The 17 Best Things To Do In Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Mississippi is a state of small towns, which means there are dozens of enchanting enclaves waiting to be discovered from the Gulf Coast to the Tennessee border. Ben and Erin Napier made Laurel famous, and everyone knows about the historic charm of Natchez, but there’s another Mississippi community that it’s long past time we paid attention to. As Mississippi’s fifth largest town, Hattiesburg is home to around 48,000 people and almost 100,000 more in the surrounding area. It’s known as The Hub City, thanks to its location at the intersection of Interstate 59 and U.S. Highway 49, but the city connects much more than just major roadways. Hattiesburg is known for its impressive combination of attractions, from a vibrant local dining scene to great public art and an impactful civil rights history. Here’s how to spend a weekend in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Enjoy The Arts Scene

Take A Self-Led Public Art Tour

A Mississippi Main Street Community and Main Street America downtown, downtown Hattiesburg should be your first stop when visiting. As you stroll the wide streets, you’ll notice pockets of color around every corner. Download a map of the HBURG Public Art Trail, and see if you can find all 100 works, which include more than 40 murals, a dozen large-scale sculptures, and 40 hand-painted utility boxes.

See A Show At The Saenger Theater

Another downtown destination to visit is the Saenger Theater, a 1929 movie palace that’s been transformed into a performing arts venue. Today, the theater plays host for all kinds of live show, from regional and national musicians to comedy shows to ballet and plays.

hattiesburgsaenger.com; 201 Forrest Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401; 601-584-4888

Check Out A Miniature-Sized Museum

One of the city's best-kept and most delightful secrets is the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum, an ever-changing window display of miniatures located in a nondescript alley. The attraction also includes rotating art installations, as well as the Pocket Theater, which shows super-short films through an eye piece lodged into the alley wall.

hattiesburgpocketmuseum.com; 201 Forrest Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401; 601-268-3220

Try Glass Blowing

If these wonderful displays of art have you feeling inspired, head to Mohawk Steel & Glass Co. to try your hand (or should we say breath) at creating your own. The glassblowing studio offers regular classes where novices can blow their own glass flowers, paperweights, vases, and more.

mohawksteelglass.square.site; 50 Hegwood Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39401; 601-467-6959

Shop Until You Drop

Visit An Antiquarian's Dream

One of downtown’s biggest icons is The Lucky Rabbit, a 15,000-square-foot vintage and antiques shop that’s stuffed to the gills with classic nostalgia. Inside, you’ll find classic arcade games, old drink machines, working payphone booths, and every type of home collectible imaginable. Only open on the weekends, the decade-old shop was even featured on HGTV’s Home Town as a favorite store of host Erin Napier.

theluckyrabbit.com; 217 & 220 Mobile Street, Hattiesburg, MS

Stroll And Shop Through Downtown

If you want to shop for goods and gifts from this decade, downtown is filled with all types of specialty stores. Since most are locally owned by proud Hattiesburg residents and families, you can feel good about giving the plastic in your wallet a little extra exercise. Check out Walnut Square Gifts and Stationery, Main Street Books, and Sacks Outdoors for everything from home goods and books to outdoor gear.

walnutsquaregifts.com; 124 Walnut St, # 4, Hattiesburg, MS 39401; 601-543-0111

mainstreetbooksandpottery.com; 210 Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401; 601-584-6960

sacksoutdoors.com; 200 East Pine Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401; 601-582-8111

Learn About The Civil Rights Movement

Visit The Eureka School Civil Rights Museum

To learn more about Hattiesburg’s role in the Civil Rights Movement, there are several stops you’ll want to make. Start at the Eureka School Civil Rights Museum, a civil rights museum that’s housed in the second brick school building for Black students in Mississippi. Inside the restored school, you'll find stories of African American heritage and the Civil Rights Movement with a special emphasis on the Freedom Summer of 1964.

hattiesburgeureka.com; 410 E. Sixth Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401; 601-450-1942

Spend Time In The African American Military History Museum

Pay your respects to the sacrifices of Black Mississippians in the military at the African American Military History Museum. Open Wednesday through Friday, this museum honors the important service of African American soldier beginning with the American Revolution through the modern-day conflicts of Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism.

hattiesburguso.com; 305 E. Sixth Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401; 601-450-1942

Get Familiar With Freedom Summer

Lastly, spend time walking or drive the Freedom Summer Trail, a collection of markers and significant locations that together tell the story of Mississippi’s landmark 1964 Freedom Summer via an audio tour.

Spend Time Outside

Walk Or Bike The Longleaf Trace

One of the pretties places in town can be found along Hattiesburg’s portion of the Longleaf Trace. The 44-mile rails-to-trails conversion is a popular spot for walking, running, and biking. Start at the James Lynn Cartlidge Gateway, where there’s ample parking, as well as food and drink vendors, pavilions, and bike rentals.

Head To The Hattiesburg Zoo

Hattiesburg is a family-friendly destination, but one spot that is especially popular with the kiddos is the Hattiesburg Zoo. For just $6 for kids and $8 for adults, you can spend as long as you like getting to know exotic animals from around the world. After you've seen every animal from alpacas to zebras, you can also check out the zoo's high ropes course, carousel, splash pad, and more.

hattiesburgzoo.com; 107 S 17th Ave., Hattiesburg, MS 3940; 601-545-4576

Take Advantage Of The Stellar Dining Scene

Hattiesburg is home to 200 locally owned restaurants, giving it more local dining options per capita than anywhere else in the state. A big part of Hattiesburg’s dining scene can be attributed to two restaurateurs: Robert St. John and Nelson Haskin.

Eat A Robert St. John's Restaurants

St. John has been a fixture in Hattiesburg for more than three decades. His beloved restaurants include Tex-Mex spot El Rayo; The Midtowner, where you can find blue plate lunches and breakfast served all day; Creole-inspired eatery Crescent City Grill; family-style Italian restaurant Tabella; and Ed’s Burger Joint, with its seemingly endless burger and hotdog, and sandwich options. St. John’s Mahogany Bar is all about the beer and whiskey, but also offers a great late-night menu. His newest venture, Loblolly Bakery, sees him pairing with James Beard award winner Martha Foose to bring the city both classic pastries and inventive treats.

Dine At Nelson Haskin's Restaurants

Haskin’s restaurant collection consists of five downtown spots, each with their own vibe and speciality. Head to Bourbon on Front for an upscale steak or seafood dinner and access to the city’s only rooftop bar. For more casual eats, try the gourmet burgers at Hattiesburgers and Blues, the chicken tenders at Nellie’s Chicken and Daquiris, or breakfast at Southbound Bagels & Coffee. Take a quick trip to New Orleans with Dinner at Blue Jazz Café, where the menu is decidedly Cajun, and the live music is always flowing.

Check Out Other Local Favorites

Other Hattiesburg hot spots include Birdhouse Café for a healthy but delicious lunch from Food Network Star Katie Dixon, Trattoria Pizzeria for a classic, crowd-pleasing dinner, and beloved 100-year-old diner Coney Island Café. If you’re looking for a craft brew, try Southern Prohibition Brewery, Colludium Brewing Company, or The Porter.

Find Your Perfect Stay

Get Pampered At A Bed & Breakfast

The Bay Bed & Breakfast is a great place to stay if you want the best of both worlds. You’ll be near enough to walk to all the action in downtown Hattiesburg, but still get to experience all the charm and homey comforts of a Southern B&B.

facebook.com/thebaybedandbreakfast; 103 Short Bay St, Hattiesburg, MS; 601-336-9205

Book A Traditional Hotel Room

Traditionalists can enjoy modern comforts and an industrial chic vibe at nearby Hotel Indigo. Other popular hotel chains like Hilton Garden Inn, Doubletree, and Courtyard by Marriott each have Hattiesburg locations.

hattiesburghotelindigo.com; 103 South 30th Avenue, Hattiesburg, MS 39401; 601-264-7709

Escape To A Home In Nature

For a serene retreat set in nature, book a tiny home or larger lake house at Longleaf Piney Resort, located 25 minutes from downtown, or make base in the rolling hills on the edge of De Soto National Forest at Whiskey on the River cabins, which is 20 minutes from downtown in nearby Petal.

longleafpineyresort.com; 208 Lavel Graves Rd, Hattiesburg, MS 39402; 601-297-0883

whiskeyontheriver.com; 176 Blue Lake Lane, Petal, MS 39465; 601-564-0045