Understand
[edit]The name of Baton Rouge was given on 17 March 1699, Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d'Iberville, led an expedition along the Mississippi River. The early French explorers found a pole stained with blood of fish and animals that served as the dividing line between the Bayougoula and Houmas Indians. It is from this "red stick" that Iberville called the city le Baton Rouge, French for "red stick". The city was founded in 1721.
The small town here was selected as the new capital of state of Louisiana in 1817, and it's been growing since. The capital was returned to New Orleans for a while during and after the troubles of the American Civil War, but it's been back here since 1882.
Climate
[edit]Baton Rouge has a semi-tropical climate, perfect for outdoor activities.
The weather is consistently warm from May to September. Be warned that, like the rest of the Southern United States during the summer, it can become down-right miserable, with sustained temperatures in the 90s (°F) with 100% humidity. Proper medical precautions should be taken if you plan on partaking in outdoor activities, such as ample amounts of sunscreen and hydration. Also, there are many days throughout July that are classified as "ozone days" due to severe ground-level ozone, which can damage the health of sensitive individuals.
Winter is usually mild and short-lived. Spring is glorious with cool nights and warm, sunny days. A light jacket is all that is needed. Fall is mild and only a light sweater is needed in the evenings.
May is considered the best month to visit, good for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Precipitation is reasonably well-distributed and ample throughout the year with an average annual precipitation of 55 in (140 cm)
- Average summer temperature: 81.3°F (27°C)
- Average winter temperature: 52.5°F (11°C)
- Average annual temperature: 67.5°F (20°C)
Baton Rouge, like many cities in the Gulf States, has what is known as 5 seasons. The 5th season is hurricane season, the time of year between June 1 and November 30 when hurricanes are most likely to form.
Tourist information
[edit]- Visit Baton Rouge website
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]- 1 Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR IATA) (in north Baton Rouge, near Southern University). Has nonstop flights on American Eagle from Dallas/Fort Worth (Envoy & Skywest Airlines) and Charlotte (PSA Airlines); Delta Connection from Atlanta (Endeavour Air); and United Express from Houston (CommutAir).
- 2 Louisiana Regional Airport. A general aviation airport in the nearby suburb of Gonzales.
By train
[edit]
While there is no Amtrak train service to Baton Rouge, connecting bus service can be booked with the Sunset Limited between New Orleans and Los Angeles as well as with City of New Orleans, which runs to and from Chicago.
By car
[edit]From New Orleans, Baton Rouge is an 80-mi (129-km) northwest drive on I-10, which drives into the heart of downtown. The distance between the two Louisiana cities is an easy 90-min drive if you avoid weekday rush hours; if you catch the traffic of commuter rush hours at either end it can take a lot longer.
If you're driving in from anywhere east of Louisiana, come into Baton Rouge via I-12, which will take you north of Lake Ponchartrain and bypasses New Orleans. From the west, I-10 connects Lafayette, Houston, San Antonio, Tucson, Phoenix, and Los Angeles with Baton Rouge. From the east, I-10 connects Baton Rouge with New Orleans, Mobile, Pensacola, and Jacksonville. If you're coming from Chicago, St. Louis, or Memphis follow I-55 South and merge onto I-12 West and continue driving for roughly 45 mi (72 km).
By bus
[edit]In town the bus companies have their own separate stations & stops in downtown (Flixbus, Greyhound and Megabus) and in the east side of town (Turimex):
- 3 Flixbus, (bus stop) 138 Florida St (River Rd & Florida St. Bus will board along the yellow curb on the south side of Florida St, opposite from a parking lot). Service to Baton Rouge from Houston and New Orleans. Additional local pick-up at the Greyhound bus station at 1253 Florida Blvd and the Chevron station at 1295 Highland Rd. Check your tickets for pick-up/drop off locations.
- Delta Bus Lines, (Greyhound bus station) 1253 Florida Blvd (same location as Greyhound on Florida Blvd & 13th St), ☏ +1 662-335-2144, fax: +1 662-335-2174. Connects Memphis to Baton Rouge through Cleveland,Robinsonville, Shelby, Tunica and Clarksdale. Passengers transfer in Cleveland to continue towards Indianola, Greeneville, Jackson. Tickets with Delta Bus lines can also be booked with Greyhound (see below).
- 4 Greyhound Lines & Quicklink, (bus station) 1253 Florida Blvd (Florida Blvd & 13th St), ☏ +1 225 383-3811, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. Greyhound travels primarily on I-10 (Houston, Beaumont Vidor, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Orleans); US 90 (Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Iberia, Morgan City, Thibodaux, Houma, Raceland and New Orleans). Some variations of the Houston to New Orleans route make additional stops in Port Arthur, Orange, Baytown and/or Lake Charles while other routes continue towards Montgomery via Mobile without stopping in New Orleans. Passengers transfer in Lafayette to reach Shreveport. They also offer a more frequent and less expensive commuter service to New Orleans on their Quick Link brand who have separate stops at a Chevron gas station at 2915 Highland Rd and the Albertson's store on 2950 College Dr (at I-10).
- 5 Turimex Internacional, (bus stop) Agencia La Tiendita at 6031 Siegen Ln (Siegen Strip mall at Siegen Lane (SR-3246) & Cloverland south of the US Hwy 61 junction), toll-free: +1-800-733-7330. Service to Baton Rouge from Houston, Raleigh NC and points in between. Buses continue south into Mexico from Houston and San Antonio. In Louisiana they only stop in Hammond & Lafayette. In town they have additional stops at W Spring Valley & S Colt Rd and at 17453 Old Hammond Hwy.
- 1 Capital Area Transit System (CATS), (bus terminal) 2250 Florida Blvd (22nd St & Florida Blvd), ☏ +1 225 389-8282. Capital Area Transit System (CATS) operates city buses in and around Baton Rouge. The marked location is the central bus transit center/bus station for CATS.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]
Map of Baton Rouge
Government
[edit]- 1 Louisiana State Capitol, State Capitol Dr, ☏ +1 225-342-7317. Louisiana's new state capitol building dominates the city's skyline. It's an impressive Art Deco style skyscraper, built as part of the grand vision of Louisiana's colorful political boss of the 1920s and 1930s, Huey P. Long, who met his end by assassination in its halls.
- 2 Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd, ☏ +1 225 342-0500. Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM. This 19th-century castle serving as the State Capitol before Gov. Huey P. Long built the new skyscraper. It is now a museum.
- 3 Louisiana Governor's Mansion, 1001 Capitol Access Rd, ☏ +1 225 342-5855.
Museums
[edit]- 4 Louisiana Art and Science Museum, 100 S River Rd, ☏ +1 225 344-5272, [email protected].
- 5 Capitol Park Museum, 660 N. 4th St, ☏ +1 225 342-5428. Near the State Capitol this museum features two floors of exhibits related to Louisiana culture, with such curiosities as Louis Armstrong's first bugle, Huey P. Long's tombstone, and a Civil War Confederate submarine with hand-cranked propeller.
- 6 LSU Rural Life Museum, 4560 Essen Ln, ☏ +1 225 765-2437, [email protected]. Admission includes access to an indoor museum, an outdoor collection of historical structures and some reconstructions of historical structures, and a botanical garden. Historical structures include slave quarters previously owned by one of the founders of the LSU. Those interested in the history of slavery and the period thereafter should be aware that they may find some of the interpretative signage whitewashes the treatment of African Americans.
Military and historical sites
[edit]- 7 Pentagon Barracks Museum, 702 River Rd. These barracks have been used by used by the Republic of West Florida, Spanish, French, British, Confederate States Army, and United States Army over the years.
- 8 Veteran's Memorial Park, 599 State Capitol Dr #523. Daily 6AM-9PM. Veterans memorial and old arsenal museum. Also note Capitol Lake is right behind.
Other
[edit]- 9 Louisiana State University (LSU) (Exit Dalrymple on I-10). LSU is a Tier 1 ranked university, and the flagship university for Louisiana. Aside from its academic excellence, the LSU campus in Baton Rouge is over a century old, and a historic delight for visitors. The campus is lush and green, with oaks that are as old as the campus itself. Historical Highland Road runs down a section of LSU, making the campus an easy visit for any tourist. Must sees include Tiger Stadium, the Indian Mounds, the Quad, the outdoor Greek Amphitheater, and the acres of beautiful, pedestrian friendly grounds. Food is available on campus at the Student Union for visitors, or you can eat at The Chimes, which is on Chimes Street running parallel to the LSU campus. edit
- 10 Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, 10503 N. Oak Hills Parkway, ☏ +1 225 757-8905. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM, closed M. Featuring wildlife and ecology exhibits, a 65-acre cypress-tupelo swamp, navigable by boardwalk filled with wildlife such as birds, bobcats, foxes, turtles and alligators. $3 for adults, $2.50 for aged 65+, $2 for age 3-17, free for aged 2 and younger.
- 11 Magnolia Mound Plantation House, 2161 Nicholson Dr, ☏ +1 225 343-4955.
Do
[edit]Parks and zoos
[edit]- 1 Baton Rouge Zoo, 3601 Thomas Rd, ☏ +1 225 775-3877, fax: +1 225 775-3931, [email protected]. Enjoy the Otter Pond, L'aquarium de Louisiane, Parrot Paradise, the Cypress Bayou Railroad, the Safari Playground & KidsZoo petting zoo.
- 2 Mike the Tiger's Habitat, 16 N Stadium Dr, ☏ +1 225 578-4823. Where you can visit the live LSU tiger mascot in his habitat.
- 3 Blue Bayou Water Park / Dixie Landin', 18142 Perkins Rd. (near I-10 and Highland Rd), ☏ +1 225 753-3333. This is the largest amusement park in the area. The main attraction is the enormous waterslide "Conja".
- 4 Independence Park, 7500 Independence Blvd, ☏ +1 225 928-7860. This park has Botanic Gardens, a tennis facility, the Independence Park Theater, and another water park (called Liberty Lagoon).
- LSU Lakes, LSU (Exit Dalrymple at I-10). The LSU Lakes are an attraction for residents in Baton Rouge. Composed of several lakes near LSU, they are open to the public for fishing. In addition, there are extensive running tracks that run next to the lakes for miles for walking, jogging, and running. You can easily mix and mingle with LSU college students, all of whom consider the LSU Lakes part of their home campus.
Theaters
[edit]- 5 Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St, ☏ +1 225 346-5001. Onsite dining includes Tsunamis, Capitol City Grill, PJ's Coffee, and Stroubes. The center also features The LSU Museum of Art's rotating exhibitions, rotating events from the Manship Theatre, and the LSU School of Art Flassell Gallery. This is the city's newest major performing arts complex. It features the Manship Theatre and a rooftop sushi restaurant.
- Swine Palace Productions (in LSU's "theater-in-the-round" Reilly Theatre). Originally a livestock-judging pavilion, Swine Palace are Baton Rouge's premier professional theater company.
Other
[edit]
- Red Stick Farmers Market, 501 Main St (Fifth Street, between Main and North Street). Saturday mornings from 8AM-noon. The Red Stick Farmers Market, operated by BREADA (Big River Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance), is a producer only market with over 50 vendors that has been in operation for nearly ten years. Located on Downtown Baton Rouge, the market is open in conjunction with The Main Street Market. Going to the Market is a great way to experience culture and goods from local vendors and farmers.
- 6 Tour the USS Kidd, 305 South River Rd (Downtown Baton Rouge). The USS Kidd, a WWII era US Navy destroyer, offers tours to locals and tourists alike. A real delight if you are a WWII or military enthusiast or if you have children.
- Tailgate during an LSU home game, LSU (Exit Dalrymple on I-10, go right to LSU), ☏ +1 225 635-6277. LSU has an incredible tailgating scene. It's not uncommon for 100,000+ people to be tailgating in and around LSU--Tiger Stadium has a seating capacity of over 102,000! You'll be amazed at the number and friendliness of the crowd. Plan on arriving hours before the game to be able to park within a reasonable distance (< 2 miles). And *always* feel free to ask for a burger or gumbo from fellow tail-gaters as it's tradition to be friendly and open with fellow fans.
- Tin Roof Brewery Tour (Exit Nicholson at I-10), ☏ +1 225 377-7022. Fridays from 5PM to 7PM. Baton Rouge's only microbrewery. Excellent guided tours every Friday at 6PM with three free beer samples for those over 21. Definitely a must for any beer lover. Free.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mall of Louisiana, 6401 Bluebonnet Blvd, ☏ +1 225 761-7228. Large shopping mall in the south part of town, just off the Bluebonnett exit of I-10. Mall also includes nearby shopping centers, the AMC Movie Theater, and many restaurants.
- Perkins Rowe. A new mixed-use development at the corner of Perkins Road and Bluebonnet Blvd. Has many retail shops, restaurants, and Cinemark Movie Theater
- Denham Springs Antique Village, about 18 miles east of Baton Rouge on North Range Aveune (LA 16) between Centerville Street (LA 1032) and Railroad Avenue. Antiques are a pretty serious matter in this town.
Eat
[edit]- Anthony's Italian Deli, 10248 Florida Blvd (Driving west on Florida Blvd from down town it is in a small store front area on the left after Oak Villa. Look for the Italian flag sign.), ☏ +1 225 272-6817, [email protected]. M-Sa 9:30AM-6PM. This is a great place to go for good deli food and classic Italian dishes like spaghetti and meat balls and great muffuletta. Eat at the deli and enjoy the atmosphere and the personalities. $8-13.
- The Chimes. An LSU staple for generations, at the North Gates of campus on Highland. Predominantly frequented by students and faculty, The Chimes serves a mix of standards with Louisiana Cajun/Creole fare, and has one of the best beer selections in town.
- Fleur de Lis, 5655 Government St, ☏ +1 225 924-2904. Tu-Sa 10AM-10PM. Baton Rouge's other half-century old pizza parlor, originally a gas station on the outskirts of town, the Fleur de Lis is a family restaurant with a dedicated old Baton Rouge clientele. Cash or check only.
- George's, Perkins Road (just south of the Overpass).
- Rock n Sake, Perkins Rd (near the overpass). Sushi restaurant and bar; fun hip place with an awesome bar and fantastic food.
- India's Restaurant, 5230 Essen Ln. Southern part of the city, convenient just west of the Essen Ln. I-10 exit, +1 225 769-0600. Good, reasonably priced Indian food; buffet or menu.
- Louie's. open 24/7. A traditional diner right at LSU's North Gate.
- Parrain's, 3225 Perkins Road (in the mid-city district), ☏ +1 225 381-9922. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. Parrain's has established itself as one of the best places to experience traditional Louisiana cuisine, most notably its fried seafood.
- The Pastime. A half-century old pizza parlor and bar serving easily the best pizza in the city. Also the home of "Boudin Pizza", a unique South Louisiana concoction representing the collision of Acadian and Italian cultures.
- Piccadilly Restaurants. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, the Piccadilly chain has been serving traditional, home-style meals since 1944 at affordable prices. Southern favorites include: Fried Chicken, Crawfish Etouffee, Carrot Souffle and Pecan Pie. Meals include entree, two sides and bread. $5-10.
- Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, 14929 Market St, ☏ +1 225 408-1658. Home-grown chain of fast-food restaurants that serve only chicken finger meals, and have proven so adept at doing it that they have successfully expanded to other markets in the South and increasingly beyond. Side items available include crinkle-cut fries, Texas Toast, cole slaw, and the mysterious-yet-addictive special dipping sauce.
- Sporting News Grill, 4848 Constitution Ave, ☏ +1 225 636-5347. Sporting News Grill's casual upscale atmosphere encourages everyone to relax and have a great time while catching sports action on high definition flat screen TVs placed strategically throughout the restaurant.
- TJ Ribs, 2324 S Acadian Thrwy, ☏ +1 225 383-7427. M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-10PM. Famous for pork and beef ribs, but also accommodates diners with other eating habits. LSU legend Billy Cannon's Heisman Trophy is on display here, as he exchanged it for lifetime eating privileges. $10-15.
- Tsunami. A sushi restaurant perched high above the city on the roof of the Shaw Center. The establishment has one of the best views in the entire city.
- Zeeland Street Market (in the Garden District just north of the LSU Campus). It is one of the best places in town to get soul food. Locally famous for their delicious heaping plate lunches, Zeeland Street Market is a favorite for college students with a hankering for a home cooked meal. The plate lunch menu rotates daily and all of the ingredients are fresh from local markets. Take special note that Zeeland's is only open for breakfast and lunch.
- Bystro Byronz. Two locations: Mid-City on Government Street and Willow Grove off of Perkins Road near Perkins Rowe. A neighborhood restaurant known for burgers and other bistro-inspired dishes.
Drink
[edit]The Baton Rouge Metro Council has outlawed many drink specials in establishments classified as bars, so if you're looking to save a buck, you should stick with drinking in restaurants. However, if you're looking for that bar atmosphere, there are several places to choose from. Baton Rouge's blue laws were repealed in 2007, but restrictions on drink specials are still in effect.
- Chimes Restaurant and Oyster Bar (The OC), 3357 Highland Rd, ☏ +1 225 383-1754, fax: +1 225 387-5413. M-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 11AM-11PM. The largest selection of beer, both bottled and on tap, in the Capitol City area and maybe the entire state. They serve practically anything you can think of. Be sure to ask about "Drinking around the world". There are several reports of bottled beer being served past its prime, but anything on draft seems fine.
- The Chimes East, 10870 Coursey Blvd (between Airline Hwy and Sherwood Forest Blvd), ☏ +1 225 296-4981. M-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 11AM-11PM. A newer sister store of the Chimes Restaurant.
- Churchill's, 7949 Jefferson Hwy Ste C, ☏ +1 225 927-4211. "Premium Cigars & Elixirs", also frequently has live music and tastings.
- Happy's Irish Pub, 136 Third St. A low-key downtown bar with an eclectic mix of college kids, professionals and everyone in between.
- Tigerland, Bob Pettit Blvd. A group of bars just south of LSU for those really into the college bar scene; with student favorites such as Freds, Tiger Bar, JL's Place, etc. This is also a place fraught with druken bar fights.
- Bulldog, 4385 Perkins Rd (between Acadian and College, behind Red Zephlin Pizza), ☏ +1 225 303-9400. 11:30AM-2AM. Great place to socialize with friends and drink a lot of different beers. They have passable food and cocktails as well. Make sure to have valid ID as they will card.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Royal Inn & Suites, 710 N Lobdell Ave, ☏ +1 225 831-9255.
- 2 DoubleTree Baton Rouge, 4964 Constitution Ave, ☏ +1 225 925-1005. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Offers 127 guest suites, complimentary WiFi, and delicious regional cuisine at the 4964 Restaurant. Rooms from $104.
- Courtyard Baton Rouge Siegen Lane, 10307 N Mall Dr, ☏ +1 225 293-7200, fax: +1 225 293-0323.
- Crowne Plaza Baton Rouge, 4728 Constitution Ave, ☏ +1 225 925-2244.
- 3 Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, 201 Lafayette St, ☏ +1 225 344-5866. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center is a historic building and hotel in downtown Baton Rouge. AAA 4-Diamond rated hotel, offering 290 guest rooms, complimentary airport shuttle, and an on-site Viking Cooking School. Rooms from $129.
- 4 Holiday Inn College Drive, 4848 Constitution Ave, ☏ +1 225 448-2030.
- Wyndham Garden Baton Rouge, 5600 Bluebonnet Blvd, ☏ +1 225 293-1199. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. With a Y-shaped pool.
- 5 SpringHill Suites Baton Rouge South, 7979 Essen Park Ave, ☏ +1 225 766-5252, fax: +1 225 766-0797.
- Belle of Baton Rouge Casino Hotel, 103 France St, ☏ +1 225 242-2600.
- TownePlace Suites Baton Rouge South, 8735 Summa Blvd, ☏ +1 225 819-2112, toll-free: +1-800-257-3000, fax: +1 225 819-2117.
- Residence Inn Baton Rouge Towne Center at Cedar Lodge, 7061 Commerce Circle, ☏ +1-225 925-9100.
Connect
[edit]- 1 East Baton Rouge Parish Library (EBRPL).
Go next
[edit]- Covington to the east
- New Orleans
- Plantation houses along River Road between Baton Rouge and New Orleans
- River Parishes in Acadiana, on the other side of the Mississippi River
- St. Francisville to the north
| Routes through Baton Rouge |
| Lake Charles ← Lafayette ← | W  E
|
→ LaPlace → New Orleans |
| END ← | W  E
|
→ Jct N  S → Covington → Slidell
|
| Natchez ← St. Francisville ← | N  S
|
→ LaPlace → New Orleans |
| Opelousas ← Krotz Springs ← | W  E
|
→ Jct N S → Covington → Slidell
|