It’s been almost 10 years since Erin and Ben Napier introduced the world to their beloved hometown of Laurel, Mississippi via hit HGTV reality renovation show Home Town. Since premiering in 2016, there have been eight seasons (plus a three-season spin-off called Home Town Takeover), and now the formerly unknown south-central Mississippi town is practically a household name. Home Town follows the Napiers as they revitalize the city of Laurel by revamping downtown businesses and renovating falling-apart historic homes for a new generation of residents to enjoy. The Napiers’ leadership and earnest championing has helped Laurel make a comeback that many—longtime locals included—never expected.

Erin And Ben Napier Share Their Dream Home In The Mississippi Countryside

Today, Laurel draws visitors from all over the country (and beyond) who, like the Napiers, have fallen in love with the Laurel’s charm, Southern hospitality, and special blend of charisma. Downtown is a hotbed for shopping, from antiques to home goods, and the city’s restaurant scene has blossomed too.  Whether you’re fan of the show hoping to see filming locations in real life, or if you’re just looking for a pleasant place for a small-town getaway, Laurel is an excellent long-weekend destination. Here are th 13 best things to do in Laurel, Mississippi.   

What To Do In Laurel, Mississippi

Visit the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art

You might be surprised to learn that the state’s first art museum resides in Laurel. The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art opened in 1923 and has been committed to sharing art from all over the world ever since. The museum features European, Japanese, American, and Native American art, plus Georgian silver, in five permanent galleries, but also features several temporary exhibits. Housed in a striking and stately Georgia Revival building surrounded by live oaks, the museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays.

lrma.org; 565 North 5th Avenue, Laurel, MS 39441; 601-649-6374

Shop With The Napiers

Like their HGTV predecessors Chip and Joanna Gaines and their Magnolia Home empire in Waco, the Napiers have populated downtown Laurel with businesses that bring their hit TV show to life.  The roster of shops starts with their flagship Laurel Mercantile, where you can find all American-made products ranging from home decor to T-shirts to gourmet foods. Their next venture Scotsman General Store functions as both Ben’s furniture woodshop and a nostalgic, old-school general store. After you shop, grab a bite to eat from the Scotsman Food Truck Park, in a greenspace right next door, or enjoy a sweet treat from the in-store Snowball Stand. Visit Erin’s Scent Library, to find an impressive collection of candles and bathroom products (from hand soap to bath salts) in fragrance collections inspired by specific memories.

scotsmanusa.com/pages/family-of-brands

Hunt For Local Art

Fans of Home Town are likely familiar with the whimsical works of artist Adam Trest, who has been featured on the show throughout its many seasons. His studio is located right next door the Scent Library, so if he happens to be in, you may be lucky enough to see the artist at work. If not, head just around the corner to the Caron Gallery, where his paintings and the works of around 50 other Mississippi artists are all on display and ready for you to add to your home collection.

thecarongallery.com 317 North Magnolia St., Laurel, MS 39441; 601-342-5129

Go Antique Shopping

Part of what makes Erin’s home design so wonderful is the effortless mix of old and new. If you want to achieve a similar look for your home, antique shopping in Laurel is a must. Part antique store, part boutique, you could spend hours in Peddlers Junktion and still not see it all. The superstore houses more than 45 unique vendor booths who specialize in everything from curated vintage home decor to contemporary gifts. A similar setup exists at Southern Antiques, which includes 10,000 square feet of diversified retail space focusing on home, gifts, and bridal items.

Get Creative At HAND+made

Creativity blossoms in Laurel and you can find full proof of that at local shop and studio HAND+made. The downtown gift shop and arts and crafts store sells locally made gifts items, from tea towels to jewelry, but also includes visitors to exercise their right brains by attending events meant to spark creativity. They host regular DIY and paint classes in their cheery downtown store.

facebook.com; 313 W Oak Street, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-342-8232

See The Historic Homes

If the primary purpose of your visit is a Home Town pilgrimage (or even if it isn’t), a tour of Laurel’s historic homes is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or morning. Laurel Home Tours offers ride-along tours on their open-air carts through town that take visitors by more than 40 homes featured and renovated on the show. Along the way, your guide will relay history about Laurel and point out some of the town’s most famous landmarks.

laurelhometours.com

Buy Edible Souvenirs At The Knight Butcher

A butcher shop may seem an unlikely place to find souvenirs, but this business offers some of the best edible take-homes you’ll find anywhere. Stop in to pick up some of their homemade beef jerky (there’s one made with ribeye and another made with bacon) and fresh fudge in dozens of flavors ranging from pumpkin spice to espresso bean to strawberry cheesecake to banana pudding.

theknightbutcher.com; 520 Central Avenue, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-651-2054

Where To Eat In Laurel, Mississippi

Enjoy Breakfast At Lee’s Coffee & Tea

The soaring two-story dining room at Lee’s Coffee & Tea has been a favorite gathering spot for locals since 2009. Folks frequently stop in for a cup of coffee or tea with a pastry and to take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and convivial workspace. Lee’s also serves a full breakfast and lunch menu of homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches, so it’s just as convenient a place to meet over a meal.

leescoffeeandtea.com; 409 W Oak St, Ste 102, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-649-4161

Have Lunch On The Porch At Bird Dog Café

Housed in a cheery Craftsman-style home downtown, Bird Dog Café reopened under new ownership in the spring of 2024 after a short time away. Serving lunch six days a week (closed on Sundays), you’ll find a satisfying menu of simple but delicious Southern eats like chicken salad, deviled eggs, and a fabulous French dip.

facebook.com/birddogoflaurel; 412 Short 7th Ave, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-651-2405

Have Homecooked Southern Food At Pearl’s Diner

After 34 years away, Pearl Campbell returned to her hometown and opened Pearl’s Diner in a former jewelry store in 2017. Known affectionately to friends and strangers alike as Ms. Pearl, folks come to converse with the beloved restaurant owner and sample her incredible Southern comfort cuisine. Open for lunch Tuesdays through Saturdays, Pearl’s Diner operates a bit like a meat ‘n’ three. A few mainstays like fried chicken, black-eyed peas, and mac and cheese are always available, but other meats and sides (fried catfish, lima beans, and the like) rotate daily.

mspearlsdiner.com; 330 North Magnolia Street, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-682-0945

Treat Yourself To Dinner At The Loft

A classic steakhouse experience awaits at The Loft, located in the heart of downtown Laurel on Central Avenue. Cozy up to a table under exposed wooden beams in the indoor dining room, or opt for a table on the two-story patio or in the charming courtyard when the weather is fair. No matter where you sit, ordering couldn’t be simpler. All you have to do is select your size and cut. It’s guaranteed to be perfectly cooked and served with a side salad and your choice of a baked potato, potato casserole, or fries. For the red-meat averse, there’s also a healthy selection of chicken, pork, pasta, seafood options too.

facebook.com/theloftoncentral; 535 Central Ave, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-518-0404

Where To Stay In Laurel, Mississippi

Book A Suite At Wisteria Bed And Breakfast

Laurel isn’t exactly a hotel kind of town. You’ll find hospitality to match the community’s welcoming feel at Wisteria Bed and Breakfast, a stately home in the heart of the historic district that offers three guest suites and lovely communal veranda and courtyard spaces that are perfect for whiling away a warm spring or summer afternoon.

wisteriabedandbreakfast.com; 706 North 5th Avenue, Laurel, MS 39440; 601-426-3805

Spend The Night In A Cozy Airbnb

Most folks report feeling right at home from the minute they first step foot in Laurel. At least that was the case for Bonnie McConkey, who moved to town after living in Denver for many years and deciding that she needed a change. She now perpetuates the warmth she first felt in Laurel by sharing her home with visitors via two Airbnb rentals called Bonnie’s Laurel Cottage. She’ll even give you a personal tour of town if you ask. If you’d rather have your own space, Mallorie’s Cottage, offers two separate rentals, one on each floor of the historic carriage house.

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