Visit Hattiesburg & Meridian

Grab your bags, and get ready for a quick road trip through Meridian and Hattiesburg using this 3-day itinerary.

PicturedHattiesburg Zoo | Credit: JJ 2024

Day 1

Depart home for Meridian

Arrive at Mississippi’s newest attraction – the multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience. By shining the spotlight on Mississippi’s statewide contributions in arts and entertainment, The MAX will guide visitors to other towns and museums throughout the state, from Tupelo’s Elvis, to Indianola’s B. B. King, to Pascagoula’s Jimmy Buffett, to Jackson’s Eudora Welty, to Ocean Springs’ Walter Anderson, and many more.

Have lunch at one of Meridian’s many dining options.

Arrive at Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum. Take a trip back to the age of steam with a guided tour through America's last intact steam engine factory. See what it was like to work at the turn of the century. A belt-driven machine shop, iron foundry, assembly shop, and a 1930s office give visitors a glimpse of how things were made in America.

Guided tours are given at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Tuesday - Friday. Additional tour hours are available by appointment.

Tour the Jimmie Rogers Museum. Jimmie Rodgers, the Father of Country Music, was born and raised in the Meridian area. The museum displays the original guitar of “The Singing Brakeman” and other memorabilia of his life and career, as well as railroad equipment from the era of steam-engine travel.

Open year-round Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Check in to your hotel.

Dinner at Mississippi’s oldest restaurant, Weidmann’s, which has been open since 1870.

Day 2

Before departing Meridian, take a spin on the Dentzel Carousel. In operation since 1909, this National Historic Landmark is one of only a few two-row stationary Dentzel menagerie carousels. Seven original oil paintings adorn the top crown and all the animals are meticulously hand-carved and restored to their original beauty.

Depart for Hattiesburg

Arrive at Camp Shelby and tour the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum. Established in 1917, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center serves the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, but that’s not all you will find on this active training site. A visit to the on-site Mississippi Armed Forces Museum will have you living in the past as you explore its seven galleries, rotating exhibits, and outdoor vehicle park highlighting Mississippi’s role in the US Armed Forces.

Open Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Visitors should allow at least an hour to tour. Admission is free.

It’s lunch and time to tempt your palette with local flavor from one of Hattiesburg’s more than 200 locally-owned restaurants.

After lunch, dive into Mississippi’s most unique shopping experience with a trip to Lucky Rabbit. Filled with one-of-a-kind pieces, vintage décor, original art and more, you won’t leave disappointed or empty handed.

Open the first Thursday – Sunday of each month. Allow as much time as your shopaholic heart desires, but we recommend a minimum of two hours to see everything.

Take inspiration from your trip to Lucky Rabbit and craft your own art with a glass blowing class at Mohawk Steel & Glass.

Open Tuesday – Thursday, 2:00 pm – 8:30 pm; Friday – Saturday, 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Classes require advance reservations and range from 15 minutes to two hours.

You’ve earned a little R&R, so head over to Hattiesburg’s craft brewery Southern Prohibition for a tour with a pint. Enjoy their signature brews like Suzy B Blonde Ale or Mississippi Fire Ant Imperial Red Ale. After your tour, settle into the Taproom at Southern Prohibition to havew another round while you enjoy a slice of pie from local food truck Mercury Pizza and play one of the numerous indoor and outdoor games.

Tours are offered Saturdays from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, every hour on the hour. Fee is $2 per person.

The Taproom is open Wednesday – Friday, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Saturday noon – 10:00 pm; Sunday noon – 5:00 pm.

Check in to your hotel.

Day 3

Start your day with a walking or driving tour through Historic Downtown Hattiesburg and experience parks, which are beautifully decorated with public art and take in the historic district’s architecture. Allow time to shop at the unique and locally-owned retailers ranging from an independent bookstore to antique stores to gifts and clothing boutiques.

While downtown, venture into Oddfellows Gallery, where you will find three stories of original, contemporary art and stories of the gallery’s historical founding.

Open Thursday – Saturday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm or by appointment. Visitors should allow 45 minutes to an hour to tour.

Lunch

Depart for home

Hours of operation and admission pricing are subject to change at the discretion of the venue. Times allowed for each attraction are suggestions. Advance reservations may be required for some attractions and dining options.

Visit Hattiesburg & Meridian

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

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