Hattiesburg - city in Lamar County and Forrest County, Mississippi, United States; county seat of Forrest County, Mississippi

Hattiesburg is a city in Forrest County, in the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi. It is best known for being the home of the University of Southern Mississippi.

Get in

By plane

• Laurel-Hattiesburg Regional Airport (IATA: PIB), 31.467222°, -89.336944°. Served by American Airlines with connections to Dallas, TX and Meridian, MS.

The closest full service airports are in Gulfport (IATA: GPT) about 1 hour 20 min on US-49, Jackson (IATA: JAN) about 1½ hours on US-49, Mobile (IATA: MOB) about 2 hours on US-98, and New Orleans (IATA: MSY) about 1 hour 45 min on I-59.

By car

Hattiesburg is at the midpoint of Interstate 59 that connects New Orleans and Meridian. Other major highways include US Route 49 to Jackson and Gulfport and US Route 98 to Mobile, Alabama.

By train

Amtrak serves Hattiesburg daily with the Crescent train between New York City and New Orleans.

• Hattiesburg railway station, 308 Newman St (just south-west of downtown). 2020-11-16

Get around

Public transportation in Hattiesburg is largely undeveloped. The best way to get around is by car.

By bus

Hub City Transit (dead link: December 2020) provides four fixed bus routes in the downtown area around the Amtrak station. Buses run every hour between 6AM and 6:30PM. The fare is 50 cents for adults, 25 cents for senior citizens and children 5 years to high school age. Route 1 travels between the Amtrak station and the hotels near I-59 and Hardy St. This bus stops at the University of Southern Mississippi and many restaurants along Hardy Street.

See

Historic Downtown Hattiesburg Come to downtown to enjoy the classic architecture. Many small cafes and restaurants, many have great lunch specials. There are several shops along front street. Try the depot coffee shop for great coffee in a great atmosphere, right across the street from the Historic Train Depot.

• African American Military History Museum, 305 E 6th St, 31.33411°, -89.29273°, +1 601 450-1942. 2020-11-16
• Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Building 850, Forrest Ave (on Camp Shelby, south of Hattiesburg; visitors over age 16 need a valid photo ID), 31.19827°, -89.22368°, +1 601 558-2757. Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM. Here you can learn about armed forces stuff from a Mississippi perspective. Lots of tanks and helicopters and materiel on display, plus changing exhibits. Free 2022-09-04
• Hattiesburg Pocket Museum, 119 W Front St (basically the alley behind the Saenger Theater), 31.32625°, -89.29043°. Purported to be the smallest museum, with alternating exhibits, but is basically it's just a menagerie of items put out on display. 2022-09-04

Do

• Hattiesburg is the home of the University of Southern Mississippi with a vibrant campus that is home to approximately 16,000 students. The university offers doctoral programs and has extensive research programs, as well as offering undergraduate degree programs, plus has a rose garden. William Carey University has approximately 4,000 undergraduate students in a leafy campus just down Highway 49 from USM. Both universities offer sporting events and campus tours upon request.
• Hattiesburg Zoo, 107 S 17th Ave (corner of Hardy St and 17th Ave), +1 601 545-4576. Tu-Su 10AM-4PM. A small zoo that is home to llamas, monkeys, tigers and prairie dogs. A miniature railroad circles the zoo. 2020-11-16
• de Grummond Children's Literature Collection. M-F 8AM-5PM. University of Southern Mississippi campus. A collection of children's books and original art from over 1000 authors and artists. Free admission
• Longleaf Trace. 39 miles of trail from Hattiesburg to Prentiss on a converted railroad bed. It is a multi-purpose trail used by walkers, joggers, bikes, and horses.
• Golf Hattiesburg is home to some of the finest golf courses of the South, and most of them are public. The Hattiesburg Country Club generally has the best facilities for short-term visitors.
• Okatoma Canoe & Kayak, 550 Walter Lott Rd Seminary, MS (North of Hattiesburg, around 8 miles north of the I-59, Hwy 49 intersection, the turnoff is to the right). 8AM-6PM Seasonally. Kayak or Canoe on Mississippi's only real white water rapids for a half-day, full-day, or overnight trip. The conditions are generally safe for even the most novice boater but ask the operators if concerned. Primitive camping along the river is also available. Canoe $40, single kayak $30, double kayak $50 - all prices per day with pickup and dropoff. Significant group discounts start with 6 boats or more. Drinking on the river is prohibited along most stretches, so ask around before putting in. 2015-04-21
• Paul B Johnson State Park, 319 Geiger Lake Rd, 31.1419°, -89.2403°, +1 601 582-7721, paulbjohnson@wfp.ms.gov. Daily 8AM-5PM. State parkland with a lake for boating and swimming; also has a campground among pines. $2/person 2022-10-19
• Saenger Theater, 201 Forrest St, 31.32599°, -89.29048°, +1 601 584 4888. Historic venue for performing arts. 2022-09-04

Buy

Eat

• Leatha's Bar-B-Que Inn, 1225 MS-42, Petal, MS, 31.35081°, -89.19941°, +1 769 390-7819. Tu-Sa 11AM-8PM. 98W. Some of the best BBQ and steaks in Hattiesburg. Dining here is an "experience" - the restaurant is in a ramshackle house and the waitstaff serves you in their nightgowns. Moderate prices. 2016-03-15

• Crescent City Grill, 3810 Hardy St, 31.324661°, -89.346337°, +1 601 264-0656. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. Moderate prices. Delicious New Orleans-inspired dishes in an upscale/casual atmosphere. Everything is delicious, from salads and seafood to appetizers and desserts. Award-winning wine list. Executive chef Robert St. John has published cookbooks and offers up cutting edge Southern delights. 2016-03-15

• Jutamas Thai Restaurant, 910 Timothy Ln, 31.312776°, -89.307483°, +1 601 584-8583. M-F lunch/dinner, Sa dinner, closed Sunday. Thai restaurant. Wonderful food. Excellent curries and soups. Try the Khai Jeaw (traditional Thai omelet), the Phad Thai, and the Tom Yum Goong. Moderate prices. Locally owned. 2016-03-15

• McAlister's Deli, 2300 Hardy Street, 31.324407°, -89.325385°. And 122 Sheffield Loop. Large sandwiches, huge stuffed potatoes, salads and tasty desserts, including Kentucky pie. Best iced tea around in a friendly, casual atmosphere. 2016-03-15
• Donanelle's, 4321 49 South. Steaks,Ribs,and Yellow-Fin Tuna. Great Atmosphere.
• Mugshot's Grill and Bar, 204 N 40th Ave, 31.327945°, -89.348386°, +1 601-271-2299. Voted best burger in Mississippi. 2016-03-15

Drink

• Keg & Barrel, 1315 Hardy St, 31.324987°, -89.311196°, +1 601-582-7148. Small pub with a laid back atmosphere, reasonably priced pub food, and broad beer selection. Both indoor and outdoor seating available.
• Mahogany Bar, 3801 Hardy St, +1 601-264-0672. Attached to the Crescent City Grill, this is a local favorite for students from USM and others. The name describes the atmosphere with a little sports bar thrown in for good measure. Patio seating available as well.
• Thirsty Hippo, 309 Mcleod St, 31.325333°, -89.294575°, +1 601-583-9188. Small bar downtown with a wide variety of live music and a nice courtyard in the back.

Sleep

• Best Western Premier University Inn, 132 Plaza Dr, +1 601 909-6658.
• Fairfield Inn Hattiesburg, 173 Thornhill Drive, +1 601 296-7777.
• Doubletree by Hilton Hattiesburg, 10 Gateway Drive, +1 601 296-0302.

• Northgate Inn Hattiesburg, 6757 US 49, +1 601 268-8816. A former Best Western property. 2021-12-03

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