What Life is Like in the Mount Vernon Neighborhood

The Live Baltimore staff was treated to a tour of the Mount Vernon neighborhood by Anna Mabrey of the Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association in April. Read along to learn about life in Mount Vernon from the residents who live there.

What Neighbors Love

Many neighbors we met recently relocated here, attracted by a lively community, genuine character, and affordable housing compared to other East Coast cities. The impressive architecture caught the attention of our hosts, Anna and Robert, who previously lived in DC. Only after settling in did they realize they had “hit the jackpot” with friendly neighbors. They appreciate the diverse community of Mount Vernon, where residents come from many different backgrounds.

For Mariah, the vibrant small business scene—including the diverse group of entrepreneurs who founded the Read Street Alliance—was a key attraction. She is currently working on revitalizing an ongoing gathering of local small businesses. Petula moved to Mount Vernon over twenty years ago, discovering that Baltimore is “a city that grows on you” after living abroad. Sabrina, a lifelong Baltimore resident, had been working in the area for many years, but about seven years ago, she noticed that “Mount Vernon began to unfold” more fully when she moved there. “The community blooms daily,” Sabrina said, “and continues to develop into an even more close-knit network.”

A Walker’s Paradise

Mount Vernon is one of the most convenient neighborhoods for those who avoid car travel, with a walk score of 99 and a transit score of 100. Mount Vernon neighbors are working with other communities to collect real-time traffic data to inform transportation decision-making citywide.

The Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association (MVBA) covers both Mount Vernon and Mid-Town Belvedere. The neighborhood is also part of the Midtown Community Benefits District and part of the Baltimore National Heritage Area.

Architectural Splendor

As both a local historic district and a National Historic Landmark District, the area is revered for its rich architectural history. Its most recognizable icon is the Washington Monument—begun in 1815 as the first monument to George Washington, completed in the U.S., now stewarded by the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy. According to the MVBA, Mount Vernon Place is “generally regarded as one of the most beautiful urban sites in the world.”

The Conservancy plans programming for the summer, including live music and movie nights, and is looking to renovate the park squares in the future.

Cultural Hub

The neighborhood is home to many cultural destinations for Baltimoreans, from the Walters Art Museum to Baltimore Center Stage, the Maryland Center for History and Culture, and Peabody Institute, to the Baltimore School for the Arts. It’s also known for significant religious sites such as the Basilica of the Assumption (known as “America’s First Cathedral”), First Unitarian Church, and Old St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The stunning Mount Vernon Methodist Church—the “green” church immediately northeast of the Washington Monument—is currently being reimagined as a community hub by the nonprofit Unite Mount Vernon.

Lively Upcoming Events

– Mount Vernon will host the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage on April 25.

– Baltimore’s oldest free public festival, Flower Mart, returns on May 1 and 2. Established in 1911 by the Women’s Civic League, Baltimoreans of all stripes stop by for a lemon stick and some fresh plants.

– Baltimore Pride is celebrated in June, with Read Street hosting its own block party on June 12.

– Mount Vernon kicks off the holiday season with the annual Monument Lighting celebration on the first Thursday of December.

We hope you enjoyed learning all about the convenient Mount Vernon neighborhood. You can view more content from our tour in our Mount Vernon Facebook Album. Learn more about Baltimore City’s 250+ unique neighborhoods on our Neighborhoods Page. Want to give us a tour of your neighborhood? Email us at hello@livebaltimore.com to set up a Live Baltimore staff visit. We can’t wait to meet you! 

Neighborhood photography by Phylicia Ghee.