Skip to site content
The Group Travel Leader Small Market Meetings Going on Faith

Enjoy Mississippi’s Magnolias in Bloom

Laurel

Ten years ago, the charming Main Street area in the town of Laurel was virtually deserted, with few prosperous businesses in downtown aside from the historic Lott Furniture Company. But over the past few years, a group of enterprising millennials have revitalized their hometown with new restaurants, boutiques and shops. A major driving force behind this development has been the wildly popular HGTV show Home Town, which follows a local young couple named Ben and Erin Napier as they renovate early 19th-century homes for first-time buyers. The entire show is filmed in Laurel, and groups can organize a driving tour to view many of the houses that have been featured on Home Town.

Today, visitors can discover many stylish stores and eateries in Laurel’s thriving downtown, with popular stops such as the Laurel Mercantile shop and Slowboat Brewing Company. A few other local favorites include Vic’s Biscuits and Burgers, Guild and Gentry, an upscale men’s clothing store; and Adam Trest Home, a design shop that specializes in home décor, cards and stationary.

For those who enjoy the arts, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is one of Laurel’s most prominent attractions. It opened in 1923 as Mississippi’s first art museum and showcases a wide range of art media, from Japanese woodblock prints to Native American art and internationally renowned paintings from artists like Rembrandt and Jean-François Millet.

Mississippi Gulf Coast

Situated halfway between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana, the Mississippi Gulf Coast spans 62 miles of quaint coastal cities, championship golf courses, dazzling casinos and hook-to-plate seafood restaurants. Groups can delve into the coastal region’s rich history at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum in Biloxi, which explores over 300 years of maritime culture through fascinating exhibits on shrimping machinery, wooden boat building, nautical-themed art and more. The Hurricane Gallery recounts the harrowing development and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the region in 2005.

Two miles east of Biloxi, the vibrant seaside town of Ocean Springs encompasses over 100 restaurants and more than 150 independent shops and art galleries, making it a prime shopping and dining destination. A local company called Tasty Tours offers guided culinary tours through some of Ocean Springs’ most beloved venues, where guests can sample savory treats like artisan popsicles, chargrilled oysters and bacon cheddar scones. In the town’s historic district, the Walter Anderson Museum of Art is a must-see for art enthusiasts. The museum celebrates the visionary style and work of Walter Inglis Anderson, whose art frequently depicts the people, animals and plants of the Gulf Coast.

Gulfport is another popular seaside town along the coast with 34 scenic city parks and water recreation areas. One of its most unique features is Fishbone Alley, an offbeat event venue in the downtown entertainment district. The alley features a whimsical spread of mural art, overhead string lights and outdoor seating that connects to many of the bars and restaurants that line the opposite streets.

www.visitmississippi.org