Discover Laurens

Laurens brings together a range of travel interests: cultural history at the museum, recreational opportunities in parks, trails, golf, and events. For planning, you can decide whether to focus on the historic building and its collection, outdoor activities, or an event.

Museum and architectural history

The Pocahontas County Historical Society Museum is housed in a former Carnegie library built in 1910. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its architectural history is therefore directly connected with a visit to the museum. Visitors can explore the collection on guided tours with knowledgeable volunteer guides.

At the museum, you can view 3-D photographs through a stereoscope, operate an old corn sheller, or weave a few rows of a miniature rag rug. These offer different ways to engage: viewing through an optical device, handling an old piece of equipment, and doing a textile activity.

Film history in Laurens

The 1999 film The Straight Story was partially filmed in Laurens. For film enthusiasts, this filming location adds a distinct focus to the town’s cultural offerings.

Parks and recreation

Sportsman’s Park is located in southeastern Laurens. It has a stocked fishing pond, playground equipment, and a nine-hole disc golf course. Laurens City Park has outdoor musical instruments. Fishing, playground equipment, and disc golf are complemented by another recreational feature: the instruments at City Park.

Compare trails by route

The Sportsman’s Park Trail is a loop around Sportsman Park, just over half a mile long, with a crushed limestone surface. The Laurens Prairie Preservation Trail runs through the southeastern part of town, is about 0.8 miles long, and also has a crushed limestone surface. Route and approximate length are useful points of comparison: one is a loop around a park, while the other runs through the southeastern part of town; both trails have the same surface. Both are under a mile long.

Events and other activities

The Laurens Summer Celebration features good food, games and water fights for children, a 5K run or walk, live music, fireworks, and a parade. If you want to plan your trip around the celebration, check the event dates in advance.

Visitors can play golf at Laurens Golf & Country Club. The Pocahontas County Bike Ride passes through Laurens during the summer celebrations held in the participating towns. Golf at the club and the ride through town during the celebrations offer different sporting activities to consider when planning your trip.

Visits by appointment

The Straight Story Building in Laurens is open by appointment. Arrange your visit before you arrive.

For the broader travel overview: Pocahontas County.