Attractions

Mount Vernon and Lisbon carry a torch for the past, with reverent preservation of all things old. Connected by the historic Lincoln Highway, the communities embrace their place on America’s first transcontinental highway.

There are four registered national historic districts, including the entire Cornell College campus, with its iconic King Chapel, the downtown shopping district in both Mount Vernon and Lisbon, and the Ash Park neighborhood of Mount Vernon, an area of colorful Victorian homes.

Wonderful Distractions

Abbe Creek School Museum

One of Iowa’s oldest still-standing, one-room brick school buildings. The museum depicts school life as it was in 1900. Open Read more...

American Gothic Barn

Privately owned barn just east of Palisades-Kepler State Park. Painted by local artist Mark Benesh, the barn is a favorite Read more...

Anderson Geology Museum

Located in the Norton Geology Center on Cornell College’s campus, this museum houses fossils, rocks and mineral specimens, meteorites, infrared Read more...

Ash Park Baseball Field

Home to Cornell College and Mount Vernon High School baseball games. Visit school websites for game schedules. Read more...

Ash Park Historic District

This residential district encompassing 5th-7th Avenues North, between 6th-8th Streets NW, is listed on the National Registry due to the Read more...

Bass Farms

Bass Farms provides a natural farming educational tours for school children, families, and anyone with an interest in herbicide- and Read more...

Bijou Movie Theater

A family owned and managed, small town movie theater with one screen and 100 seats. There is usually a drawing Read more...

Bryant Park

Soccer and t-ball fields, playground, grills and picnic tables. Read more...

Cornell College

Named one of the “Colleges that Change Lives,” Cornell is a highly selective liberal arts college with a distinctive One Read more...

Davis Park

Features an outdoor, zero-entry public pool, modern playground, picnic facilities, baseball field, restrooms, drinking fountain, a volleyball net, batting cages Read more...

Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center

Located on the south side of Palisades-Kepler State Park, the Dows Observatory was built in 1987 and houses several permanently-mounted Read more...

Elliott Athletic Complex

Ball diamonds, playground, picnic areas, restrooms and a batting cage. Read more...

First Street Community Center

Built in 1927 as the Mount Vernon High School, the First Street Community Center is now home to dozens of Read more...

Gettysburg Boulder at Lisbon Cemetery

This boulder from the Battlefield of Gettysburg is here rededicated and reconsecrated to the memory of the soldiers and sailors Read more...

Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall, located above the Lisbon Library, is host to events by first-class musicians and world-famous authors on the stage. Read more...

Hilltop Park

Formerly an unused alleyway, next to Scarlett Boutique in Uptown Mount Vernon.  It has been re-purposed into a wonderful and Read more...

Johnston Park

A small park including play structure with a tunnel and slides. Read more...

Kernoustie Golf Club

Kernoustie Golf Club is a 9-hole course in Mount Vernon. Become a member, or play for a day. Kernoustie also Read more...

Kroul Farms, Garden and Greenhouse

Visit the farm any time of year for family fun and farm-fresh goods. Fall is a great time to tour Read more...

Lake MacBride

Located a few miles south of Mount Vernon, Lake Macbride State Park provides opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, hiking and Read more...

Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center

This 33,000 square foot facility offers group exercise classes, team activities and social events. Read more...

Lincoln Highway

The first U.S. transcontinental roadway, built in 1913, ran through the heart of Mount Vernon and Lisbon. Original markers can Read more...

Lincoln Square

A gazebo with benches, a large paved gathering area, and a community garden. Read more...

Lisbon City Park

Modern playground, wading pool, soccer fields, baseball field, restrooms, picnic facilities and shelters. Read more...

Lisbon History Center

An official Lincoln Highway Tourist stop, the Lisbon History Center houses the largest collection of Civil War era Mountain Howitzer Read more...

Lisbon Public Library

We have a large selection of books, magazines, newspapers, and electronic resources available to be checked out by our library Read more...

Lisbon Splash Pad & Wading Pool

Wading pool with a combination splash pad. https://visitmvl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Lisbon-Splash-Pad.m4v Read more...

Memorial Park

Home to the Visitor’s Center, a turn-of-the-century-style gazebo, new playground equipment and picnic facilities. Read more...

Mount Vernon Community Pool

Zero-entry, fountain, slides, diving boards and spacious deck for all to enjoy. Read more...

Mount Vernon Historic Audio Tours

At present, three tours are available: Commercial District, Cornell College, and Ash Park Neighborhood. Follow on your device by linking Read more...

Mount Vernon Nature Park

Hiking trail surrounding quarry, fishing, picnic facilities. Also home to the Quarry Ridge Disc Golf Course and the Nancy Dorreen Read more...

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre

The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre, now in its 35th season, produces several shows each year at various local venues. Read more...

Palisades-Kepler State Park

Referred to as “The Pal,” this 840-acres park overlooking the Cedar River includes trails, camping, family cabins and boat docks. Read more...

Peter Paul Luce Art Gallery

Cornell’s gallery displays free exhibits during the academic year. Exhibits range from regionally and nationally known artists to student shows. Read more...

Prairie Park

Part of the original Lincoln Highway, the park is home to an original Lincoln Highway Bridge that extends over the Read more...

Pres Hill Sledding Hill

A century-old tradition, the street remains barricaded and unplowed after a snowstorm, allowing a long, steep slope for sledders and Read more...

Russell D. Cole / Mount Vernon Public Library

Russell D. Cole Library is unique in that it is both the Cornell College Library and the official Public Library Read more...

Solar System Tour

Travel the entire solar system and learn about our galax by viewing a to-scale display, staring with a replica of Read more...

Studt Park

Full playground with swings, slides, climbing sphere, and a resting bench. Read more...

Sutliff Bridge and Baxa’s Store & Tavern

A few miles south of Lisbon (off Sutliff Road) is the historic Sutliff Bridge. Now officially considered a park, for Read more...

The Fantastic Escape

A “real live” video game/problem solving experience. See if you can solve the puzzle in an hour or under! Read more...

Under Hill Skate Park

Features jumps and hills for skate boarders and in-line skaters. Read more...

Van Metre Family Softball Field

Home to Cornell College and Mount Vernon High School softball games. Visit school websites for game schedules. Read more...

Van Metre Field at Ash Park

Historic Van Metre Field at Ash Park is home to Cornell College’s football, track & field and lacrosse programs. Visit Read more...