Visiting Downtown Laurel soon? Let us do the planning.
The weekend you don’t want to miss is April 16th-18th, 2021. Not only are we celebrating Laurel Main Street’s Crawfest, but several other special events are taking place, as well.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Where to Stay
Laurel has some of the best accommodations you can find! We recommend staying at a local Airbnb. Why stay at a hotel when you could stay in our Historic District?
Our dear friends, Mallorie and Jim Rasberry, host one of the most gorgeous stays in town. Located in the heart of our Historic District, The Laurel Cottages make for a convenient and cozy home-base while you’re in town.
Who wouldn’t want to stay in a home that was featured on HGTV’s Home Town? Guess what: You can!
The Bell Family, owners of Bird Dog Café, have listed Elliot’s apartment from the show on Airbnb. Great stay? Check. Great coffee and food? Double check.
Visit Airbnb to check out all the incredible lodgings available in Laurel. We’re sure you’ll find the perfect stay for you.
What to Do
Yes, everything on this flyer is happening April 16th-18th! Screenshot it and refer to it all weekend long.
Your Personal Laurel Itinerary
Laurel is a hot-spot weekend destination, so it can be difficult for out-of-towners to keep track of everything to do. No worries! We’re here to help. (Let’s see how many events on this flyer we can fit in.)
Thursday
Assuming you make it here before supper time, we recommend you start with dinner at The Loft on Central Avenue. The Loft is an absolute staple of the Downtown Laurel community, and because it’s so well-loved, it can get very crowded on the weekends. If you want to stop by and eat, you might want to go before Friday-Saturday.
After filling up on steak bites and wine, head on down to 320FifthStreet for some drinks, bar snacks, and live entertainment for your late night escapades.
Next, rest your head in your cozy, local Airbnb to get your beauty rest for the craziness of the weekend ahead of you!
Friday
Our first stop is Bird Dog Café to fuel the day. They are our earliest opener at 6:30 AM. Grab a coffee and a breakfast taco, and we’re on our way!
If you’re an early riser, this would be a great time to take a stroll Downtown and through the Historic District before it gets crowded. Not to mention, before it heats up!
Local’s Tip: Most retail stores open at 10AM. Although, a few do open at 9.
Benefitting Laurel’s Domestic Abuse Family Center and hosted by The Pinehurst Rathskeller Gallery, En Plein Air will be happening all around town for 2 days! Artists of all ages from all over Mississippi will be set up just about everywhere painting their perspectives of our City Beautiful.
Make sure to stop by The Pinehurst Rathskeller Gallery Friday or Saturday to purchases pieces from the artists and to shop other resident works in the gallery. More on the Rathskeller here:
Our Feature
Next, let’s head on down to The Remnant! Their Spring Gleaning Sale is happening Friday and Saturday, 9AM-5PM. The main thing you need to know is how amazing their prices are. It’s not your average thrift-store! *This is a non-profit organization, benefiting Dwell: A Transitional Women’s Home.*
During this incredible sale, everyone’s favorite floral truck, The Bennie Bloomer, will be right outside! Grab yourself a bouquet of blooms, and keep on keepin’ on.
Head on back towards the Downtown area, and shop til’ you drop, but make sure you stop for lunch. And don’t scrimp on dessert. The bread pudding is divine.
Local’s Tip: Erin’s favorite dish at Café La Fleur is the Cuban sandwich.
After lunch, we know you’re going to want to walk off that delicious food. We suggest hitting some more shopping destinations, as well as “Junkin’ in the Streets” hosted by The Rusty Chandelier and The Laurel Leaf. It’ll be an incredible opportunity to shop unique street vendors on the 300 block of Central Avenue.
By now, it’s likely you’ll be ready for dinner. Tired? You need pasta. Mimmo’s is the place to carb-load (or eat healthy, but that’s on you) on house-made fresh bread and oil, pizza, and pasta. This place is authentic and delicious.
Saturday
First things first: go get a sticky bun. Sweet Somethings Bakery has amazing pastries. After, stop by Lee’s Coffee & Tea for a to-go coffee!
Before Crawfest, you should bounce on over to New Look on Short 7th Avenue, and Peddler’s Junktion on Carroll Gartin Boulevard. *Both are walkable or drive-able.
New Look will have local artists at their Outdoor Vendors Day, and Peddler’s Junktion is having their annual Spring Cleaning Flea Market! Both stores have great indoor shopping, as well.
Now is the time…for Crawfest!
11AM-3PM, all you can eat crawfish and sides, beer, live music, and more! This is one of Laurel’s best events, and you can get tickets now from Laurel Main Street.
While you’re at Crawfest, make sure to give our Front Street businesses some love! Stop by Lott Furniture Co., The Bookstore in the Window, The Laurel Leaf, and The Pinehurst Rathskeller.
If you don’t want to eat at Crawfest, stop by Ribeye Sandwich Day at The Knight Butcher or The5000! Both will have live music during lunch.
If you can eat another bite, you should stop by Texas Pittmaster BBQ for dinner. Their food is to die for. You don’t want to miss it while you’re here!
Sunday
Before you leave, there’s just a few more things you must hit!
Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is free (donations highly encouraged), and full of beautiful art and architecture to view. It’s a great place to wind down after a long weekend before taking your trip back home.
If you haven’t stopped by Laurel Mercantile Co. or Scotsman General Store yet, they are both open on Sunday! If you’re lucky, you might see Ben & Erin. Home Town often films in the woodshop.
Need a sweet treat for the road? Your very last stop should be Shug’s Cookie Dough & Candy Bar (if you haven’t already been there 10 times on this trip) for a milkshake, candy, or edible cookie dough. Maybe the sugar high will get you through the drive or flight.
We hope you enjoyed this itinerary for a weekend in Downtown Laurel, and we can’t wait to see you!
****Even though it may not seem possible, there are lots more businesses to visit that were not specifically mentioned. Gohereto find out more and explore special activities and shop hours for the weekend. Just click the directory tab.
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