Hattiesburg International Travel Guide

WHERE

Journeys

HAPPEN.

HATTIESBURG MISSISSIPPI

Journey

through the heart of Mississippi, straight to Hattiesburg. A southern university town, Hattiesburg holds a rich history and progressive mindset that reflects the state’s unique spirit. An ideal stop on your road trip between Memphis to New Orleans – Hattiesburg is a place where you can immerse yourself in the authentic sites, sounds, and flavors of Mississippi.

While here, savor the delicious taste of our thriving culinary scene, embrace the compelling stories of the Civil Rights Movement, explore activated public art spaces, and let the rhythmic sounds of local music keep your feet moving. Discover the vibrant culture and warm embrace of Hattiesburg.

WHERE INDULGENCE HAPPENS.

From 100-year-old staples like Coney Island Café to Sully’s Tavern – a legendary steakhouse built on the site of the last sanctioned bare-knuckle fight in the U.S. – Hattiesburg’s culinary scene rivals any other major metropolitan. With nearly 200 locally owned restaurants, Hattiesburg caters to a wide array of tastes, including Southern comfort food, fresh seafood and farm-to-table ingredients, trendy dining experiences, and so much more.

WHERE CREATIVITY HAPPENS.

Named a top city in the world for public art, creativity abounds in Hattiesburg. With more than 100 stops in total, the HBURG Public Art Trail is one of the city’s newest and fastest-growing attractions. From internationally acclaimed “What Lifts You” artist Kelsey Montague to superb local talent, HBURG is on its way to becoming “The City of 100 Murals” with 60+ large scale designs currently in its repertoire. With hand-painted utility boxes and more than a dozen sculptures, you’ll find diversity in style, concepts, cultures, and artists.

WHERE HISTORY HAPPENED.

Supporting one of the last major U.S. civil rights efforts of the 1960s, Hattiesburg served as the largest Freedom Summer area in the nation. Hattiesburg’s 1964 Freedom Summer Trail honors locals and volunteers who championed the cause and consists of 16 stops, making it the biggest of its kind in the Southeast U.S. Each stop on the trail has its own oral history audio component, featuring reflections from those who were directly involved in this demonstrative change in America.

WHERE RHYTHM HAPPENS.

The “Roots of Rock n’ Roll” can be traced to Hattiesburg with the first recordings of the Graves Brothers’ famous guitar riffs recorded in the 1920’s as the “Mississippi Jook Band.” Live music continues to be an integral part of local culture, where tunes can be found every night of the week at intimate bars, historic venues, and grand stages. Visitors can enjoy a mix of genres including blues, country, rock, and jazz. The city also hosts music festivals and outdoor concerts throughout the year.

International ITINERARY No matter your holiday style, Hattiesburg has activities for every visitor. Below is a glimpse of some of the premier activities, authentic eateries, and can’t miss stops waiting for you and your group in the Hub City.

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

BREAKFAST The Midtowner Iconic community café with classic cuisine

BREAKFAST Southbound Bagel A retro cafe tucked into a corner of historic downtown

ACTIVITY The Lucky Rabbit Two-building market filled with American nostalgia

ACTIVITY 1964 Freedom Summer Trail 16-stop driving and audio tour honoring the city’s role in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement

BREAKFAST Coney Island Café Blend of flavors; founded by a Greek immigrant more than 100 years ago

LUNCH Birdie’s Café Healthy take on traditional Southern fare ACTIVITY Mohawk Steel and Glass Located on a Christmas tree farm and home to the only glassblowing hot shop in Mississippi DINNER Keg & Barrel Mississippi’s premier beer emporium and pub food restaurant LATE NIGHT Fat Cat Listen to live music in the city known for its “Roots of Rock n’ Roll”

LUNCH Movie Star Restaurant Buffet with southern recipes and decorated with antique treasures ACTIVITY Paddle the Pinebelt Blueways or Bike the Longleaf Trace Mild weather means exploring the local landscape can be enjoyed year-round DINNER Big Trouble One of our newest eateries, serving (a)typical Asian and American fusion dishes LATE NIGHT Southern Prohibition Brewery Enjoy live music, comedy, or trivia while sipping a pint brewed on site

ACTIVITY HBURG Public Art Trail More than 100 pieces of public art including large-scale murals and sculptures LUNCH T-Bones Records & Café Fresh sandwiches and vintage vinyl, side by side BONUS ACTIVITIES Hattiesburg Pocket Museum The smallest museum in Mississippi, hidden in an downtown alleyway Sixth Street Museum District Explore African American history at four, free museums and an old-fashioned soda fountain History Tours Discover HBURG’s past through curated architecture and neighborhood tours by foot or golf cart

Travel to HBURG Located at the crossroads of two major U.S. highways and an interstate, Hattiesburg is perfectly nicknamed the Hub City. Its central location makes HBURG the perfect stop on your journey for food, fun, and relaxation!

DRIVING DISTANCES • • •

MS Gulf Coast - 1.5 hrs Jackson - 1.5 hrs New Orleans - 1.75 hrs

• • •

Natchez - 3 hrs Clarksdale - 4 hrs Memphis - 4.25 hrs

TRANSPORTATION •

Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport (PIB): Nonstop flights to Houston Sun-Mon, Wed-Fri (two daily) / Tues. and Sat. (one daily).

•

Gulfport-Biloxi Itnl. Airport (GPT)

•

Jackson-Evers Intl. Airport (JAN)

•

Mobile Regional Airport (MOB)

•

Louis Armstrong New Orleans Intl. Airport (MSY)

•

Amtrak – Crescent Line: New Orleans, LA to NYC, NY

Signature EVENTS Hattiesburg’s local signature events amplify and embody the city’s spirit. You’re invited to plan a trip around genuine American celebrations that honor the music, food, landscapes, and lifestyle of the South.

LIVE AT FIVE HBURG

HATTIESBURG RESTAURANT WEEK

Live at Five is a free, outdoor concert series held on Friday evening in the fall and spring at Town Square Park in downtown Hattiesburg.

Hattiesburg Restaurant Week is the gastro-event of the season, featuring limited-time specials and week-long discounts at local eateries each fall.

FESTIVALSOUTH

ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS AND HOLIDAYS

FestivalSouth is an annual, multi-week festival each summer presenting a variety of muscial and other arts-related entertainment that aims to transcend social, cultural, and economic lines.

Discover the joys of Mardi Gras, Independence Day, Halloween, Christmas, and more by immersing yourself in Hattiesburg’s community celebrations throughout the year.

KRISTEN BROCK International Travel kbrock@visithburg.org

VISITHBURG.ORG/INTERNATIONAL