Hattiesburg, Mississippi, affectionately often called the “Hub City,” is an exuberant Southern vacation spot overflowing with civil rights historical past, legendary music tradition, a growing 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.
In the event you’re questioning what to do in Hattiesburg, this information will enable you to navigate its eclectic points of interest, together with the full of life downtown and scenic out of doors areas. Profit 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 Open air in Hattiesburg
Cycle down Longleaf Hint
Certainly one of Hattiesburg’s crown jewels is the Longleaf Hint, a 44-mile-long rail-trail that stretches via the Pine Belt area. Ideally suited for biking, strolling, and jogging, this scenic path winds via loblolly forests and farmlands and the candy scent of Southern Magnolia. Carry a motorcycle or hire one domestically and absorb 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 via the All American Rose Backyard on the campus of the College of Southern Mississippi.
Spend the day in Paul B. Johnson State Park enjoyable 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 Artistic Facet Of Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg Road Artwork
Hattiesburg is dwelling to a formidable out of doors gallery that salutes the group’s artistic spirit. Uncover the eye-catching artworks by native and regional artists on the Hattiesburg Public Artwork Path – a self-guided journey via the town’s hanging 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, variety, and inclusion to on a regular basis life.
“Suffrage” mural by artist Heidi Pitre
Hattiesburg Pocket Museum
While 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 slightly enjoyable and has since develop into Mississippi’s tiniest museum.
Tucked away in a downtown alley behind the Saenger Theatre, the area showcases eye-catching murals and immersive 3D flooring work, like an Abbey Street crosswalk, however the actual magic lies in its ever-changing micro-exhibits of nostalgic memorabilia and avant-garde curiosities. Hold your eyes peeled for little lego males hidden in crumbling brickwork, cats perched on doorframes, and mysterious figures peeking from pipes.
When you find yourself planning what to do in Hattiesburg, don’t miss strolling down Pocket Alley. It’s a playful expertise that proves huge 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 blended bag of performances from ballets and movie screenings to magic and Off-Broadway exhibits.
Expertise a full of life 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 position within the Civil Rights Motion, marking key websites the place activists fought for justice within the 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 College, now a civil rights museum. Hattiesburg performed a vital position within the Freedom Day 1964, when a whole bunch risked intimidation to register to vote.
The Vernon Dahmer statue stands as a robust tribute to his battle 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 subsequent day, the Ku Klux Klan retaliated with a violent assault on his dwelling, and he subsequently died.
Vernon Dahmer Memorial
Extra Historic Actions in Hattiesburg
Go to the African American Army Historical past Museum, which highlights the contributions of Black troopers from the Civil Warfare to fashionable conflicts.
Positioned at Camp Shelby, the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum is devoted to preserving Mississippi’s army 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 dwelling décor, and native artisan creations. Whereas it’s a favourite amongst guests searching for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, the ever-changing shows hold locals coming again for extra. There’s additionally an outside 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 effectively; 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 massive vinyl retailer stocking Deep South favourites, jazz legends and modern-day artists.
First opened in 1999 by producer Tim Ramenofsky as an impartial report 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 group hub for regulars and a much-recognised model. And, after all, 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
Important Road Farmers Market is a improbable place to assist native distributors whereas selecting up recent produce, do-it-yourself items, and artisan crafts.
49 Vintage and Flea Market provides retro furnishings, pre-loved clothes, and quirky nick-nacks.
The Creator Shoppe is all about books, drinks and group.
Dine in Hattiesburg’s Native Eating places
Hattiesburg is dwelling 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 huge chains and extra independently-run eateries and craft breweries, there’s extra creativity and group vibes. Listed here are some spots I attempted and beloved, however there are loads extra superb eating places and cafes in Hattiesburg to strive!
Breakfast at The Midtowner
For a style of basic 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 gained me over—and it bursting with flavour!
Opened by restaurateur Robert St. John, this spot pays homage to the standard American diner whereas incorporating recent, domestically sourced components. Designed to evoke a way of group,
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 lounge with an open-plan kitchen fashion inside. She serves wholesome breakfasts and lunches with a Southern twist, and every dish is known as in honour of somebody who has had an influence on Katie’s life.
Katie, a finalist on Masterchef season 7 and Meals Community Star season 14, additionally provides meal prep, candy treats, non-public eating, catering, and cooking lessons. As a spokesperson for the MS UProot Marketing campaign and a companion with Walmart, Katie advocates for more healthy communities via reasonably priced recipes.
After being fed Deep South consolation dishes on my street 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 Huge Hassle
Huge Hassle is the brainchild of three mates on the Hattiesburg hospitality scene. Chef Jeremy Nofke started his culinary profession underneath the steerage of Robert St. John and has develop into recognized 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 here are some nice choices I got here throughout whereas researching The Hub Metropolis.
HubFest: Certainly one of Hattiesburg’s largest annual occasions celebrating group and creativity, HubFest brings collectively meals distributors, artists, and musicians for a full of life road competition downtown.
Downtown Crawfish Jam: A real Southern expertise, the Downtown Crawfish Jam combines stay music with heaps of freshly boiled crawfish.
Competition South: Spanning a number of weeks, Competition South is a multidisciplinary arts competition that includes performances in music, theatre, and dance.
Hattiesburg Craft Beer Competition:
Further Desk Occasions: Based by Restaurateur Robert St. John, they elevate funds to finish starvation in Mississippi.
The place to Keep in Hattiesburg
From elegant bed-and-breakfasts to boutique inns, Hattiesburg provides a wide range of lodging that cater to totally different journey kinds. Discover your good keep!
Cabin at Longleaf Piney Resort
PIN What To Do in Hattiesburg MS
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