Laurel Mississippi: The Charm & Surprise

What we discovered on our recent trip to Laurel Mississippi, was that not only is this southern city full of charm and friendly people, it is also full of surprises. One of the biggest surprises was the size. We didn’t expect Laurel to be as big as it is, or have as much construction going on. Progress, right?! I had not looked it up to find out the population was around 20k. There was just more to love than we anticipated. 

Chez Bird Dog

I found Chez Bird Dog online as I was searching for Laurel accommodations. If you watched the episode of Home Town, in season 4, where Ben and Erin remodeled an older house (her grandmother had once lived in) for 2 brothers opening a restaurant, this is the place. The restaurant is Bird Dog Café and the connected apartment that we stayed in is Chez Bird Dog, originally home for Elliot one of the brother owners. 

Chez Bird Dog Tour

Kitchen

Entering the apartment from the Café back covered deck, you step straight into the kitchen. The kitchen is spacious and modern with many yesteryear touches. The high ceilings and walls reveal character marks above the beautiful new cabinets, counter tops and full size fridge. The original sink was incorporated into the new kitchen. The pier and beam structure gave me the sensation of walking across my grandmother’s floor as a child. The table for 2 is an antique sewing machine stand with a table top, as are several tables in the restaurant. 

One Bedroom Suite

Just off the kitchen is the one bedroom suite that can be closed off from the kitchen. We actually kept this door closed a lot of the time since there was a constant flow of customers and staff walking by our entrance on the back deck. In the bedroom suite you’ll find the Murphy bed that Ben built, on the same episode mentioned previously. This room also has a tv and a sitting area. Rounding out the suite is a full bath and a closet. Very nice and charming getaway spot. 

Other Accommodations 

There are several hotels in the area, although not in historic downtown, but we did notice a couple of bed and breakfasts, within walking distance, just a couple of blocks away. Sharing a corner with Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, is Grandiflora Bed & Breakfast and Wisteria Bed & Breakfast. Wisteria, with its bright purple exterior, looks like a fun place to stay and Grandiflora has an inviting 2nd story covered porch that’s calling me. 

Dining Options

There are many dining options in Laurel, ranging from quaint to fast food. We hit a couple of the southern cooking restaurants and of course Bird Dog Café, where we were stayed. 

Pearl’s Diner

We had lunch at Pearl’s Diner downtown on the corner. Walking in, it kind of has an old diner feel. This is a meatloaf, rib and fried chicken place rather than a hamburger joint. Possibly they cook up a batch of several meat and veggie choices daily. I feel like the menu rotates. Even though the signs on the windows indicated fried okra and turnip greens, those were not on the menu that day. We walked up to the counter and ordered from the huge menu board on back wall and then found a table outside. Pretty soon our ribs and fried chicken arrived. I ordered green beans and mac & cheese with mine and Bud selected peas and cornbread with his. This is not how we typically eat, so we are probably not the best judges of this comfort food. I will say the fried chicken was not greasy. 

The Loft

Even though the street is literally torn up in front of this restaurant, it was worth the extra effort in navigation to eat here. There is a parking lot a block over and it’s a very short walk. We both had shrimp, salad and sweet potato fries. Very good. There is an outdoor secluded garden seating area, I would’ve requested it had I known. It looks lovely. 

Bird Dog Café 

It was cool to see this place in person and see the hanging windows, the Bird Dog sign and more of the sewing machine stand tables. The place is smaller than I had imagined it from the Home Town episode, but they have their own construction going on and are expanding. There was plenty of seating and we didn’t have to wait. There is also seating on the back deck and in the backyard. We both had Chef Elliot’s Salad, his with and mine without cheese. We agreed, it was delicious!

Lee’s Coffee & Tea

We ate breakfast here at Lee’s Coffee & Tea on a recommendation. It’s in an old building in one of the city blocks so we enjoyed the atmosphere. Apparently, a multipurpose space as lots of folks were coming and going through the restaurant. They were definitely on Laurel time here, so we had plenty of time to check out the surroundings and visit with a local.  The pumpkin bread is good if you can get there early enough.  

Sweet Somethings Bakery

Just down from The Loft, is Sweet Somethings Bakery (street construction out front, but some parking on opposite side or in parking lot a block over). I understand there are loft accommodations up above the bakery also. 

The Knight Butcher

On the same block with The Loft and Sweet Somethings Bakery, although on opposite side of street at the end, is The Knight Butcher. In addition to its meat cuts, this butcher shop also has brown bag lunches, jerky, fudge and more. They also have a patio area beside the building with seating and a stage. Looks like a fun place. 

Phillip’s Drive-In

This local hamburger drive in, PDI or Phillip’s Drive-In is located near Hellfighters USA Motorcycle Shop, an area attraction.  We didn’t eat a burger from this local establishment, but they boast of being the Home of America’s  Best Burgers. Next time. I love a good burger. 

Other Dining Options 

We drove by multiple other dining options such as Pasta Bella, Blue Crab Grill and The 5000 Food Truck. This food truck is actually located at one end of Scotsman Co, which is Ben Napier’s wood shop and store. There are tables set up here on the grass for customers. 

There are plenty of fast food and chain restaurants in Laurel  too, if you are in a hurry. 

Attractions

Gardiner Park

This park was unexpected. Gardiner Park is a fairly large park with play equipment, benches and lots of nature to enjoy. It’s on the edge of downtown at the corner of 4th Ave and 7th St. 

Lauren Rogers Museum of Art

The building is an exhibit in and of itself! Lauren Rogers Museum of Art was one of the Laurel surprises for sure. It’s permanent and current exhibits vary from Japanese art, silver, wicker and plaster art and photography (on display currently).  Admission is free and we are so glad we spent some time here!

Murals

Laurel has packed in a lot of murals that are mainly concentrated in the downtown area. I always enjoy seeing murals in our travels. I love taking pictures of them and with them. Some of them may look very familiar to you including: Greetings from Laurel, Welcome to Laurel and Welcome to Historic Downtown Laurel. 

We discovered lots of murals in The Outdoor Art Gallery at Leontyne Price Music Park. This is a great little spot to learn some history, take in some art and relax. It’s located as a break in the block shared with The Knight Butcher. You can park in the parking lot and walk through here to some great eating spots like TKB and The Loft or grab a treat at Sweet Somethings. 

Some other message murals we captured are the Laurel Looks Good On You and the Loyal As A Book mural,  appropriately, at the library. I should’ve picked a better time of day to get a pic of this one without the tree shadow. I do like it though. 

Laurel Mercantile Co

Sort of a mural-sign labels Laurel Mercantile Co, which overlooks the train tracks and has an adjacent park. Here you can enjoy shopping one of the iconic sites that offers a wide variety of items for you and your home, including some of Erin’s own creations. 

Scotsman Company

Ben’s workshop featured on Home Town is found here at Scotsman General Store and Woodshop. Find goods and souvenirs in the General Store. Also, view Ben’s woodshop through the nice big window and glass door. They were filming the 1st day we stopped by as indicated by the ‘Quiet Please! Filming in Progress’ lighted sign. The 2nd day Ben’s truck was outside sporting Christmas garland and bows because they had been filming their Christmas special this week. Inside though, the filming light was off and we were able to get some woodshop pics. It seems larger than in the show and we loved the personal touches. 

Amtrak Station 

Across the train tracks from Laurel Mercantile Co is the Amtrak Station. This historic building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a beautiful building worth popping into. The currently operating Amtrak Station is just down the tracks from Scotsman Co too. 

Other Buildings

We love admiring the architecture and photographing churches, theaters, courthouses, historic buildings, etc as we travel.  Laurel did not disappoint with its preserved collection. 

There is so much to discover and enjoy in Laurel. So if you are in the area, explore around to experience the charm and see what surprising things you uncover. We highly recommend stoping here for several days.