, locally owned businesses and places worth exploring on foot. Mount Vernon and Lisbon are connected by the historic Lincoln Highway, and the area is home to five registered National Historic Districts, including the entire Cornell College campus and the downtown shopping districts in both communities.
4. Shop Small and Find Something Unique
Fall is a great excuse to spend a little time browsing the local shops of Mount Vernon.
From boutiques and antiques to art, gifts and specialty shops, you’ll find plenty of locally owned places to explore as you wander the historic downtowns.
And if you’re planning your fall day trip for November, mark your calendar for the Holiday Open House on November 6–7. It’s a great opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping while supporting the small businesses that make our communities special.
5. Come Hungry & Stay Awhile
Mount Vernon-Lisbon’s locally owned restaurants give you plenty of reasons to stay a little longer—whether you’re looking for coffee before a hike, lunch after exploring the farms or dinner before heading home.
And this fall, there’s an especially delicious reason to plan your visit around October 24….
The Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff
On October 24, 2026, historic First Street in Mount Vernon will be filled with the smells of the annual Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff.
Teams begin cooking at 11 a.m., with public tasting beginning at 3 p.m. Visitors can sample more than 20 different chilis and vote for their favorite, along with enjoying music, a bags tournament and a beverage tent.
Make a Fall Day of It
The best part about a Mount Vernon-Lisbon day trip is that you don’t have to choose just one thing. Start your morning with a hike at Palisades-Kepler. Spend the afternoon enjoying fall at Kroul Farms or Bass Family Farms. Wander the historic streets and Cornell College campus. Browse local shops. Grab a bite to eat. And, if you time your visit right, join us for one of the area’s favorite fall traditions.We look forward to your visit!
