Awesome Airbnbs In Laurel & Jones County
Want a B& B experiencewithout the company? Weve got some fantastic Airbnbs worth writing home about!
If youre an HGTV Home Town fanor youre simply wanting to stay like a localthe Laurel Cottages are sure to be right up your alley. Each cottage boasts its own unique and cozy setup, and theyre all located in the beautiful historic district just blocks away from downtown Laurel.
Another quaint local cottage to consider is Bonnies Laurel Cottage Airbnb. This cute space features two ultra-clean and comfy bedrooms, spacious decks and close proximity to downtown Laurel and the historic district. Whats more? Depending on when you visit, there are plenty of blueberry bushes and cherry tomato plants on the property ripe for the pickin!
The Ultimate Guide To A Weekend In Laurel Mississippi
If youve found this post, I can only assume that youre looking to visit Laurel, Mississippi, and if youre looking to visit Laurel, Mississippi, I have a funny feeling that its because you love HGTVs Hometown! Well me too friend, me too! Hometown is one of my all time FAVORITE shows on HGTV . Being from a small town in Alabama, I absolutely love the heart behind the show, and I love seeing all of the growth and progress Erin and Ben have brought to their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. Not to mention, Erin and Ben are the sweetest people ever, and I just love seeing them bring these old homes back to life and bring so much joy to the people in their community.
In the past year , my best friend and I have visited Laurel two times, and we just absolutely love this little town. Its the perfect place to visit for a fun weekend getaway, and 2-3 days is the perfect amount of time to experience the food, shopping, and historic charm of this sweet little town.
In this blog post, Im going to share all of our favorite places and things to do in Laurel, Mississippi. From where to stay, what to eat, and where to shop, this post is the perfect guide to making the most of your weekend in Laurel!
Chosen Number One B& b In Mississippi
Welcome to Laurels only luxury Bed and Breakfast. Come enjoy a delicious home cooked breakfast as you enjoy 21st century amenities in a circa 1907 grand manor.
Grandiflora Bed & Breakfast is on the corner of North 5th Avenue and 7th Street in Laurels charming historic district. The 9,000 square foot house is across the street from the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art and one block from downtown Laurel with its lovely shops and excellent restaurants.
There are 20+ HGTV Hometown renovated homes within walking distance of Grandiflora. You can experience the Hometown excitement all around us.
We are within the Tri-Park area with Gardiner Park and Daphne Park walking/running/cycling tracks and childrens play facilities and Euclids Parks vistas. Mason Park is only nine blocks away through the beautiful historic district
Also Check: Bayfront Westcott House Bed And Breakfast
Shop At The Laurel Mercantile
The Napiers also have a shop called the Laurel Mercantile. It is an adorable shop with goodies and trinkets lining the walls all from local vendors and entrepreneurs around Laurel.
This is a great place to find a souvenir or just some fun must-haves for your house. I will admit that I got a magnet and t-shirt with my name on it, how could I not?
They also have a little community park beside it where you can relax in some chairs. Make sure to get a picture with the popular Laurel Mercantile mural on the side of the building.
There is parking infront of the store and along the streets.
How Can I Get Around Laurel Ms
The closest airport for tourists traveling to Laurel is the Hattisburg-Laurel Regional Airport which is located a bit south of town. Silver Airways offers commercial service here. For more flight options, several larger airports are located within an easy driving distance including Jackson and Gulfport, MS, New Orleans, LA and Mobile, AL. Laurel is conveniently located off of Interstate 59 about 2 hours away from each of these cities. Amtrak services Laurel, stopping daily at the Historic Laurel Train Depot. Historic downtown Laurel is walkable but youll likely want a rental car for visiting attractions as there is no notable public transportation.
Recommended Reading: What Restaurants Serve Breakfast All Day
Relax In A Local Park
There are several small little local parks both in the Historic Laurel area and about town. I like to take some time to relax and enjoy the nice weather. We will often get coffee or PDIs and then eat and sit a spell in one of the parks downtown. Most of the time, Laurel puts on a pretty light display during Christmas time in one of the local parks as well, and it is fun to drive to see it.
The Hgtvs Home Town Experience
On HGTVs Home Town, the darlings of Mississippi, Ben and Erin Napier take old houses and turn them into dream homes as they lovingly welcome people to Laurel, MS. With hotels, local Bed and Breakfasts, and Air BnBs, theres plenty of room to make our hometown yours for the weekend so that you can enjoy Laurel, MS beyond the TV screen. Heres a list of must-see places to complete your HGTVs Home Town experience.
You May Like: Bed And Breakfast Lafayette La
Things To Note Before You Visit Laurel
First, remember that Laurel is a small town. There are a lot of fun things to do on Friday and Saturday , but very few places are open on Sundays. If youre planning a weekend trip to Laurel, I would definitely plan to make Sunday a travel day, and try to get there earlier on a Thursday or Friday.
Second, remember that normal people like you and me live in these houses that weve seen on TV! Its totally okay to walk or drive through the historic district and admire all of the gorgeous houses , and, in fact, I would highly recommend it, but it is SO important to respect the privacy of these home owners, and that includes Erin and Ben. Ive heard stories of total strangers walking onto their property, knocking on their door, and invading their privacy in the one place they should be able to rest, relax, and escape from the limelight. So, while the historic district is a beautiful place to visit and see on your trip, remember to respect the privacy of the residents as you admire these amazing homes from a distance
‘home Town’ Advantage: Laurel Remakes Itself Hgtv Series Going On The Road
Paul Merritt / The Meridian Star
Avery Millsap of Pearl’s Diner in Laurel serves lunch to Mary Simmons of Hattiesburg and Judy and Reggie Simmons of Franklinton, Louisiana.
Paula Merritt / The Meridian Star
Manager Darren Campbell serves customers at Pearl’s Diner in downtown Laurel. The restaurant has had a steady stream of visitors from across the world, due in part to HGTV’s Home Town, which is filmed in Laurel.
Paula Merritt / The Meridian Star
The Laurel Mercantile Co. in downtown Laurel opened in 2016. It is owned by Ben and Erin Napier, who renovate properties on HGTV’s Home Town, Josh and Emily Nowell and Jim and Mallorie Rasberry.
Dave Bohrer / The Meridian Star
A Jimmy Buffett tribute band, Lloyd “Hurricane” Munn, plays in front of a mural on Front Street at the 2019 Crawfest in downtown Laurel.
- David A. Bohrer
Paula Merritt / The Meridian Star
Visitors can watch Ben Napier of HGTV’s Home Town create custom products in the woodshop inside the Scotsman General Store in downtown Laurel.
LAUREL, Miss. — When Johnny Magee joined the Laurel City Council in 1997, there was little reason for anyone to visit downtown.
City Hall was here, the courthouse was here, and you could pay your power bill, Magee said. Everything else was shuttered up, the stores were closed, nothing happening whatsoever. You couldnt see a car hardly pass by.
Its amazing. Laurel is amazing, Magee said, beaming.
It didnt happen overnight.
Don’t Miss: Bed And Breakfast Hyde Park Ny
In Fact In My Opinion Youre Better Off Skipping Waco Altogether I Dont Know If Youve Heard But Theres A New Design Diva In Town And Her Name Is Erin Napier
If youve caught a few episodes of the HGTV show Hometown, then you know that Laurel, Mississippi is where its at. While Chip and Joanna Gaines are trying to manufacture a hometown feel at the Silos in Waco, Ben and Erin Napier are simply shining a spotlight on the small town vibes that were there all along in what Erin has nicknamed the Stars Hollow of the South.
I fell in love with the Hometown series back in 2016 when their very first episode aired in the spring. Seemingly one of the only shows on HGTV in which couples are actually trying to stick to a tight budget, Erin Napier pulls trick after trick out of her sleeve to make homes look magazine-worthy on a dime. I have marveled at her simple design tips, Pinterest pinned them to no end, and successfully copied a few in my own home. Season one of Hometown taught me to believe that you really dont have to be super-wealthy to make your home feel beautiful.
Then I started fangirling over the couple once I read their memoir Make Something Good Today. The story of how they met and fell in love and slowly built this quiet empire that they are sitting on now is really beautiful. Erin simultaneously feels like the humble, down-home girl you could have been best friends with growing up and this confident Midas-touch innovator who is good at literally everything that she attempts.
Tourism Cashing In On Home Town
Laurels destination reputation makes it more than a waystation
On March 21, 2017, the world was exposed to a small city nested in the Great American South, and that city was likewise exposed to the world. Laurel is growing. For all its attention since the premiere episode of HGTVs Home Town, its become a destination spot.
City leaders agree that the attention is mostly good. Fans had come to the Home Town Season 4 premiere event from other states and even Canada. Some visitors said they planned to retire in Laurel. When tourists arrive, businesses and attractions want to keep them here for at least a day or so. Money spent at small businesses in Laurel enters the citys economy.
Amanda Roll, Chamber of Commerce and Tourism director, said the citys reputation as a daytrip spot has grown even in the last two years. For a solid Laurel experience, she said, at least an overnight stay is required.
Everything seems to be growing, she said. It seems to be a culmination of community involvement and new people coming in.
Older tourists are usually calling the chamber to ask about weather, attractions and houses theyve seen on the TV show. Roll said the chamber steers them toward the attractions they might enjoy based on those conversations.
Wisteria Bed & Breakfast
An inside room at Wisteria Bed & Breakfast
George Bassi
We tend to get that kind of visitor, and its a huge boost for them to stay in Laurel, Bassi said, echoing Rolls sentiment.
Read Also: Bed And Breakfast Hamilton Ny
Visiting Erin & Ben Napiers 1925 Craftsman In Laurel Mississippi
Earlier this Spring, when I was sharing the photos from our Honeymoon Road Trip, I posted about this great town we stopped in to see Laurel, Mississippi. Since then my inbox has been filled with comments and emails from people all over the US who either have a connection to Laurel or just love it as much as Garrett and I do. In that spirit, I thought Id share a bit more about our lovely hosts, Erin & Ben Napier and their incredible 1925 Craftsman home, as well as some other homes we stopped into see while we were there.
Erin and Ben live in the historic district of Laurel with their two sweet Great Pyrenees pups, Chevy and Baker. . Their home was featured in Flea Market Style Magazine last fall and Erin was kind enough to give me some of the photos from that shoot to share with you. Its such an inspiring home.
/ / /
In junior high, Erin would come downtown to draw the houses in the area, including her favourite of them all this craftsman cottage near the museum. When she and Ben were dating in college, shed point the house out to him on their neighbourhood walks. Then three years after their wedding, they were talking with the owner of the house and made an offhand comment that if shed ever like to sell it, theyd love to buy it. A month later it was theirs and the rest is history.
The oil painting in the dining room is one of three used as a prop in Season 4 of The Sopranos. Erin is a big James Gandolfini fan!
Even the dogs have a cute house!
/ / /
Honeymoon Road Trip Part : Beautiful Laurel Mississippi
Over the past week of going through our honeymoon photos, Garrett and I have been reliving some of our favourite moments . When we got to a discussion about Laurel we came to an unanimous decision it was one of our favourite places we visited on the whole trip. Most of the stops along our trip were to cities New Orleans, St. Augustine, Savannah, Charleston and while they all had their charms, there is something to be said for going to a small town, far away from home, and hanging with the locals. They show you the things that dont show up on tourist maps. So how did we end up in a small town in Mississippi to begin with?
You May Like: Is Mcdonald’s Serving Breakfast All Day
Discover Hidden Gems In The Historic District
There are many shops located in the historic district that are fun to stroll through. Park along the street, stroll around and see what all you can discover.
Throughout the year, there are events held in the historic district. Check the calendar to see if anything if happening when you travel to Laurel.
Website:
The Adventures Of Ben Napier
OK, so Ben is going to make the couple a coffee table. An “upholstered coffee table.” Which is an ottoman, right? Erin calls it an ottoman. Her friend Mallorie calls it an ottoman. He insists it’s an “upholstered coffee table.”
In favor of Ben’s contention: There are wooden legs and storage underneath.
In favor of Erin’s contention: She went and bought fabric to put on top of it.
I think it’s an ottoman. I understand Ben’s point, but are you going to put a cup of coffee on top of the fabric? I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing so, which makes it an ottoman to me.
You can vote below.
You May Like: Menu For Cracker Barrel Breakfast
Wisteria Bed & Breakfast
I should start by talking about the beautiful bed and breakfast we stayed at. Our original plan had been to stay at a hotel, but when Erin told us about the Wisteria Bed and Breakfast and we saw how reasonable the rates were, there was really no other choice. Just look at how lovely it is! The owners, Peggy Schneider and Earl Schneider were incredibly sweet and the best hosts. They made us feel right at home.
Our room was huge, with a giant king size bed, twin bed, seating area and a private hallway and washroom. I loved all the fun details throughout the room it had so much character!
The next day I started walking around to take it all in and I was overwhelmed with the Southern grandeur. It looked like something out of a movie.
Do you see that plate collection on the left side of the fireplace?
When you get up close, it is an collection of commemorative plates from Gone With the Wind.
Breakfast was served in this bright and colourful sunroom.
Earl made big fresh waffles with lots of maple syrup, fruit salad, bacon, sausages and orange juice. We ended up having breakfast with a couple from Wisconsin celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. It was a great start to our day.
Where To Lay Your Head: Places To Stay In Laurel & Jones County
Countless new memories are waiting to be made in Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi.
Whatever your plans may bea weekend girls trip, a family vacation on the Gulf Coast, or a getaway for twoLaurel and Jones County, Mississippi is the perfect place to stop, if even just for a night, and soak up small-town charm, beauty and Southern hospitality youll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.
The hardest decision youll make while planning your trip here? Where to stay.
From enchanting B& Bs and lovely Airbnbs to top name-brand hotels, weve got the accommodations to meet even the pickiest travelers needs. Lets take a closer look.
Read Also: Best Healthy Breakfast For Weight Loss
Charming B& bs In Laurel & Jones County
Dreaming of a trip full of leisurely strolls taking in one-of-a-kind shops and eateries? Our towns B& Bs are just the ticket! All are within walking distance of our delightful downtown area and the historic district brimming with beautiful homes and oak tree-lined streets.
If youre an art aficionado, consider the Grandiflora Bed & Breakfast, a luxurious, 9,000-square-feet manor located just across the street from the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. Located in a home built around 1907, the Grandiflora boasts upscale suites with marble features, en-suite luxury spas and private balconies, as well as a handful of rooms offering all the modern-day conveniences you need to stay comfortably in this historic gem.
Next up on the list is the Sweet Somethings Bed & Breakfast, a remarkable B& B located just above a cute bakery featuring studio suites with original 16-feet ceilings and red oak & pine floors. Not only are you mere steps away from virtually every kind of delicious dessert you can imagine, Sweet Somethings convenient Central Avenue location downtown means youre also a hop, skip, and jump from some of the areas finest shops and dining spots.
