Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Hattiesburg (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Hattiesburg Zoo, and Eureka School. Also, be sure to include African American Military History Museum in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Hattiesburg (Mississippi).
Table of Contents
Mississippi Armed Forces Museum
Museum in Forrest County, Mississippi. The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum is located at Camp Shelby, approximately 12 miles south of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Armed Forces Museum serves as the military history museum for the State of Mississippi. It is a member of the Army Museum System.[1]
Address: 1001 Lee AVE W, 39407-0001 Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg Zoo
Park-set zoo with animals and attractions. The Hattiesburg Zoo is a small 12-acre zoo located within Kamper Park in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. The zoo is operated by the Hattiesburg Convention Commission. As of 2019, the Commission's executive director was Rick Taylor.[2]
Address: 107 S 17th Ave, 39401-6128 Hattiesburg
Eureka School
Building in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Eureka School, located at 412 East 6th Street in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was constructed in 1921 as a public school for African Americans. The school was the first brick school building for black students to be built in Mississippi. The former school building, which now houses a civil rights museum, was designated a Mississippi Landmark in 2005.[3]
Address: 410 East 6th Street, Hattiesburg
African American Military History Museum
Museum in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The African American Military History Museum, also known as East Sixth Street USO Building, located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, opened to the public on May 23, 2009. The museum building was originally constructed in 1942 as a USO Club for African American soldiers who were stationed at Camp Shelby. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 and was designated a Mississippi Landmark in 2010.[4]
Address: 305 E 6th St, 39401-2029 Hattiesburg
First Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. First Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian congregation in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, founded in 1882 by Rev. A. B. Coit. It was the first church in the town and predated Hattiesburg's own incorporation by two years. In 1973 it left the Presbyterian Church in the United States to become a charter member of the more theologically conservative Presbyterian Church in America.[5]
Address: 4901 Hardy St, 39402-1327 Hattiesburg
Pep's Point Water Park & Adventures
Watersports, Theme park, Water park, Swimming, Amusement park
Address: 382 Peps Point Rd, 39401-9712 Hattiesburg
McCain Library and Archives
University library in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The McCain Library and Archives is the chief reserve library for The University of Southern Mississippi. It houses the items in Southern Mississippi's possession that are not available for checkout. Besides being the archives, the building also houses the office of the President Emeritus, and the universities audio visual department. The Archives also house the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection, one of the largest collections of children's literature in the world.[6]
Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building
Building. The Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building is the most prominent building on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. It is named after one of the universities more popular and longest serving Presidents, Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas. The Administration building houses many various offices most importantly the Office of the President.
The building was completed in 1930.[7]
Beverly Drive-In Theatre
Theatre in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Beverly Drive-In Theatre was constructed in 1948 as a cinema structure in Forrest County, Mississippi. The main screen measured 105 feet by 75 feet, and the theatre contained a paved parking area for 500 cars. The back of the screen tower held a display of neon lights that denoted the Beverly logo with a moon and shooting stars. The original owners built their family home beneath the main screen.
In 2007, the Mississippi Heritage Trust listed the Beverly Drive-In as one of the ten most endangered historic places in Mississippi. The theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 30, 2008.
The theatre operated from 1948 through 1987, and periodically for special events, into 2005, when Hurricane Katrina caused significant damage to the screen and buildings. In 2005, it was the oldest drive-in theatre still operating in Mississippi.
The Beverly Drive-In Theatre burned to the ground on October 30, 2010.[8]
Walthall School
Walthall School, also known as Court Street School, is located at 601 Court Street in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It was utilized as a public school building from 1902 until 1987. The building is a contributing property to the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood District, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The building was designated a Mississippi Landmark in 1988.[9]
University of Southern Mississippi
University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The University of Southern Mississippi is a public research university with its main campus in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
Founded on March 30, 1910, the university is a dual campus institution, with the main campus located in Hattiesburg and the other large campus, Gulf Park, in Long Beach. It has five additional teaching and research sites, including the John C. Stennis Space Center and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL).
Originally called the Mississippi Southerners, the Southern Miss athletic teams became the Golden Eagles in 1972. The school's colors, black and gold, were selected by a student body vote shortly after the school was founded. While mascots, names, customs, and the campus have changed, the black and gold colors have remained constant. USM's 17 sport programs participate in NCAA Division I athletics, mainly as members of Conference USA.[10]
Address: 118 College Dr Ste 5067, Hattiesburg