# Mount Vernon (Ohio)

Mount Vernon is the county seat of Knox County, Ohio. It has a small, cute downtown, and is home to Mount Vernon Nazarene University and the manufacturer Ariel.

## Understand
### History

Founded in 1805, Mount Vernon was named after George Washington's Plantation in Virginia.

### Visitor Information

* 40.39256-82.485641 Knox County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 107 S Main St (S Main & W Vine St, one block south of the main intersection with High St(roundabout)), ☏ +1 740-392-6102, toll-free: +1 800-837-5282. (updated Dec 2018)

## Get in
### By plane

Columbus International Airport (CMH) is the closest major airport. If you have your own plane, there's also:
* 40.328889-82.5261111 Knox County Airport (FAA LID: 4I3). A General aviation airport 5 mi (8.0 km) southwest of town, along Kinney Rd, in Knox County. (updated Dec 2018)

### By car

The easiest way into Mount Vernon is by car. Mount Vernon is connected by US36.

### By bus

* Knox Area Transit (KAT), (office) 25 Columbus Road, Mt. Vernon, ☏ +1 740 392-7433, kat@co.knox.oh.us. M–F 6AM–7PM, Sa 6AM–5PM. Door-to-door service in and out of Knox County (call for rates), as well as $1 shuttles between Mount Vernon and Gambier (hourly M-F 8AM-10PM, Sa 2-10PM) and within Mount Vernon (see below).
* 40.3845-82.48162 Go Bus (Operated by Barons Bus), (bus stop) Colonial City Lanes (Bowling Alley) 110 Mt Vernon Ave (Bus stop at front parking lot. Bowling alley does not sell tickets or offer parking for bus riders.), toll-free: +1-888-95 -OBUS (6287). Offers regular service between Columbus, Newark OH, Martinsburg, Harrison Township, Gambier, Mt Vernon, Loudonville, Shreve and Wooster.

### By bike

The Kokosing Gap Trail connects to Gambier and is part of the Ohio to Erie Trail from Cincinnati to Cleveland via Columbus.

## Get around
### By bus

In addition to service to and from Mount Vernon, Knox Area Transit offers shuttle service within the city on four lines: Blue (North), Red (East), Orange (South), and Green (West). Shuttles cost $1 and run every half hour M-Sa 8AM-4PM. Transfers are available to the shuttles to Gambier.

## See

* 40.4157-82.48741 Knox County Agricultural Museum, 125 Fairgrounds Rd (Knox County Fairgrounds), ☏ +1 740-398-6617, info@theagmuseum.org. A museum dedicated to preserving the agricultural history of the 1800s and early 1900s.
* 40.3795-82.50792 Knox County Historical Society Museum, 875 Harcourt Rd, ☏ +1 740-393-5247, info@knoxhistory.org. The Museum houses a number of artifacts, particularly relating to local arts and industry.
* 40.3737-82.47483 Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), 800 Martinsburg Rd, ☏ +1 740-397-9000. A Christian university built to resemble Williamsburg, Virginia. (updated Nov 2018)
* 40.393611-82.48254 Knox County Courthouse (East of Public Square on East High Street). A historic courthouse built in the Greek Revival style in 1855. (updated Dec 2018)

## Do
### Events

* 40.4152-82.47321 Knox County Fair, 601 Fairgrounds Rd, ☏ +1 740-397-0484. Late July. Includes tractor pulls and a demolition derby. See linked websites for other scheduled events at the fairgrounds throughout the year. (updated Dec 2018)
* Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival. (updated Dec 2018)

### Parks & sports

* The Cougars. The Mount Vernon Nazarene University athletics teams. (updated Dec 2018)
* 40.402778-82.4286112 Knox Woods State Nature Preserve. (updated Dec 2018)
* 40.3863-82.49513 Ariel Foundation Park. A park on the site of a former glass factory. Contains a labyrinth, observation tower, fishing lakes, and factory remains. (updated Dec 2019)

### Activities

* 40.39352-82.484894 Knox Labs, 1 Public Square (SE of Main & Hight St). A hackerspace in downtown Mount Vernon (updated Jul 2017)
* 40.3919-82.48575 The Woodward Opera House, 107 S Main St, ☏ +1-740-392-6102, toll-free: +1-800-837-5282, info@thewoodward.org. (updated Nov 2018)

## Buy

* 40.37262-82.470281 Cougar Corner Store (Mount Vernon Nazarene University Bookstore), 800 Martinsburg Rd, ☏ +1 740-397-9000. Offers Mount Vernon Nazarene University appeal and merchandise. (updated Dec 2018)
* 40.4005-82.44462 Knox Village Square. A mall on the outskirts of Mount Vernon. (updated Dec 2018)
* Paragraphs Bookstore, 229 S Main St. Local bookstore.
* Y-Not Cycling and Fitness, 206 S Main St, ☏ +1-740-392-6100, mtvernon@ynotcycling.com. (updated Dec 2019)

## Eat

* 40.392-82.48551 The Alcove, 116 S Main St, ☏ +1 740-392-3076, info@alcoverestaurant.com. A fine dining restaurant with an attached dinner theater. (updated Dec 2018)
* Fiesta (Fiesta Mexicana), 308 W High St. Inexpensive Mexican food and margaritas. Big portions and cheery decor. Two locations, downtown at 308 W High St and in a strip mall type area at 997 Coshocton Ave.
* 40.40227-82.437782 Mazza's, 11578 Upper Gilchrist Rd (Coshocton Ave (US Hwy 36) and Upper Gilchrist Rd), ☏ +1 740 397-2076. An Italian restaurant that focuses on pastas and meats. (updated Dec 2018)
* North Main Café, 108 N Main St. Coffee and breakfast.

## Drink

* 40.39381-82.486471 Flappers Bar & Grille, 15 W High St, ☏ +1 740-392-1061. M-Sa 11AM-1AM. (updated Dec 2018)
* 40.3842-82.48162 Legends Sports Bar, 110 Mount Vernon Ave (Mt Vernon Ave & McKenzie), ☏ +1 740 393-5347. Su-Th 3PM-2AM; F Sa noon-2AM. A sports bar and concert venue. Has a sand volleyball court. (updated Dec 2018)

## Sleep

* 40.39314-82.485281 The Mount Vernon Grand Hotel, 12 Public Square (SE of intersection of Main & High St (Big roundabout in middle of town)), ☏ +1 844-700-1717, hotel@mountvernongrand.com. (updated Nov 2018)
* 40.40153-82.43812 Holiday Inn Express, 11555 Upper Gilchrist Rd (Coshocton Ave (US Hwy 36) and Upper Gilchrist Rd), ☏ +1 740-392-1900. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $120. (updated Dec 2018)
* 40.3896-82.48443 Comfort Inn, 150 Howard St (Howard & Gay St, one block east of Main before Main St crosses over Kokosing River from the southside of town), ☏ +1 740-392-6886. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Offers free WiFi and breakfast. $110. (updated Dec 2018)
* 40.3941-82.49324 The Mount Vernon Inn, 601 W High St (W High St & Lewis St), ☏ +1 740-392-9881, reservations@themountvernoninn.com. (updated Dec 2018)
* 40.40055-82.451995 Super 8, 1000 Coshocton Ave, ☏ +1 740-397-8885. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Offers free WiFi and breakfast. $75. (updated Dec 2018)

## Connect

* 40.3959-82.486832 Public Library of Mount Vernon, 201 N Mulberry St, ☏ +1 740 392-BOOK (2665), fax: +1 740 397-3866. M-Th 9AM-9PM; F Sa 9AM-5PM; Su 1-5PM. (updated Dec 2018)
* 40.39395-82.48713 Mount Vernon Post Office (US Postal Service), 101 W High St (W High St & N Mulberry St), ☏ +1 740. M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM; Sa 8:30AM-noon. Serving zip code 43050 (updated Dec 2018)

## Go next

* Gambier — a small town nearby, home to Kenyon College