Hattiesburg, Mississippi, affectionately referred to as the “Hub City,” is an exuberant Southern vacation spot overflowing with civil rights historical past, legendary music tradition, a creating artwork scene and out of doors journey.
From the second I arrived in Hattiesburg within the Magnolia State, it was clear this metropolis had one thing particular. Their forward-thinking spirit immediately resonated with me and I regretted not having greater than 2 days in Hattiesburg to soak all of it in.
Should you’re questioning what to do in Hattiesburg, this information will provide help to navigate its eclectic points of interest, together with the energetic downtown and scenic out of doors areas. Benefit from your go to and uncover the Hub Metropolis’s must-see highlights, even on a fast journey.
Hattiesburg mural at T-Bones Data & Cafe
Discover the Nice Outside in Hattiesburg
Cycle down Longleaf Hint
Considered one of Hattiesburg’s crown jewels is the Longleaf Hint, a 44-mile-long rail-trail that stretches by the Pine Belt area. Superb for biking, strolling, and jogging, this scenic path winds by loblolly forests and farmlands and the candy scent of Southern Magnolia. Convey a motorcycle or hire one domestically and soak up the fantastic thing about Mississippi’s countryside.
“Together as One” mural by Ivan Roque on the Longleaf Hint
Extra Out of doors Actions in Hattiesburg
Stroll by the All American Rose Backyard on the campus of the College of Southern Mississippi.
Spend the day in Paul B. Johnson State Park stress-free with a picnic by lakeside or kayaking.
Go on the one official geocaching tour in Mississippi. The Hattiesburg GeoTour has greater than 40 hides to find.
Uncover the Inventive Facet Of Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg Avenue Artwork
Hattiesburg is house to a formidable out of doors gallery that salutes the neighborhood’s artistic spirit. Uncover the eye-catching artworks by native and regional artists on the Hattiesburg Public Artwork Path – a self-guided journey by the town’s placing murals and installations. With a imaginative and prescient to develop into the Metropolis of 100 Murals within the coming years, spearheaded by the Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Artwork (HAPA), this initiative brings highly effective narratives of happiness, historical past, range, and inclusion to on a regular basis life.
“Suffrage” mural by artist Heidi Pitre
Hattiesburg Pocket Museum
Whenever you learn concerning the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum, it doesn’t do it justice. This quirky attraction began life in lockdown to encourage individuals to get out of the home and have a little bit enjoyable and has since develop into Mississippi’s tiniest museum.
Tucked away in a downtown alley behind the Saenger Theatre, the house showcases eye-catching murals and immersive 3D flooring work, like an Abbey Highway crosswalk, however the actual magic lies in its ever-changing micro-exhibits of nostalgic memorabilia and avant-garde curiosities. Maintain your eyes peeled for little lego males hidden in crumbling brickwork, cats perched on doorframes, and mysterious figures peeking from pipes.
When you’re planning what to do in Hattiesburg, don’t miss strolling down Pocket Alley. It’s a playful expertise that proves massive creativity thrives in small areas.
Murals within the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum alleyway
Extra Artwork and Tradition Spots in Hattiesburg
Go to the Sarah Gillespie Museum of Arts, which has over 600 items from artists from Mississippi.
Hattiesburg Saenger Theater, an Artwork-Deco in downtown, hosts a combined bag of performances from ballets and movie screenings to magic and Off-Broadway reveals.
Expertise a energetic live performance or exhibition on the College of Southern Mississippi (USM).
Immerse Your self In The Historical past Of Hattiesburg
Drive the Hattiesburg Freedom Path
The Hattiesburg Freedom Path honours the town’s pivotal function within the Civil Rights Motion, marking key websites the place activists fought for justice within the Nineteen Sixties. A big cease on Mississippi’s Freedom Path, it consists of places like Mount Zion Baptist Church, a gathering place for organisers, and the historic Eureka Faculty, now a civil rights museum. Hattiesburg performed an important function within the Freedom Day 1964, when a whole bunch risked intimidation to register to vote.
The Vernon Dahmer statue stands as a strong tribute to his combat for voting rights, bearing his iconic phrases: “If you don’t vote, you don’t count.” In 1966, he made a courageous radio announcement providing to pay the ballot tax for many who couldn’t afford to register. The following day, the Ku Klux Klan retaliated with a violent assault on his house, and he subsequently died.
Vernon Dahmer Memorial
Extra Historic Actions in Hattiesburg
Go to the African American Navy Historical past Museum, which highlights the contributions of Black troopers from the Civil Battle to trendy conflicts.
Situated at Camp Shelby, the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum is devoted to preserving Mississippi’s navy historical past.
Take pleasure in The Quirky Retailers In Hattiesburg
Discover Your Treasure in The Fortunate Rabbit
The Fortunate Rabbit, a self-proclaimed junk store, is a treasure trove of classic finds, quirky house décor, and native artisan creations. Whereas it’s a favourite amongst guests looking for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, the ever-changing shows hold locals coming again for extra. There’s additionally an out of doors café space, and this eclectic spot even incorporates a recreated Stranger Issues set — how might I resist the enjoyable photograph alternative? It’s solely open on weekends, so plan your journey properly; this quirky store is an expertise in itself.
T-Bones Data & Café
T-Bones Data & Café is a ceremony of passage for any music lover visiting Hattiesburg, with its giant vinyl retailer stocking Deep South favourites, jazz legends and modern-day artists.
First opened in 1999 by producer Tim Ramenofsky as an impartial document retailer, T-Bones was purchased by Harry, who labored for the founder. He has added a restaurant serving sandwiches, house-made desserts and its personal model of chilly brewed espresso. T-Bones Data & Café has develop into a beloved Hattiesburg establishment, being a neighborhood hub for regulars and a much-recognised model. And, in fact, the mural “Hattiesburg: Birthplace of Rock n Roll” exterior is a giant drawcard for all that come to the town!
Extra Retailers To Go to In Hattiesburg
Primary Avenue Farmers Market is a improbable place to help native distributors whereas selecting up contemporary produce, selfmade items, and artisan crafts.
49 Vintage and Flea Market presents retro furnishings, pre-loved clothes, and quirky nick-nacks.
The Creator Shoppe is all about books, drinks and neighborhood.
Dine in Hattiesburg’s Native Eating places
Hattiesburg is house to 200 domestically owned eating places, giving it extra native eating choices per capita than anyplace else within the state. So, with fewer quick meals massive chains and extra independently-run eateries and craft breweries, there’s extra creativity and neighborhood vibes. Listed below are some spots I attempted and liked, however there are lots extra superb eating places and cafes in Hattiesburg to strive!
Breakfast at The Midtowner
For a style of traditional Southern consolation meals, head to The Midtowner, the place hearty breakfast plates, biscuits, and grits draw within the queues. Their home-style cooking and heat hospitality guarantees a memorable eating expertise. I debated between the Catfish and Grits or the Southern Sampler, however the Avocado Toast with roasted corn and feta received me over—and it bursting with flavour!
Opened by restaurateur Robert St. John, this spot pays homage to the standard American diner whereas incorporating contemporary, domestically sourced components. Designed to evoke a way of neighborhood,
Avocado Toast with roasted corn and feta
The Midtowner in Hattiesburg
Eat Wholesome at Birdies
Proprietor and Chef Katie Dixon is an actual ball of happiness and vitality and had me smiling for the remainder of the day. The Birdhouse Café was opened in 2017 at one aspect of a kitchen equipment retailer, making a homely front room with an open-plan kitchen type inside. She serves wholesome breakfasts and lunches with a Southern twist, and every dish is called in honour of somebody who has had an affect on Katie’s life.
Katie, a finalist on Masterchef season 7 and Meals Community Star season 14, additionally presents meal prep, candy treats, personal eating, catering, and cooking lessons. As a spokesperson for the MS UProot Marketing campaign and a associate with Walmart, Katie advocates for more healthy communities by inexpensive recipes.
After being fed Deep South consolation dishes on my highway journey, I used to be prepared for a inexperienced detox juice and a nutritious salad, and Katie delivered simply that and extra.
Wholesome Salad at Birdies
Chef Katie & The Workforce
Dine at Massive Hassle
Massive Hassle is the brainchild of three associates on the Hattiesburg hospitality scene. Chef Jeremy Nofke started his culinary profession below the steerage of Robert St. John and has develop into identified for his experiential method to Asian “atypical” dishes with a splattering of Southern tastes. Are you able to think about shrimp fried rice topped with crispy pork rinds and a deconstructed bacon cheeseburger bowl?
Expertise Festivals and Occasions
Sadly, my journey dates didn’t align with any festivals in Hattiesburg. Given how exuberant and welcoming the town is, I’d extremely suggest planning your go to round one. Listed below are some nice choices I got here throughout whereas researching The Hub Metropolis.
Mardi Gras is the massive annual carnival celebration with exuberant parades and loopy events.
Further Desk Occasions: Based by Restaurateur Robert St. John, they increase funds to finish starvation in Mississippi.
HubFest: Considered one of Hattiesburg’s largest annual occasions celebrating neighborhood and creativity, HubFest brings collectively meals distributors, artists, and musicians for a energetic road pageant downtown.
Downtown Crawfish Jam: A real Southern expertise, the Downtown Crawfish Jam combines dwell music with heaps of freshly boiled crawfish.
Competition South: Spanning a number of weeks, Competition South is a multidisciplinary arts pageant that includes performances in music, theatre, and dance.
Hattiesburg Craft Beer Competition: Annual occasion with greater than 100 craft beers to select from.
The place to Keep in Hattiesburg
From elegant bed-and-breakfasts to boutique inns, Hattiesburg presents a wide range of lodging that cater to completely different journey types. Discover your good keep!
Cabin at Longleaf Piney Resort
PIN What To Do in Hattiesburg MS
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