When you visit Hattiesburg, you will find plenty of things to do. From art to museums, the city offers something for everyone. In addition, the area is known for its stately architecture and breathtaking natural spaces. Downtown Hattiesburg is full of public art, including murals. You’ll also find impressive sculpture displays.
Hattiesburg Zoo
If you are looking for a fun and exciting activity for your family, you should check out the Hattiesburg Zoo in Mississippi. This zoo is perfect for families with children, as it has a wide variety of animals and features a splash pad.
The Hattiesburg Zoo is located in Kamper Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It is a 12-acre zoo that opened in 1950. With over 55 species of animals and an array of fun attractions, the zoo is sure to provide hours of entertainment.
The zoo is divided into several regions. Visitors can get a closer look at the zebras and ostriches of Africa in the African Veldt exhibit. They can also see servals, Grant’s zebras, and eland.
Another fun attraction at the zoo is the High Ropes Adventure Course. Children can climb four stories and learn about the different animal species.
Paul B Johnson State Park
Paul B Johnson State Park is a beautiful lakeside retreat. It’s located in southern Mississippi, a few miles south of Hattiesburg. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including swimming and fishing. You can also enjoy a scenic hike through the De Soto National Forest.
The park is open year-round. However, you will want to book a spot in advance. During the summer months, the park can fill up quickly. You should book your campsite online at least two days in advance to avoid this.
There are also cabins, tents, and RV campsites available. Some sites are fully-equipped with electric and water hookups. In addition, several picnic tables are available for use.
The campground features 125 campsites. Located along the shore of Geiger Lake, the park offers a scenic setting for your camping experience.
Mississippi Armed Forces Museum
The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum honors the men and women of the United States Military. This facility at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has honored military servicemen and women since 1984.
This state-operated museum offers visitors an up-close look at the history of the military and the contributions of the Mississippians who serve. You’ll find more than 15,000 artifacts in this museum, including military equipment, memorabilia, and personal war stories.
One of the largest rooms in the museum is the World War II gallery. It commemorates the dedication of 237,000 enlisted men and women from Mississippi.
Aside from the hall of honor, the military museum has eight galleries. Each is themed to focus on a particular aspect of the U.S. Military’s role in the war on terror, disaster relief, and soldier training.
Hattiesburg Pocket Museum
The Hattiesburg Pocket Museum is a small but growing attraction in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It was created by the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, responsible for tourism and developing tourism-related facilities. To attract people to the downtown area, the commission decided to make a low-cost attraction to draw visitors.
The museum is located in the alley behind the historic Saenger Theater. It was initially a boarded-up storeroom, but the commission decided to open it up. There are four shelves in the display room, each 36 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Exhibits change regularly. Some of the last few shows have included miniature versions of people and a Swiss knife collection.
The museum is free to visit, and prizes are handed out for participating. Awards include gas cards, items from the museum’s exhibits, and mini lunch boxes from a Vintage School exhibit.
African American Military History Museum
The African American Military History Museum is located in the historic USO Club in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This museum features a rich collection of artifacts, photographs, and historical documents. It commemorates the achievements of African American soldiers throughout the history of the United States military.
The building was initially constructed in 1942 as a USO for African Americans. When it opened, it was the only USO designed explicitly for black soldiers in public use in the United States.
The museum also hosts events and educational programs. There are dozens of exhibits on display. These include stories of lesser-known heroes. They also document the accomplishments of African American soldiers in World War II and the post-Civil War era.
Visitors can take a guided tour of the museum. The presentations range from evocative reconstructions of wartime conditions to recorded first-person accounts.