Vegan Food And Fun Things To Do In Mount Vernon

The small city of Mount Vernon is nestled in the heart of Skagit County, about an hour North of Seattle and 30 minutes South of Bellingham.

Mount Vernon’s quaint downtown makes a great place to visit for a day or weekend, with a beautiful boardwalk that runs along the Skagit River. And it’s best known as home to the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

Before we get into the main reason you’re likely here - finding the top vegan food in Mount Vernon - let me share a few fun things to do the next time you visit!

Getting To and From Mount Vernon

Downtown Mount Vernon is mostly street parking, with some businesses having their own parking lot. Here are the easiest ways to get to Mount Vernon!

• Driving I-5 will take you straight to Mount Vernon from Seattle (about a 1-hour drive North), or from Bellingham (30-minute drive South). If you’re coming from the East, Highway 2 and I-90 will connect you to I-5 easily.

• Greyhound Bus from Downtown Seattle (pick-up station is near T-Mobile Park) to Mount Vernon is 90 minutes to 2 hours, with 1 stop in Everett. Fares for basic economy seats range from $19-25 each way, with discounts for students and military service members.

• Metro Bus 510 from Downtown Seattle to Everett (pick-up stop is near Lumen Field) to Everett is about 1 hour; at Everett Station, the 90x will take you to Mount Vernon (about 45 minutes).

Things To Do And See In Mount Vernon

Here are some fun things to do and places to stop the next time you’re in Mount Vernon. If you use Google Maps, you can follow my Mount Vernon list which includes all of these and more!

• Visit JeKa Plants for pet-friendly, and easy-to-grow varieties

• Stock up on gluten-free breads and pastries from Shambala Bakery & Bistro

• Walk along the downtown Skagit River Boardwalk

• Browse top-quality used books at Easton’s Books

• Awaken your spiritual side with tarot cards, crystals, journals, oils, and more at In Good Spirit

• Stock up on vegan groceries at Skagit Valley Co-op

• Pick out a new vinyl record and admire the shop cats at Lost In The Groove

• Enjoy a coffee or glass of red while browsing local art at Ristretto Coffee Lounge & Wine Bar

• Take in the beautiful colors at the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (April 1-30, 2022)

• Don’t miss the Tulip Festival Street Fair in downtown Mount Vernon (April 15-17, 2022)

• Find all of these and more by following my Google Maps list, here.

Where To Get Vegan Food In Mount Vernon

Once you’ve made your way through downtown, it’s time to eat!

There are currently not a ton of vegan food options in Mount Vernon, but enough to satisfy you for a day or weekend trip. If you aren’t loving these options, you’re not far from Bellingham or Seattle! But if you prefer to stick around Mount Vernon, here are some vegan-friendly places that will fuel you up.

SHAMBALA BAKERY & BISTRO

Shambala Bakery is well known for it’s allergen-friendly baked breads and pastries, which you can find at various restaurants and farmers markets in the Pacific Northwest. Shambala is 100% gluten-free, nut- and peanut-free, soy free, and super vegan friendly. And lucky for you, they have a bakery and bistro in downtown Mount Vernon!

The bistro is nearly all vegan, with tons of vegan-friendly breakfast and lunch items on the menu to choose from. Favorites include the Burma Banh Mi and the Chick’n Biscuit Sandwich, both which can easily be made vegan.

RACHAWADEE THAI CAFE

Rachawadee Thai Cafe is just steps away from the iconic Boardwalk and is a great place for the whole family. They are very accommodating to vegan and gluten-free diets, and even offer Thai iced tea or Thai green tea with coconut milk! Their food menu includes vegan-friendly Spring rolls, Summer rolls, salads, noodles, and rice dishes like Ginger or Cashew stir fry.

WHIDBEY ISLAND BAGEL FACTORY

Mount Vernon is also home to a sister shop of the beloved Whidbey Island Bagel Factory. Nearly all of their bagels are vegan (with the exception of the jalapeno cheddar and possibly some specials) and they also carry vegan cream cheese! Other toppings include peanut butter, jam, and avocado. They also serve coffee and tea, making this a great place for a quick breakfast or grab-and-go lunch.

SKAGIT CALLEY CO-OP

Other than being an excellent grocery store with plenty of vegan food items, Skagit Valley Co-op also has a deli and sandwich counter, with quite a few vegan options! Their cold case just behind the deli also has many grab-and-go vegan options like sandwiches, snacks, and desserts. You can also grab a coffee or tea at their cafe just next to the deli. If you’re also looking to grab some groceries while you’re here, be sure to check the frozen section as many of their vegan meats are stored there. They carry many vegan cheeses, meats, and essentials like tofu, miso, curry paste, and more.

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Hungry for more?

Find all of these plus a few more vegan-friendly spots on my Mount Vernon list on Google Maps. Here you’ll be able to access the many restaurants, shops, and activities right from your phone when you arrive. Comment below if this helped you, or if I missed anything noteworthy.

I hope you enjoyed this mini guide to Mount Vernon and it helps you plan your next trip. Which place are you most excited to visit? Let me know below!