Hattiesburg Getaway and Hotel Guide

A sultry southern town with so many historic houses that you might actually hear the rustle of taffeta as you stroll tree-lined streets, and it’s close enough to the Gulf Coast for upscale entertainment options or bikini clad belles --- that’s Hattiesburg.

Recently this small city, nestled into the fork of the Leaf and Bouie Rivers in the center of south Mississippi's rolling piney woods, has attracted a lot of national attention as one of the best places to retire. The most recent edition of Where to Retire: America's Best and Most Affordable Places, lists Hattiesburg among the 150 American cities affording the best retirement atmosphere and amenities. A 1997 New York Times front-page piece on retirement highlighted Hattiesburg’s quality of life, cultural opportunities, and state-of-the art medical facilities.

Hattiesburg has a lot to offer the young-at-heart retiree, but it is also a great place to be when you're young. The University of Southern Mississippi, William Carey College, and Camp Shelby provide a youth accent and feed nightlife offerings worthy of a town twice the size of “Hub City.” Hattiesburg is nicknamed “Hub City” because of its prime location at the intersections of Interstate 59 and U.S. Highways 49, 98 and 11. Hattiesburg is less than 100 miles from the state capital of Jackson, as well as the Gulf Coast, New Orleans and Mobile, making it a perfect overnight en route to business or pleasure.

With unemployment consistently lower than the national average and an increasing number of businesses seeking sunny climates, a business trip to Hattiesburg may be in your future. Of course, USM fans have always descended on the town for football season. Hattiesburg has another selling point --- while N’awlins is a great day trip destination for denizens of this piney woods refuge, Hattiesburg is a great weekend respite for folks from The Big Easy who want to be far from the maddening crowds but used to room service. Regionally, Hattiesburg is a great romantic getaway whose charms are one of the South’s best-kept secrets.

For folks unaccustomed to warm winters, Hattiesburg’s year-round potential for shortsleeve days is a delight. While some times a few flakes of snow fall it is more often the case that you’ll see locals walking around in t-shirts and shorts year round. Of course this makes Hattiesburg a great golf destination; it boasts 12 year-round usable courses within a 30-mile radius. A good location for golfers is the Hattiesburg Holiday Inn on 49 and I-59; it’s close to several courses and offers free airport shuttle service as well as a breakfast buffet on site. The Holiday Inn also has a lounge where you can enjoy a post-play drink and in-room modem lines. Fishing, hiking, canoeing, and paddle boating are also available most of the year. The 21-acre zoo and the all American rose garden are year-round delights with no admission charges attached --- bloom season in the rose garden runs from late spring through midsummer.

If you have a hankering for down-home country cooking, Hattiesburg can satisfy your craving for cornbread and big portions. Lunch time (or anytime for folks with smaller appetites) visitors to Hattiesburg will find a cluster of locally owned, independently operated sandwich shops and delis downtown on Main Street and on Hardy Street. Hattiesburg’s proximity to the Gulf Coast creates a number of good seafood choices in the city.

If you enjoy browsing through the history, you’ll want to budget a bit for shopping in several of the local antique shops during your stay in southern Mississippi. You'll find some of them scattered on Main Street, in addition to the Antique Mall on West Pine Street.

Hattiesburg also has a thriving local music scene --- it is, after all, a college town. However, the venues and acts change so frequently that it's best to check with your hotel desk clerk upon arrival if you want to know about local nightlife.

Hattiesburg’s location and recent “discovery” as a retirement community, in combination with the nearby university, all add up to a need for advance hotel booking. Hattiesburg has no shortage of sunny days, interesting restaurants, and outdoor activities, but Hattiesburg hotel construction has lagged behind the needs of travelers. If you are going to this Mississippi marvel, you’ll need to pre-book to avoid having to drive through town without stopping.

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