NOLA.com >> "All Things Gold in Hattiesburg"

Before the leaves even begin to change colors, Hattiesburg, Mississippi takes on a gilded hue.

You see, Hattiesburg (known lovingly by locals and frequent guests alike as “HBURG”) is home to the University of Southern Mississippi—the Golden Eagles.

And while Hattiesburg certainly has all the Southern charm and football pride one might expect from a college town in the Deep South, Hattiesburg is weekend gold for so much more. With a funky, “new South” vibe that fancies craft beer with its Saturday kickoffs, cool local shopping prior to posting up at the traditional tailgate, and plenty of physical activity outside to burn off all the serious snacking that goes down throughout all four quarters of the big game. Whether you choose to call it Hub City, Hattiesburg, or HBURG, this is one town heavy on the fun during football season. Here are the can’t-miss hotspots that make Hattiesburg, Mississippi, your gameday headquarters:

Southern Prohibition Brewing

Part of what brings the party to a great gameday tailgate is a winning attitude. The other part? Ice-cold beer. Southern Prohibition Brewing (affectionately known around town as “SoPro”) is a craft brewery that believes in making beers with a fascinating blend of tradition and experimentation. A little tried and true, a little brand new—not unlike HBURG itself—SoPro pushes the envelope with full-flavored beer in a chill taproom setting. Here, you’ll find over 10 different draughts flowing along with a selection of cans and bottles that you can share (or not!) with your beer-drinking buds. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast looking for a brewery tour or just here to enjoy a good beer, SoPro Taproom has it all—including larger-than-life games and the Mercury Pizza food truck, complete with a brick fire oven. To get into the Golden Eagles spirit, go for the Suzy B Blonde Ale—an easy drinker that just happens to be the perfect shade of unfiltered gold.

Eaglepalooza

Eaglepalooza has been a musical highlight of activities at the University of Southern Mississippi for years. Heading back to Downtown Hattiesburg after a brief hiatus, Eaglepalooza promises a good time for all visitors and locals who consider themselves music fans on Saturday, September 15, 2018. Nationally-known artists like Train and Echosmith have performed for thousands on the stage of this free event for 15 years, and this year will be no different. Stay tuned for the announcement of this year’s headliner, though. It’s sure to be BIG!!

The Lucky Rabbit

Sure, your team doesn’t need a lick of luck. But just in case, what could be more fortuitous that spending some time before kickoff at a one-of-a-kind local market named The Lucky Rabbit? The first Thursday through Sunday of every month, The Lucky Rabbit opens its shop on Mobile Street to bring an incredible selection of handmade local crafts, funky furniture pieces you never knew you always needed, and tons of antique items begging to be brought home. Just in time for the Golden Eagles to rock the gridiron on Saturday, hit up the Lucky Rabbit before the big game. You’ll likely find sweet deals and cool finds that’ll have you hollering, “SMTTT!” all weekend long.

The Midtowner

Brand new to HBURG, The Midtowner boasts, “Real breakfast. Real lunch. Real local.” This Robert St. John hotspot is conveniently located across from Southern Miss in The District at Midtown. There you’ll find not only Mississippi’s only Hotel Indigo and Midtown Donuts, but also a variety of other quick-service restaurants. Lunch at The Midtowner will have you feeling like you’ve arrived home with throwback pictures covering the diner walls. Be sure to try the veggie plate—it’s all the rage with the locals!

Leatha’s Bar-B-Que Inn

A barbecue inn? While you can’t stay overnight at Leatha’s, you’ll never want to leave once you have a taste of the practically famous yellow slaw, tender baby back ribs smothered in slightly sweet sauce, and fall-off-the-bone smoked chicken. Generous portions, down-home hospitality, and darn near drinkable sauce is the name of the game at Leatha’s. Though it’s a bit tricky to find (look for the yellow Leatha’s sign and the smoke rising behind the Dairy Queen on US Hwy 98 W), the legendary BBQ has drawn the likes of locals and even some seriously celebrated visitors for years. Andrew Zimmern even paid the crew at Leatha’s a visit for an episode of “Bizarre Foods!” Leatha’s Bar-B-Que Inn has held a longstanding spot on the Top 100 Places to Eat in Mississippi Before You Die, and it’s no wonder thanks to heaping portions, low-n-slow pulled pork that practically melts in your mouth, and an overall vibe that simply makes you feel like family. Score points with your family and friends by getting a big, family-sized helping of BBQ and all the “fixins” from Leatha’s for the ultimate tailgate spread.

Ed’s Burger Joint

If you can’t make it out to the game or you’re the type who’d rather post up and watch on TV, Ed’s Burger Joint is an optimal spot for feeling right at home even when you’re just passing through. Ed’s Burger Joint is a family-friendly burger restaurant that boasts indoor-outdoor fun from yard games to a massive porch swing and plenty of balcony dining to take in the fresh air. In addition to big, juicy burgers with deeply Southern toppings like bacon jam and Ed’s original pimento cheese, Ed’s Burger Joint offers fresh-spun milkshakes that implement HBURG’s beloved sweet treats like Shipley’s donuts and King Cake right into all that creamy, dreamy goodness. Win or lose on gameday, a milkshake featuring flecks of donut or cake is enough to make you feel like celebrating. If you still haven’t gotten yours HattiesBURGER fill, head to a number of other burger joints across town..

Longleaf Trace

After epic gameday snack attacks, cheering until your voice is hoarse, and experiencing the nuanced New South soul available solely in Hattiesburg, you may find yourself in need of a little physical activity to complement (or undo!) your football fete. For an unparalleled way to expend some energy, hit the Longleaf Trace. This 41-mile long multi-use trail begins right in HBURG and exists as part of the “Rails to Trails” initiative that converts old railroad routes into outdoor leisure parkways. This particular rail trail is ideal for a jaunt or a bike ride as it is mostly arrow-straight and devoid of steep inclines. Meticulously kept and dotted with plenty of restrooms and fun resting areas, the Longleaf Trace creates a gorgeous opportunity to glide amongst dogwoods and magnolia trees with the scent of golden honeysuckles rounding out a gilded weekend worthy of repeat treks all year long!

PicturedLongleaf Trace

Golden weekends aren’t just reserved for football season, but they are exclusive to Hattiesburg! For more insight as to why they call it Hub City, check out VisitHBURG.org today. This newly redesigned, easy-to-use site is your touchstone for all things HBURG. Visit today to see a complete list of all the best restaurants, hotels, activities, and events going down in the New South. There’s something for absolutely everyone in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. To find out more about the Hub City, check out VisitHBURG.org today.

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