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 air

The Laurel-Hattiesburg Regional Airport (PIB  ^IATA) is served by American Airlines with connections to Dallas, TX and Meridian, MS. Silver Airways discontinued its Atlanta flight in early 2015.

The closest full service airports are in Gulfport (about 1 hour 20 mins on US-49), Jackson (about 1-1/2 hours on US-49), Mobile (about 2 hours on US-98), and New Orleans (about 1 hour 45 mins 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 between New York and New Orleans. 1 Hattiesburg station is at 308 Newman St, located just south-west of downtown.

Get around

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

By bus

Hub City Transit provides four fixed bus routes in the downtown area around the Amtrak station. Buses run every hour between 6:00 AM and 6:30 PM. 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.

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. 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 ZooCorner of Hardy St. and 17th Ave. +1 601 545-4576. Small entrance fee. A small zoo that is home to llamas, monkeys, tigers and prairie dogs. A miniature railroad circles the zoo.

• Degrummond Children's Literature Museum. Mon-Fri 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. (updated Apr 2015)

Eat

• Chesterfield's, Temporarily closed, +1 601 582-2778. Seafood, steaks, etc. Fresh Gulf seafood is excellent, especially the tuna or amberjack with crab and shrimp topping Moderate prices. Live entertainment.

• 1 Leatha's Bar-B-Que Inn, 6374 US Highway 98, ☏ +1 601 271-6003. Tu-Sa 11AM-9PM. 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. (updated Mar 2016)

• 2 Crescent City Grill, 3810 Hardy St, ☏ +1 601 264-0656. Sun-Thurs. 11AM-10PM, Fri & Sat 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. (updated Mar 2016)

• 3 Jutamas Thai Restaurant, 910 Timothy Ln, ☏ +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. (updated Mar 2016)

• 4 McAlister's Deli, 2300 Hardy Street. 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. (updated Mar 2016)

• Donanelle's 49 South donanelles.com Steaks,Ribs,and Yellow-Fin Tuna.Great Atmosphere.

• 5 Mugshot's Grill and Bar, 204 N 40th Ave, ☏ +1 601-271-2299. Voted best burger in Mississippi. (updated Mar 2016)

• 6 Bianchi's Pizzeria, 128 East Front Street, ☏ +1 601 450-1263. Great locally owned pizzeria. Great food in historic downtown Hattiesburg. Try the Spataro pizza.* (updated Mar 2016)

Drink

• 1 Keg & Barrel, 1315 Hardy St, ☏ +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. 

• 2 Thirsty Hippo, 309 Mcleod St, ☏ +1 601-583-9188. Small bar downtown with a wide variety of live music and a nice courtyard in the back. 

Sleep

• Best Western Northgate Inn, ☏ +1 601 268-8816, fax: +1 601 268-8816. 6757 Highway 49. 

• Fairfield Inn Hattiesburg, 173 Thornhill Drive, ☏ +1 601 296-7777, fax: +1 601 296-7777. 

• Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 10 Gateway Drive, ☏ +1 601 296-0302. 

• Motel 6 Hattiesburg-Univ of Southern MS, 6508 US Highway 49, ☏ +1 601 544-6096, fax: +1 601 582-7743. 

Go next

Routes through Hattiesburg

New Orleans ← Picayune ←	W  E	→ Meridian → Atlanta
Birmingham ← Meridian ←	N  S	→ Picayune → New Orleans
Jackson ← Collins ←	N  S	→ Wiggins → Gulfport
Natchez ← McComb ←	W  E	→ Mobile → Pensacola