Top 10 Things to do in Laurel, Mississippi
Written and Photographed by Carrie Hanrahan
In southeast Mississippi sits a small town with a big comeback story. Once a booming lumber town, Laurel faded for a season before HGTV’s Home Town introduced the world to the charm Ben and Erin Napier saw all along. Today, visitors come for the show but discover much more — beautiful historic homes, local shops, colorful murals, Southern food, art, antiques and a community spirit that makes you want to slow down and stay awhile. Let’s count down the top things to do in Laurel, Mississippi!
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in Laurel, Mississippi by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy, Caly and Carrie talk about Laurel on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. Start at the Visitor Center – Begin your trip at the Laurel-Jones County Visitor Center, where you can grab maps, ask questions and get a good feel for the town before you explore. It is a helpful first stop for learning about Laurel’s lumber history, finding local attractions and getting pointed toward the places you do not want to miss.
9. Honor Our Heroes – The Veterans Memorial Museum is a meaningful stop filled with military artifacts, uniforms, photographs and personal stories. It is a great place to slow down, reflect and appreciate the men and women who served. If you enjoy history with heart, this museum is well worth adding to your Laurel visit.
8. Hunt for Vintage Treasures – Laurel is a fun town for anyone who loves antiques, home décor or the thrill of finding something unexpected. Shops like The Rusty Chandelier, Southern Antiques and Peddlers Junktion are great places to browse for vintage pieces, gifts and unique home accents. It is the perfect way to bring a little Laurel style back home.
7. Taste Your Way Through Town – Exploring Laurel works up an appetite, and thankfully the town is ready for that. Grab coffee, enjoy something sweet or sit down for a comforting Southern meal at local favorites like Pearl’s Diner. Whether you are craving seafood, sweets or a plate full of home-cooked flavor, downtown Laurel gives you plenty of tasty reasons to linger.
6. Find the Murals – Laurel’s colorful murals turn a simple stroll through town into a fun photo hunt. You will spot them tucked along downtown streets, adding bright pops of personality and local pride to your visit. They are easy to enjoy while shopping or walking around, and they make great stops for memorable Laurel photos.
5. Shop the Home Town Favorites – For many visitors, this is the Home Town moment they came for. Stop by Laurel Mercantile Co., Scotsman General Store & Woodshop and The Scent Library to browse gifts, candles, home goods and handcrafted items connected to the creativity seen on the show. Even if you do not spot Ben or Erin, you will still feel the charm that helped revive downtown Laurel.
4. Take a Home Town Tour – A guided Home Town tour is one of the easiest and most entertaining ways to see Laurel. Ride through town by golf cart to spot renovated homes, colorful murals and familiar places from the show while hearing local stories along the way. It is a great choice if you want the full Laurel experience without trying to figure it all out yourself.
3. Stroll the Historic District – Laurel’s Historic District is one of the prettiest parts of town, with shaded streets, beautiful homes and early 20th-century architecture around every corner. Take your time walking past Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and Craftsman-style homes while enjoying the peaceful neighborhood setting. This is where Laurel’s history and Home Town charm really come together.
2. Visit the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art – The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is one of Laurel’s top attractions and a lovely surprise for visitors. Located in a beautiful historic setting, the museum features impressive collections of American, European, Native American and Japanese art. It is peaceful, elegant and a perfect stop when you want to add a little culture to your downtown exploring.
1. Experience the Home Town Comeback Story – The best thing to do in Laurel is experience the comeback story for yourself. Visitors may arrive because of HGTV’s Home Town, but they quickly discover a real community filled with restored homes, local shops, good food and small-town pride. Walk the streets, meet the people and see how Laurel turned fresh attention into lasting charm.
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