Fall in Love with Laurel & Jones County

Fall is in the air, which means it’s the perfect time to enjoy pumpkin spice, autumn leaves, sweater weather, and exploring our charming Home Town! Whether you are looking for festivals to attend, delicious food to eat, or places to stay, we’ve got a list of activities that will make you fall in love with Laurel and Jones County this season! 

Fall Festivals & Farmer Markets 

It’s the perfect weather to enjoy a day of fun in the sun, and Laurel and Jones County have fall fairs and festivals to put you in the mood for the season! Join us for our Fall Fest in the Ville’ for a day of pony rides and fun jumps, live music, food trucks, and shopping! Stick around as the sun sets for Trunk or Treat and a costume contest! Take the family to the Kiln to Kitchen Farmers Market, where you can get the full local experience on Saturday mornings. Discover locally grown and garden fresh plants and produce from our Home Town community. And you can’t miss out on the South Mississippi Fair every October for eight days of thrilling rides, yummy fair food, + more! 

Flavorful Food and Drinks!

Southern cooking is our specialty, and you won’t want to miss out on these delicious dining options in Laurel and Jones County! Enhance your dining experience at 320 Fifth Street – enjoy delicious American cuisine while participating in trivia, open mic night, or live music. Want to be in the spotlight? Mark your calendar, and get ready to stroll around downtown for Wine Down Downtown Laurel 2023. Enjoy walking around our beautiful downtown while sampling wines from all our participating merchants. Not a wine connoisseur? No worries! You can visit our 30-plus merchants and restaurants that are open to serve you! For some delicious Southern breakfast food, head over to Grits and Some. If you are in the mood for BBQ, Hog Heaven BBQ is the place for you! Looking for a fancy date night restaurant? Edgar’s Steakhouse is the perfect fine-dining restaurant for you and your special someone! Laurel and Jones County have no shortage of restaurants that will satisfy your taste buds this fall!

Cozy Lodging

When booking a trip for the holidays, lodging is one of the most important parts of the planning process! We’ve got you covered with these charming housing options in Laurel and Jones County! For a perfect home away from home experience with delicious home-cooked food, check out one of our Bed and Breakfasts! The Grandiflora Bed and Breakfast, and Wisteria Bed and Breakfast are sure to provide you with the southern hospitality we are known for! If you are looking to stay in an Airbnb, check out one of our vacation rentals, such as Happy Blue Cary and Company. We also have a plethora of hotels with numerous amenities to enhance your stay!  

We can’t wait to share our countless entertainment options, dining, and lodging with you so you can fall in love with Laurel and Jones County, too!

For even more information about upcoming events and dining and lodging options in Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi, be sure to check out our blog and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Plan a Budget-Friendly Vacation to Laurel and Jones County

They say the best things in life are free, and that can definitely be said of a vacation to Laurel and Jones County! Our small town is packed with free and budget-friendly events, activities, and dining options. Here are plenty of family-friendly things to do without breaking the bank. 

Lauren Rogers Museum of Art

Free and Cheap Things to Do in Laurel and Jones County 

One of Laurel’s most frequented attractions is the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. Visited for the architecture, exhibits, and events, the always-free museum is a perfect family-friendly activity for rain or shine. For a unique way to view the museum, stop by the front desk and grab an artBINGO card for an interactive exploration of the exhibits! Kids and adults alike enjoy this interactive scavenger hunt.

Whether you’re a fan of HGTV’s Home Town or just a lover of beautiful locations, be sure to visit Scotsman General Store. Here, you’ll find the Scotsman Snowball Stand, Food Truck Park, and Scotsman Woodshop. You’ll also find Laurel and Jones County’s newest mural. It’s a great place to spend as little or as much as your budget allows, plus relax and enjoy the beauty of our small town life. 

Speaking of beauty, Laurel’s Historic Downtown is a must-see. Every Friday through November 18th, take a free tour of Laurel’s HIstoric District led by the art director of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art! Tours depart from the museum lobby at 10:30 and last approximately one hour. 

If tours aren’t available during your visit, take a free, self-guided Walking Tour of Historic Laurel Homes which features 23 stops taken at your own pace.

For even more ideas of free and cheap things to do in Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi, check out these 19+ historic sites, plus all of the ways to spend the day in the Great Outdoors without breaking out your wallet! 

Bosun Joes in Ellisville Mississippi | Budget Friendly Dining in Laurel MS

Affordable Dining Options: 4 Lunches under $10

When it comes to pleasing your palate, there’s no need to sacrifice staying on budget. Our restaurants offer plenty of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options for every budget. These four lunches under $10 are mouth-watering and utterly craveable. 

Note: prices and offerings are subject to change. Be sure to check with the individual restaurants for the most current menu prices

Comfort food-lovers searching for familiar Southern flavors will enjoy The Humble Place in Ellisville where you can find menu options such as The Big Daddy Chicken Sandwich with fries and a drink for $10.00. For even more Southern cuisine, try the Blue Plate Lunch Specials at Bosun Joe’s where you can find classic country entrees served with fries and a roll for $8.29. 

What next? After you’ve dined (deliciously!), stay in Downtown Ellisville to shop at Carpenter Bros Emporium of Wonderful Whatnots for a blast from the past. Explore the store to find unique, vintage treasures that are sure to bring back memories for the folks in your group. 

If burgers and fries are on your mind, be sure to check out the iconic PDI / Phillips Drive-In in Laurel, MS. The vibes and eats are nostalgic, and everything on the menu is under $10.00. If dessert is in your budget, don’t skimp on the milkshakes and malts. 

What next? After your meal, walk across the street to Hellfighters USA for a truly distinctive shopping experience. At Hellfighters, find everything from clothes, accessories, Christian books and decor, plus Mike’s Almost Every Day Swap Meet for thousands of priceless motorcycle parts. Even if you don’t spend a dime, Hellflighter’s USA is a must-see spot! 

Budget-Friendly Events in Laurel MS | Free EventsThe Knight Butcher is always serving up fresh cuisine, so head to downtown Laurel for decadent sandwiches and burgers. Grab steak kabobs, cold deli sandwiches, and unique burgers (hello, brisket!) served with chips and a drink for $8.50 or less. 

What next? While you’re downtown, wander around to shop local boutiques and antique shops or take a free, self-guided mural tour.

 

Free Events 

You don’t need to reach for your wallet to get your fill of fun things to do in Laurel and Jones County! Throughout the year, free events take place in the form of Downtown Movie Nights, parades, music festivals, and more! Be sure to check out our calendar of events to see what’s happening during your visit. 

 

 

Explore Jones County: What to Do in Ellisville, MS 

When you’re ready for a small town getaway, Ellisville, Mississippi is an ideal place for the whole family to enjoy. Get ready to dine and play in Jones County! 

Downtown Ellisville, Mississippi

Where to Eat 

If you’re anything like us, much of your travel plans revolve around where to eat next. Fortunately, a jaunt through Ellisville, Mississippi, also means being surrounded by fabulous restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

No Southern vacation is complete without something expertly fried and served in heaping portions. In Ellisville, the must-stop spot for just that is Charlie’s Catfish House. Open Thursday-Saturday, Charlie’s Catfish has been voted best catfish in the state by Mississippi Magazine for good reason! Regulars will tell you the recipe for the catfish hasn’t changed since it opened, and that’s the highest compliment since customers – locals and tourists alike – have flocked to Charlie’s Catfish for generations.

Barry’s Burgers is a new spot by the same owners of PDI / Phillips Drive-In located in Laurel. Since they opened in 1948, the PDI has been serving up some of the best burgers in Mississippi, so you know Barry’s Burgers is a must-try. Burgers, sandwiches, and salads are on the menu for lunch, while breakfast options are delectably Southern treats such as chicken and waffles, buttermilk biscuits and gravy, and more.  Check out the full menu here.

The Humble Place may be too humble to brag, but we will happily do it for them. Delicious, Southern cuisine and excellent hospitality are on the menu. With a full playground and kid-approved food options, it doesn’t get much more family-friendly than The Humble Place. No matter how filling your lunch or dinner is, make sure to try the bread pudding – trust us! 

 

The Great Outdoors 

In our corner of the country, we’re surrounded by hard working people with wonderful small businesses. We have endearing shops, crave-worthy restaurants, and beautiful historic districts, but the charm doesn’t stop there. We’re lucky here in Jones County, Mississippi to be home to the DeSoto National Forest. Year-round recreation opportunities abound for the hiker, bicyclist, camper, canoeist, horse enthusiast, hunter, and fisherman. Discover this treasured piece of nature during your Jones County getaway.

The outdoor fun doesn’t stop there – there are more opportunities to cast your line. Bogue Homa Lake is a 882-acre lake located in Jones County, offering a beautiful fishing retreat just minutes away from the downtowns seen on the small screen. Fish from the shore or on one of three piers for bluegill, crappie, catfish, and largemouth bass. 

 

Arts & Culture 

This April, music will fill the air on the campus of Jones College. The Spring Recital Series gathers musicians from the region and music from around the world. The series continues on Friday, April 8, when guests can catch a performance of The Impromptu Piano Trio. April 22, will feature Keys, Bow, an da Slide, and the series ends with A Mezzo’s Three Course Meal, on Friday, April, 29, 2022. All concerts are free and open to the public. Be sure to follow the Jones College School of Art, Music, and Performance for details.

Jones College has an active calendar of fine arts and sports throughout the academic year. Visit JCJC.edu for more information.

 

Welcome to Jones County, Dixie Youth World Series!

We couldn’t be more excited that the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series is coming to Laurel, MS! With spectacular outdoor fun, family-friendly attractions, delicious dining options, and shopping galore, you’re guaranteed to find adventure throughout Jones County! 

 

Take Me Out to the Ball Game…and beyond!

While you’re here, let our interactive map be your guide! We’ve gathered some of the top points of interest for your trip to Laurel and Jones County! When you’re off the field, fun is guaranteed! Start building your itinerary!

 Alabama Dixie Youth Baseball World Series

Seventh Inning Stretch 

When you need to get out and explore between games, Laurel and Jones County is full activities for everyone in your crew! 

From strikes on the field to strikes in the lanes, Country Lanes Entertainment is the perfect place to entertain the whole family with bowling. Their kid-friendly menu makes planning even easier. Dinner and a family-friendly activity all in one place? Yes, please! 

Country Lanes isn’t the only fun rink in town. Champs Club in Laurel is a great spot for family recreation! Not only does Champs Club feature a skating rink, visitors will also find inflatables, tumbling, and trampolines!

Want some family-friendly fun that is educational as well? Landrum’s Homestead and Village is the spot for you! This living history museum lets guests travel back to the late 1800’s through exhibits depicting life and daily activities of days gone by. The homestead covers over 30 acres and has over 85 buildings, displays, and exhibits that are interesting and educational (don’t worry, we won’t tell the kids that part!). 

It wouldn’t be a trip to Laurel and Jones County without a little shopping! Our Shopping Guide helps you find boutiques, antiques, name-brand stores, and all of the best spots to shop to your heart’s (and wallet’s) content here in Jones County. 

If you want to spend even more time in the great Mississippi outdoors, check out our Outdoor Guide for must-see outdoor spots in the New State of Jones.

Fans of HGTV’s Home Town may be the most excited that the Alabama Dixie Youth World Series is headed to Laurel and Jones County, and we definitely understand! If you’ve seen our town on the small screen, you know there’s plenty to explore while you’re here! Fans of the show can start planning using our guide for the as seen on TV experience

 

Meal Time

Besides dominating on the field, if there’s anything athletes love to do, it’s eat! 

While you’re here, you can try new spots such as The Humble Place in Ellisville (hello, dinner and gift shop fun!) or grab delicious eats at some of our fan favorite casual restaurants. No matter what you’re craving, when you’re ready to grab some grub, find the perfect restaurant for your family using our interactive map

 If you’d prefer to grab to-go meals, our Jones County Take-Out Group can help guide you to the best spots to get local fare on the go. 

  

The Doctor is In 

If you need to seek medical care while you’re in town, here’s a list of urgent care clinics and hospitals. If you are in immediate danger, of course, please dial 911.

 

Fast Pace Urgent Care Clinic 

305 Hill St 

Ellisville , MS 39437

 

Hattiesburg Clinic 

415 S. 28th Avenue

 Hattiesburg, MS 39401

 

MEA Medical Clinic 

1515 Jefferson Street

 Laurel, MS 39440

 

South Central Regional Medical Center ER 

1220 Jefferson Street

 Laurel, MS 39441

 

TrustCare Health 

1706 W 10th Street

 Laurel, MS 39440

 

South Central Urgent Care 

1430 Jefferson Street 

Laurel, MS 39440

 

Ellisville Medical Clinic 

203 Avenue B

Ellisville, MS 39537

 

 

Photo by Brandon Mowinkel 

Experience a Laurel & Jones County, Mississippi Winter Weekend Escape

If you’re looking to experience an affordable weekend away this winter, Laurel and Jones County Mississippi are a winter wonderland of Southern proportions. When you visit for a winter getaway, you’ll be sure to find a plethora of unique history, local shopping, and Southern charm!

Grab a cup of coffee during a Winter Weekend in Laurel MS

Sip Something Brewed

Mississippi weather is typically pretty mild, so when the temperatures drop (even if only slightly), grabbing a hot cup of coffee or tea is a must. Our local coffee shops are always brewing up something delicious. Grab a cup to-go before you get your day started, or find a cozy table, booth, or seat outdoors to enjoy your cup of joe! Try sipping something at The Coffeehouse at Brookside, Lee’s Coffee & Tea, Bird Dog Café, Higher Ground Coffee Shop, Jitters Coffeehouse, or Small Coffee Big Taste.

 

 

Go antiquing during your winter weekend in Laurel MS

Find Something Vintage

From sipping to shopping, our picturesque storefronts of downtown Laurel and Ellisville, plus the warehouse-sized antique stores

throughout Jones County are ready for every type of collector, browser, and shopper! Three must-see stores for antique and vintage lovers include Peddlers Junktion, Carpenter Brothers Emporium of Wonderful Whatnots, The Rusty Chandelier, and Southern Antiques.

Get a full list of shops and stores on our shopping listings

 

Visit Pinehurst Park during your winter weekend in Laurel MS

Discover Something Local

With our mild winters, our parks are the perfect spot to explore, take a break, or settle in for a picnic lunch.

Located in Laurel, Leontyne Price Musical Park is a unique downtown gem. Discover musical instruments and why locals love Laurel-born Leontyne Price.

Also worth a stop are Euclid and Gardiner Parks, where you can take a break from exploring the beautiful historic homes in the Laurel Historic District to gather your crew for a picnic. Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the Laurel Historic District is a must-see.

Situated on North 5th Avenue & Oak Street, next to the Arabian Theatre is a memorial park on the site of the famous Pinehurst Hotel. Pinehurst Park is an iconic Jones County landmark and features a gazebo, fountain, and is a picture-perfect spot to snag a photo (be sure to use #VisitLaurelJonesCounty to share with us)!

 

Even more trip ideas for your weekend in Laurel and Jones County:

 

Find out more about how to Visit Mississippi responsibly, and be sure to visit our FAQ page for the most current community and safety information.