Laurel, Miss. in the Fall

I think I can speak for all of us when I say that this year has felt never-ending. Our summer months were hot and endless, with us longingly looking towards fall.

We have been craving those days that start with cool mornings of drinking a steaming cup of coffee on the front porch. The afternoon is spent walking among the fall leaves down the avenues after grabbing (possibly) yet another coffee. (Do you sense a theme here?) When the sun goes down, there is nothing better than curling up in a beautiful, fluffy chair with a book.

Those days can’t get here fast enough, but if you step outside you can feel the beginnings of that breeze. We are finally able to break out our sweatshirts and cardigans from the depths of the closet.

I truly believe that someone would be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful city than Laurel in the fall. There is a certain magic to the way everything looks, feels, and even smells. One of the best things about this time is enjoying all of the Laurel attractions in the cool weather.

One of my favorite pastimes when I am off of work is to visit the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. This renowned museum is smack-dab in the middle of the Laurel Historic District. They consistently have one-of-a-kind exhibits that come through their doors, along with beautiful art from local Mississippi artists and from artists across the world that are in-house year-round. It’s a 5-minute walk to Downtown Laurel, so after you have a relaxing walk through the museum, you can visit Lee’s Coffee and Tea for a vanilla latte and a baked good.

Speaking of Downtown fall beauty, you just cannot miss a stroll through the Historic District of Laurel. Homes that have been here for over one hundred years are still standing today. Whether or not they have been remodeled or in their original state, the architecture of Laurel homes stands apart from any other. And while you’re strolling, you can obviously catch a few safely-distanced glances at some famous HGTV’s Home Town houses that we all know and love!

One of Laurel’s unknown and best qualities is the parks. If you are having a Sunday Autumn afternoon picnic or going for a run, there are quite a few to choose from. My absolute favorite is Gardner Park. It is located right across from 4th Avenue, and it is my favorite spot to take a blanket and a book.

The nightlife of Downtown Laurel is continuously growing into more and more of an attraction in itself. From fine dining at Mimmo’s and The Loft on Central to a quick drink and live show at 320fifthstreet, there are so many places old and new to fill up your night. Most have outdoor seating, so you can social-distance while enjoying the amazing fall weather. The best part is that there are new places opening up every month it seems, each with a unique vibe of its’ own.

There are countless articles and posts about all of the fun things to do in Downtown Laurel, and this one doesn’t change the wheel. But we at Lott Furniture want to let anyone local, anyone visiting, and all of our fellow business-owners know that Laurel is thriving here in our small town. With a lot of hard work and perseverance, we have managed to stay afloat during one of the craziest and heartbreaking times in history. This strong community has come together to uplift each other as well as our guests. So keep visiting, keep coming to our sweet little town to experience the history and beauty that we all know and love so well. Welcome to Laurel!

-Haley Beasley, Lott Furniture Co. 

Keri Rowell

Keri Rowell is part of Downtown Laurel’s most historic business, Lott Furniture Co. A Laurel native and Historic District resident, Keri enjoys exploring all of the beautiful spaces and places in her Home Town, discovering the hidden tales buried deep within its history, and sharing them with the world.  When you visit Downtown Laurel, you might just spot her out exploring, dreaming up the next story to share with you.