Laurel, a charming, slower paced town in Jones County, Mississippi provides a perfect weekend for a getaway destination. Nestled in an area known as the Pine Belt and at one time donned the crown of the “Yellow pine capital of the world,” Laurel is a city of revitalization and rebranding.
From a booming former lumber industry to a revitalized city now full of vision, optimism, and vigor with a new prosperity, Laurel offers a unique experience to travelers looking for that small-town hometown charisma.
Laurel is a breath of fresh air and a reminder of what can be accomplished when people have a dream and then work that dream! It is amazing what can be accomplished by just a few that are willing to lead in a positive way.
Contents
- Where is Laurel, Mississippi Located?
- What Small Towns are Near Laurel?
- What Airport can I Fly Into Laurel?
- Is There a Train Station in Laurel?
- Laurel and Ben and Erin
- So What are 13 Awesome Things to do in Laurel, Mississippi?
- 1. Main Street Downtown.
- 2. Shop at the Laurel Mercantile Co.
- 3. Check out another one of the Napier’s businesses, The Scent Library.
- 4. Enjoy a stop at Scotsman General Store and Woodshop.
- 5. Hungry? Have lunch at Pearl’s Diner.
- 6. Need a cup of coffee or tea? Try Lee’s Coffee and Tea House.
- 7. Go antiquing at Peddlers’ Junktion.
- 8. Spend the afternoon at Lauren Rogers Museum of Art.
- 9. Visit Veterans Memorial Museum.
- 10. Spend quiet time at Laurel’s City Parks.
- 11. Get some sweets at Shug’s Cookie Dough and Candy Bar.
- 12. Browse for a keepsake to take home at The Laurel Leaf.
- 13. Take a walking tour and admire Laurel’s Historic District on Second Ave. through Seventh Ave.
- Final Thoughts: Laurel – the perfect weekend getaway destination!
Where is Laurel, Mississippi Located?
Laurel is 30 miles north of Hattiesburg and approximately 60 miles south of Meridian. Laurel is almost 90 miles northwest of Jackson, the capital of Mississippi.
What Small Towns are Near Laurel?
There are several small towns near Laurel. Take a drive to these small towns and enjoy the beautiful country landscape and scenery! Ellisville, the nearest town is approximately 8 miles south. Taylorsville is 21 miles away and Bay Springs is 25 miles northwest of Laurel.
What Airport can I Fly Into Laurel?
The Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport
is located off of Interstate 59 between Hattiesburg and Laurel and offers commercial and general aviation services. Contact them at (601) 545-3111 or online.
Is There a Train Station in Laurel?
Yes, Amtrak stops daily at the Historic Laurel Train Depot. The depot is located at 230 North Maple Street in Downtown Laurel. Call 800-USA-RAIL for information about tickets or reach out to them online .
Laurel and Ben and Erin
Laurel is the home for the hit HGTV show “Home Town” with Ben and Erin Napier. Ben and Erin lives in Laurel and restores homes and small businesses in their hometown and across small town America. Ben and Erin have provided a much needed spark of interest across America in reenergizing and rebranding small towns!
So What are 13 Awesome Things to do in Laurel, Mississippi?
The purpose of this blog is to introduce 13 awesome things to do in Laurel, Mississippi. There are many more things to do than these 13 but I wanted to give attention to these to motivate you to make that weekend getaway to this very special place!
1. Main Street Downtown.
Spend some quality time downtown. Right in the heart of downtown Laurel, you will see historical buildings featuring local shops, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, galleries, and cultural attractions. A walkable downtown parades an architectural design of a time in the past simultaneously with a vision of strength and renewal today for economic success. Large murals illustrated and painted on the side of buildings tell the story of small-town America.
2. Shop at the Laurel Mercantile Co.
Located at 414 Front Street, Laurel, Mississippi 39440.
Stop by Laurel Mercantile in downtown Laurel and browse and shop for unique home goods and apparel.
Proprietors Ben and Erin Napier along with 4 friends, offer American-made selections of clothing, coffee mugs, kitchenware, dry goods, soaps, candles, artworks, decor, and many more.
Be amazed at the awesome artwork by Erin. She is very artistic! We enjoyed the walk through as we browse with amazement and awe of the many things they offer.
The iconic blue truck is parked next to the Mercantile out front. Take a selfie or a family photo posing next to the iconic blue truck to take home for memories sake!
3. Check out another one of the Napier’s businesses, The Scent Library.
Located at 314 W Oak Street, Laurel, Mississippi 39440.
Go by and browse the wide assortment of unique scents designed by Erin Napier. The Scent Library, located in downtown Laurel has a wide assortment available in sprays, candles, and soap. They offer candle accessories, books, stationary, and clothing apparel.
4. Enjoy a stop at Scotsman General Store and Woodshop.
Located at 1 Spec Wilson Blvd, Laurel, Mississippi 39440
An extension of the Laurel Mercantile, this is the perfect combination of an old time General Store and woodworking shop. Ben Napier’s store and woodworking shop has a wide selection of grooming accessories, clothing, butcher blocks and boards, Ben’s Coffee, handcrafted furniture pieces, and home decor items.
Grab an old-fashioned bottled cold drink/soda from a walk-in cooler and swallow it down! Pay for it first though! Choose from a wide variety of soda flavors. Hankering for some sweet stuff? The General Store carries old-fashioned candy in many varieties. Buy some for a snack while you glance through a large windowpane in the back of the General store where you might find Ben and his friends build items in the workshop during the hit HGTV show “Home Town.” Visit also the Scotsman Snowball Stand and Food Truck Park at the same location.
DID YOU KNOW?
The world-wide product Masonite was created in Laurel by Engineer William Mason.Mason Memorial Park is named after him.
5. Hungry? Have lunch at Pearl’s Diner.
330 North Magnolia Street, Laurel, Mississippi 39440
Located downtown Laurel, Pearl’s menu will satisfy the hungriest person on earth. Their food options, displayed in large letters seen visibly on the outside of the restaurant, include purple hull peas, black-eyed peas, corn bread, green beans, turnip greens, collard greens, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and banana pudding. Pearl’s mac & cheese, black eyed peas, rice & gravy and fried chicken are available daily. You’ll appreciate the downhome atmosphere and southern hospitality. Pearl’s Diner should be visited by anyone who comes to Laurel. Pearl and her crew can dish it up!
6. Need a cup of coffee or tea? Try Lee’s Coffee and Tea House.
Address: 409 W Oak Street Ste 102, Laurel, Mississippi 39440
Spend some ME time at Lee’s Coffee and Tea House. They have amazing food selections. Relax comfortably in a laid-back atmosphere that is truly remarkable for its customers. A great place to just hang out and enjoy the day!
7. Go antiquing at Peddlers’ Junktion.
Address: 604 Carroll Gartin Blvd, Ste C, Laurel, Mississippi 39440
Located downtown, Peddlers’ Junktion features a wide assortment of vintage goods. Go and find that neat antique that you always wanted! They have many vintage pieces.
TIDBIT
Did you know that Laurel was the childhood home of world-renowned
opera legend, Leontyne Price?
8. Spend the afternoon at Lauren Rogers Museum of Art.
Address: 65 N. Fifth Avenue Laurel, Mississippi 39440
Mississippi’s first art museum, opened in 1923, contains artwork and collections of American Art, European Art, Japanese Woodblock Prints, British Georgian Silver, and Native American Art. The museum houses rare titles from Mississippi native and author William Faulkner. The museum was opened as a memorial to Lauren Eastman Rogers, the only son of one of the town’s forefather’s lumber barons who died at the age of 23.
Near downtown Laurel, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art building is patterned after a Georgian Revival style. The museum also has a gift shop. Admission is free. They welcome a nominal donation from adults who are not museum members. The museum is handicap accessible with wheel-chair availability. They are open each day except for Monday. Make sure you check their website to confirm their hours of operation.
9. Visit Veterans Memorial Museum.
Address: 920 Hillcrest Drive, Laurel, Mississippi 39440
Take time to honor those who have serve our country by visiting this 6,000-square-foot historical museum that opened in 1996. You will see historical displays of military apparatus, photos, documents, videos and memorabilia. Admission is free to the public and donations are welcome.
10. Spend quiet time at Laurel’s City Parks.
Enjoy some of Laurel’s finest Parks: Mason Memorial Park, Pinehurst Park, and Gardiner Park. Enjoy some green open space. Have kids? Let them play on the playground. Have a nice picnic. Sit and enjoy nature. Walk and exercise. Breathe in the air. Have some fun.
11. Get some sweets at Shug’s Cookie Dough and Candy Bar.
Address: 435 N Magnolia St, Suite A, Laurel, Mississippi 39440
Shug’s offers a wide selection including Cookie Cakes, Brownies, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Macaroons, Pecan Pralines, selected cupcakes and candy plus many other sweet treats.
12. Browse for a keepsake to take home at The Laurel Leaf.
Address: 330 Front Street, Laurel, Mississippi 39440
Looking for a special treasure to take home as a keepsake from Laurel? Located downtown, The Laurel Leaf has a wide variety of antiques, gift items and home decor.
FUN FACTS
Laurel was home to Tom Lester, who played Eb Dawson in “Green Acres”.
13. Take a walking tour and admire Laurel’s Historic District on Second Ave. through Seventh Ave.
Take a walking tour down Laurel’s Historic District to see early 20th century Mississippi architecture. The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Marvel at the amazing architectural styles built during the thriving lumber age. Have a wow moment as you peer at these awesome structures.
Final Thoughts: Laurel – the perfect weekend getaway destination!
There are many more awesome things to do and see in and around Laurel, Mississippi. Laurel is an amazing example for every small town in America to rise up and reenergize the town for what it can be right NOW! There are many small towns in America that need encouragement to thrive once again! Thanks to Ben and Erin Napier and their hit HGTV show “Home Town” for planting the seed! Make your plans to travel soon to this charming town in Southeast Mississippi!
