what to do in hattiesburg ms
Hattiesburg, Mississippi has a surprisingly wide mix of outdoors, arts, food, and quirky local spots, so you can easily fill a weekend or more.
Classic “must‑do” highlights
- Walk the Hattiesburg Public Art Trail to see dozens of murals and sculptures all over town, part of the city’s push to become the “City of 100 Murals.”
- Stroll the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum and nearby Pocket Alley , a tiny downtown corridor filled with miniature scenes, murals, and rotating odd little exhibits.
- Visit the Hattiesburg Zoo , which has exhibits themed around multiple continents plus extras like a splash pad, ropes course, and a small train ride that loops the zoo.
- Explore the University of Southern Mississippi campus, including the All‑American Rose Garden , which is a peaceful place for a walk and photos.
Outdoors and nature time
- Spend a day at Paul B. Johnson State Park , where you can picnic by the lake, kayak, fish, or just hang out under the pines.
- Try the official Hattiesburg GeoTour , a geocaching trail with more than 40 hidden caches around the area, which turns sightseeing into a scavenger hunt.
- Look up local runs like the Hattiesburg Half Marathon , Farm to Fork Ride or Run , or Dog Days 5K if you’re in town during race season.
Arts, history, and culture
- Catch a show at the historic Hattiesburg Saenger Theater , an Art Deco venue downtown that hosts everything from ballets and films to magic shows and touring performances.
- Visit the Sarah Gillespie Museum of Art for a collection focused on Mississippi artists and regional works.
- Drive out to Camp Shelby to tour the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum , which covers military history with artifacts, exhibits, and memorials.
Quirky local favorites and “hidden gem” stops
- Browse The Lucky Rabbit , a big, curated vintage/antique market with rotating themed displays that locals love to show off to visitors.
- Wander Pocket Alley behind the Saenger Theatre to hunt for tiny Lego figures, 3D floor art, and other playful little details tucked into the brickwork.
- Check out T‑Bones Records & Café for vinyl, coffee, and a look at the “Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll” mural on the side of the building.
- If you like smashing out stress, book a session at Category Five Smash Room to don safety gear and break stuff in a controlled environment.
Food, drink, and local flavor
- Work your way through the Hatties[BURGER] Trail , a loose collection of burger spots around town created as a fun way to taste local favorites.
- Sip wine at The Little Wine Shoppe or grab a health‑forward meal at Birdhouse Café if you want something lighter.
- Time your visit with the Downtown Crawfish Jam for live music and piles of boiled crawfish, or the Hattiesburg Craft Beer Festival to sample regional brews.
- Drop by Southern Prohibition Brewing (often called “SoPro”) in downtown for craft beer and a relaxed taproom vibe.
Festivals, events, and when to visit
- Plan around big events like Mardi Gras celebrations, HubFest (a major downtown festival with food, artists, and music), and FestivalSouth , a multi‑week arts festival with music, theater, and dance.
- On “First Saturday” downtown, you can often find the Lucky Rabbit ’s outdoor market plus extra pop‑up vendors and activities.
- For what’s happening this week or this weekend, check local calendars (like downtown event listings or ticketing platforms) for up‑to‑date shows, markets, and pop‑ups.
Sample one‑day itinerary
- Morning: Coffee and browsing at T‑Bones Records & Café, then walk part of the Public Art Trail downtown and explore the Pocket Museum.
- Midday: Head to the Hattiesburg Zoo or Paul B. Johnson State Park depending on whether you want animals or lakeside downtime.
- Late afternoon: Check out The Lucky Rabbit and nearby murals; if it’s First Saturday, wander the outdoor market.
- Evening: Dinner on the Hatties[BURGER] Trail or oysters at Keg and Barrel West , then finish with a drink at Southern Prohibition Brewing or a show at the Saenger Theater if anything’s on.
| Type of activity | Top picks in Hattiesburg |
|---|---|
| Street art & quirks | Hattiesburg Public Art Trail, Pocket Museum & Pocket Alley, “Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll” mural at T‑Bones | [5][7][3][1]
| Outdoors & nature | Paul B. Johnson State Park, All‑American Rose Garden, Hattiesburg GeoTour | [1]
| Family‑friendly | Hattiesburg Zoo (train, splash pad, ropes course), Pocket Museum, races and fun runs | [5][7][3]
| Arts & history | Saenger Theater, Sarah Gillespie Museum of Art, Mississippi Armed Forces Museum | [3][1]
| Food & drink | Hatties[BURGER] Trail, Birdhouse Café, The Little Wine Shoppe, Southern Prohibition Brewing, Keg and Barrel West | [7][3][1]
| Events & festivals | Mardi Gras events, HubFest, FestivalSouth, Downtown Crawfish Jam, Craft Beer Festival | [3][1]