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The Best Things to Do in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Are you interested in the best activities and sights in Baton Rouge? Donn’t miss our list of the top things to do in Baton Rouge!

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Located on the majestic Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is Louisiana’s capital city with a little over 225,000 residents. The city is home to the state government buildings, Louisiana State University, and a myriad of activities and attractions including a surprisingly large number of free things to do.

The history of Baton Rouge, meaning the Red Stick, is a fascinating one. Although New Orleans was originally the state capital, the government was moved to Baton Rouge as a way to decentralize power in New Orleans. At the time, New Orleans had a population of 100,000 people while Baton Rouge was basically still a backwater with just over 2,000 people. The decision paid off and Baton Rouge began to grow quickly. The city played an important role in the Civil War. Today, you can find many historic 19th century locations scattered around the surrounding areas. 

There are also many parks and gardens surrounding Baton Rouge and thanks to Louisiana’s moderate weather, many of these are accessible year-round! 

Baton Rouge is less than 90 minutes drive from New Orleans and the two cities are well connected by public transport. Mobile, Alabama is just three hours away heading east and to the west, Houston is around four hours away. Although it is possible to see many of the city sights on foot, Baton Rouge is quite a spread-out city so if you want to see and do much outside of the downtown area, which we highly recommend, it is necessary to have a car handy. 

We know that planning a vacation can sometimes be a headache especially if you’re juggling work and family so to help you get started we have put together this handy travel guide covering all of the top things to do in Baton Rouge from military museums to swampland. There is a lot to see here and you may find yourself wishing that you had just a little bit more time to spend in this fascinating city!


Explore Baton Rouge with Let’s Roam

If you are looking for a really interesting way to explore downtown Baton Rouge, don’t forget to pick up one of our Baton Rouge Scavenger Hunts. This fun-filled activity will have you racing your loved ones through the streets of Baton Rouge to find your next clue and claim the big prize – pride and bragging rights! You will learn a lot about the city along the way and we promise that you will have a fantastic time doing it!


Discover Downtown Baton Rouge

Downtown Baton Rouge is a wonderful place to explore. It is overflowing with interesting attractions and centuries-old buildings and since most of the attractions are located within one area, it is easy to wander from one place to the next.   There are many historic neighborhoods where you can lose yourself in the charming streets or spend hours hitting the shops, bars, and restaurants.  This is a great place to try quintessential southern cooking or hear live music being performed by up-and-coming artists. 

Louisiana State Capitol 

Home of the Louisiana State Legislature, the Louisiana State Capitol was opened in 1931 and replaced the Old State Capitol. Rather than many state capitol buildings that feature large domes, the Louisiana State Capitol rises dramatically from the ground and stands as the tallest building in Baton Rouge and the seventh tallest building in the state of Louisiana. Nicknamed “Huey Long’s Monument” due to the former populist governor’s influence in its creation, the capital looks like many of the art deco skyscrapers built during the Gilded Age of the 1920s complete with an observation deck on the top and it is an interesting departure from other state capitols.

Today, it is possible to visit the building daily from 8 am until 4:30 pm and while you are there, you may be able to see the Louisianan government at work. The capital is located in Downtown Baton Rouge right on the edge of Capitol Lake. Admission is free of charge. 

Veterans Memorial Park

The lovely Veterans Memorial Park is located right next to the Louisiana State Capitol. It is the first memorial on Louisiana state property to honor the hundreds of thousands of Louisianans who have served in the United States military. The park features walking paths, and benches where you can sit and contemplate the sacrifice that the generations before us have made. 

Capitol Park Museum

This wonderful museum covers the history, culture, and unique geography of the Bayou State through its two permanent exhibits, Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana and the Nation, and Experience Louisiana: Discovering the Soul of America.  The Capitol Park Museum uses its wide collection of artifacts along with interactive exhibits to bring Louisiana’s history to life. Highlights of the museum include a 48-foot wooden shrimp trawler, a Civil War submarine, and the replica holding cells that enslaved people were forced into while awaiting their turn on the auction block. There is also an impressive exhibit on the Louisiana musicians and you can see Pete Fountain’s clarinet, Louis Armstrong’s bugle, and Buddy Guy’s polka dot Stratocaster guitar. 

The park is located just across from the Capitol Gardens and the Louisiana State Capitol. Tickets cost just $7 per adult and if you purchase tickets to more than two Louisiana State museums, you can get a 20% discount. 

Pentagon Barracks

Right next to the Capitol Gardens, you can find the Pentagon Barracks Museum. Like much of Louisiana, the Pentagon Barracks have changed hands many times throughout history and have been under the control of Britain, France, Spain, and the United States. It was an area that helped shape the fate of Louisiana and famous men including Abraham Lincoln, Lafayette, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and George Custer have all set foot in these historic buildings. Strangely, they were also once the birthplace of the Republic of West Florida. 

The barracks were used as an American military outpost before being taken over by the Confederacy during the Civil War. The Union quickly regained control and renamed it Fort Williams. The fort was handed over to Louisiana State University in 1884 and today, it now contains the offices of the lieutenant governor of Louisiana and the private apartments of state legislators. Since it is a residential area, it is not possible to go inside; however, you can take a walk around the grounds and get a closer look at the building’s exterior. It is also a great spot for photography and depending on when you go, you may find happy couples posing for their prom and wedding photos. 

Spanish Town Historic District

The Spanish Town Historic District is located a few blocks east of the State Capitol. As the oldest neighborhood in Baton Rouge, the district has an interesting history.  The neighborhood gets its name from the Spanish people who moved here in the early 1800s after the Louisiana Purchase made their former homes part of the United States. After the Civil War, many newly freed African Americans moved here and created a vibrant district. 

The neighborhood today is just as interesting as its history. As you stroll along the charming streets, you will see many 19th century buildings with the oldest structure dating back to 1823. The architecture is a bit eclectic and you will find Greek Revival and Queen Anne design as well as craftsman bungalows, and shotgun houses. Spanish Town now hosts Baton Rouge’s biggest Mardi Gras, which can be a bit raunchy and is certainly not family-friendly and has a flamingo as its mascot. It is a fun place to explore and if you get hungry, there are plenty of eateries to choose from. 

Old State Capitol Museum of Political History

As you head south from the Louisiana State Capitol, you will reach the Old State Capitol. Built in the mid-19th century, the Old State Capitol resembles more of a castle than an American government building thanks to its Gothic design elements. The building stands high up on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River surrounded by beautiful gardens. 

Known as Louisiana’s castle on the river, the Old Capitol was used as a government building from 1850 until 1862 and then again from 1884 until 1932. It was here that the Louisiana government voted to secede from the United States of America and declared itself a sovereign state. Two months later, Louisiana joined the Confederacy. In 1862, the LA government fled Baton Rouge and the Union took over the building and used it as a command post and prison. At the end of the war, a fire gutted the building leaving just the external walls behind. 

The capital was reopened in 1884 after extensive reconstruction complete with a newly added fourth floor, imposing exterior towers, a regal cast iron spiral staircase, and a beautiful stained glass dome. The building remained in use until 1934 when Governor Huey P. Long, who despite being under threat of impeachment for bribery and the misuse of state funds, was able to convince the legislature to build a new state capitol.

Today, the Old Capitol is being used as a fascinating museum that takes visitors through the history of Baton Rouge and you can see for yourself where some of the state’s most defining moments occurred. The museum also features interesting exhibitions on a wide array of subjects. The interior of the building is absolutely beautiful and that alone makes it a great place to check out. The museum is free which is just the icing on the cake!

Shaw Center for the Arts

Located just north of the Old State Capitol, the Shaw Center for the Arts is a mecca for art lovers in Baton Rouge. The center is home to the Manship Theatre, Glassell Gallery, LSU Museum of Art, and the River Terrace, a popular event venue. 

Manship Theatre

As Baton Rouge’s center for the performing arts, the Manship Theatre hosts a wide array of events including concerts, film screenings, and dance performances. There is a full schedule of events on their website so if you are looking for something interesting to do in the evenings, you may want to check out what is going on while you are in town. 

The Glassell Gallery provides exhibition space for ultra-contemporary artwork. While you are there, you can see work from LSU students and faculty in addition to work by artists located across the US. The gallery is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 12 pm until 5 pm. Admission is free of charge. 

LSU Museum of Art

The LSU Museum of Art first opened its doors in 1962 and has provided Baton Rouge residents the opportunity to experience world-class art ever since. The museum has more than 13,000 feet of exhibition space to showcase its collection of more than 6,500 works of art including an extensive collection of Louisiana art. During your visit, you can view regional, American, and European art such as paintings, decorative arts, drawings, photography, and sculpture. Admission to the museum is $5 per adult and it is open from 10 am until 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 pm until 5 pm on Sundays. 

Old Governor’s Mansion

Located just a few blocks east of the Old State Capitol, the Old Governor’s Mansion was used as the governor’s residence from 1930 until 1963. It was built while the infamous Huey Long was governor after he had the previous one torn down and he was the mansion’s first resident. Its resemblance to the White House in Washington DC is uncanny and according to legend, Long wanted to prepare himself for when he became President of the United States. Whether this is true or not, we will never know. 

The mansion now serves as a historic house museum and it is possible to take a guided tour of this beautiful building that nine Louisiana governors called home. Tours run from 10 am until 3 pm and tickets cost $10 per adult. 

Louisiana Art & Science Museum

Lying west of the Old State Capitol along the Mississippi River in a historic train station, the Louisiana Art & Science Museum is one of Louisiana’s premier science museums. The station was built in 1925, which is already pretty cool in itself, and inside, you will find fascinating exhibits covering everything from the solar system to Ancient Egypt. There is also a steady stream of rotating exhibits and planetarium shows so even if you have visited the museum before, there may be something new waiting for you there! Tickets cost $12 per adult and the museum is open from 10 am until 3 pm from Wednesday until Saturday and from 1 pm until 5 pm on Sundays. 

Riverfront Plaza

This beautiful 5-acre park lies right against the Mississippi River and features walking and cycling paths which provide the perfect spot to get a bit of exercise (and to burn off some of that yummy Southern cooking!). From the park, you can get sweeping views of the river and there are plenty of spots to sit down and relax for a while. 

USS Kidd Veterans Museum

The USS Kidd is anchored just off of Riverfront Plaza. This Fletcher-class destroyer is named after Admiral Kidd who was killed on the USS Arizona during the Pearl Harbour attacks of World War II. The ship played a key role in the invasion of Okinawa and went on to serve in the Korean War.  The USS Kidd is now a floating museum showcasing artifacts related to naval military history and celebrating the brave men and women who have served the United States. Tickets are just $13 per adult and the museum is open from 9:30 until 3:30 pm daily. 

Magnolia Cemetery

This haunting cemetery was established in 1820 and is the final resting place of many of Baton Rouge’s most prominent residents including many politicians. During the Battle of Baton Rouge, the cemetery experienced intense fighting. Luckily, today the grounds are incredibly peaceful and it is a nice area to go for a stroll while reflecting on the area’s turbulent history. The cemetery is located on the eastern side of Downtown Baton Rouge. 

Visit the Louisiana State University Campus

The Louisiana State University campus is located about three miles south of downtown Baton Rouge. This sprawling campus has more than 250 buildings, many of which are designed in an Italian Renaissance style. With more than 30,000 students enrolled, the campus has a youthful energy that perfectly complements the beautiful buildings and grounds. The campus is open to the public and it is a popular spot to check out during a visit to Baton Rouge.

While the campus is beautiful and worth a trip, one of the best things to see there isn’t one of the imposing university buildings or the sleek stadium, it is actually Mike the Tiger who serves as the honorary mascot of LSU.  While many universities are happy to have their mascot be a person in a costume that jumps around during sporting events, LSU takes it one step further and has a real live tiger on campus who lives in his very own tiger habitat.  The tradition to have a tiger on campus began back in 1934 when students raised $740 to buy one from the Little Rock Zoo and named him after the school’s Athletic Director Mike Chambers.   The original Mike retired after 20 years of service and his taxidermied body is now on display at the LSU Museum of Natural Science.  Many more Mikes have followed since and the tradition lives on today.  No trip to the LSU campus is complete without heading over to say hello to LSUs most famous staff member. 

LSU Tiger Stadium

Baton Rouge residents take sports seriously and there is no better place to see this passion in action than the LSU Tiger Stadium. The stadium’s nickname is Death Valley and if that’s not telling enough, it is even said that during home games, the stadium becomes Louisiana’s fifth-largest city thanks to the influx of 100,000 fans.  This is one of the best spots in the United States to catch a football game (or a football if you happen to be one of the players on the field!). You can find a full schedule for the upcoming season and purchase tickets on the LSU website. 

Alex Box Stadium

Located just south of the Louisiana State University campus, the Alex Box Stadium is home to the LSU baseball team. It is a great place to watch a game thanks to the well-designed seating arrangement and the vibrant energy that fans bring with them to the stadium. If you happen to visit Baton Rouge in the spring and are a baseball fan, make sure to check out the team’s schedule before your visit. 

Jack and Priscilla Andonie Sports Museum at LSU

Jack and Priscilla Andonie gathered nearly 13,000 pieces of LSU-related memorabilia and artifacts over the course of three decades and this collection has formed the basis of this interesting little sports history museum. Located within the alumni center at LSU, the Andonie Sport Museum has 54 different displays showcasing all of LSU’s sports as well as exhibits on the LSU cheerleaders, marching band, and majorettes. While you are strolling through the exhibits, you can also watch past sporting events on one of the 24 wall-mounted TVs. The museum is open from 9 am until 4:30 pm Monday to Friday and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. On game days, the museum closes two hours before kick-off giving you plenty of time to stop in and explore the history of LSU sports before heading to your seats inside the stadium. Tickets are $3 per adult.

Explore the Surrounding Areas

The areas surrounding Downtown Baton Rouge have a wide variety of fun activities and attractions.  From quirky museums to beautiful parks and gardens as well as the sprawling LSU campus which is just three miles away from downtown, there is enough to do in the suburbs of Baton Rouge to keep you busy for days on end!

City Brooks Community Park 

Located in southeastern Baton Rouge, the City Brooks Community Park covers 154 acres of parkland. Within the park, you can find walking paths, a splash pad that provides a great way to cool off, a labyrinth designed for meditation and relaxation, a golf course, a tennis center, and much more. It is also home to Baton Rouge’s children’s museum, the Baton Rouge Gallery, and the northern section of City Park Lake. 

Knock Knock Children’s Museum

The Knock Knock Children’s Museum features fun-filled interactive exhibits designed to excite young learners. Based on the theory of playing with a purpose, the Knock Knock Children’s Museum aims to increase literacy rates and inspire children to learn more about STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). Kids can visit learning zones with fun themes like Go Go Garage, Pelican Pantry, I See Food Cafe, and the Art Garden.  This is the perfect place to take curious kiddos and help them burn off some energy. Admission to the museum is limited to two-hour-long pre-booked entry slots and tickets cost $14 each. Don’t forget to arrive at the very start of your scheduled time. There are a ton of fun things to do here and we all know how fun dragging a child away from playtime can be!

LSU Rural Life Museum

The LSU Rural Life Museum is located in the Burden Museum and Gardens in East Baton Rouge. This outdoor, living museum takes you back in time to see what life was like in Baton Rouge in the 18th and 19th centuries. Louisiana has been a multicultural place for hundreds of years with people of Spanish, French, Native American, African, German, and AngloAmerican people all settling there. The museum reflects the contributions made by all of these different groups through three different sections of the park including a working plantation which focuses on the enslaved people who helped build America with the sweat off of their backs, a section focusing on the settlers that relocated to the area, and a Cajun section that pays homage to the unique culture that has developed in the surrounding areas. 

The park has the largest collection of Louisianan architecture and material items in the state and this is one of the best places to learn more about Louisiana’s rural past. The museum is open from 8 am until 5 pm daily and it costs $10 to enter. 

AGCenter Botanic Gardens

The AGCenter Botanic Gardens feature an impressive collection of formal gardens, woodlands, and wetlands connected by five miles of walking trails. During a visit, you can explore the Burden Woods, Children’s Garden, Rose Garden, a Tropical Garden, and even a Memory Garden. There are special events held throughout the year and it is a popular venue for weddings.  It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and destress for a few hours.  The gardens are located within the same area as the LSU Rural Life Museum and are open from 8 am until 5 pm daily. 

National Hansen’s Disease Museum

The National Hansen’s Disease Museum may be 16 miles away from Baton Rouge, but it is well worth the effort of getting there. This interesting museum is dedicated to the victims of leprosy, also known as Hansen’s Disease, and the health care workers who cared for them.  During your visit, you can learn more about the history and treatment of leprosy and see the tools that were used to treat patients. It gives a fascinating look into this much-maligned disease. The museum is located in Carville and is open from 10 am until 4 pm. Admission is free of charge. 

Magnolia Mound Plantation

Built in 1791, Magnolia Mound is a French Creole plantation house and was one of the first buildings in Baton Rouge. It was owned by an Irish immigrant named John Joyce. During this time, the 900-acre plantation had at least 50 enslaved people who helped grow and harvest indigo, cotton, tobacco, and sugarcane.  The house was bought and sold many times throughout the past century before the city of Baton Rouge finally converted it into a historic home museum.

Today, the home serves as an educational resource where visitors can learn more about plantation life in the 19th century as well as the unique French-Creole culture that developed in Louisiana. The house is richly decorated with period furniture including locally-made pieces from the colonial era and nearby, you can see the open-hearth kitchen, slave quarters, the overseer’s house, and a three-seat outhouse which will make you forever grateful to have the luxury of your own private toilet. Tickets to tour the property cost $10 and it is open from 10 am until 4 pm Monday to Saturday and from 1 pm until 4 pm on Sundays. 

Blue Bayou Water Park & Dixie Landing

Located about a 20-minute drive southeast of Baton Rouge, the Blue Bayou Water Park is the perfect place to go when you want to cool down on a hot Louisiana day.  With oodles of water slides to choose from, a lazy river, a water play area, and a wave pool, there is something for everyone from thrill-seekers to toddlers.  

Dixie Landing is a small amusement park with a fun selection of carnival rides and a handful of roller coasters that are sure to please.  Tickets for people 48 inches and taller cost $35 or $29 for anyone below 48 inches.   The park is a fun place to spend a day full of family-friendly fun. However, keep in mind that the park gets pretty busy, especially during school holidays so if possible try to come between Monday and Wednesday when everything is much quieter. 

Baton Rouge Zoo

At the Baton Rouge Zoo, you can enter the wonderful world of the animal kingdom.  The zoo is home to over 800 animals from around the world such as giraffes, rhino, alligators, otters, gibbons, and tigers.   The winding walkways lead you through the animal enclosure and at the back of the zoo, there is a small aquarium where you can see native reptiles, fish, amphibians, and spiders from Louisiana including some species that you find nowhere else in the world. There are animal chats throughout the day where you can learn more about your favorite furry friends.  Tickets are only $9 per adult which is quite the bargain for a zoo and it is open from 9:30 am until 5 pm. 

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

This 103-acre nature park takes you deep into the mysterious world of Louisiana’s swampland.  At Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, boardwalks and gravel trails connect the bald cypress-tupelo swamp and the beech magnolia and hardwood forests.   If you are lucky, you may see a raccoon, opossum, armadillo, turtle, or snake as you make your way through the park.  Don’t forget to look up as well as the park is home to many seasonal species during peak migrations. 

The park features a 9,500 square foot information center where you can view live animal exhibits and displays on the park’s flora and fauna.  There is also a large collection of vintage duck decoys.  There are also a number of special events and nature walks held throughout the year so make sure to take a look at the park’s schedule of events to see if there is anything interesting going on while you are in town.  

Just 15 minutes southeast of Downtown Baton Rouge, the park is open from Tuesday until Saturday from 9 am until 5 pm and on Sunday from 12 pm until 5 pm.  The park offers a four-person annual family pass for $42 which is great value, especially if you think you and your family may want to visit the park more than once. 

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