Plan Your Stay

Start Your Adventure

 

Mt. Vernon, Illinois, is rich in art and history. It’s located at the intersection of Interstate 57 & 64 in beautiful Southern Illinois. Enjoy everything from family fun activities to art, music, and much more. Explore our curated trip ideas below.

Upcoming Events

Plan Your Stay

Enjoy

Family Fun

Explore family fun activities in Mt. Vernon, IL. We have so much to choose from including the Aquatic Zoo Water Park, Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, Jefferson County Historic Village, pumpkin patches, laser tag, and much more!

Family Fun

618 Axe Bar & Grill

Aquatic Zoo

C.E Brehm Memorial Public Library

Cedarhurst Center For The Arts

Granada Theatre

Jefferson County Historical Village

King City Games

Marlow's Pumpkin Patch

Nu Bowl Lanes

Party Up Inflatables & More

Pirate Pete's Family Entertainment Center

R & J Tactical Lazer Tag

Rend Lake Recreation Area

RLConfections

Times Square Mall

Veterans Memorial Park

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area

YMCA

Enjoy

Outdoor Activities

Enjoy a number of outdoor activities form our acclaimed Aquatic Zoo Water Park to a number of golf courses and parks.

See & Do

A.L. Dawson Park

Aquatic Zoo

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts

Green Hills Golf Course

Indian Hills Golf Course

Jefferson County Historical Village

Lincoln Park

Marlow's Pumpkin Patch

National Fitness Campaign Court

R & J Tactical Lazer Tag

Rend Lake Recreation Area

The Commons

Veterans Memorial Park

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area

Enjoy

Date Ideas

Enjoy fine dining, music and art venues along with a romantic walk through the Mitchell Art Museum sculpture park.

See & Do

618 Axe Bar & Grill

Applebee's + IHOP

Aquatic Zoo

Cedarhurst Center For The Arts

Chili's Grill & Bar

Cracker Barrel

Double Overtime Grill

El Rancherito Mexican Restaurant

El Torito Mexican Grill

Frosty Mug Bar & Grill

Granada Theatre

Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse

Jefferson County Historical Village

Joe’s Pizza & Pasta

La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant

La Fuente Mexican Restaurant

Marlow's Pumpkin Patch

Nu Bowl Lanes

RARE Chop House

Rend Lake Recreation Area

Starbucks (Broadway)

Veterans Memorial Park

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area

Enjoy

Art & History

Explore unique historic sites and museums. Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, Jefferson County Historic Village, Hall of Honor Military Museum, and the historic Appellate Courthouse where Abraham Lincon held many trials.

Art & History

Appellate Courthouse

Art in the City

C.E Brehm Memorial Public Library

Cedarhurst Center For The Arts

Hall of Honor and Military Museum

Jefferson County Historical Village

Upcoming Events

  • Southern Illinois Bigfoot Conference September 05, 2026 9:00 AM

    👣🌲 Something BIG is coming to Southern Illinois! 🌲👣

    Whether you're a longtime believer, a curious skeptic, or just love a good mystery, you won't want to miss the Southern IL Bigfoot Conference at the historic Granada Theatre in downtown Mt. Vernon!

    📅 September 5, 2026
    📍 Granada Theatre, 108 N. 9th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL

    Join Bigfoot researchers, investigators, authors, and enthusiasts from across the country for a full day of fascinating presentations, eyewitness accounts, evidence discussions, and stories from the field. Hear from an incredible lineup of guest speakers as they explore one of the world's most enduring mysteries.

    ⭐ VIP Meet & Greet Reception – September 4
    🎤 Expert Speakers
    🔍 Evidence & Investigations
    📸 Meet Fellow Bigfoot Enthusiasts
    🎟️ Multiple Ticket Options Available

    From the forests of Southern Illinois to sightings across North America, the search continues... and you can be part of it!

    Get your tickets today and discover why Southern Illinois has become a hotspot for Bigfoot lore and legend.

    🎟️ Tickets: https://www.thegranadatheatre.com/events/bigfoot

    #SouthernILBigfootConference #Bigfoot #Sasquatch #MtVernonIL #GranadaTheatre #SouthernIllinois #Cryptozoology #BigfootResearch #VisitMtVernon #TheSearchContinues 👣🌲🦶
  • ILeana Symone Co Grand Opening September 05, 2026 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    THE WAIT IS OVER… ILEANA SYMONE CO. IS OPENING ITS DOORS!
    After years of dreaming, praying, designing, sewing, planning, and preparing, we are finally welcoming you into the new home of ILeana Symone Co.
    Join us Saturday, September 5th from 3:00–6:00 PM for our official Grand Opening and an afternoon celebrating fashion, elegance, and this beautiful new chapter!
     
    Experience ILeana Symone Co.
    Custom Bridal Gowns • Custom Prom Gowns • Ready-Made Wedding Gowns • Homecoming Dresses • Select Alterations
    Following our Grand Opening, our boutique will primarily welcome clients BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, creating a more private, personalized, and luxurious shopping experience. From the moment you walk through our doors, we want your experience to feel just as special as the occasion you’re shopping for.
    And the celebration doesn’t stop when we leave the boutique!
     
    CONTINUE THE CLASSY EVENING WITH US!
    After visiting ILeana Symone Co., take the short walk down Main Street to Meet Me On Main, where we’ll continue the celebration with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and mingling!
    We want this evening to be more than a Grand Opening — we want it to be an experience. Dress up, come celebrate, take a look around our new boutique, enjoy downtown Mount Vernon, and raise a glass with us to what’s ahead!
  • Star Wars Unlimited Weekly Play September 05, 2026 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM  Star Wars: Unlimited Saturdays at King City Games!    Join us every Saturday from 6 PM to 9 PM for Star Wars: Unlimited Weekly Play!    Whether you’re a Jedi, Sith, or somewhere in between, this is your chance to test your decks, trade cards, and enjoy casual or competitive play with fellow fans of the galaxy’s greatest TCG. No entry fee—just bring your deck and your love for Star Wars! See you at the tables!    #StarWarsUnlimited #TCG #WeeklyPlay #KingCityGames #MayTheForceBeWithYou
  • Saturday Night Dance Party with DJ Jay Boog September 05, 2026 10:00 PM Join us at 618 Axe every Saturday Night from 10:00 pm - 1:00 am for Saturday Night Dance Party with DJ Jay Boog! | $5 cover
  • Board Game Night September 06, 2026 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Join us each Sunday from 12:00 - 5:00 pm for Board Game Night!
  • Wildflower Fest 2026 September 07, 2026 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    We're so excited to announce our 2nd Annual Wildflower Fest is going to be bigger and better than ever!

    ✨ What's new for 2026?
    🌼 More local vendors to shop
    🍔 More delicious food trucks
    🅿️ New large designated parking area
    🌸 Expanded wildflower fields and an even more breathtaking pollinator habitat

    Join us on Labor Day, Monday, September 7th, from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM for a day celebrating nature, community, and all the beauty Southern Illinois has to offer.

    Stroll the blooming wildflowers, support over 42 local small businesses, enjoy amazing food, explore our FREE wildflower trails, and create your own $10 U-Pick flower bouquet. Admission is FREE, so bring the whole family!

    If you've never experienced Blackberry Hollow Farm in full bloom, this is the perfect time. Our pollinator habitat will be bursting with butterflies, bees, and thousands of wildflowers—it's one of the most beautiful times of the year.

    📍 Blackberry Hollow Farm
    9175 E. Piedmont Rd.
    Bonnie, IL 62816

    Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and come make memories with us at Wildflower Fest 2026! 💜🌼🦋
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