I've written about this before in my previous blogs, but it was never very concise, plus there are new things to do since those posts, and eateries that are no longer around (which I am sad about). Considering that my hometown (& still current residence) is expanding and more people are finding their way to and through it, you might find yourself in this neck of the woods and wondering what to do. Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Located in the southern part of the state, on HWY 59 (between New Orleans, LA and Birmingham, AL) and HWY 49 (between Jackson, MS and Gulfport, MS). It was settled as a lumber camp in the latter part of the nineteenth century and chiefly founded by a Captain William Harris Hardy. The main thoroughfaire through town, Hardy Street, still bears his name. He named the town Hattiesburg, after his wife Hattie. If you translate the burg portion, you're in Hattie's Castle. We're the only Hattiesburg in the entire world. The town is known as The Hub City from the heyday of the railway system. We were a centralized location to other areas and only about a two hour trip to the big cities of Natchez, Gulfport, and Jackson in Mississippi, New Orleans in Louisiana and Mobile in Alabama. We still call ourself The Hub City though the rail line is practically dead (even though the state gave funding some ten or so years ago to completely re-establish the crumbling depot - there is still a waiting/ticket office, though can you even get on the train now?, the main portion of the building is used to host events). We're also known as The Birth Place of Rock and Roll. Nobody said this of us, we just started saying it of ourselves. It's because the Graves Brothers; Blind Roosevelt and Uaroy recorded some tunes here in the thirties, with the songs having, apparently, the first hints of actual rock and roll? We're also now known as Hattiesburgers as in Hamburgers, because there was a vote and all the young hipster kids like the idea of being hamburgers. No seriously, there were T-shirts made at a now defunct downtown business before this vote with a glasses wearing hamburger that read 'Hattiesburger' and all the young people just loved it! I believe there was a male version with a moustache. I actually detest the name, so you'll only here me referring to us as Hattiesburgians (or possibly Hattiesburgonians, because that was listed as an option when voting and I liked it, but the former is what was always used). We are most known as the home of the institution of higher learning, The University of Southern Mississippi or you might know it as USM or Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles. If you're into college sports at all. Brett Favre used to play for the football team before becoming a pro. He actually lives about ten miles west of me on HWY 98 towards Natchez. I don't care two flips about Brett Favre, but I'm not against telling people where he lives. You pass up the small community of Bellevue and on the left you'll see a wall and lights for like miles. That's his big estate. Not sports, but celebrity related, character actor Gary Grubbs calls this town home now. You might see him out and about. I have on about three separate occasions. I think that's enough statistical information, so what can you actually do in this town? Not a lot, but there are things, if you happen to find yourself here. Hattiesburg Visitors Center [Five Convention Center Plaza - Off I-59, Exit 67] You'll probably first want to stop here. Those directions might be helpful with a GPS, but I don't find it at all accommodating, so I'll help. It's right off the highway (south) at the junction where HWY 59 crosses over HWY 49. If you are on HWY 59 you'll take exit 67A. If you are on HWY 49 heading south, you'll turn left at the red light for Campbell Loop and Convention Center Plaza (there is a petrol station and Krystals on the right & that's the road to take to get to Cracker Barrel). If you're headed HWY 49 North, you'll want the far right lane before coming to the overpass and the directional signs for Laurel and New Orleans. What you'll see however are three huge flagpoles with the flag of the United States (in triplicate!) and a small lake and a huge ginormous building set back away from the highway. That's the convention center and you don't want that, but once you turn on this road (Convention Center Plaza) you'll follow the sign for Visitors Center which is to the left. It's large, but minuscule compared to the convention center. OK, so here you'll find all sorts of pertinent travel information on some things to do and see in town and mainly places to stay as well as other cities of interest (like New Orleans or the Mississippi Gulf Coast or Mobile). There's also Hattiesburg merchandise. But they'll give you a map of the city and that will come in handy. Hours: Monday - Friday | 9am - 5pm This is the big flag thing I was talking about, the three American flags in triplicate. This is the side of the highway you'll want to be on, as the Visitors Center is located behind this. AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY & CIVIL RIGHTSSince we're in February and this is African American History Month, we'll start there. African American Military History Museum [305 E. 6th Street] There are directional signs on Hardy Street and HWY 49 for this museum and you can probably GPS it, but again, I'll help. Take Hardy Street going south near the end you'll come to a three way red light at the crossing of Pine Street and Hardy Street. Follow straight and Hardy turns into Front Street. Follow this through two red lights and at the stop sign, you'll take a left onto Mobile Street. (sign post might say Market - but that's towards the right). You'll go through two red lights and one stop sign. On the left will be your turn for E. 6th Street. It's a dead end and the only thing (open) there is the museum. This is former, segregated, USO for African Americans dating back to 1942. All of the exhibits, as one can guess, are military and are only the history of African Americans. They glance over early wars, but really start at The Great War (WWI) through present day. There are even special notes on firsts and residents of Hattiesburg or the surrounding areas. They have events and exhibit openings all through the year. Currently, the exhibit that just opened for Black History Month* is Transportation in the Military: African Americans on the Move. *Last year there was a lecture which I attended at this museum entitled Double Victory: African Americans in the Military with Dr. Krewasky Salter, Military Subject Matter expert for the Smithsonian National Museum for African American History and Culture. He made a comment that he wasn't used to it still be referred to as Black History Month, since most people have been calling it African American for a while now, but that that's OK. The reason it was OK was because this museum is primarily maintained and run by black people and the predominant members of the board are also black. In Mississippi, unlike most areas of the nation, the majority of black people do not mind being called black. The people running this museum like titling everything Black History Month, as opposed to African American, which is why Dr. Salter said it was OK, because they have the right to choose what to call themselves or the month dedicated to their history. If the museum was run by white people he might not have said it was OK. Admission: Free (donations accepted). $1/per person charge for guided tours. Hours: Wednesday - Friday 10am - 4pm | Saturday 12pm - 4pm Historic Eureka School Museum [409 E. 7th Street] I'm pretty certain the address is wrong, but it's the only one given online. It is on E 6th you'll pass it right before you get to the museum. It is not open yet, however it's finally been fully restored. I'm not sure when it will open, but I'm excited for it. You can still stop and see it and there is also a Blues Trail Marker here; The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll which is located near the parking lot at the edge of the building towards the right (the lower part, the former cafeteria - closer to Mobile Street than New Orleans Street). 1964 Freedom Summer Driving & Audio Tour [1101 Dewey Street] Marker #1 starts at True Light Baptist Church at 1101 Dewey Street and the full tour map can be found here. From either the School or the USO, you'll want to turn left (north) onto either New Orleans or Atlanta Street then a left onto E 9th Street. Then a right onto Dewey and after two blocks it's on/near the corner of Dewey and Lula Streets. If you are not familiar with Freedom Summer 1964, you'll probably want to research that and definitely take this driving tour. To sum up, though African Americans had the right to vote in 1964 (and prior), there was extreme voter suppression by whites. Churches and members of various Civil Rights groups here in the state asked for help, so people came down in busloads to help black Mississippians register to vote, actually vote, set up places of knowledge and information (known as Freedom Schools). There were also marches, sit in's and protests during this time as well as violence towards the black communities and by people who came to help be they white or black, southern or non-southern or of the religions of Judaism, Catholicism, or Protestantism. Freedom Summer happened all over the state and this driving tour centers on the events pertaining to Hattiesburg. Notes: A brochure with the information and map might still be obtained at the Visitors Center, as that is where I received mine. Marker #9 Vernon Dahmer Memorial at the Courthouse is technically there (a small sign like what is pictured on the site), but the memorial will include a historical marker like that for Clyde Kennard at Marker #16 Kennard-Washington Hall, as well as a statue of the murdered Civil Rights activist which should be installed sometime later this year. HISTORICAL & CULTURALThere are quite a few things to see in this category. I've even included my own, personal driving tour for y'all, if you're so inclined. Hattiesburg Area Historical Society [723 Main Street] This is a very small museum, but I believe that it is well worth visiting. It is located through those lower doors; on the left is the archives and a volunteer who will guide you around the museum or answer questions, and to the right is the museum. The main woman who runs it knows a lot about the history of the town and the architecture, so her knowledge on the subject is also worth the visit. Admission: Free Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday | 2pm - 4:30pm (or by appointment) Historic Downtown Walking Tour Admission: $15/per person (4 person group minimum) - book tours at Hattiesburg Visitors Center Hours: 9am - 3pm Sarah's Historic Downtown Driving Tour This isn't really a thing, as in there's no information or brochure, etc. But if you'd just like to drive around and look at pretty buildings and not pay for a history tour, here are some places to go. Sarah's Historic Downtown Driving Tour This isn't really a thing, as in there's no information or brochure, etc. But if you'd just like to drive around and look at pretty buildings and not pay for a history tour, here are some places to go. Fancy map, eh? Don't worry, I'll break it down, and it'll take you about 5 - 10 minutes with no stops. About an hour if you feel like stopping at all of the destinations. 01. Hattiesburg Public Library [329 Hardy Street] I suggest starting here as it's on the very outskirts of downtown proper and all the pretty buildings you'll want to see. Go inside, through the vestibule, into the very center of the library (the circulation desk). Above you'll see The Spirit That Builds Mural, which is basically the story of Hattiesburg. You'll want to go to the second floor, and you can walk the entire area to see the mural. You can take the stairs (across the opening), or you can take the elevator; just before reaching the circulation desk, go right to gain the elevator. Once off the elevator, go left towards the mural and then immediately turn left when you are able; this is The Mississippi Room. The entrance to it is cool, as well as inside. I have yet to do so, but I'm told that you can ask someone at the circulation desk for access to the tower inside The Mississippi Room (which will give you a 365 degree view of downtown Hattiesburg. 01A. Downtown Loop From the library, turn right (east) onto Hardy Street and follow it. You'll come to a red light where roads converge in a triangle. The meeting of Pine and Hardy Streets (Hardy will become Front Street after you go through the red light). You'll want to follow Front Street down, crossing over Main Street, then turn left on Mobile, then turn left onto Pine (it's a big rectangle). You'll want to follow it back to it's start at that road meeting at the beginning. Here are the places to take notice. 02. The Hattiesburg War Memorial [399 W Pine Street] Honours the residents of Hattiesburg who lost their lives from The Great War (WWI) through to Vietnam. There is a nice, though small, green space and fountain. (You'll pass it up and take an immediate right onto Ronie Street to access parking.) You'll get back on to E. Front Street and continue on past City Hall to the red light there. You'll see the historic Saenger Theatre on the left. Wait and you can stop and see this when you finish the short loop. 03. The American Building [207 E. Front Street] Built in 1907 as a hotel, it is also known as The Ross Building formally (The American Building is an informal title). This is where the original, lighted Hub City Sign, was placed (if you visit the Hattiesburg Area Historic Museum, you'll learn about this). Just up the street, westward, to the next building, Oddfellow's Gallery, there is a Little Free Library there. From here you'll advance to the stop sign and take a left onto Mobile Street. At the next stop sign, take a right onto Pine Street. 04. Hattiesburg Post Office [115 W Pine Street] There are two post offices in Hattiesburg with this being the main, downtown one. It was built in the 1920s and is one of the most beautiful post offices you might find yourself in, at least here in the states. I suggest going inside to look around. Take notice of the PO Boxes, the ceiling and the light fixtures inside (and out). The steps leading inside are of pink granite. You can either park directly in front of the post office (metered parking for up to 30 minutes). You may also park along the road in desginated spots after the red light, or if you feel like doing a loop-de-loo, you can turn left at the red light and park in a designated spot on the street there (from there you'd just take a right at the light onto E Front, and can take another right onto N. Main, and another right back onto W Pine). 05. Forrest Tower [South-east corner of Forrest and Pine Streets] This tan and white towering building with stone eagles on the corner, was a hotel once. It was just recently a bank complex, but it has been sold. It's just a magnificent building and worth more of a look than a mere drive by. 06. First Hattiesburg Post Office [South-west corner of Forrest and Pine Streets] This is now the Court Administrative building, but was built as a post office, and was the first, proper, post office in the town. It's really beautiful, and again, deserves more than a drive by. 07. Saenger Theatre [201 Forrest Street] This is a gorgeous old theatre, just prior to films, built in the 1920s. It's fancy for some original pipe organ too, one that's rather rare, that was installed when the building was first built. They're generally open and allow you to wander to see the interior. I suggest doing this. If you cross Forrest Street and go in front of City Hall (on Front Street), you'll gain a small park with a great dandelion shaped water fountain and a Little Free Library. From here you'll return to your car and onto a different portion of the Historic Driving Tour. You'll leave the post office and drive on W Pine Street until the 4th red light; 2nd Avenue/Southern Avenue. You'll turn left at this red light and 2nd Avenue will turn into Southern. 08. The Oaks District There are nice historic homes here that I've circled in green. You can do a walking tour (you could park at the parking lot on the corner of Walnut and Southern Streets, but unless you have a good two hours, I would suggest just driving it. Hall Street is your limit to the south and you mainly want to travel Elizabeth, Rebecca, Walnut, Southern, Court, and Bay. If you take Rebecca to Bay, then you could drive north on Bay towards Town Square Park as there are several nice historic homes on Bay. Note: (Avoid The Oaks District of this tour during the hours of 7am - 8:30 am and also 2pm - 3pm, or else you'll get stuck behind a kerfuffle of parents dropping kids off/picking kids up from Sacred Heart Schools (corner of 2nd/Southern Avenue and Pine Street - also corner of Walnut and Southern. Cars backed up for days.) After touring The Oaks District, on the map, I've plotted it as take Southern to the red light at Bay Street. Cross over Bay and take a left on Williams Street, then another left onto E Laurel Avenue, which will turn into Short Bay Street. 09. Short Bay District There's the historic Presbyterian Church here, and then nice historic homes on either side of Short Bay, which is not a long street. At the end, across the street you'll see two other lovely historic homes. Take a left onto River Avenue. At the stop sign keep going straight and you can park to the left. 10. Historic Train Depot If there isn't an event going on, the major portion of the depot will not be open, but you can wander around as it's pretty nice and if you're into trains, this is a good stop. The actual ticket office, though small, is always open during the day, so you could pop in and take a look if you wish. There is a Little Free Library located here. Take Newman Street west towards Mobile and a left on Mobile. At the stop sign, take a right on Buschman Street. At the red light, cross through it and Town Square Park will be on your left. 11. Town Square Park It's a nice green space if you just want to get out and walk around, let the dogs run around, or the kids. There's also a Little Free Library located here. Travel Buschman Street west (away from red light. At the stop sign, turn right and backwards going now on Walnut Street East. This area isn't primarily historic, but it is kind of cute. Once you reach Main Street, take a left going north. 11A. Main Street Everyone loves a Main Street, right? Well, this is ours. Or mostly. From the left turn from Walnut that you just took to The Cultural Center are the best buildings to see. There's the Kress Building at the corner of Main and Front, an old bank front near Pine Street, You'll see the Court House, and a really pretty Masonic Temple; a pretty Methodist Church, great mid-century industrial at the Federal Building, The historic McCleod House before ending up at The Cultural Center (Hattiesburg Area Historical Society Museum). 12. Hattiesburg Cultural Center I've already touched on this with the small Hattiesburg Museum, but located upstairs is the Hattiesburg Arts Council and throughout the year they have various events and art shows, but I'll touch on this in the Arts section. This also was the first library in Hattiesburg and the building dates back to the 1920s. Turn right at the red light onto Jackson Street to access the parking lot. You can enter through the rear of the building. From the parking lot take a right onto Jackson Street and go through that red light. You'll hit a stop sign and go through that. I like alley ways, so you'll cross a bridge and a two-tone green building on your right. On your left is Tennessee Street (really an alley way), take that. You can either enter back into the parking lot of the library where the sign says "Book Drop" or if you go straight, you'll turn left onto Green Street to catch the red light onto Hardy Street. That is the end of Sarah's Historic Hattiesburg Driving Tour. It was a little Squirrely-do, but I really did take you the most direct route (and avoiding traffic lines), and you got to see all the major things in downtown. I hope you enjoyed the tour. Historic Bonhomie Lumber Camp [178 Bonhomie Road] This is the site of the Lumber Tatum Company from the beginnings of Hattiesburg. The Lumber Camp was it's own town named Bonhomie. Now it's the Molpus Woodlands Management, but you are allowed to go here and wander around looking at the historic buildings and reading the historic signs that are about. There's even a short jaunt into the woods with more historic signs. You just can't enter inside the buildings as they're used by this company and people are working. From downtown, just take W Pine Street. It will turn into Broadway Drive. Follow this until the Cloverleaf highway interchange. You'll want HWY 49 South. Take a right on W.S.F. Tatum Blvd, then at the red light a left onto Bonhomie Road. You'll see the sign for this business as well as the green historical marker on the left. Admission: Free Hours: I'll have to drive over there and look at their sign Meador Homestead [6775 US Hwy 49] I've never been here and I've never heard of it until four days ago. We can vote on people and places for Best of the Pine Belt and Meador Homestead was listed in the category for Best Bed & Breakfast, and a Dean Meador Smith was listed as Best Local Author. Of course I investigated. It's a primitive cabin homestead from 1885. It's like five minutes from my house and what? Of course, I mapped it, and dropped myself to street level. That's looking south on HWY 49 before the onramp for HWY 59. I'm thinking that unmarked dirt road is where you turn, as there is no other road on the highway. I'm going to have to go out there soon and check it out, but even so, you should go check it out. I'm sure she's not displeased with people coming to see the homestead even if they don't actually stay at her B&B. Mississippi Armed Forces Museum [Building 850, Forrest Avenue West, Camp Shelby, Mississippi] This is just about 10 minutes south of Hattiesburg on HWY 49 (towards Gulfport). It's a really great military museum, if you're interested in that sort of thing. [Note: This is still considered Hattiesburg, but since it's a military center and not in the town proper, it's just referred to as Camp Shelby.] Admission: Free Hours: Tuesday - Saturday | 9am - 4pm Note: Gaining access to Camp Shelby, which is an active military training center, as per the website.
ARTSListed here are several art galleries showcasing local and statewide artists, as well as art venues that have events throughout the year, and an arts festival. Hattiesburg Arts Council [723 Main Street] This is a gallery space in the second level of the Hattiesburg Cultural Center. They have various exhibits and events; both free and paid, throughout the year. Check the events calendar (link supplied) or their home page. Admission: Varies Hours: Varies Oddfellows Gallery [119 E Front Street] An art gallery in a historic downtown building (once home to a synagogue) that showcases local artists and artworks. Admission: Free Hours: Thursday - Saturday | 11am - 5pm Sarah Gillespie Museum of Art [498 Tuscan Avenue] Art gallery showcasing Mississippi Artists on the campus of William Carey University. Admission: Free? Hours: Monday - Friday | 1pm - 4pm USM Museum of Art [118 College Drive, USM Campus, Fine Arts Building] If you take the main entrance into USM (from Hardy Street), you'll advance to the Visitor Booth (you will need to stop and check in for a temporary parking pass), then take a left and the first building you see on the left is the Fine Arts Building as is where the museum is located. Admission: Free Hours: Monday - Friday | 10am - 5pm Downtown Art Walk [Main Street] This is a bi-yearly mini festival, with artist vendors set up in the road, gallery doors open, performance artists on the streets, special art events, food vendors, and live music. There is usually one in the spring and one in the autumn/early winter. They're not very good about getting the word out about this and I'm having trouble accessing any website for the Historic Downtown Association, but their Facebook page (which I've linked to above) gives events. The Spring Art Walk is scheduled for Saturday, April 6th | 12pm - 4pm Admission: Free HubFest [Main Street] This is a yearly spring festival handicrafts, food, and music. Unlike The Art Walk which is centered around fine arts and fine handicrafts (like pottery and wooden bowls), HubFest has arts and crafts handicrafts and information booths doling out free stuff mostly. There is some art, and some people selling flower bulbs, and things pertaining to local business, but overall it's merely a festival; a large one, but a festival. There's several stages of live music and tons of food and drink vendors. HubFest 2019: Saturday, March 30 | 9am - 5pm Admission: Free FestivalSouth [Hattiesburg] This is a multi-week, multi art genre festival held during the summer. This year it will be from 8 - 22 of June. When it's closer to the event, they'll update the calendar to reflect 2019. There are events for all ages and range from free to ticketed; genres include music, preforming, and visual arts. NATURE & OUTDOORSI really enjoy nature spaces and like to visit these from time to time, as well as knowing of such places when I travel. I've already touched on Veteran's Memorial Park, Town Square Park, and The Historic Bonhomie Lumber Camp; which are great nature spaces in and of themselves. Here are some others that I highly recommend. All-American Rose Garden [USM campus] This is a pretty expansive rose garden located just to the right of the main entrance. There's a bronze eagle statue and Lake Byron (it's the pond further on) and if you're already on the campus or want to see some roses, then this is the place to go. There's also a few other things listed on the website for visitors. [Note: Do not touch or pick the roses unless you want to get slapped with some heavy fines.] Medicine Wheel Garden [USM Campus - behind Liberal Arts Building] This garden was built by The Golden Eagles Intertribal Society back in 2005. It was one of the last things we did before the original group disbanded (the leader moved away, the students graduated), with a new leader and newer students taking over the group. The Garden is in the shape of a Medicine Wheel with the four directional points as the pathways in different colours. It's filled with native plants with healing properties. It's nice to go through and enjoy and it gotten better since the first one we laid down. Admission: Free Hours: Daylight (will probably need a temporary visitors pass for parking) OLLI Garden [3601 Pearl Street, USM, Peck House] OLLI stands for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and it is for seniors to continue to be active and learn. It is a members thing, but I feel certain that on non busy days it would be alright for you to tour the garden. I toured it and no one was upset. They have plants from lots of different places and a pond with water lilies. It's really nice and serene. The Longleaf Trace [2895 W 4th Street] This is a walking and cycling trail that was converted from the old railroad line (yes, it used to be railroad tracks with a train on it) that runs from Hattiesburg to Prentiss, Mississippi, covering a distance of 40 miles. Though it runs to downtown, they have the starting point gateway at USM. It should have a sign, but you'll enter the parking lot to the east of Century Park North (USM dorms). Head to the very back (northern end) of the parking lot to gain access to the trail. I find that the portion of the trail west of HWY 59 in Lamar County is nicer, more woodsy. However, there is NO leash law in Lamar County, so you might very well encounter dogs chasing after you, some might bite. So you might do best on the Forrest County side (east of HWY 59), which is where the USM gateway is located. Heading west from this starting point, after about 1 mile you'll reach a tunnel at 38th Avenue. Once on the other side there is an access point to reach the street above. From here you can grab a snow cone (it's now changed hands so I can't tell you if it's good or not) or cross the street (W 4th Street) to enjoy some St. Louis Style BBQ at Strick's BBQ. Seasonally they also have boiled crawfish. (I'll talk more about this in the food section). Admission: Free Hours: Daylight Bicycle Rentals: 2 hours $15 - $20 | 4 hours $20 - $35 | All Day $30 - $50 Hattiesburg Zoo [107 S 17th Avenue] Our local zoo, though small, is rather a nice zoo; much nicer (for humans and animals) that it was in my youth and before. They have a train ride around the zoo, a high ropes course, and special events all through the year. There is even a Sloth Encounter, where you can hold one of our sloths, Chewy or Mo; an African Petting Zoo, & the Australian Walk-About where you can enter the enclosure that houses Kune-Kune Pigs, Emu's, and Bennetts Wallabies. [Note: They also have a great sense of humor]. Admission: All $5 | Children (aged 2 and under) $2 In addition to admission: High Ropes Adventure Coarse: $6 - $13 (based by height/age/how high you can go) Mining Expedition: $5 - $20 Train Rides: $2 Carousel Rides: $2 Splash Pad: Free (Cabana rentals $15/hr) Sloth Experience: $65/per person Hours: Friday - Sunday | 10am - 4pm (winter hours - they have an extended week in the warmer months) Kamper Park & David H. Anthony Sr Fitness-Leisure Park [107 S 17th Avenue] These are both located with the Hattiesburg Zoo. Kamper Park is just west of the zoo parking area, with a green space, two pavilions, picnic tables, grills, and a child's play area. Across a foot bridge from the play area is the Leisure and Fitness Park with green spaces, benches, and a sidewalk meandering through it; there are also tennis courts. I actually prefer the Leisure Park, personally. Admission: Free Hours: Dawn to Dusk Pep's Point Water Park [382 Peps Point Road] This water park features lake swimming, paddle boats and water slides. It's been around for awhile and it's small, but it does the job of being fun. Admission: Ages 5+ $15.00 (all activities) | $8.00 (swimming only) Ages 3-4 $7.50 | $4.00 Ages 2 & under $Free Hours: 10am - 6pm (swimming) | 11am - 5pm (water slides) Hattiesburg Farmer's Market [Town Square Park, 101 Buschman Street] Town Square Park is a nice, open green space. There's a little free library and some art installations. Every Thursday afternoon during the warmer months [March - October], you'll find the Hattiesburg Farmer's Market set up. There are local (& surrounding areas) fruit, vegetable, meat, and cheese venders. There's also people selling Blueberry lemonade, local honey, kettle popcorn made fresh in a huge drum kettle, and people selling herbs and plants for your garden, as well as other vendors who might not be there every week (handmade soaps, bread, baked goods, jewelry). There is also live music by local talent. Hours: Thursdays 3pm - 6pm Live @ Five & SummerTunes [Town Square Park, 101 Buschman Street] These are both free, live outdoor music events. Held on Fridays during the year, they are a nice way to start the weekend and showcase local musicians. There are also food and drink vendors. Admission: Free Hours: Live @ Five: Fridays in Spring & Autumn | 5pm - 9pm SummerTunes: 2nd & 4th Fridays in Summer | 7pm - 10pm Paul B. Johnson State Park [319 Geiger Lake Road] This state park is the only one in a two hour range. There is a lake with fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. There are grills, picnic areas and pavilions. There's also camping. It is located only about 10 or so miles south of Hattiesburg (near Camp Shelby) on HWY 49. Admission: $4.00/per car (6 people) | .50/person over 6 occupants Hours: Open all year Boat Launch (includes 1 fishing pass): Ages 16 - 64 $7.00 | Seniors/Disabled $6.00 Fishing Permits: Youth $Free | Ages 16 - 64 $5.00 | Seniors/Disabled $3.00 Disc Golf Rental: $3.00/ per disc-per day Cabin Rentals: $35 - $110/a night (add $10 during weekend) Cottage Rentals: $60 - $110/a night (add $10 during weekend) Primitive Camping: $15 Camping: Standard - Premium: $22 - $28 | Seniors 65+ $15 - $16 | Beachfront $45.00 Firewood: $7.00 Ice: $2.50 Linen Rental: $15/per set WELLNESSGreenhouse Yoga [208 S 25th Ave] This Yoga Studio in the Avenues offers everything from aromatherapy classes to mantra meditation, meditation, and various forms of yoga flows (power, slow flow, restorative, hot, runners, etc), as well as special event classes like chakra, crystals, meditations, sound baths, etc. [Note: Parking and main entrance in rear]. Recommendations: Aromatherapy, Yin, Free Flow, Healthy Aging Prices: Drop In $15 | Student $10 | Happy Hour $7 | 30 Day Intro $30 Hours: Sunday - Saturday | Varies depending upon class schedule EVENTSFEBRUARY27: Library Lecture - Six Women & the Black Experience in Hattiesburg: 1950 - 2018 [@ Hattiesburg Public Library] 5:30pm - 7pm MARCH02: Spring Downtown Street Market [@ The Lucky Rabbit] 8am - 5pm 23: Stop, Drop & Colour Run 5k benefit [@ USM Payne Center] $10 - $30 | 8am 26: USM Forum - Exploring The Borderland Between Fact & Fiction: The Future of the Planet (Climate Change & Environmental Protection [@ USM Bennett Auditorium] 6:30pm - 8:30pm APRIL13: Record Store Day [@ T-Bones Records] 7am - 8pm 16: USM Forum - Exploring The Borderland Between Fact & Fiction: Finding The Titanic & Other Tales of the Sea [@ USM Mannoni Performing Arts Center] 6:30pm - 8:30pm 27: Hattie Hundred Bike Ride fundraiser | $5 - $50 | 7am - 3pm 27: Downtown Crawfish Jam | $30 | 11am - 6pm MAYJUNEEATINGThere's a lot of good places to eat around town. Petra Cafe [6060 HWY 49 S] I've had Greek, Lebanese, and Afghani cuisine in other US cities. This place is delicious, though it has similarities to Afghani cuisine, it is mainly Greek and Lebanese. It's also the only authentic Greek (and not southern college town "Greek") or Middle Eastern restaurant in town. Recommendations: Fried Kibbeh, Fried Cheese (haloomi), Greek Salad, Hummus & Pita, Lebna, Traditional Gyro, Gyro Plate, Lamb Kebab, Lamb Shawarma, Oven Baked Kafta, Lebanese Iced Tea, Baklava. Price Range: $11 - $30 Hours: Monday - Thursday | 11am - 1am Friday & Saturday | 11am - 2am Sunday | 11am - 11pm Jutamas Thai Restaurant [910 Timothy Lane & 6156 HWY 98 W] I've had Thai food in various cities around the US and Jutamas is just as divine. I prefer dining at the original location (pictured), but the West Hattiesburg location is nice and pleasant in its own way. You decide. Recommendations: Fried Wontons, Tom Yum Gai soup, Chicken Phad Med Ma Moung, Chicken Phad Phak, Gai Yang, & Chicken Yellow Curry. Price Range: $11 - $30 Hours: Monday - Thursday | 11am - 2:30pm & 5pm - 9:30pm Friday | 11am - 2:30 & 5pm - 10pm Saturday | 11am - 10pm Sunday | 11:30am - 8:30pm Indian Delight [163 Turtle Creek Drive, Suite 10] This Indian restaurant is located in a strip mall on the western side of Turtle Creek Mall. It's the only Indian cuisine in town, but having had my fair share of it in various cities in the US, this place is delicious. They are open for lunch with a lunch buffet, and for dinner with menu items. Recommendations: Keema Samosas, Murg Ke Tikka, Paneer Pakore, Gosht (lamb) Korma, Naan Akbari, Galub Jamun. Price Range: $11 - $30 Hours: Monday & Wednesday - Saturday | 11am - 2:30 & 5pm - 10pm La Mexicana Taqueria [6333 HWY 49 N #40] I can really only recommend the chips here, and boy can I recommend them. They were bloody fantastic! Best things you'll ever put in your mouth. The other times we visited, nothing else was worth writing home about, but the chips, man, the chips. I dream about them. It's located in a strip mall just two minutes (if that) north of Hardy Street at USM. Recommendations: THE CHIPS!, Botana de Salsas (4 dips for the chips), or just go with the Queso or Pico as those were the best from the selections. Price Range: Under $10 Hours: 10am - 9pm Compadres Taqueria & Mexican Grill [1131 Hardy Street] This is located near downtown in an old Pizza Hut building. The taquitos are not on the menu except for lunch, but they'll make them for you. The Mexican Taco's are superb. We've tried several, but our favourite is Carnita's. In fact, we go so much, that we go in and can order 2 chicken taquitos, & 1 Mexican Taco (or vice versa, depending on what we're in the mood for), and with the chips & salsa, that runs us about $5 and it's a perfect meal. They have other locations, but we only visit this one. Recommendations: Chicken Taquitos Dorados, Carnita's Mexican Taco's, Chips & Salsa Price Range: Under $10 Hours: Sunday - Thursday | 11am - 9pm Friday & Saturday | 11am - 10pm The Mexican Kitchen [406 Classic Drive] This restaurant has been here (in other locations) since the 1970s. The current owners, The Garcia's, took over from the brother a few years after opening. It's saucy, it's traditional for their region, but people either love it or hate it. Recommendations: Chips and Salsa, Split Plate (2 tacos & 2 enchilada's) Price Range: $10 - $20 Hours: Tuesday - Thursday | 11am - 9pm Friday & Saturday | 11am - 9:30pm Leatha's Bar-B-Que Inn [6374 HWY 98 W] It's just known locally as Leatha's. The BBQ here is wet, meaning all the flavour is in the sauce. People are picky about BBQ, not generally liking both wet AND dry. We are those people that do, however, this is our first choice for BBQ, but as it's pricier than the other option in town, it's a special treat. However it's the place I'd recommend over any others. Hands down. Every time. Lunch is cheaper than dinner, and you can even get the 1/2 portion at lunch for an even cheaper price (& it will still fill you up!) Recommendations: Pork Ribs, Salad, Potatoes. Price Range: $11 - $30 Hours: Tuesday - Thursday | 11am - 8:30pm Friday & Saturday | 11am - 9pm Strick's Bar-B-Q [3802 W 4th Street] This BBQ is dry, meaning all the flavour is in the meat from the smoking process. They have sauce, but you decide to put it on or not while you're eating. They sell St. Louis Style BBQ as per their own admission. They also have a lunch buffet. Recommendations: Drumettes Platter or Pork Rib Platter, potato logs, fried okra, roll (with platter), Beef Brisket Sandwich (with au jus) with french fries, Sausage, Banana Pudding, Cake. Price Range: $11 - $30 Hours: Tuesday - Saturday | 11am - 8pm Tabella [3720 Hardy Street] This Italian restaurant is located in a strip mall (near Corner Market grocery store). It's been the only non chain Italian here for awhile. A new one just opened, but I haven't tried it, nor heard about anyone's experience there, so for now we're sticking with Tabella. The food is quite delicious. Recommendations: Focaccia Bread, Toasted Ravioli, Tabella House Salad, Calzone, Fettuccini Alfredo, Chicken Parmesan, Rosemary-Romano Potatoes, Spumoni, Tiramisu. Price Range: $11 - $30 Hours: Sunday - Thursday | 11am - 9pm Friday & Saturday | 11am - 10pm Mack's on the River [843 River Road] This is a seafood restaurant. The big ticket item is the All-You-Can-Eat buffet, but there are menu items as well. Most everything is fried, though there are steamed/boiled items as well like crab legs and shrimp. They also serve steak and chicken off the menu. They have another location out in West Hattiesburg, but this one is the original one dating from 1960, and you can go out back and watch the river and any wild life you see out there (like raccoons!!). Price Range: Menu items: $11 - $30 Buffet (Thurs - Sat) Adult $24.99 | Ages 3 - 12 $1 per year Buffet (Sunday) Adult $13.99 | Ages 3 - 12 $1 per year Hours: Thursday - Saturday | 4pm - 9pm Sunday | 11am - 2pm Gold Post Sandwich House [2210 Hardy Street] This place has been around since the early 1970s & is generally just referred to as Gold Post. It's not fancy or pretty, but the food is delicious. Recommendations: Big Gold Burger, french fries, gumbo Price Range: Under $10 Hours: Monday - Saturday | 9am - 9pm Dis & Dem [11 Lake Forgetful Road] This restaurant is fairly new and they serve gourmet hamburgers, hotdogs, french fries, and milk shakes. The owners are originally from New Orleans. They have large twinkle lights outside, which I like. They're located right off HWY 98 West, after Target, on the right. Price Range: $11 - $30 Hours: Sunday & Monday | 11am - 4pm Tuesday - Thursday | 11am - 9pm Friday & Saturday | 11am - 10pm Jody's Bakery [6058 HWY 49 S] This bakery has been around for almost 40 years. It's a good bakery, though there were two I would have recommended above this one, but they have since shuttered (one was a French Pâtisserie, the other used buttercream frosting). Recommendations: Frosted Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chews, Petite Fours, Cake Slices, Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich, Cupcakes. Price Range: Under $10 Hours: Monday - Friday | 7:30am - 6pm Saturday | 9am - 3pm Breadsmith [3705 Hardy Street #20] I try not to list chains and franchises, but there's no where else to get good bread in town. It's really good bread too, plus they sometimes have booths set up at the local festivals, so it's almost like they really are local. And their ingredients are just regular, traditional bread ingredients (& not a million different other things like extra sugars and junk). Recommendations: Anything French, Rosemary Country Bread, Honey Wheat, Honey White, Sourdough, Brioche. Price Range: Under $10 Hours: Monday - Friday | 7am - 6pm Saturday | 8am - 4pm Corner Market [3720 Hardy Street] This is a super market, but it is a locally owned one. Besides, they have a salad bar, a sushi bar, craft beer section, dispense your own treats (you know, put in a bag and label it and you decide if you get 1/4, 1/2, or a full pound) and delectable fancy cheeses section. This is why I'm directing you here mainly, incase like me, you love fancy cheeses. Recommendations: The fancy cheeses, French Bread, Poboy Bread, Roasted Okra Chips (in the dispense your own section). Price Range: $5 - $15 Hours: Sunday - Saturday | 7am - 10pm Twin Forks Wine + Provisions [408 Hemphill Street] This cheese shop is located downtown and while they sell individual cuts of cheese and meats, they also sell cheese plates that you can preorder and pick up. [Note: Mississippi law does not allow wine to be sold in the same building as food [non restaurant], so you'll see separate entrance here for the wine side of the business, as well as the fact that at Corner Market you can look into the wine store, but have to exit the super market and enter via a different door. It's illogical, but now you know.] Recommendations: Cheese Plate, any individual cheese/s of your choice, Jamón. Price Range: $3 - $45 Hours: Monday - Saturday | 10am - 6:30pm These places I have not been to yet, but I hear good things about.
Equinox Coffee [1901 Hardy Street] Price Range: Under $10 Hours: Monday - Thursday | 6am - 8pm Friday | 6am - 9pm Saturday & Sunday | 7am - 9pm Southern Prohibition Brewery [301 Mobile Street] Price Range: Under $10 Hours: Wednesday - Friday | 5pm - 10pm Saturday | 12pm - 10pm [tours available 1pm - 5pm | $5 & includes four 4 oz pours]
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AuthorA girl from South Mississippi who finds herself in exploration. Archives
November 2019
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