Known as the heart of The HUB City network, downtown Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is a cultural oasis sitting at the crossroads of six southern cities — Natchez, Jackson, New Orleans, Gulfport, Mobile, and Meridian. That geography isn't incidental. It's in the marrow of the place. And nowhere is the spirit of this crossroads city more alive than on its walls.

Hattiesburg has transformed its streets into canvases, its murals into stories, and its graffiti into a shared cultural voice. For art enthusiasts, curious locals, and wanderlust-filled visitors, the city promises a colorful display that is equal parts museum, history lesson, and love letter to the people who built this place.

“In Hattiesburg, street art is not fleeting — it is a living tale of the city, constantly evolving with new brushstrokes and ideas.”

RoverTreks

The Canvas on the Street

Street art is more than spectacle. At its best, it is a visual reminder of who a community is, what it has endured, and what it hopes to become. In Hattiesburg, artists have taken to the streets not just for self-expression but as a medium to unite the city — telling stories of its history, culture, and people. That mission has become integral to local identity.

Local artists have a platform here, and they use it. The art bridges historical divides, shines a light on collective struggles and triumphs, and creates beauty in unexpected corners. It draws locals and tourists alike to its vibrant enclaves, and it does something rarer still: it makes you want to slow down, look carefully, and think. Hattiesburg's streets are a gallery without walls, and admission is always free.

Uncovering the Best Street Art Hotspots

A tour of Hattiesburg's street art scene feels like a treasure hunt across the city's neighborhoods. In downtown, murals like New Normal by Andrea Kostyal brighten the urban landscape with pastel-toned storytelling, bound to the city's past and present and always gesturing toward the hope of its future.

The painting sits on North Main Street, just across from the railroad tracks — and the contrast between the industrial steel and the soft, dreamy colors of the mural is impossible to forget. The University District adds the exuberance of youth to the mix, with campus walls becoming canvases for a new generation of voices. And the older neighborhoods carry their own visual legacy — graffiti that peers into a different era, marking corners of the city's fabric with resilience and raw history.

Local Artists and Their Legacy

The vibrancy of Hattiesburg's street art owes everything to the talent that calls it home. Artists like Kym Garraway, Jason Kimes, and Andrea Kostyal have marked the city's walls, turning their art into a public gift. Their works are ingrained in the city's visual vocabulary and vital to its allure.

These creators are the heroes of Hattiesburg's art movement. They infuse their work with emotion and story, inviting every passerby to stop, look, and think. It's through their hands that visitors can glimpse the city's soul and understand why Hattiesburg's streets are as unique as the people who call it home.

Art Walks, Festivals, and the Pocket Museum

Hattiesburg doesn't just showcase art; it invites you to be part of it. Art walks unite the community in celebration of these public galleries throughout the year. Workshops and events engage the public, encouraging hands-on participation and a deeper understanding of the craft.

In the old downtown area near the railroad tracks, where West Front Street intersects North Main Street, you'll find the Pocket Museum — a street alleyway chock full of quirky mini-art pieces. It's the kind of place that rewards slow exploration: look at ankle height, look above your head, look at the locks on the fence. There are surprises everywhere.

Social media has amplified it all. The tag #ARTHBURG has become a digital gallery, showcasing the best local street art. You'll also find work under #muralsofhburg. Document your walk, share generously, and add to the ongoing conversation.

Live Music, Great Food, and the Art Walk

You'll get hungry walking around Hattiesburg — the art demands that kind of attention, and attention burns calories. Here's a suggested morning: start at Southbound Bagel and Coffee Shop at 217 E. Front Street. Open since 2004, this beloved downtown institution serves fresh-baked bagels and breads every morning alongside hearty breakfast sandwiches, specialty coffee, and espresso. It sits in a charming corner building with a retro 1950s diner feel.

Editor's Update — February 2025 The original article directed readers to begin their art walk at the Coney Island Cafe on West Railroad Street — a Hattiesburg institution since 1923. Sadly, that beloved diner permanently closed on February 28, 2025, after 102 years in business. Owner B.J. Fokakis, the fourth-generation steward of the Fokakis family, cited rising food costs in a farewell post. The murals on the exterior of the building at 400 N. Main Street may still be visible — but the restaurant no longer serves. We preserve the photos and the Fokakis family story here as a tribute to a true Hattiesburg original. Southbound Bagel and Coffee is now our recommended starting point for the morning art walk.

After breakfast at Southbound, walk to North Main Street to photograph New Normal — the pastel work is best in morning light. Then cross the railroad tracks for the Mississippi Music Company mural. From there, follow your instincts toward the Pocket Museum just a few minutes on foot.

At various points throughout the year you're liable to stumble into live music in Hattiesburg, and possibly a full-blown festival. This is, after all, Mississippi — and Rock and Roll is rooted in the blues tradition of this state. A historic marker on Mobile Street, between East 6th and 7th streets, notes Hattiesburg's remarkable contribution: two brothers recorded an early form of rock and roll here in 1936, some fourteen years before the genre exploded worldwide.

Co-located with that marker is a striking serpentine mural celebrating notable Black Americans and their contributions to American history. A QR code beneath each portrait links to detailed information about each person depicted — a seamlessly modern addition to a timeless tribute.

Where to Eat: End the Day at Half Shell

After a full day of walking the murals, reward yourself. Just outside of town along Route 98, you'll find the Half Shell Oyster House at 6555 US Hwy. 98, Suite 1. Gulf Coast oysters charbroiled in white wine, butter, garlic, and herb sauce. Royal Reds — enormous, sweet Gulf shrimp that need nothing but a squeeze of lemon. Our encounter here stands among the finest meals we've had in fifteen years of rovertreks.

Where to Stay

You'll find hotels throughout Hattiesburg, particularly along Route 98 west of the old city. For RVers, there's a special option: if you're a member of the Elks (the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks), the magnificent 1,400-acre Elks Lodge #599 sits about ten miles south of the city at 212 Elks Lodge Road. Set up your RV along the 80-plus-acre fishing lake with full hookups. No reservations required; call Mike Finch at 601-543-9794 to confirm availability. Rates are quite reasonable, and membership is required.

Street Art Around the South

Hattiesburg leads, but the mural movement is spreading. Arkansas native Erin Ashcraft makes her mark across the region with murals in Monticello and McGehee, Arkansas. Long-time artist Patrick Cunningham installed the giant Venus of the Springs mosaic on the back wall of the US Post Office in Hot Springs, Arkansas — a monumental work we were fortunate enough to witness in progress in 2023. Street art is a worldwide phenomenon. Find our full global collection at the links below.