Home Town Fans: Your Second Visit Itinerary

Tuesday, November 15th, 2022

You’ve been to Laurel & Jones County to see the sites, but now you’re back for round 2! We love hearing how many fans of HGTV’s Home Town come back again and again to shop, dine, and play in Laurel & Jones County, Mississippi. If you’ve seen the highlights of our hometown, here are some great spots to add to the itinerary of your second visit.

First Trip Recap

For your first visit, you’re definitely going to hit the highlights of what you’ve seen on the show. We’ve got your perfect itinerary here, but let’s recap.

Of course you’ll shop at Ben & Erin Napier’s stores, Scotsman General Store & Woodshop and Laurel Mercantile Co.
You’ll peruse the Historic Downtown, and you’ve taken your picture with at least one blue truck and a few murals.
You saw the Arabian sign at Laurel Little Theater and took a tour of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art.
We’re hoping you grabbed some delicious food and one too many desserts while you were here!

Back for Seconds

Your second visit will likely still include much of what you saw during the first time through our hometown (we’re hoping you brought some new folks to show Laurel & Jones County, after all), but here are a few ideas for things to add to your itinerary during Round 2.

Something Old, Something for You!

As you likely already discovered, our town is full of plenty of unique antique malls and stores. Antiquing in Laurel & Jones County is no amateur sport. Whether you’re looking for high end antique furniture, unique vintage collectibles, or funky finds from days gone by, the treasure you seek is definitely in our plentiful shops. Here are a few waiting for you to peruse:

Carpenter Brother’s Emporium of Wonderful Whatnots & Hole in the Wall Food Joint – A step back in time located in Ellisville

Rusty Chandelier – So many booths, you could spend the whole day perusing!

Peddlers’ Junktion – From furniture to clothing to niche finds like knives and silver, you’re sure to find something to take home!

Southern Antique Gift Mall – Be sure to head upstairs for antique booths, including lots of furniture.

Bookstore in the Window – Located on Central Avenue, fans of used books will enjoy browsing. (Note: the store features new books and other gift items as well).

The Remnant – Your go-to place for used clothes, plus some household items

Veterans Memorial Museum

Did you know that the Veterans Memorial Museum in Laurel holds a piece of the USS Arizona which sank during the attack on Pearl Harbor? It’s one of only three private museums in the world that feature a piece of the Arizona! Fans of Ben’s Workshop will remember this from the episode where he builds a new display for the museum. Stop by to see this and more including thousands of artifacts, memorabilia, weapons, uniforms, vehicles, and educational materials related to the armed forces and military history of the United States.

More Murals, Please

How many murals can you count? You’ve seen them on the small screen, but we’re adding even more! The new observation deck at Scotsman General Store & Woodshop (coming soon!) is sure to be a crowd favorite and a must for an Instagram-worthy pic while you’re here.

We can’t wait to welcome you to our hometown! For more ideas of where to shop, eat, and stay while you’re here, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Fan-Favorite Spots in Laurel and Jones County: Top Places to Eat, Shop, and Play

Friday, April 22nd, 2022

If you’re planning a trip to Laurel and Jones County, we have plenty of tips and tricks to help you make the most of your visit. Whether it’s the top casual dining spots, a perfect itinerary for a couples getaway, or new things to do in Jones County, we have all the intel you need to dine, shop, and play like a local. But don’t just take our word for it! We have visitors who vacation in our hometown season after season, and they are sharing the best ways to explore Laurel and Jones County.

Insider’s Tips from Repeat Visitors

Those who visit Laurel and Jones County fall instantly in love with our small town. For some, they keep coming back again and again, and we definitely don’t blame them! Here are some great tips from folks who have traveled here multiple times.

Downtown Laurel is just as cute as what you see on the show…If you go to the museum, be sure to play the Art Bingo game. No prizes but it’s fun and a great way to really see everything. – Shellye C.

Definitely go to Lott Furniture! Great people, great furniture and accessories! Just down from Laurel Mercantile. Also, the Loft Restaurant is fabulous!! Make a reservation. We also LOVE 320 Fifth Street, casual dining and live music at 320 W Fifth Street with outdoor dining… -Barbara K.

Be sure to check out Hellfighters…One of the best shops in town… jewelry, motorcycles, clothes, black rifle coffee, purses, yard art, etc…A wonderful staff that supports a great mission…the store itself is beautifully decorated!! You will be so glad you went by… -Gail B.

The walking tour is awesome! The guide is so knowledgeable and super fun. The weather in the spring was perfect and the flowers were so beautiful! -Delaney F.

Fan Favorites Spots

Our community has a deep commitment to hospitality, so deciding where to eat and shop can be tricky since everywhere you turn, you’re sure to find a restaurant serving delicious cuisine and a shop ready to welcome you with souvenirs, clothes, home décor, and top-notch customer service. Our fans are dishing on their favorite spots to shop and eat during a Jones County getaway.

Most Recommended Restaurants

Most Recommended Shops

Are you already a repeat visitor? If you’re planning your second (or third or fourth) trip to Jones County, here are some great spots to add to the itinerary of your next visit.

Experience a Laurel & Jones County, Mississippi Winter Weekend Escape

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

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!

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.

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.

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.

Your Jones County Holiday Gift Guide

Tuesday, November 10th, 2020

‘Tis the season for the joy of gift-giving, and when you’re shopping in Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi, finding the perfect present is easy! Make your list, check it twice, then get ready to spread some yuletide cheer with these gifts from the Jones County Holiday Gift Guide that are sure to bring a smile to the faces of your friends and family!

For the Hostess with the Mostess

If you’ve been to Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi, then you know The Knight Butcher for both their delicious jerky as well as their mouth-watering fudge. Either treat makes for the perfect hostess gift! Don’t forget about Shug’s Cookie Dough and Candy Bar for holiday-decorated sweet treats!

Laurel Nursery & Garden has beautiful plants and flowers perfect for any hostess, plus their fresh, Mississippi-grown pecans are always a welcome gift. Bonus points if you turn them into a homemade pie or pecan divinity for your family, friends, or neighbors!

For the Coffee Drinker

For the cold coffee drinker, a gallon of Iced Lattes with your choice of syrup can be found at Lee’s Coffee and Tea and is sure to make for a very merry caffeine lover! Go ahead, grab yourself a sweet goodie or some pimento cheese while you’re there – your gift-giving heart deserves a treat!

Both men and women will be happy to receive a Laurel tumbler from Guild & Gentry, which features a map of our area. Prefer to drink from a glass? Guild and Gentry also has beautiful Laurel glass coffee mugs. Should you round out your gift with Mississippi coasters to keep tabletops safe in Mississippi style? Well, of course you should!

For the Tiny HGTV Fan

It’s sure to be a holly jolly Christmas with a beautiful coloring book for all of the littlest HGTV fans on your list. Grab Erin’s Sketchbook Coloring Book at Laurel Mercantile Co.

Gifts for the little ones can be found throughout Jones County, but definitely make sure to check out the offerings at Bookstore in the Window! Santa’s elves will be thrilled to find a variety of puzzles, books, and unique stocking stuffers.

For the Lover of Laurel

Laurel and Mississippi sweatshirts are a perfectly cozy gift for so many on your list! Grab a snuggle-worthy sweatshirt from Allie’s on Magnolia Boutique or head upstairs to the bookstore in Lott Furniture for seriously soft sweatshirts!

Be sure to swing by The Coffeehouse at Brookside in Ellisville for delightfully-scented bath and body gifts, seasonal mugs, comfy sweatshirts, and more! Plus, grab yourself a coffee for a mid-shopping pick-me-up!

Even if your giftee can’t whip up a classic and mouth-watering Southern meal like Ms. Pearl, she can still dress the part in an apron from Pearl’s Diner!

Rubie’s Home Furnishings and Hand+Made both feature a variety of beautiful Laurel and Jones County home décor items, plus dozens of Mississippi-made products. Whether purchasing a beautifully painted dough bowl, a Laurel frame, or creating a work of art of your own, you are sure to find a beautiful gift for everyone from your boss to your bestie!

For…well, everyone

When you don’t know what to get someone, a candle is always a well-received gift! The Stockbridge from Laurel Mercantile Co. is one of the most popular “holiday” scents! Meanwhile few things are more southern than a glass of sweet tea, and a Tea candle from Lott Furniture will bring the front porch sipping fun indoors. Many other shops have wonderfully scented candles available including The Cotton Boll, the gift shop at Landrum’s Homestead and Village, and Bella Bella.

Looking for even more gift ideas? Don’t miss our full holiday shopping guide! 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.

Shop ‘til You Drop: Where to Shop in Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi

Sunday, August 30th, 2020

Shopping in Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi is more than just strolling through one street with a few shops. It’s a veritable shopping mecca of various districts filled with antique shops, trendy boutiques, eclectic gift shops, name brand stores, and so much more! Get ready to shop ‘til you drop when you visit Laurel and Jones County!

Laurel, Mississippi: Small Town, Big Shopping

Downtown Laurel and 16^th Avenue are truly a shopper’s delight! We just hope you left room in your suitcase for all of the home furnishings and accessories, wardrobe staples for every season, and antiques galore! Continue reading →

The Ultimate Guide to a Laurel and Jones County Girls Getaway

Wednesday, June 17th, 2020

Laurel is the perfect destination for a girls getaway! If you’re a fan of Ben and Erin Napier’s home renovations on HGTV’s Home Town, then get ready to unwind and unplug on your next girls’ trip. Gather up your girlfriends because there’s plenty to see and do – both what you’ve seen featured on the small screen and beyond!

Photo courtesy Bolt Photography x Bri

Road Trip-Worthy City

When you and your girlfriends are ready for a weekend-long, quiet getaway, Laurel and Jones County offer the perfect respite from crowded city scenes and beach towns. With plenty of cozy B&Bs, name brand hotels, and Airbnbs to rest your head, Jones County is an ideal girlfriend getaway destination. While you’re here you and your girls can shop, explore history, discover the beauty of Southern architecture, and eat to your heart’s (and tummy’s) content!

Beach-loving pals find Jones County to be the perfect stop en route to the shores of the Gulf Coast! If you’re only joining us for a quick stop, be sure to check out our Guide for a Day Trip to Laurel, MS. Fans of HGTV’s Home Town will want to check out our Ultimate Home Town Experiences in these two guides.

Experience the Filming Location of HGTV’s Home Town

Home Town Fans: Your Second Visit Itinerary

25+ Stops That Have Been Featured on HGTV’s Home Town

These guides will help to ensure you don’t miss any of the as seen on TV fun! This includes stops like the Laurel Mercantile Co., Scotsman General Store, and The Scent Library, plus Ben and Erin Napier’s favorite spots to eat and play in Laurel and Jones County.

Where to Eat

Our coffee shops make more than just a good cup of joe, offering quick grab and go or sit and stay breakfasts. When you’re ready for that perfect latte, scone, smoothie, or full breakfast, check out this full list of coffee shops and breakfast spots.

For lunch, soups, sandwiches, BBQ, burgers, and International cuisine are on the menus of local restaurants. Southern cuisine as seen on TV? Head to Pearl’s Diner. For sandwiches, check out this great list, and don’t miss out on The 5000 Food Truck or Papa Dough’s, both located on the lawn at Scotsman General Store. For inexpensive eats, check out our budget-friendly guide, which features $10 and under lunch ideas.

Dinner after a long day of exploring, quench your thirst with a glass of wine and delicious cuisine at Café La Fleur, Blue Crab Grill, Mimmo’s, or The Loft. For a full list of restaurants and places to eat, head here.

Where to Play

Photo courtesy aa_hilton via Instagram

If you take a girls trip and don’t Instagram it, did it even really happen? The murals throughout Jones County are definitely Insta-worthy photo spots. Take a self-guided mural tour and nab pictures with each of these 13 murals.

Also on the photo-op list: Jones County Blues Marker #127 (a stop of the Mississippi Blues Trail), as well as historic buildings such as the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art or iconic landmarks of Jones County like the Laurel Little Theatre. Be sure to share your photos with us using #VisitLaurelandJonesCounty! Bonus points if you take in a show at the theater or check out traveling and permanent exhibits at the always-free museum.

If you and the girls have Lady Luck on your side, a stop at Bok Homa Casino is a definite must! Located in Sandersville, this casino features nearly 800 themed slots, plus classics such as blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette. Get ready to place your bets! Find out more at BokHomaCasino.com.

Shop your Heart Out

Shopping is plentiful here! From Historic Downtown Ellisville and Historic Downtown Laurel to more shopping on 16th Avenue and at

Photo courtesy haless_yeahh_ via Instagram

Sawmill Mall, you’re sure to find unique home décor, trendy boutique clothing and accessories, eclectic collectibles, vintage and antique finds, and so much more! Whether you’re after antiques, Southern art, or unique souvenirs, our shops and boutiques have something for you.

Looking for a souvenir to bring back to the little ones or the guys you left at home? Try grabbing something Distinctly Masculine at Guild and Gentry on Magnolia Street in Laurel for your significant other or swing by Hellfighters USA for unique gifts for him (plus kids, women, and home décor items, too)!
Be sure to swing by Bella Bella and The Cotton Boll for toys, clothes, and other items that are guaranteed to put a smile on your kids’ faces!
For unique books, visit The Bookstore in the Window for new and used novels, coffee table books, kids’ books, and more!
Holiday décor on your list? Seasonal decorations abound in our shops. Check out Holi-Daze Décor & More, plus local boutiques like Southern Antiques, Be Amazing Paper Company
Say hello to gorgeous furniture and home items at Rubies Home Furnishings, Front Street Market, Napier Frames, and Caron Gallery South.
Don’t forget trendy and classic clothing, shoes, and accessories for yourself! Stop by Two A Tee & Co, Hill’s In-House Jewelers, Touch of Grace, Funky Shoes Laurel, Allie’s on Magnolia,
Antique and collectible shopping abounds in Jones County! Swing by Peddlers’ Junktion, The Rusty Chandelier, Carpenter Bros. Emporium of Wonderful Whatnots, and more!

Visit our guide for a full list of places to shop in Ellisville, Downtown Laurel,16th Avenue, Sawmill Mall, and more.

Laurel Historic District

There’s never really a bad time to visit Jones County. The mild winters of Mississippi mean wandering the great outdoors and through historic downtowns is an option year-round. If outdoor recreation is on your girls getaway agenda, then be sure to explore our top ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Jones County.

If taking a stroll through Laurel’s history sounds more your outdoor speed, then there’s no escaping the draw of the picturesque, Southern scene of Laurel’s Historic District. Known for its HGTV fame, this area is also the largest in-tact contiguous collection of turn-of-the-century craftsman & bungalow style housing. Go ahead and do as the locals do: mosey, wander, and stroll through this beautiful area! Get information on a guided or self-guided walking tour at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art.

Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway from the working world or you’re celebrating a special weekend, a girls’ trip to Jones County is the perfect respite. For more ideas on what to do during your girls-only getaway to Laurel and Jones County, MS, be sure to visit VisitJones.com/blog.

Your Guide for a Day Trip to Laurel, MS

Sunday, March 1st, 2020

Only have one day to spend in Laurel and Jones County, Mississippi? It’s a choose-your-own adventure whether you’re here for a day trip or are spending a whole week with us, and with these ideas, you’re sure to see a little bit of everything the New State of Jones has to offer.

Photo courtesy Christine Johnson

Continue reading →

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