Things To Do in Laurel, Mississippi
If you’re looking for a small-town escape with charm, character, and plenty of Southern hospitality, let me introduce you to Laurel, Mississippi. Known as the filming location for HGTV’s Home Town, Laurel has become a beloved destination for fans of the show, but you don’t have to be a viewer to fall in love with this culturally rich, diverse town.
I spent a weekend soaking up the beauty, history, and down-home goodness Laurel has to offer, and I’m already planning my next trip back! Here are my favorite things to do in Laurel, Mississippi, plus where to eat, where to stay, and when to go.
What Is Laurel, Mississippi Known For?
Laurel’s story starts with brick streets, streetcars, and Southern industry. Once a booming lumber town, it became home to some of the wealthiest families in Mississippi in the early 20th century. That prosperity shaped the historic homes, charming downtown, and leafy avenues that still captivate visitors today.
These days, Laurel is best known as the hometown of Erin and Ben Napier, whose HGTV show Home Town has drawn visitors from all over the country to see the houses and shops they’ve made famous.
12 Things to Do in Laurel, Mississippi
1. Take a Home Town Golf Cart Tour
One of the best ways to see Laurel is on a guided golf cart tour. I booked a Saturday afternoon tour with Bolton Home Town Tours. Our guide, DJ, made the experience fun and informative, plus he showed us several homes featured on Home Town. It’s a relaxed way to see the neighborhoods, hear behind-the-scenes tidbits, and enjoy the architecture that’s made the town famous.
Tip: The Home Town houses are private homes, so enjoy them from the street or your tour cart.
2. Drive (or Stroll) Down Fifth Avenue
One of the first things I noticed, and you will too, is the trees. Y’all, Fifth Avenue is lined with trees to die for, offering a shady, picturesque drive that feels like something out of a movie. It’s one of the prettiest free things to do in Laurel.
3. Visit the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is a hidden gem, and the best part? Admission is free. The museum was established in memory of Lauren Rogers, the son of one of Laurel’s founding families. For a town this size, it houses an impressive collection, from American art to Native American artifacts and Japanese woodblock prints. It’s a quiet, peaceful place to cool off and take in some beautiful artwork.
Good to know: The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. It’s closed Mondays.
4. Shop Laurel Mercantile Co.
Laurel Mercantile is the flagship Home Town shop, owned by Erin and Ben Napier along with their friends Josh and Emily Nowell and Jim and Mallorie Rasberry. It’s filled with American-made home goods, kitchen items, Laurel-themed treasures, and pieces you may recognize from the show.
5. Stop by the Scotsman General Store
The Scotsman General Store is another Napier gem, packed with local goods, nostalgic candy, and handmade items. Look for the window that lets you peek into Ben’s Woodshop!
6. Find Your Scent at the Scent Library
The Scent Library is a beautifully designed space filled with handcrafted scents designed by Erin Napier, each inspired by a story from her life. It’s the perfect place to pick up a souvenir that will remind you of Laurel every time you light it.
7. Visit the Laurel-Jones County Visitor Center
Stop by the visitor center for maps and local tips. Home Town fans, take a close look at the front desk. Ben Napier built it!
8. Have Lunch at Pearl’s Diner
Pearl’s Diner is a must-visit for lunch. It’s a cozy spot with friendly employees, generous portions, and Southern favorites like fried chicken, mac and cheese, and collard greens. Be sure to check their hours, because they’re not open late, but it’s absolutely worth working into your lunch plans.
I ordered chicken fingers with three sides (this girl likes having options, know what I mean?). Also, since this was my first time at Pearl’s, I ordered banana pudding. Want to know how much this deliciousness cost? The chicken plate was $17.99, the mac n cheese and coleslaw were both premium sides at an additional $1 each, the pudding was $4.99, and my cup of water was fifty cents. Sales tax was 9%, so my total, not including the tip, was $27.77. That’s not cheap, but it was nearly enough food to feed a small army.
9. Grab Tacos at Los Primos
And since no trip is complete without tacos (this is TSA and Tacos, after all), I followed a local tip and headed to Los Primos. Let me tell you: those double corn tortilla tacos? Chef’s kiss. Just enough spice, lots of flavor, and the perfect break from all the fried deliciousness.
10. Eat Sunday Lunch at Wilson’s Commissary
Open on Sundays (a rarity in small towns!), Wilson’s Commissary is another spot for affordable, hearty Southern cooking. If you’re craving something comforting after a day of exploring, this is the place to go.
11. Stay at Jenny’s Downtown Hideaway
Skip the chain hotels and stay at a bed and breakfast for the full Laurel experience. I stayed at Jenny’s Downtown Hideaway, and it felt like home. There were clean sheets and fluffy towels, the temperature was perfect (no wrestling with confusing thermostats here!), and the homemade breakfast was the cherry on top. Jennifer and her husband are the perfect hosts. Southern hospitality is alive and well here! Another bonus of staying at a bed and breakfast is that you just might meet some of the coolest people. Here’s looking at you, Garry and Becky!
12. Plan Your Trip Around a Laurel Event
Planning your visit around a local event is one of the best ways to experience the heart and soul of Laurel. This little town knows how to throw a party, and whether you’re into live music, handmade goods, or wine with a side of small-town charm, there’s something for you.
- Loblolly Festival (October): Laurel’s biggest event of the year celebrates its timber roots with arts and crafts vendors, live music, classic cars, and all the fair food your heart desires. If you’re only going to plan one trip to Laurel, this might be the time to do it. Learn more →
- Merry on the Midway (December): For 12 festive nights, the Laurel Fairgrounds turns into a Christmas wonderland. Stroll through dazzling light displays, warm up with hot chocolate, ride the Rudolph Express Train, or lace up your skates for ice skating under the holiday lights. In 2026, it runs December 3–6, 10–13, and 17–20, from 5 to 9 p.m., at the Laurel Fairgrounds (1457 Ellisville Boulevard). Get tickets →
- Wine Down Downtown (select Fridays): This fun, walkable event invites you to sip wine while you shop local. Participating businesses stay open late, and you can enjoy live music, community vibes, and a glass (or two) as you explore downtown Laurel. Get the latest dates here →
Tip: Before your trip, check the Laurel Main Street Signature Events page to see what’s happening when you’re in town.
What’s Happening With the Heirloom Hotel?
If you’ve watched Home Town: Inn This Together, you know the Heirloom was set to turn the historic Kress building downtown into a boutique hotel. Sadly, a fire destroyed most of the interior during the renovation. The building itself was saved and has a new roof, but there’s no opening date yet. The hotel’s owners are the Napiers’ friends and Laurel Mercantile partners Jim and Mallorie Rasberry and Josh Nowell. I’ll update this post when there’s news!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laurel worth visiting even if I don’t watch Home Town?
Absolutely. While the show put Laurel on the map, the town’s friendly vibe, history, and local flavor make it a memorable destination on its own.
How many days do you need in Laurel, Mississippi?
One full day covers the highlights, but a weekend lets you take a golf cart tour, visit the museum, shop downtown, and enjoy a few great meals without rushing.
What are the best free things to do in Laurel?
The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is free, and so is a drive or stroll down tree-lined Fifth Avenue. Window shopping downtown and peeking into Ben’s Woodshop at the Scotsman General Store won’t cost a thing either.
What’s open in Laurel on Sundays?
Wilson’s Commissary serves Sunday lunch, and the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is open Sunday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m.
What’s the best time to visit Laurel, MS?
Spring and fall offer ideal weather for walking around downtown and enjoying outdoor tours and events. Visit in October for the Loblolly Festival, or in December for Merry on the Midway’s 12 nights of Christmas lights.
Can you visit Laurel as a day trip from Jackson or Mobile?
Absolutely! Laurel makes a great day trip from both Jackson, Mississippi, and Mobile, Alabama.
From Jackson, you’re looking at about a 1 hour and 45 minute drive (just over 90 miles), making it an easy option for a spontaneous getaway or a planned day of exploring. From Mobile, the drive is slightly longer at around 2 hours and 15 minutes (roughly 115 miles), but still very manageable, especially if you’re an early riser or want to pair it with a stop in Hattiesburg.
Laurel’s compact, walkable downtown makes it ideal for a one-day visit. You can soak up the charm, grab lunch at Pearl’s or Wilson’s Commissary, do a little shopping, and be home by dinner.
If you love Laurel, you might also enjoy Savannah, Georgia, another Southern gem full of character.
Final Bite
Whether you’re chasing down HGTV-famous homes, craving a plate of Southern fried chicken and banana pudding, or just want to stroll under the trees on Fifth Avenue, Laurel delivers the small-town Southern getaway you didn’t know you needed. Pack a bag, bring your appetite (and stretchy pants), and come see for yourself why this little Mississippi gem deserves a spot on your travel list. Have you been to Laurel, or is it on your radar now? Drop a comment below and share this post with a friend who’d love a Southern escape!
Loved the article about my hometown !! However, one big mistake ….farmers market is in laurel, MARYLAND NOT MS !!!!!
Thanks so much for the info! While doing my research, I failed to notice the state was not Mississippi.
Great to meet you at Jenny’s. Look forward to reading about your adventures
It was such a pleasure meeting you and your wife. My trip to Laurel was already lovely, but meeting you both truly took it to the next level.