I wish YELP had a catagory for Sights to See or Local Attractions. I travel a lot and try to find…read morelocal flavor, or "what sets one town apart from any other." When I first went to Meridian, Mississippi I found they had the fantastic Dentzel Carousel, and beautifully painted life-sized carousel horses which were scattered around town as a fundraising venture for "Hope Village" for children. Tracking down the carousel horses made for a fantastic adventure. This adventure started a trend for me. Now I look for this same type of art project in all of the towns I travel to. Here in Hattiesburg I found Swans. You can learn more about the area by checking out http://www.dalejtravis.com/interest/large/animal/htm/swan002.htm or http://mississippimedicalnews.com/forrest-general-ushers-2007-festival-of-swans-to-pine-belt-cms-873 * If you're looking for really great Southern Home Cooking while in Hattiesburg You have GOT to TRY "Leatha's Bar B Que Inn" at 6374 US Hwy 98. - - - So far I have found a lot of unique things in my travels. In Mississippi : Hattiesburg - Swans Biloxi - tree sculptures Madison - Carousel Horses - - - In Texas : Abilene - Iron Sculptures Amarillo - Quarter Horses Austin - Guitars Corpus Christi - Dolphins Odessa - Rabbits Wichita Falls - Mustangs - - - In Oklahoma: Shawnee - Painted Indian Ponies - - - * The next time I travel through Colorado I plan to look for the Painted Piano's scattered around Fort Collins.

Hattiesburg is a quaint city. I avoided it for awhile because I was at Camp Shelby for a few months…read moreand it was a period of extremes. Anywho, this town is very nice with a lot of different restaurants to try, several museums and parks. There are a few museums recognizing the history of separate but equal and the Jim Crowe south. I look forward to coming back and visiting more places. I would recommend to anyone interested in the history of the state and the area.

Nestled in the heart of the Pine Belt region, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is a city with a…read morefascinating history and a diverse range of attractions. Founded in 1882 by Captain William Harris Hardy, Hattiesburg has evolved from a small lumber and railroad town into a hub of education, culture, and opportunity. Today, the city boasts a population of over 45,000 residents and continues to grow as a regional center for healthcare, commerce, and entertainment. One of Hattiesburg's most notable attractions is its historic downtown area. Here, visitors can stroll through the streets lined with beautifully preserved buildings, each with its own unique story to tell. The city's commitment to preserving its architectural heritage has led to numerous restoration projects, making downtown Hattiesburg a popular destination for history buffs and architectural enthusiasts. Aside from its historical charm, Hattiesburg is also home to a number of higher education institutions, including the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University. These universities contribute to the city's youthful energy to Hattiesburg through cultural events, sports, and student-led initiatives. If you're looking for outdoor recreation, Hattiesburg offers the Longleaf Trace, a 41-mile paved trail that winds through scenic landscapes, great for biking, running, or leisurely strolls. Additionally, the Hattiesburg Zoo is a fun and educational experience for animal lovers of all ages, while the nearby Paul B. Johnson State Park and DeSoto National Forest offer ample opportunities for camping, hiking, and fishing. When visiting here you might want to take the opportunity to experience the city's vibrant arts and cultural scene. Events like the annual Hattiesburg Arts Council's Spring Art Walk that showcases the talents of local artists, while live music venues like The Thirsty Hippo and The Dollar Box Show offer a taste of the city's eclectic music scene. No discussion of Hattiesburg would be complete without mentioning its famous train station. Built in 1910, the historic depot has been lovingly restored to its former glory and now also serves as a community gathering space for events and a welcoming center for visitors. It is a charming testament to Hattiesburg's railroad heritage. I've reviewed this station recounting it's history and have made many visits to this charming station over the last few years. We always take advantage of visiting some of the local shops and of course some of the cuisines. Bottom line: Hattiesburg, is a charming destination that blends its historical roots with modern innovation. To learn more about Hattiesburg, Mississippi, be sure to visit the city's website at https://www.hattiesburgms.com or explore the Hattiesburg Convention Commission's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VisitHBURG/ for the latest updates on events, attractions, and local businesses.

My second and final stop in Mississippi was to this location, ostensibly to use the restroom, but I…read morefound it to be a nice walk to break the monotony of driving. Staff was friendly enough if not terribly exciting. Lots of green on which one can relax, and an interesting musical map of the state.

Nothing quite like the smell of old books. This library is quite grand and was a welcome surprise…read more I did not need to do research or to check out a book. I needed a quiet and cool Place to hang out before my flight home and for about 3 hours. This library was so perfect for my needs. And it was much larger than I expected. There were large tables with several chairs and lots of space and there were small individual tables. I was able to catch up on some work!! Air conditioning in the Deep South and Work! Win win!! Oh! One other mention, their internet is super fast. Another plus for my needs. If you're looking for a place for study or work, give this library a try! I'll be back next time I'm in Hattiesburg.

I'll start with the good, and there is a lot to like here. From the vast openness and beautiful…read morearchitectural design to its collections of books and media, computer lab with printing services and a helpful staff, meeting rooms, community events/activities, game/media center for teenagers, huge lower level children's area designed just for them, and an enclosed and mostly covered outdoor patio, it seems perfect at first glance. But spend some time there, and its problems permeate the space. Expect to be greeted at the front entrance steps to large puddles and accumulated mud due uncorrected incline drainage issues, fed by morning sprinklers and rain. If you require concentration and focus, be sure to request one of the three small individual study rooms as the noise level inside is high most of the times, and the rooms go fast! The vast openness and lack of textiles spreads and amplifies even normal conversations, and the frequent screaming child can be very distracting and annoying. Headphones can help, but noise-cancelling capability should be used, especially with earbuds. The noise level might be tolerable if a patron believed the staff was ACTIVELY trying to manage it as is expected in a normal library environment, but unfortunately, this is absolutely not the case as it is very hands off by the staff with the ONLY single action done--listening to a required complaint from a patron. But don't expect an intervention or change, as a noise complaint is usually tolerated and dismissed. And to emphasize the passivity to noise level, the library doesn't even have a SINGLE friendly-toned sign posted ANYWHERE to remind an unthinking or unaware or forgetting patron about using an inside voice within the library in its acoustically challenged environment. If it did, it would establish an expected boundary for noise level, and thereby giving patrons the assumption of potential verbal warnings for the non-compliant. Isn't that the very LEAST that they could do? But honestly, they should do so much more.