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When to plan your trip to Laurel, Mississippi

There are so many fun things to do in our home town throughout the year, but if you aren’t a local like us – it can be hard to know when is the best time to plan your trip to visit Laurel.

We’ve collected a few of our favorite activities that are best enjoyed at specific times throughout the year. Read on to find the perfect time for your trip!

Planning a Spring trip to Laurel, MS

Springtime is quite possibly the very best time to visit Laurel. We will start to see warmer temperatures as early as February (some days even get up to 80 degrees), much sooner than most of the United States. Come thaw out with us and enjoy shopping in downtown boutiques with their doors opened wide to the breeze, and attend a variety of spring events and happenings throughout the city.

HGTV Home Town Season Premier & Finale Parties · Laurel Mercantile

FREE · HGTV HOME TOWN

The first essential tourist events are the outdoor parties held by the Home Town team for the season premiers and finales of the show. These events are open to the public and are a great opportunity to meet the folks behind the show, including Erin and Ben Napier! Join us for these uniquely-Laurel celebrations each year!

LOCAL’S TIP: Bring a chair and a big appetite! Thanks to local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, these events feature a variety of awesome local food trucks and fare from our downtown eateries!

The Gardens of Laurel’s Historic District · 5th, 6th, 7th & Euclid Avenues

FREE · ACCESSIBLE

We love our gardens in the South, and we want to share their incredible beauty with you! Enjoy a walk under the towering oaks or simply take a drive through Laurel’s historic district to experience a variety of carefully tended gardens and flowering trees.

Visit Laurel, Mississippi for great family-friendly activities and gorgeous views!

Euclid Avenue and Park is one of the most featured areas on HGTV’s Home Town, and one of Laurel’s most darling neighborhoods.

LOCAL’S TIP: Stop by the Laurel Welcome Center at 401 Central Ave. to pick up the official “Walking Tour” brochure with step-by-step directions.

Touch A Truck · 2nd Saturday in April · Downtown Laurel

KID-FRIENDLY · SENSORY-FRIENDLY

Kids of all ages stand in awe of big, hard-working trucks and vehicles. Touch a Truck is a perfect activity to get up close and personal with all manner of tough giants. Looking for an activity for those with sensory sensitivities or children with autism? TAT features a special “quiet hour” designed to allow them to enjoy the fun, without the worry of loud horns or flashing lights.

LOCAL’S TIP: Buy your tickets early for a special discount. Click here for more info. Ticket sales go back into the community to fund restoration projects and to help make Downtown even more beautiful.

Downtown Crawfest · 3rd Saturday in April · Magnolia & Front St.’s

FAMILY-FRIENDLY · FREE ENTRY FOR KIDS UNDER 5

Have you ever experienced a southern crawfish boil? Here is your chance to get a taste of this fun experience as cooks of all experience levels go head to head to see who comes out as the official champion. Enjoy great local beverages, live music, and delicious food at this new Laurel event!

LOCAL’S TIP: This is a great opportunity to tour Downtown and visit local merchants such as Laurel Mercantile (Erin & Ben’s shop as featured on HGTV Home Town) and Lott Furniture on Front St, and the boutiques on Magnolia Street.

Day in the Park · 1st Saturday in May · Mason Park

FREE ADMISSION · KID-FRIENDLY

Every local kid grew up looking forward to that warm spring day where the whole family would load up in the car and drive down to Mason Park for a day of fun kids’ activities, local art, awesome arts & crafts vendors and great local music. Day in the Park is the perfect event for those planning an early May trip, where you and your family can truly experience Laurel like generations of local families have before.

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LOCAL’S TIP: Bring a folding chair or blanket to sit in the grass under the pines and enjoy great food while listening to local artists and productions.

Visiting Laurel in the Summer

Headed down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, or the Florida beaches? Stop into Laurel for great summer fun and amazing shopping. If there’s anything we know in South Mississippi, it’s how to do summer right!

Kids’ Activities & Playgrounds

KID-FRIENDLY

Let the littles stretch their legs and get out their wiggles with a stop in a Laurel. Click here for a full list of kids’ activities and playgrounds in Laurel, many within easy walking distance of downtown!

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LOCAL’S TIP: Mason Park has the best shade cover for warmer summer days, and the Laurel Sportsplex splash pad is easily accessible and free for a truly cooling experience.

Blues Bash · June · Lauren Rogers Museum of Art

LOCAL MUSIC · FAMILY-FRIENDLY

No trip to Mississippi is complete without experiencing the uniquely-southern sound of the blues. This annual event is a showcase of the best blues musicians Mississippi has to offer and a celebration of our long history of supporting America’s music.

LOCAL’S TIP: Click here to purchase tickets online before your trip.

4th of July Fireworks Shows · July · Downtown Laurel

FREE · FAMILY-FRIENDLY

The 4th of July Fireworks have long been a childhood staple in Laurel. Held each year at both the Sawmill Square Mall, and more recently, Jones Family Medicine Clinic – both shows are free and open to the general public.

LOCAL’S TIP: Watch the Sawmill Square show from Pinehurst Park in Downtown Laurel for a truly local experience, complete with refreshments!

Should you visit Laurel in the Fall?

After a long summer, Laurelites always welcome the cooler temperatures of the Fall. You’ll see lots of locals out and about, walking through the historic district, shopping in downtown shops, exploring their hometown and looking forward to the fun of festival season! Join us for these great fall events in Laurel!

The Loblolly Festival · 1st Saturday of October · Downtown Laurel

FREE · FAMILY-FRIENDLY

The Loblolly Festival is an absolute must for any trip to Laurel in the fall. Laurel’s biggest festival celebrates our history as a lumber town, complete with our beloved mascot – The Loblolly Lumberjack – played by the star of Home Town himself, Big Ben Napier! Make a special trip for this one, folks!

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Are you a #loblollylover? We are!

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LOCAL’S TIP: Park in the exterior parking lots around downtown, and be sure to leave some room in your car – you’re sure to leave with some great finds!

Deason Home Ghost Tours · Ellisville

HISTORY

The Deason Home holds secrets of one of the most interesting parts of Jones County’s history. Visit our neighboring town of Ellisville for this fun historical experience, and you might just meet a ghost while you explore our counties’ storied past.

LOCAL’S TIP: Click here to learn more about the story behind The Deason Home, and why our home county is called the “Free State of Jones.”

The South Mississippi Fair · HWY 11

FAMILY-FRIENDLY · ARTS & CRAFTS

Laurel’s historic fairgrounds are never put to better use than when the fair comes to town! Folks travel from all over Mississippi to attend the 2nd largest fair in the state each fall. Enjoy the fun of the rides (check for unlimited armband nights for the best value), incredible local and traveling fair food, arts & crafts, livestock shows and live music!

LOCAL’S TIP: Visit during lunch hours for that delicious and addictive fair food, without an admission fee or the nighttime crowds.

Even winter is a great time to visit Laurel!

Have you ever experienced the holiday season in the south? You’re truly in for a treat if you are here for some of our most cherished annual events!

Kiwanis Pancake Day · 1st Saturday of December · YWCO & 1st Baptist

FAMILY-FRIENDLY · GREAT FOOD

Get ready for one of the quintessential local experiences! Pancake Day is a sign and symbol of what it is like to say #iliveinlaurel, as locals of all walks of life gather together for a meal before or after the annual Christmas Parade. Locals and visitors alike will line the sidewalks in anticipation of a delicious meal of pancakes with butter and syrup served with sausage and cooked up just right.

LOCAL’S TIP: Due to its popularity, the event is now held at two separate locations to accommodate the crowds. Check out the YWCO on Oak Street in downtown, or First Baptist Church on 6th Ave.

Sertoma Christmas Parade · 1st Saturday of December · Downtown Laurel

FAMILY-FRIENDLY · FREE

Did you know Laurel hosts the longest Christmas parade in the state of Mississippi? Join us the first Saturday in December for this morning parade that loops around the Sawmill Square Mall and through Downtown Laurel. You might even spy a jolly, white-bearded fellow with treats for the littles.

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Pancakes. Parade. Warm fuzzy feelings all around.

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LOCAL’S TIP: Come to downtown early to claim a spot, visit the shops and grab a hot coffee at Lee’s Coffee & Tea!

Christmas at the Village · Landrum’s · HWY 15 S

FAMILY-FRIENDLY · HISTORY

Landrum’s Homestead and Village, or “Landrum’s Country” to the locals, is a great attraction any time of the year, but it is most perfect during the holidays. Take a walk through a recreation of a historic southern town, complete with cabins, blacksmith demonstrations, and the most quaint little chapel all decorated for Christmas. This is an absolute must-visit for holiday tourists!

LOCAL’S TIP: Admission is $10 and walk-ins are welcome year-round.

Want to find out about more local Laurel events and happenings? Sign up for updates and follow us on Instagram for daily posts about our home town.

Laurel’s Best Nightlife Destinations

Spending the weekend in Laurel? Maybe you’ve got your day plans already mapped out, but here’s your nighttime itinerary. 

Dinner & Dessert

Man oh man does Downtown Laurel have some great food! (And sweets.)

A lot of us know what eateries are open during the day, but what about on weekends? And for dinner?

The Loft on Central Ave. has a beautiful, string-lit patio and deck that’s perfect for intimate dinner dates. Or for a group! Lots of business people enjoy coming here for a drink after work.

Local Tip: Try the steak bites!

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Guess where? #mimmos #downtownlaurel #sogood

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Mimmo’s Ristorante and Pizzeria is one of Downtown Laurel’s newest editions for dinner! Their ambience, food, and cannolis are to die for.

Local Tip: Mimmo’s food is authentic Italian! Mimmo makes his bread, pasta, and signature dressing from scratch daily.

Looking for some comfort food? The Pearl Diner is open on Saturdays for lunch, and Friday nights for dinner.

Local Tip: Miss Pearl’s Banana Pudding is the dessert you need. You’ll be talking about it for days to come. Trust us!

Friday Night Fun

In case you didn’t know, Laurel is a hub for great entertainment. From live music to theatre productions, we got it!

Lee’s Coffee & Tea has brand new extended hours, and has welcomed some great new things to the café! Enjoy Lee’s until 9 PM on the weekends, and sometimes later on Open Mic Night.

The first Friday of every month, Lee’s hosts Laurel’s many local musicians for Open Mic Night. Come grab a coffee, craft beer, or a hummus plate and sit back and watch the show!

The second Friday is board game night and the third Friday of the month is Vinyl Night! Bring your favorite record and put in the queue.

Did you know Laurel has a brewery? Well, now you do!

Slowboat Brewing Co. is fun, family friendly, and the place to go for the best live music.

They brew their own in-house craft beer, host food trucks, and have life-size Jenga.

Local Tip: Slowboat is dog friendly. Don’t leave your furry friends at home!

 

Laurel Little Theatre hosts seasonal productions and events all throughout the year.

Many of our favorite plays have been performed in this historic theatre. Be sure to check out their schedule!

Laurel’s Sip & Stroll Ordinance

The City Beautiful is now home to a “to-go cup” friendly leisure and recreation district.

Get your favorite drinks to-go from our local restaurants and bars, and Sip & Stroll under the lights in Downtown Laurel!

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