Looking for ways to beat the heat in Hattiesburg? Here are our top picks

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3 days ago

There's no need to mention the summer heat in Hattiesburg. It's all around us. That said, how do you stay cool when it's so hot outside?
If you're looking for ideas, we found a few things you might like to try to beat the summer heat. Load up the sunscreen and plenty of water and head out to one of these cool places.
Some facilities are open through Labor Day weekend, while others are open year-round. It's best to check availability before you go.
Slide into this water park
Serengeti Springs Water Park, which is in its second season, is located in the heart of Hattiesburg next to the zoo. The park has several slides, to provide a variety of experiences, an area for younger children, a lazy river for those who want to coast along and a swim-up bar for adults.
Admission is $35 per person Friday-Sunday or $25 per person Monday-Thursday. A $2 discount per ticket is given for tickets purchased online.
The water park is located at 1700 Hardy St. For more information, visit hattiesburgzoo.com//serengeti.
Make a splash
Looking for a quick and easy way for the kids to cool down? Splash pads might be the answer.
Hattiesburg's Palmers Crossing neighborhood has a splash pad open daily at 335 Dewitt Sullivan Park on Old Airport Road. Admission is free.
The Hattiesburg Zoo offers a splash pad for guests with cabanas for rent along the exterior so parents can watch their children play and stay out of the sun. The splash pad is free with admission to the zoo at 107 South 17th Ave.
Paul B. Johnson State Park has one of the area's first splash pads, designed to enhance the recreational experience. The park is located at 319 Geiger Lake Road, just south of Hattiesburg. Admission to the park is $2 per person for those 6 and older, free for children 5 and younger. Admission to the splash pad is $8 for those 16 and older or $6 for youth up to 15 years old. For more information, visit mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/park/paul-b-johnson-state-park.
Petal has a splash pad at Friendly Park/Robert E. Russell Sports Complex. It is a fairly new addition to the city's facilities, opening in spring 2024. Admission is free. The park is located at 605 Hillcrest Loop. For more information, visit cityofpetal.com/parksrec/page/robert-e-russell-sports-complex-friendly-park.
Have a swimming good time
The city's public swimming pools are winding down for the season, but the Family Y facilities in Hattiesburg and Petal have pools that are open year-round. Use of the pools is free to members. Guest passes are available for nonmembers for $15 for visitors 13 and older and $5 for those 12 and younger.
The Hattiesburg location is at 3719 Veterans Memorial Drive. In Petal, the Family Y is at 547 Hillcrest Loop.
For more information, visit ymcasems.org.
Canoes, kayaks and tubes, oh my
Getting outdoors may seem a little crazy in the summertime, but Mother Nature provides her own remedies to beat the heat. South Mississippi's rivers and creeks are surrounded by trees, making it easier to spend a day paddling or floating downstream. Bonus: Some rental sites also offer camping and RV parking for vacations or a weekend getaway.
Hattiesburg is home to Twin Forks, where the Leaf and Bouie rivers cross paths, making it a prime spot for an outdoor adventure. Pine Belt Blueways offers kayaking tours along both rivers, with several packages to choose from. For more information or to book a trip, visit pinebeltblueways.com.
Not far from Hattiesburg is Okatoma Outdoor Outpost, 550 Walter Lott Road in Seminary, where guests can rent canoes or kayaks and paddle down Okatoma Creek. For more information, visit okatoma.com.
Black Creek Canoe Rentals, 20 Old Highway 49 in Brooklyn, offers canoe and kayak adventures from Brooklyn to several locations along Black Creek, depending on experience and how far you want to go. For more information, visit blackcreekcanoe.com.
Sweetwater Canoe and Tubing, 118 Dillons Bridge Road in Tylertown, will let you float or paddle down the Bogue Chitto River however you choose, whether it is kayaking, canoeing or tubing. For more information, visit sweetwatercanoeandtubing.com.
Not the outdoors type?
Hattiesburg has plenty of things to do indoors, where you can have fun and stay cool in air-conditioned rooms.
Bowling at Hub Lanes, 7022 U.S. 49, is a popular indoor sport, with 20 lanes to accommodate groups and individuals. The facility also has video games and pool tables along with a snack bar. For more information, visit facebook.com/hub.lanes.
Most people who grew up in Hattiesburg have been to Laser Mania at one time or another. The family-run laser tag facility at 905 Hardy St. has been in operation for more than 25 years. Laser Mania offers party and group packages as well as individual admission. For more information, visit lasermania.com.
UpDown Trampoline Park, 101 South 41st Ave., is a great way for kids to burn some energy while avoiding exposure to the sun. The venue has 12,000 square feet of jumping space. Other activities include jousting, dodgeball, basketball and more. For more information, visit updowntrampolinepark.com.
Alley Cats Axe Throwing, 220 West Pine St., offers a way to test your throwing and accuracy skills while having fun with friends. Adults and youth 10 and older are welcome. For more information, visit acaxeco.com.
Category 5 Smash Room, 214 West Pine St., is a crazy as its name. Category 5 refers to the maximum strength of a hurricane, which is welcome in this stress-relieving venue. You can bring your own items to smash or buy a bucket, then head to a saferoom to begin smashing away. For more information, visit cat5smashroom.com.
Lici Beveridge is a reporter for the Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger. Contact her at [e-mail]. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Hattiesburg, MS top five places to beat summer heat
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