why visit Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana and rich with culture and fun things to do. This city is on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River. It is home of LSU and therefore a great hub for education and sports. It has lots of amazing museums. You can also visit the Louisiana State Capitol and the Old State Capitol as well. It has a lively scene and incredible classic Louisiana cuisine. It is an awesome place to visit!
how to get to Baton Rouge
The nearest airport is the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) which is about 8 miles or 15 minutes from downtown. If you are flying into New Orleans and plan to also visit Baton Rouge you would fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) which is about 87 miles (1 hour 45 minutes) to Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge is about 175 miles from Jackson, Mississippi, 270 miles to Houston, Texas and 201 miles from Mobile, Alabama.
getting around Baton Rouge
Driving around is the easiest way to explore the area fully. Once downtown, it is easy to get around on foot and it is a very walkable city. You can also get around the area via taxi or ride-share (Uber) if you do not have your own car. If you are driving in there are several parking garages and parking lots.
where to stay baton Rouge
There are so many options of accommodation in Baton Rouge. There are so many to choose from to meet your budget. Top areas to stay in include the downtown area and around the LSU campus.
top things to do in Baton Rouge
Louisiana State Capitol
This State Capitol is not to be missed since it is the tallest state capitol in the United States. This art deco styled building was completed in 1932. It is 34 stories and stands at 450 feet. It was commissioned by Governor Huey P. Long who was later assassinated there- you can put your finger in the bullet hole. The highlight though is the panoramic views of the city and the Mississippi River.
Old State Capitol
The Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge is a Gothic Revival. It was completed in 1852 and served as the statehouse until 1932. It is rich with history. It is now a museum. The interior has a grand staircase, stained glass dome and incredible woodwork. It is a symbol of Louisiana’s rich heritage and architecture.
USS KIdd
The USS Kidd is a Fletcher-class destroyer that launched in 1943 and saw action in both the Korean War and World War II. It now is a veterans’ memorial and museum. Visitors can glimpse into the quarters aboard the wartime destroyer and observe maritime and military artifacts in the adjacent museum.
RIVERfront plaza and city dock
The Riverfront Plaza runs along the Mississippi River. This is where the USS Kidd is docked and where you can see the large Baton Rouge sign. The Louisiana Art and Science Museum is nearby as well. It is a great place to watch the boats and relax.
eat classic Louisiana cuisine
You simply cannot come to Louisiana without trying some incredible bites. The cuisine is a blend of Creole, Cajun, French and African influences. You will love mouth-watering jambalaya, gumbo, po’boys and beignets.
Other top things to do while visiting Baton Rouge
Some other top tourist attractions in Baton Rouge include the LSU Rural Life Museum which depict 19th century plantation life, the Baton Rouge Zoo, the Capitol Park Museum, Magnolia Mound Plantation and the Louisiana Art and Science Museum.
Our trip Baton Rouge
We went to Baton Rouge as part of our cross country trip in December of 2016. We stopped in Baton Rouge as one of my good friends was living there. We were lucky enough to crash with my friend. We spent a day exploring Baton Rouge and did a day trip to New Orleans during our stay before we headed further west to Texas.
