Guide To Laurel, MS
If you are looking for a more relaxed, budget friendly weekend getaway with your family, Laurel, Mississippi is a must visit! Laurel is not a high paced, big city lights experience, and can easily be seen in a fun, but laid back weekend.
If you have read our story, you know why Laurel holds a special place in our hearts. After losing our only son, Briggs, in July of 2022, we thought we'd never go back, but after watching one of Hometown's most special episodes yet, Seconds Chances, I knew I had to go back at least once more to visit Laurel Mercantile's newest addition, the Scent Library. At the kind invitation of the towns people, we visited Laurel in April of 2023, marking nearly a year since our trip with Briggs. With a bit of reluctancy and sincere gratitude, we graciously accepted their offer, packed our bags, and embarked on another first without our dearest boy.
So many followers have since asked for my guide to Laurel, and while I am no travel guide expert, or even a Laurel expert, I've included a few things we loved most.
In true me fashion, I hate leaving anyone out, so I'd like to start by saying if you're able to visit every shop, every restaurant, every ice cream and beverage stand, do so! You will not regret it, we've done it, and haven't had a negative review yet!
We have never taken the time to have a sit down breakfast, so we usually swing through Lee's Coffee & Tea for a quick bite and coffee, (or a chia tea latte in my case) before walking the town. As I said, we try to visit every storefront, but for times sake, I'll only list a few. We usually begin at the Laurel Mercantile, where you'll find apparel for the whole family, unique kitchenware, artwork signed by Erin Napier herself, and are sure to be greeted with a smile. We take a minute to let the kids run out their energy on the large green space located outside of the mercantile where you can also find the famous Visit Laurel mural, the Scotsman Chevrolet, and my personal favorite, the Hand+made lemonade truck. Briggs and I enjoyed a strawberry lemonade together on our first visit here, and it will forever be a core memory. You can also visit the Hand+made storefront, where you're sure to find lots of treasures to take home and even enjoy a DIY craft or two!
Next, I'd suggest walking across the street to the Scent Library where you will have the ultimate "Belle" experience. It's all about candles here, but you're greeted by the coziest, most nostalgic bookstore feel, where every scent holds a memory and you are sure to be transported back in time to your favorite moments and places. The Lucy's Lemonade and Garden Tomato are my two favorite scents as they remind me of my time there with our Briggs, and weekend afternoons spent in the kitchen with my dear grandmothers.
We also love Buff City soap located next to Hand+made, (narcissist is my favorite for laundry detergent)! When visiting Laurel you must visit the Scotsman General Store & Woodshop, where you'll find lots of souvenirs for the men in your life, an array of glass bottle sodas, and of course, get to see the woodshop as seen on HGTV's Home Town.
Visit Peddler's Junktion, The Rusty Chandelier and Southern Antiques for a bit of antiquing and gifts. If you're ready for lunch, we enjoyed pizza and pasta at Mimmo's, and classic, delicious southern food at Wilson's Commissary. For a more fine dining experience, I suggest dinner at The Loft, it is kid friendly, but also the perfect spot for a date night. Their steak was hands down 5 stars, and they blessed my family and I with our meal for the night. For dessert, stop in Sweet Something's Bakery and not only enjoy the sweet treats and coffee, but the general ambience. It truly takes you back in time! We also stopped by Shug's Cookie Dough & Candy Bar for a nice little treat after the kids finished playing in the park.
If you can get your hands on a golf cart, do, and enjoy a leisurely ride down the tree lined streets of Laurel, where you'll be greeted by the most beautiful historical homes, each offering their very own charm. (You might also see Ben and Erin leaving their "city" house!) Also, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is located on 5th Ave., and a nice little stop while strolling the numbered streets of Laurel’s historic district.
I would also like to give special mention to the gracious businesses who blessed my family and I with the most thoughtful gifts, meals and stay: Southern Antiques, The Laurel Creamery, Laurel Leaf, It’s What a Girl Wants, Be Amazing Paper Company, The Craftroom, Shugs, The Bennie Bloomer, The Loft, The Knight Butcher, Hand + made, Guild & Gentry, Buff City Soap, Peddler’s Junktion and airbnb owners whose names I hope they don’t mind my listing, Kenny and Kathy Holifield and Tracy Roseberry. Also, thank you to Travis Reynard and Jacqueline Parker for your unique to Laurel gifts, they were so very thoughtful.
Thank you, Ben and Erin Napier, and Jim and Mallorie Rasberry, for not only your gifts, but for sharing our story and caring enough to wrap us in your arms and offer fellowship we so desperately needed.
And finally, a special thank you to Sarah Herrington, Liz and Sarah Ables, and Barclay Hudgens, for making this entire trip possible, for every gift, meal and endless entertainment. Without your genuine compassion for my family, we likely wouldn’t have returned to Laurel, which in the end, provided our hearts immense healing.
Thank you, Laurel Mississippi, for hugging a family whose world was absolutely turned upside down on July 22, 2022 when a blonde haired, green eyed little boy with a laugh to fill an entire room left this earth for heaven. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
For how this all came to be, look for my previous post, “Every Scent Tells A Story.”
Meshea Ingram, She Who Prays
