Location: Baton Rouge
Top Things to do in Baton Rouge
Top Restaurants in Baton Rouge
10 Things to do in Baton Rouge That You Shouldn't Miss
Settled by Europeans on Native American hunting grounds, the city of Baton Rouge has grown up under the influence of English, French, Spanish, and native cultures. The city is proud of its Cajun and Creole heritage, with clubs famous for playing the blues, and streets full of restaurants serving up everything from spicy Bayou foods to Caribbean home cooking. Located on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi delta, visitors can watch the sun set over the levees or ride on a riverboat casino.
Restaurants in Baton Rouge
1. LSU Tiger Stadium
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 893 reviews
Reviewed By johnmS1018WM - Baton Rouge, United States
If you want a college game day(and night) experience that will provide a "Remember the time we..." experience, catch a big night game in Tiger Stadium. There is no pre-game tailgating that compares to LSU...the food (from gumbo to jambalaya to etouffee to grilled oysters to...) is delicious...and most tailgaters are happy to share their dishes. The music varies from party to party, just keep moving till you find your tunes...sattelite dishes/streaming provides tailgaters with the day's games...you will likely end the day with many new friends.... Oh, the stadium...originally designed to look similar to the Roman Colosseum, additions obscure much of the architectural detail; however, the north end of the exterior still maintains the classic look of an acient amphitheatre. Inside, with 102,320 other spectators, is where the magic of Tiger Stadium will transform your viewing of a college football game into a singular experience... Saturday Night in Death Valley
2. Alex Box Stadium/Skip Bertman Field
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By gentre - Baton Rouge, United States
If you want family-oriented fun, excitement, and to see the best in college baseball, go to Alex Box Stadium!!!
3. Louisiana State University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
Louisiana's top university since 1860 has a beautiful, tree-covered campus and lots of attractions to visit, like the Union Art Gallery, Museum of Art, Greek Theatre and Museum of Natural Science.
Reviewed By drmommca - Asheville, United States
On our way to visit "Mike", we drove through the LSU campus, which is truly one of the most beautiful campuses in the state! Azaleas were blooming and the signs of winter were gone. Building upkeep is excellent!
4. Louisiana State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 724 reviews
This art deco masterpiece has been the site of a bombing, an assassination and the infinite machinations of state kingpins and politicos.
Reviewed By edieann - Denver, United States
Having been very disappointed by the Florida capitol “skyscraper” I had few expectations for the tallest of the capitol buildings: Louisiana. I was pleasantly surprised by the gorgeous art deco rotunda, House and Senate. We were lucky to arrive at the start time of a tour. Without our tour guide Bernard we would have missed out on the history, creation and stories of the current capitol building and the governor who created the building and was also shot there, Huey Long. We spent more than an hour touring the first floor, marveling at the incredible beauty of the marble, depiction of Louisiana’s history in bas relief just below the ceiling circling the rotunda, and in the solid bronze doors leading to the chambers. Not to mention the statuary, ceiling patterns and pencil like wood shard imbedded in the ceiling of the senate, a reminder of the dynamite bomb that had been planted and detonated in 1970. We also heard a number of conspiracy theories regarding the shooting of Governor Long plus got to see the two unfilled bullet holes left from the shooting.
5. Louisiana's Old State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 693 reviews
Louisiana's Old State Capitol sits on a hill overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge. Completed in 1849, the castle-like fortress has been restored to its original grandeur. It houses both traditional and state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and a multi-media film presentation. Audio tours available in English, French, German and Spanish. Free admission.
Reviewed By BHartMich - Northville, United States
We walked in on a whim, and enjoyed a short time walking around the old state capitol. Upon entry we were greeted by a guide who gave us an quick overview, and then gave us a sheet enabling us to do a self guided tour. We could have spent longer than the 20 minutes we did, but we wanted to walk around the city a bit more. It is a beautiful building inside and out, with some very interesting history, and well worth stopping by.
6. LSU Rural Life Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 364 reviews
Step back in time to pre-industrial Louisiana at this 27-building museum complex, one of the best outdoor museums in the U.S., featuring tools, furniture and other artifacts and, the highlight, a recreated 19th-century plantation that portrays the daily lives of these early settlers.
Reviewed By georgia638 - Dallas, United States
This was much more extensive and emotional than I thought it would be. The curators did an awesome job of telling the holistic story of rural life in Louisiana in the 1800’s. No electricity, no water, kitchen in a separate building and one room slaves’ quarters. The farm equipment, cooking utensils, general store, looms for weaving fabric, everything was manually done. Life was so much harder then!
7. USS Kidd
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 631 reviews
The USS KIDD Veterans Museum is a nonprofit organization, highlighting the role that Louisiana and its citizens have played in U.S. military history. The shoreside museum offers a permanent collection of Louisiana veterans’ artifacts, traveling exhibits, visiting ships, and event space with views of the Mississippi River. For nearly 40 years, the Museum and the USS KIDD, a National Historic Landmark and the Museum’s largest artifact, have served as a reminder to the people of Louisiana of the service and sacrifices of our state’s veterans. Both are visited by thousands of people from around the world each year.
Reviewed By Jellybeandean - Tucson, United States
Wonder what service in WWII was like, come aboard. Tight quarters and a tight fast ship in the war. Get in gun position and let your mind wander.
8. Capitol Park Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 244 reviews
With thematic exhibits on diverse aspects of Louisiana history, industry and culture, the museum includes two permanent exhibits: Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana and the Nation and Experiencing Louisiana: Discovering the Soul of America.
Reviewed By SINYPA - Buckingham, United States
This was one of the most engaging museums we have ever visited. We learned about the acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase, the story of Louisiana’s role in the War of 1812, Civil War, World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement. We learned about Huey Long and Louie Armstrong. There’s also information on the natural resources of the state, the Mississippi River, and steamboats. And then you go upstairs to the colorful culture of the area - food, religion, music, fun. This is a must see museum! Plan to spend at least two hours, although we spent at least 3 and could have spent more time. The young lady at the entrance was warm and welcoming - real Southern hospitality! This was our first stop on our vacation in New Orleans and it gave us the much needed background information to maximize our vacation. Thank you!!
9. Mike the Tiger's Habitat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 615 reviews
Reviewed By jasoncastano - Dripping Springs, United States
We see Mike VII everytime we are in town. It is great habitat. He is not always out, so do not be surprised if he is inside. He does what he wants. He is still young, so if you do see him, you may notice how big his paws are for his body. The picture on my avatar was taken about 6 hours before kick off of game. A few things to clear up: 1) Mike VII, like his predecesors, is a rescue tiger. Meaning, LSU found him at a big cat rescue, Wild at Heart Wildlife Center, where he was rescued by Wild at Heart, when they took over from the prior owner who abused him; 2) Tigers do not live in prides. They are solitary cats and in the wild only come into contact to mate or if mama is raising babies. I have seen people say he should be in a pride in the comments. Just want clarity since I have read some comments that say he does not belong in the habitat and should be free. I get the sentiment. But, he is a rescue cat, born in captivity, not by LSU, but now taken care of by LSU.
10. Magnolia Mound Plantation
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 157 reviews
Dating back to the late 18th century, this historic home is one of the oldest wooden buildings in Louisiana. It was spared from demolition in the 1960s and is now open for tours.
Reviewed By 708garyb
While I abhor the practice of enslavement, it is important to know about both the day-to-day lives of enslaved and slavers, alike. Magnolia Mound shows the intricate details of the lives lived by all inhabitants of a sugar cane plantation, in the Bayou Country of southern Louisiana. The stories of both the Creole French and the American owners, as well as of the slaves and the overseers, were well-related by the docent on duty. One is free to walk the grounds of most of the property, with the Historic House only accessible with a docent present. Photography is allowed in all areas, except the interior of the Historic House.
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