A lively university town in Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg is a family-friendly destination known for a focus on the arts and outdoor activities in Paul B. Johnson State Park. It’s also a popular gateway to the French Quarter in New Orleans and the glittering casinos and beaches of Biloxi on the Gulf Coast.
Things to do in Hattiesburg
The military holds an important spot in Hattiesburg history, evidenced by collections and memorabilia inside the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum and the African American Military History Museum. You can also follow the Freedom Summer Trail to 15 marked sites honouring Hattiesburg’s place in the Civil Rights Movement.
Hattiesburg Arts Council Gallery on Main Street houses works by Mississippi artists, while Oddfellow’s Gallery focuses primarily on Hattiesburg painters, photographers and graphic designers. Keep an eye out for art within the city parks, including sculptures, murals and statues.
Plan a day at Okatoma Creek Outdoor Post for kayaking or canoeing on Okatoma Creek, a natural stream with waterfalls, sandbars and shoals surrounded by magnolia and birch trees. You can also go pontoon boating or hiking in Paul B. Johnson State Park, a deep forest with ancient oaks and majestic loblolly pines.
Travelling with the family? Head over to the Hattiesburg Zoo to see at least 80 animal species, as well as a ropes adventure course, train, carousel, splash pad and Africa drum station. Enjoy hiking, biking or horseback riding on Longleaf Trace, a former railway line.
Getting around Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg has a transit bus system and a weekend trolley for nightlife and events. Taxis, ride shares and bicycle rentals are also available. You can rent a car in downtown Hattiesburg or at Jackson-Evers International Airport, about 145 kilometres away.