Even though Texas is geographically pretty close to Mississippi, I don't hear a lot about this hard-to-spell southern state. It seems to just be some place you pass through on your way to Alabama or Florida. Or you stop in New Orleans and don't make it further east. And I'm guilty of this, too. I, admittedly, haven't spent much time in Mississippi.
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| Hattiesburg, Mississippi: The Hub City. |
So I was surprised to learn that Hattiesburg, MS, is only about seven hours by car from Arlington. Seven hours! Closer than New Orleans. The same distance as Memphis. Closer than Orange Beach. I could go on...
The question you are probably asking is "What's in Hattiesburg?" Well, let me tell you!
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| Posing in front of the Hattiesburg, MS mural! |
Plan Your Visit to Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS: Facts & Figures
-Hattiesburg is a town of about 45,000 people situated in southeast Mississippi. It is about seven hours by car from Arlington.
-Hattiesburg is home of the University of Southern Mississippi, a school in Conference USA that gave us Brett Favre!
-Hattiesburg, which was named after founder William Hardy's wife, Hattie, is the only city in the US called Hattiesburg. Its nickname is the Hub City because it is a thoroughfare for the lumber and railroad industries.
-Hattiesburg is home to Camp Shelby, the largest US National Guard training base east of the Mississippi River.
Hattiesburg, MS: What to Do
Hattiesburg has a lot of fun activities to offer visitors of all ages. Here are a few of our favorites!
Hattiesburg Zoo: The Hattiesburg Zoo is a fun spot to spend an afternoon. Not only is the zoo super affordable (only $8 for adults. What?!), but the zoo has lots of animals to delight. There is a large kids' play area plus a splash pad included with your admission, as well as a carousel, train and ropes course that cost extra. You can pet animals at this zoo, and the coolest zoo bathroom we have ever seen is in Hattiesburg! If you are vacationing with kids in Hattiesburg, the zoo is a must!
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| We loved spending an afternoon at the Hattiesburg Zoo! |
Hattiesburg Pocket Museum: I'm not going to tell you where this darling little museum is... Just that you need to go find it yourself! This museum was dreamed up during Covid and takes visitors on a scavenger hunt around downtown to determine the museum's exact location. The museum stretches through an entire alleyway and has lots of darling features, from little figurines high and low, chalk creations and so much more. Don't skip this awesome stop. It's free and you will love it!
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| One of the gorgeous murals at the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum. |
Pinebelt Blueways: Spend a day disconnecting from the day-to-day and enjoying nature. Travel down the Bouie and Leaf Rivers with Pinebelt Blueways in canoes and kayaks, stopping as you want to to swim, snack and simply enjoy the water. Our eight-mile journey was both relaxing and enjoyable and the time simply flew by. It was peaceful to be on the river instead of the hubbub of daily life. Our guides were absolutely the best!
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| Attempting to kayak with Pinebelt Blueways! |
1964 Freedom Summer Trail: This free one and a half hour audio tour takes you on a journey back in time to 1964. This tour commemorates those who participated in the Civil Rights Movement in Hattiesburg in 1964. One of the stops takes you to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke two weeks before his death in 1968.
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| Stop number two on the 1964 Summer Freedom Trail. |
Posing on the Pyrex Bus at The Lucky Rabbit.
Hattiesburg, MS: Where to Eat
For Breakfast...
The Midtowner is for you if you love breakfast! They have everything you could want to start your day right... Eggs, hash browns, bacon, pancakes, plus my favorite, avocado toast! And let's not forget coffee. ALL the coffee.
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| Yummy breakfast at The Midtowner. |
For Lunch...
Stop by Glorybound Gyro Co. for the best gyros you will ever eat at hard-to-beat prices! And the hummus appetizer... Yum!
The Birdhouse Cafe has delicious healthy fare. My salad here was out of this world! Plus, it's attached to a cute furniture store where you can shop after you eat. Total bonus? There is a playroom with toys where kids can entertain themselves before their food is ready!
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| Enjoying a meal at Birdhouse Cafe. |
For Dinner...
Grab a burger (and a beer if you choose!) at Ed's! Sit outside on the big red swing or play bocce ball or table tennis while you wait for your food. Save room for dessert... The milkshakes are works of art!
Art of Roux is a food truck you can find at Southern Prohibition Brewing and the menu is ever-changing. We had the best nachos we'd eaten in years along with some seriously great brews at Southern Prohibition.
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| All smiles at dinner at Ed's Burger Joint! |
The Yard Milkshake Bar will make your taste buds happy! There isn't a bad flavor of ice cream on the menu... And if you grab a fancy milkshake you can keep the branded jar as a souvenir.
Hattiesburg, MS: Where to Stay
We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott during our visit and have nothing but good things to say. There was a well-maintained outdoor pool as well as a restaurant with great breakfast choices in the lobby. There is a movie theater nearby as well as a restaurant and several other businesses. The hotel felt clean and safe and centrally located to do all the things!
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| We loved our stay at the Courtyard by Marriott in Hattiesburg! |
We want to say thank you to Visit Hattiesburg, who hosted us in Hattiesburg. Although many of my activities were comped, all opinions are my own. We highly, highly recommend visiting Hattiesburg, MS, if you get the chance!
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