Hattiesburg offers a variety of discoveries side by side: a long paved linear park, sites related to civil rights history, public art and a diverse dining scene. Deciding what you want to shape your trip is a useful first step—even before you look for hotels for your stay. The city maintains 29 parks, walking routes and recreational facilities for residents and visitors. The inventory may change.
Explore the outdoors: trails, parks and river trips
The Longleaf Trace is 44 miles long, paved and designed as a linear park for running, cycling, walking and horseback riding. An access point in Hattiesburg, near the University of Southern Mississippi, is its starting point. This puts specific options for a range of outdoor activities in the spotlight; the distance refers to the entire park, not to a stated walking or cycling time. As conditions on the route may change, check them before setting out.
Guided raft trips are another possible experience: during a stay in Hattiesburg, Pinebelt Blueways offers them on the Leaf River or Bouie River. Whether a trip goes ahead depends on availability and weather. Check both in advance if you would like to include this activity in your travel plans.
For a different way to explore, the HBURG Public Art Trail has more than 100 stops. You can explore it on foot, by bicycle or by car. Choosing how to get around sets this experience apart from a single, fixed activity; the number of stops may change. The Hattiesburg GeoTour adds more than 40 geocache locations to the options and was the first GeoTour of its kind in Mississippi. Its number of locations may also change.
Hear history and discover culture
The 1964 Freedom Summer Trail commemorates people who were involved in the civil rights movement in Hattiesburg in the 1960s. At each stop, you can listen to reflections from people who took part directly in Freedom Summer activities. The audio content may be updated. In this way, the trail connects the city’s history with the voices of those involved.
Another historical connection dates back to 1936: Blind Roosevelt and Uaroy Graves recorded music at a studio in downtown Hattiesburg that was later recognized as foundational to rock ’n’ roll. The African American Military History Museum offers educational programs and resources on history, art and STEM; its program offerings may change. Together, these topics offer different perspectives on history and culture without covering the same era or story.
Art, the rose garden and food
The All-American Rose Garden consists of 32 separate beds, each containing its own variety of rose. The specific plantings may change. The HBURG Public Art Trail, by contrast, features numerous art stops to explore in different ways. This makes it easy to distinguish between a garden with a clearly defined bed layout and a trail with many stops.
Hattiesburg’s dining scene ranges from fresh seafood and Cajun-inspired dishes to Southern classics, burgers and steaks, as well as food trucks, vegan fare and Thai cuisine. The Hattiesburger Trail includes more than 30 participating restaurants; a Hattiesburger Trail sign at the entrance identifies participating locations. The selection of restaurants may change. If food is an important part of your trip, this variety offers a different focus from the city’s trails and historic sites.
Plan your arrival and hotel search
Hattiesburg is accessible by Amtrak on the Crescent Line between New Orleans and New York. As train schedules may change, check your connection before traveling. Information about these experiences can help you choose the focus of your trip; it does not make any claims about the amenities or availability of individual hotels.
For the broader travel overview: Forrest County.
