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Hattiesburg is a city of about 48,000 people in the pine belt of south Mississippi, about 90 miles from both Jackson and the Gulf Coast. Founded in 1882 and known as the Hub City because several railroads met here, it grew on lumber and the railroads and is now home to the University of Southern Mississippi.
The historic downtown has the restored 1929 Saenger Theater, the quirky Hattiesburg Pocket Museum tucked into an alley, and the African American Military History Museum in a former USO club built for Black soldiers during World War II. Nearby Camp Shelby, one of the largest National Guard training sites in the country, has the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum.
Outdoors, the Longleaf Trace rail trail runs about 40 miles from the university campus through the countryside, and the Hattiesburg Zoo in Kamper Park is a family favorite. Paul B. Johnson State Park and the De Soto National Forest offer lakes and pine woods, and the Gulf Coast beaches are about 90 minutes south.
A paved rail trail that runs about 40 miles from the University of Southern Mississippi through pine forest, farmland and small towns to Prentiss. It is flat and shaded in places, ideal for cycling, walking and skating, with rest stops along the way. Bike rentals are available near the Hattiesburg trailhead.
A compact, well-kept zoo in historic Kamper Park with animals such as giraffes, zebras, primates and otters, plus a splash pad, a train ride and a carousel for younger children. It is easy to see in two to three hours. Visit in the morning during summer, as afternoons get very hot.
A museum in the only surviving USO club built for African American soldiers during World War II, telling the story of Black service members from the Revolutionary War to today through uniforms, photos and personal stories. It is part of the Hattiesburg museum group; allow about an hour.
A large museum at Camp Shelby, south of Hattiesburg, covering Mississippi's role in American wars from the War of 1812 to the present, with tanks, aircraft and artillery displayed outside. Admission is free, but it is on an active military post, so bring photo ID and check entry rules.
A tiny museum set into the wall of an alley downtown, with small changing displays of quirky art and objects behind glass windows. It is free and open around the clock, and the surrounding alley is decorated with murals. It takes only a few minutes to see, so combine it with a walk through downtown.
A restored 1929 movie palace in downtown Hattiesburg with an ornate auditorium, now hosting concerts, plays, film screenings and community events. It is owned by the city and often used by university and local groups. Check the calendar for shows, and pair a visit with dinner downtown.
The main campus of Southern Miss, with Georgian-style brick buildings, oak-lined lawns and the M. M. Roberts Stadium, home of Golden Eagles football. The campus is pleasant for a walk, and the Longleaf Trace starts nearby. Game days in fall bring tailgating and big crowds.
A state park about 15 miles south of Hattiesburg on Geiger Lake, with swimming, fishing, boat and paddle rentals, cabins, campsites and nature trails through longleaf pines. It is a popular weekend escape. Day-use fees apply, and cabins should be booked well ahead for spring and summer weekends.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Aaron Manning, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Aaron Manning, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Aaron Manning, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Woodlot, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
