Located in Skagit County, Mount Vernon, WA is a popular place during the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival each April. But when it’s not crowded with tulip-loving tourists, it’s a quiet little town that rests on the banks of the Skagit River. And if you’ve never been, you should come see why it was once voted the #1 “Best Small City in America.” Read on to learn more about our little slice of heaven in Northern Washington that you must experience at least once in your lifetime!

Mount Vernon is located about an hour north of Seattle.
Becky McCray / Flickr
It has a population of just over 35,000, so it's a mid-sized city by definition. Still, it definitely has a small-town vibe.
The city was established in 1877, with Jasper Gates and Joseph Dwelley being credited as its founders.
Wikipedia
Its growth was helped by its central location in reference to the local mining, logging and farming communities.
These days, you'll still find a large farming community in Mount Vernon.
Jasperdo / Flickr
The agricultural industry is enormous in Skagit County.
Of course, this means the city has an incredible Farmers Market, which you'll find at the Skagit Riverwalk Plaza on weekends from May-October.
MMount Vernon Farmers Market Facebook
Here you can meet local farm producers while enjoying the freshest produce, local meats and cheese, and handmade goods.
If you don't visit during Farmers Market season, you can always check out Schuh Farms.
Schuh Farms Facebook
The farm is open from April- December, and depending on the time of year, you'll find fresh berries, veggies, pumpkins, winter squash, and homemade goods.

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If you're looking for fresh, healthy, local food...
simivalley1699 / TripAdvisor
...you'll love the Skagit Valley Food Co-Op and Deli on S. 1st St. This place is an absolute Washington State gem.
Mount Vernon has plenty of tasty restaurants as well, like the Skagit River Brewery on S. 3rd St.
Tara M. / TripAdvisor
Their wood-fired pizza is made from their own handmade dough, and the burgers are also delicious.
Lysa Allman-Baldwin/OnlyInYourState
Quaint coffee shops and casual eateries are plentiful as well.
The downtown area is very charming.
Lysa Allman-Baldwin/OnlyInYourState
One of the most popular tourist spots is the central mural.
And if you can, you'll definitely want to catch a sunset.
SwandiMeow / TripAdvisor
One of the best places is at Bay View State Park. These scenic views are amazing!

Visiting Mount Vernon is a true pleasure. For more information, check out the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce website, as well as the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Have you ever been to this beautiful Washington gem? If so, what was your favorite part? Would you agree that it is one of the most charming small towns to visit in Washington? Can you suggest some other fun things to do in Mount Vernon, Washington? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

If you love hidden gems, be sure to read 11 Charming Small Washington Towns The Locals Love.

Hikers will be happy to know that there are some really great trails in the area. Visit the AllTrails website to check them out!

If you’re still in the mood for more Washington State adventures, take a look at this video about beautiful Dog Mountain:

 

 

 

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More to Explore

More Washington State Adventures

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | October 08, 2023

Where can we find other lakes in Washington State?

  • Baker Lake located in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest features camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and more.
  • Lake Crescent located in Olympic National Park is a crystal-clear, glacier-carved lake surrounded by beautiful forested area and there is a popular lodge by the same name here.
  • Lunch Lake located in Olympic National Park is a popular stop for hiking, fishing, overnight camping, and other recreational opportunities.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other beautiful lakes in Washington State.

Where can we find annual events in Washington?

  • The Poulsbo Viking Fest in Poulsbo celebrates the town’s Nordic history.
  • The Long Beach Razor Clam Festival in Long Beach is a weekend-long festival of clams, tons of other seafood, and even razor clam-digging lessons.
  • The Juan de Fuca Festival in Port Angeles is a small town music festival that features a wide array of international musical artists.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other exciting annual events in Washington.

Where can we find ghost towns in Washington State?

  • Alstown was once located along an active railroad line that connected the Columbia River to Mansfield, but the departure of the railroad sealed the town’s fate.
  • Claquato was originally founded in the 1850s, met its demise before 1900, and today is home to the oldest standing building—a Methodist church—in Washington.
  • Bluestem was named after a certain variety of wheat once grown here and today is peppered with about a dozen abandoned buildings.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other creepy ghost towns in Washington State.

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Mount Vernon, WA, USA