Searching for issues to do in Baton Rouge? We’ve received you!

So, you’re headed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Candy! You’re in for a deal with. Because the capital of Louisiana, New Orleans‘ smaller sibling has tons of southern appeal and a persona of its personal.

With loads of historical past and tradition, distinctive nature, and, in fact, southern meals, what’s to not love? You’ll uncover all of this and extra if you go to Baton Rouge, and also you’ll do it with out the NOLA crowds.

Issues to Do in Baton Rouge

So what are one of the best issues to do in Baton Rouge? Learn on to seek out out. 

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Middle

Let’s begin with a little bit of nature that you simply received’t discover anyplace else within the nation. Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center stretches throughout 103 acres of land and can also be residence to a 9500-square-foot exhibition middle.

Devoted to conservation, the exhibition middle homes ecology and artwork reveals in addition to reside animals, photographs, artifacts, and extra. Throughout the remainder of the character middle, you’ll discover paths and boardwalks all through the swamp.

Take your time strolling alongside the boardwalks to succeed in the assorted remark decks the place you possibly can see the wildlife in its pure habitat. You’ll encounter birds, snakes, turtles, armadillos, coyotes, otters, and extra.

That is the proper vacation spot in Baton Rouge for these interested by native wildlife and environmental conservation. 

Previous State Capitol 

Constructed on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, the Old State Capitol is fondly nicknamed the Citadel of Baton Rouge. This Gothic-style constructing was the seat of the Louisiana state legislature from the early 1800s up till the 1930s. 

At present, the constructing homes the Museum of Political Historical past. House to artifacts, exhibitions, paperwork, and artwork, that is the place to go to study in regards to the political historical past of Louisiana.

As a bonus, it’s fully free! The constructing can also be on the US Nationwide Register of Historic Locations and is a US Nationwide Historic Landmark. 

Louisiana State Capitol

And now on to the fashionable Louisiana State Capitol. Positioned downtown, visiting the seat of the present state authorities is likely one of the finest issues to do in Baton Rouge.

It was constructed within the Artwork Deco model within the early 1930s. Standing 450 ft tall with 34 flooring, it’s the tallest capitol within the nation and the tallest constructing in Baton Rouge. 

Not solely is the surface photo-worthy, however you may also guide a tour of the within to study how immediately’s authorities works. Identical to the Previous State Capitol, that is additionally on the US Nationwide Register of Historic Locations and is a US Nationwide Historic Landmark.

Previous Governor’s Mansion

Positioned close to the Previous State Capitol, the Old Governor’s Mansion served because the residence for Louisiana’s governors from 1930 to 1963. Constructed throughout Governor Huey Lengthy’s time period, it’s stated that he modeled the mansion after the White Home. That is most evident within the columns that welcome you on the entrance.

The mansion is now not used as a governor’s residence immediately. After serving its governmental responsibility, this constructing housed the Louisiana Arts and Science Middle for a short while.

Within the late 1970s, the mansion was reopened as a historic home museum. At present, you possibly can guide a tour of the mansion to witness the lives of luxurious that Louisiana’s governors as soon as lived.

Pink Stick Farmers Market 

If you wish to get a style of a number of the finest native meals, head to Red Stick Farmers Market. The principle location is on Essential Avenue, however throughout peak season you’ll discover pop-ups in as much as seven places across the metropolis. This open air market is open each Thursday and Saturday and is a Baton Rouge important.

Right here, you’ll discover recent produce from native farmers in addition to native meats and freshly baked bread and pastries. As you’re within the south, you’ll additionally be capable of choose up recent seafood, in addition to cheese, selfmade pickled items, honey, and jam.

That is the proper place to buy if you wish to make home-cooked meal throughout your journey.

Discover downtown Baton Rouge

Among the finest issues you are able to do throughout your journey to Baton Rouge is just to wander the streets of downtown. Located proper on the Mississippi River, you’ll discover some unimaginable viewpoints right here. 

You’ll additionally discover some unimaginable Cajun, Creole, and southern meals eating choices downtown (extra on that later). And as for nightlife, town has loads. One of the crucial widespread night actions is the Dwell After 5 free out of doors live performance collection at The Crest.

For those who’re visiting through the spring or the autumn, you’ll should catch considered one of these reveals. 

LSU Tiger Stadium

One of many essential attracts of Baton Rouge is Louisiana State College, and naturally, the soccer staff. The LSU Tiger Stadium is residence to the beloved LSU Tigers. The Ninth-largest stadium on this planet, it has a capability of over 100,000 spectators.

For those who’re trying to get a style of the native ardour, attend a Tigers recreation on the stadium. It has really been nicknamed “Loss of life Valley” due to the character of the video games performed right here. First opened in 1924, the stadium now options large HD video boards, the Jeff Boss Locker Room, and the LSU Power and Conditioning Facility. 

LSU Rural Life Museum

Located on the 40-acre Burden plantation, the LSU Rural Life Museum consists of 30 historic buildings which are important to Baton Rouge’s historical past. LSU’s mission in operating the museum is to protect what rural life was like within the Decrease Mississippi Valley within the 18th and 19th centuries. 

This open air museum hosts the biggest assortment of Louisiana structure and historic objects in existence. You may both stroll by the grounds and uncover the reveals your self or guide a tour to study extra about its significance.

Three Roll Property Distillery

Three Roll Estate is an award-winning distillery with a generations-long historical past of sugarcane farming and milling. It will get its title from the three metal rolls used to crush the sugarcane in an effort to use it to distill their spirits. 

This distillery makes seven totally different spirits onsite, so you should definitely attempt all of them if you go for a go to. You may select from their signature Rhum Agricole, Brazilian Fashion, White Rum, Darkish Rum, Pink Stick Cinnamon, Spiced Rum, and vodka. E-book a tasting of those “cane to glass” spirits throughout your time in Baton Rouge.

Magnolia Mound Plantation

The Magnolia Mound Plantation spans 16 acres of land close to the Mississippi River. The principle function is a home constructed within the French Creole model in 1791. The home together with different buildings scattered throughout the plantation showcase the affect of early settlers from France and the West Indies. 

Whenever you step onto the grounds, you’ll be transported again in time to see how the early settlers lived. You may discover the historic home museum, former slaves’ quarters, the overseer’s home, the three-seat privy, and extra. There’s additionally an open fireside kitchen the place cooking demonstrations are sometimes held. You may select to take a guided tour or a self-guided tour of the plantation. 

Shaw Middle for the Arts

Positioned on Lafayette Avenue, this arts center is residence to a number of the finest points of interest in Baton Rouge. This can be a 125,000-square-foot constructing that serves as each a wonderful arts museum and a efficiency venue. 

Inside, you’ll discover the LSU Museum of Artwork, the LSU Faculty of Artwork Glassell Gallery, and three totally different theatres. There are additionally lecture rooms, just a few eating places (together with a rooftop sushi joint), a park, and extra. The Shaw Middle additionally often hosts musical performances, workshops, and different occasions that the entire household will love.

As you possibly can think about, you’ll discover nearly all the things underneath the solar inside this facility.

USS Kidd Veterans Museum

This Fletcher-class destroyer was initially launched in 1943 and served in lots of battles within the Pacific throughout World Warfare II. Nicknamed the “Pirate of the Pacific”, the USS Kidd was additionally used through the Korean Warfare within the 1950s. 

Formally decommissioned in 1964, it now serves as a memorial for WWII veterans from the good state of Louisiana. You may discover the ship to see what life might have been like for servicemen who lived on board throughout fight. 

Discover the Meals Scene in Baton Rogue

For those who’re visiting Louisiana, in fact you’ll should attempt the delicacies. And Louisiana additionally has one thing different southern states don’t have: Cajun meals. Jambalaya, gumbo, etouffee, and extra await you in Baton Rouge.

First, hit up Bistro Byronz. This cozy restaurant has small-town vibes harking back to Parisian cafes. Well-known largely for tartines and sandwiches, additionally they serve up scrumptious French classics reminiscent of Cassoulet or etouffee. You may go for brunch, lunch, or dinner, and so they serve a wide range of seafood and Creole dishes, as effectively. 

Fleur de Lis Pizza is one other must-try throughout your time in Baton Rouge. Recognized for sticking to custom, this restaurant has been going robust because the early 1950s, with the identical recipes and the identical decorations. Their skinny crust Roman pizza is baked on a sq. cookie sheet and served piping sizzling. 

Mason’s Grill grew from what as soon as was a easy espresso store into considered one of Baton Rouge’s most prized eateries. You may come for lunch or dinner, however Mason’s Grill actually shines for his or her brunch.

With the nation’s finest Bloody Mary together with seafood variations of the basic Eggs Benedict, you’ll wish to attempt all the things on the menu. If brunch isn’t your factor, there are many native Cajun dishes to attempt right here, as effectively. 

For those who’re within the temper for tapas, head to Solera. This Spanish restaurant serves a great deal of tapas in addition to greater dishes like burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, and extra. That is the place to go for those who’re on the lookout for one thing totally different on the town. 

Louisiana Artwork & Science Museum

Among the finest issues to do in Baton Rouge is to go to the Louisiana Art & Science Museum. Housed within the former railway station in-built 1925, right here you’ll discover wonderful artwork galleries, science and historical past reveals, and even a planetarium.

The Historical Egypt exhibit is a crowd favourite, because it options historic artifacts and even mummies. The planetarium typically hosts workshops and sky reveals, but additionally serves as a venue for music performances. That is the proper place to go to in Baton Rouge for those who’re touring with children. 

Capitol Park Museum

One other landmark devoted to the tradition and historical past of Louisiana, the Capitol Park Museum is one department of the Louisiana State Museum.

The museum comprises two everlasting reveals: “Experiencing Louisiana: Discovering the Soul of America” and “Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana and the Nation.” These reveals educate guests in regards to the Civil Warfare and the civil rights motion, together with the Baton Rouge Bus Boycott of 1953.

You may as well study in regards to the state’s essential industries together with sugarcane, oil, and shrimp, in addition to the event of native music kinds.

Issues to Do in Baton Rouge – Wrap-up

There you will have it: one of the best issues to do in Baton Rouge.

Begin exploring after which deal with your self to a scrumptious Cajun meal by the river. From wealthy historical past and tradition to wonderful meals and out of doors actions, there’s one thing for everybody right here. Louisiana’s capital actually doesn’t disappoint!

As at all times, completely satisfied travels everybody! We’ll see you on the street!