Mount Vernon is a city in Skagit County. The population was 26,232 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Skagit County and was voted the #1 "Best Small City in America" by the New Rating Guide to Life in America's Small Cities in 1998. Mount Vernon is located on I-5 about one hour north of Seattle and 30 minutes south of Bellingham.

Downtown Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon's historic downtown area is centered along 1st Street near the Skagit River. There are several historical buildings here including the Lincoln Theatre, which is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Downtown Mt. Vernon is filled with many shops and restaurants and features a Saturday Farmers Market on the Skagit River revetment during the summer. The new Skagit Station provides for easier access to the downtown with SKAT, Amtrak, bus and airporter connections available

Events

Mount Vernon is known for its annual Tulip Festival. Mount Vernon is one of the top producers of tulip bulbs and attracts many tourists during the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. One of the festivals highlights, the Tulip Festival Street Fair, takes place in downtown Mt. Vernon and features a juried show with art, pottery, glass, textiles and wood along with food, music and more.