Laurens offers two distinct areas to explore: local history and outdoor activities. The Pocahontas County Historical Society Museum features a collection explored on guided tours; parks and trails offer more ways to spend time in town. Film history, golf, and events round out the options. The range extends from interactive museum experiences to disc golf, fishing, and two trails of different lengths.
Museum in a Carnegie Library
The Pocahontas County Historical Society Museum is housed in a former Carnegie library dating from 1910. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its history gives a tangible architectural dimension to a museum visit. Visitors can explore the collection on guided tours with knowledgeable volunteers.
Interactive options include 3D photographs that you can view through a stereoscope, an old corn sheller you can operate, and a miniature rag rug that you can weave a few rows on. The activities are quite different: one involves looking, another trying things out or making something by hand. The collection therefore offers different ways to engage with its exhibits.
Film History and Visits by Appointment
The 1999 film The Straight Story was partially filmed in Laurens. The Straight Story Building is also located in Laurens. It is open by appointment, so arrange your visit before you arrive. Film history and a visit to the building offer two distinct points of interest for planning your trip.
Parks and Outdoor Trails
Sportsman’s Park is in southeastern Laurens. It has a stocked fishing pond, playground equipment, and a nine-hole disc golf course. These activities are all available in the same park: fishing, a round of disc golf, or time at the playground each appeal to different interests.
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. One trail loops around the park, while the other passes through part of town; their lengths are just over half a mile and about 0.8 miles, respectively. Both have the same surface.
Laurens City Park has outdoor musical instruments. Visitors can play golf at the Laurens Golf & Country Club. These provide additional options alongside the parks and trails, though they need not be part of the same facility.
Events and Seasonal Activities
The Laurens Summer Celebration features food, games and water fights for children, a 5K run or walk, live music, fireworks, and a parade. If you plan to travel to Laurens for the event, check the dates in advance. The Pocahontas County Bike Ride passes through Laurens during the summer celebrations in the participating communities. Alongside the museum, parks, and trails, events are another possible reason to visit.
For the broader travel overview: Pocahontas County.
