The Gulf Coast is just over an hour south of Hattiesburg — summer's easiest escape.

One of the best-kept perks of living in the Hub City is our location. Thanks to I-59, Highway 49, and Highway 98 all meeting right here, some of the South's most memorable destinations are an easy drive away — close enough to leave after breakfast and be home before bedtime. Summer is the season to take advantage of it.

Here are five day trips I recommend when clients and friends ask me where to go for a quick getaway from Hattiesburg.

1. The Mississippi Gulf Coast — Biloxi & Gulfport (about 1 hour 15 minutes)

The Coast is the obvious pick for a reason. In a little over an hour, you can have your toes in the sand. Beyond the beach itself, Biloxi and Gulfport offer the Mississippi Aquarium, the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, casino dining, and fresh Gulf seafood served everywhere you turn. For a quieter vibe, head a few miles east to Ocean Springs — a walkable arts town with local galleries, boutiques, and some of the best restaurants on the Coast.

2. New Orleans (about 1 hour 45 minutes)

No list of day trips from South Mississippi is complete without the Big Easy. The French Quarter, Café du Monde, a streetcar ride through the Garden District, live jazz on Frenchmen Street — you can pack a lot into a single day if you plan ahead. Summer in New Orleans is hot and humid (welcome to home-away-from-home), so lean into museums, courtyard dining, and early-evening walks along the Riverfront.

3. Mobile, Alabama (about 2 hours)

Mobile is one of the most underrated day trips from Hattiesburg. The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is a full morning on its own, and Bellingrath Gardens and Home is especially beautiful in summer when the roses and hydrangeas are in full show. Downtown Mobile has been revitalized with excellent restaurants, breweries, and a historic district perfect for a stroll.

4. Jackson (about 1 hour 30 minutes)

Mississippi's capital delivers on culture and history. The Two Mississippi Museums — the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Museum of Mississippi History — sit side by side and are worth the drive on their own. Add the Mississippi Children's Museum, the Jackson Zoo, or a walk around the State Capitol grounds, and you've got a full day. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are common, so having museum time built in is a smart move.

5. Natchez (about 2 hours)

Natchez sits high on the bluffs of the Mississippi River and feels like stepping into another era. Tour the antebellum homes, walk the historic downtown, grab lunch overlooking the river, and — if you've got time — drive a stretch of the Natchez Trace Parkway on your way back. It's a slower-paced day trip, better suited for anyone who enjoys history, architecture, and scenic drives.

Closer to Home? Don't Forget De Soto

If two hours feels like too much windshield time, remember that De Soto National Forest is right in our backyard — over half a million acres of trails, lakes, and campgrounds less than an hour from Hattiesburg. A perfect option when you want a change of scenery without the road trip.

Summer is short, and one of the best things about calling South Mississippi home is how much you can see without ever hopping on a plane. Whether you're heading to the Coast for a quick beach day, rolling into New Orleans for beignets, or walking the bluffs in Natchez, the Hub City's central location makes all of it possible.

Safe travels — and if you're thinking about how being this close to everything factors into where you plant roots, I'm always happy to talk real estate.

— Jason Gunter, Principal Broker, Realty Star Network