The charming town of Laurel, Mississippi came to prominence as the yellow pine capital but most recently has appeared on the hit HGTV show Home Town, which premiered in 2016. Starring Ben and Erin Napier, the couple restores homes in their town while also highlighting small businesses.
It’s made Laurel a popular destination, especially for fans. Want to see where your favorite episode was filmed? Look no further. We’re highlighting the most popular spots from Home Town.
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Home Town Places to See in Laurel
You might recognize these landmarks from your television screen! We haven’t included the homes, which are private property, but these places are open to the public.
Bird Dog Cafe
Set in a former home, Bird Dog Cafe was one of the locations the Napiers renovated during the fourth season of the show. The cozy cafe has sandwiches and coffee by day and cocktails and live music by night. It’s full of reclaimed wood and artwork.
Laurel Mercantile
If you only make one stop in Laurel, it should be here. Laurel Mercantile Co. is the Napiers’ shop where you’ll find the iconic blue truck parked out front, along with a mural designed by Erin. Inside the store is everything a fan needs, from Erin’s artwork to Ben’s coffee, along with coffee mugs, candles, clothing, and home decor.
The lawn next to it, called the “Front Yard,” hosts events and a few blocks away is a lot where the film crews set up during the season. You never know when you might spot them!
Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
Erin has gained inspiration for her design projects at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, located a few blocks from the downtown shops. The museum opened in 1923 as a memorial to a local man who died at age 23.
The Georgian Revival building has artwork and artifacts from all over the world, including rare titles from Mississippi native William Faulkner. You can also get a walking tour brochure while you’re here.
Pearl’s Diner
Featured on the show, Pearl’s Diner is often mentioned as one of their favorite places to eat, set in a former jewelry store. The meat-and-three style restaurant is known for its fried chicken and collard greens, not to mention the Kool Aid Pie. Be sure to go early or expect to wait.
Scotsman General Store
Ben’s store and woodworking shop, Scotsman General Store, is right by the Amtrak station. There’s a lawn next door where you can grab a popsicle and watch the trains pass. Inside the store is a window where you can see him work as well as gifts like dog gear, beard oil, and Ben’s line of coffee.
Nearby Places to See
The Napiers have also featured nearby places, including in Hattiesburg, a 30-minute drive south.
The Lucky Rabbit, Hattiesburg
This funky store has been featured on the show for the unusual items found here, including vintage video games, signs from closed businesses, antiques, and gifts. There’s a converted school bus full of Pyrex crockery and pop-ups based on television and film, including Schitt’s Creek and Stranger Things.
Ellisville
The small town of Ellisville appeared during a season five renovation. While you’re here, check out The Carpenter Bros Emporium of Wonderful Whatnots & Hole In The Wall Food Joint, a flea market and restaurant with vintage furniture, clothing, and artwork.
Where to Stay in Laurel
Laurel has seen a large influx of Airbnb properties to meet fan demand, including some of the homes featured on the show. Mallorie runs the Laurel Cottages, a collection of rentals throughout town.
Bonnie’s Laurel Cottage is a two-bedroom rental. The Edlin House in nearby Ellisville was even featured on the show.
If you’d rather stay in a traditional hotel, you can choose from the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Laurel or the Hampton Inn & Suites Laurel.
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Thanks for the details on Laurel and it’s must sees. My friends and I are visiting there soon and this article provided the information we need to get the most out of our visit.
I lived in Laurel Mississippi for about 20 years and his constantly grown it was beautiful then and it’s even more beautiful now please go visit Laurel Mississippi have a great visit
I live in and Laurel and have all my life unfortunately. This place is a shit hole except for the FEW places they show on TV. You will be sadly disappointed if you wander far from the places listed and I wouldn’t cross the train tracks or stay downtown after dark unless you want to get high or mugged.
Nick maybe you should try another town.!I am sorry you’re so unhappy. Personally, I can’t wait to visit!
Perfect place to visit! My mother-in-law and I stayed at The Grandiflora Bed and Breakfast, which was phenomenal and so relaxing. We visited mostly all of the places you mentioned and each place was amazing and so welcoming. I would love to live in Laurel if I could convince my entire family to move from Philadelphia with me. I will be coming back!!!
Can’t wait to visit home town..planning a trip soon..
Visited day after Thanksgiving. Saw a few of renovated houses. Visited Ben’s shop and Mechantile.
We watch your show and love it. We finally made the trip this past weekend. We were very disappointed. We had no idea that the streets were under construction. I wish we had known this. We would have never planned this trip. You should post this before people make plans.
It isn’t my show. This post is just about the town.
Not sure where you’d want it posted… Central is back open and Leontyne Price will be fully open soon. When you have an older town and a sudden influx of people, it can put a lot of pressure on systems and traffic. We’re just trying to make it better for the future,
Me and my honey came to visit. And we loved it. It was my birthday on Erin book signing. We talked to alot of nice people and it was awesome just to see Ben and Erin. And to visit the old town and there is lots of good things to do and food to eat.I love Ben and Erin store’s lots of nice things to buy.We would live here. It is awesome fixing up old places and making it new. God bless everyone.
On a Recent show you went to a small place and had leaves bronze. What is the name of the place and how can I get a hold of them?