Laurel + Hattiesburg

Inspired by the HGTV show Home Town (filmed in Laurel - they just got the green light to film their first season after a pilot aired!), we decided to take a day trip to Laurel.

After breakfast with our friends, we headed south.

One of the things the Main Street Association (and Erin from Home Town) has done is the creation of vibrancy in their downtown through murals all around vacant buildings. And, to be honest, they have a ton of them. Paul and I kept saying, "This is the town that time forgot." There is so much opportunity and promise there. 

We kept lamenting that we should open a restaurant downtown that was open on the weekends because we walked and walked, only to find that a coffee shop and a butcher shop (with only raw meat) open. We did stop into a quaint antiques store called Southern Antiques, very reminiscent of Antique Mall of the South or Interiors Market in Fondren.

After walking around and driving through their beautiful homes, a late lunch was in order.

Phillips Drive-In popped up on the list. We didn't want to eat at a national fast food joint, so this seemed intriguing. Split between us was a chili cheese dog, Philly cheesesteak, potato wedges and corn nuggets in all their golden glory. The perfect greasy spoon. It's easy to see why people flock here.

Afterwards we headed to Hattiesburg. We had ordered Paul's new computer to be picked up at Best Buy there (they were out in the Jackson), then we made our way around the area, reminiscing of college days. It was a great little trip!