Opened in 2023, the Laurel-Jones County Visitor Center is conveniently located off exit 95C when traveling on I-59. It is open to visitors Monday-Friday, 9AM-4PM, and Saturday, 9AM-3PM.
The Laurel-Jones County Visitor Center aims to aid each guest in finding the perfect accommodations to make their stay memorable. Our experts are ready to help you select your ideal dining options, plan both indoor and outdoor activities and so much more!
Ms. Patricia–one of the kind and welcoming faces you may see upon entering the Visitor Center–has agreed to share her experiences and expertise on all things Laurel for your planning pleasure. Ms. Patricia was born and raised in Laurel, Mississippi, and has lived here most of her life. Since March, she has been working at the Visitor Center and shares her knowledge of the town with visitors and locals alike.
Upon entering the center, Ms. Patricia sees that most visitors are in awe of the building. As soon as you walk in “the history of the building is on display,” she says with pride in her voice. Lining the walls are famous faces and memorabilia that demonstrate how far Laurel and Jones County have come over the years. The facility was transformed recently from what used to be a public housing unit. A featured exhibit that you can explore is a restored apartment unit that was featured on an episode of HGTV’s “Home Town.”
People travel from all over to catch a glimpse of this happy community and experience the magic for themselves. “We greet them with a warm welcome and like to talk to them–ask them where they’re from,” she states. An important part of assisting guests is asking when they arrived. Ms. Patricia believes it’s best if visitors stop by the center before venturing out on the town, so she can give them pointers for when they are out and about. It allows her to get a feel of “where they are and what they are expecting” during their trip.
Ms. Patricia’s top recommendation for any traveler is a golf cart tour of the downtown historic district, because it “allows them to get a roundabout feel of the city, and to get to stop and take pictures,” she explains. It makes exploring the town accessible for everyone. Guests can also rent personal golf carts to enjoy the town at their leisure.
At the Visitor Center, each representative aids travelers daily with finding ideal dining options, booking the perfect place to stay and helping plan activities. When asked, “what question do you get most often?” Ms. Patricia laughed and answered with “Are Ben and Erin coming by today?”
The Napier family is adored throughout Laurel and beyond, so it makes sense that guests want to say hello to the cheerful couple that lights up their television screens each week.
To receive the best “Home Town” fan experience, visitors may explore places like the Laurel Mercantile, The Scent Library and Scotsman General Store and Woodshop to get a glimpse of filming locations and even purchase items that were featured on the show. Also, when you visit the Scotsman, you even may get to see Ben and his friends working on a custom piece for a future homeowner through the Woodshop viewing window. What’s more? The front desk at the Visitor Center was custom built by the HGTV “Home Town” stars! That’s all the more reason to start your trip there.
(Please note: The Napiers are very much active members of their beloved community and also film their show all around Laurel. If you are lucky enough to cross paths with them around town, please be respectful of their time and space. Also be mindful and considerate of what they are doing, especially if they are with their children or others.)
Ms. Patricia has a full schedule, providing top-tier customer service to everyone who walks in the Visitor Center door or gives them a call, but we had to ask one last question. “What do you love most about Laurel?” Her answer will warm your heart.
“I love the progress of the businesses, how the economy has grown for the best. It makes it a place you want to live,” she muses, her smile evident through the phone. “When people come here and tell me how the people of Laurel have treated them, they always say they've never met such friendly people.”
The “kindness of strangers,” as Ms. Patricia says, is abundant in Laurel. She notes that often visitors are “blown away by the hospitality” of the locals. It never fails to make her day when people gush to her over the welcoming faces that can be found across town.
Come experience the joy of Laurel, Mississippi for yourself! The neighborly helpers at the Visitor Center can’t wait to greet you. Learn more about the Laurel-Jones County Visitor Center and have a chat with one of the representatives today, by calling 601.399.6644 or stopping by 601 Leontyne Price Blvd.
Readily available are informational pamphlets and maps of local attractions, and there is an interactive kiosk that allows you to customize an itinerary for your stay. Other amenities include Wi-Fi, restrooms, RV parking and hookups, an enclosed dog park, a vending machine and water fountain. The facility is also wheelchair accessible.
The City of Laurel would like to thank our partners who helped make the new Visitor Center possible: Laurel Housing Authority, Jones County Board of Supervisors, Economic Development Authority of Jones County, Laurel Garden Club, Laurel Main Street, Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, RTR Media and architect for the project, Michael McKinnon Architects
