Baton Rouge is home to a diverse selection of foods, attractions, festivals and live music. Whether you are visiting for a weekend, a week or a few months, check out these top attractions.
Old State Capitol
Built in 1849, this castle-like fortress is now a museum with state-of-the-art exhibits. Exhibits include a multi-media film presentation. Touring the Old State Capitol is free. Plan on an hour or two to tour this amazing architecture, complete with a stained-glass dome. Visitor parking is available on the premises. Closed on state holidays.
https://www.louisianaoldstatecapitol.org
USS Kidd Veterans Memorial
This shoreside museum includes artifacts from Louisiana veterans, travelling exhibits, an event space and visiting ships. The USS Kidd is registered as a National Historic Landmark. We recommend 1-2 hours for your visit since there is the ability to walk through the ship. Note that the ship for the most part is not airconditioned and can be rather toasty in the warmer summer months. Museum is open daily 9:30 – 3:30. Adults are just over $12 for admission.
Louisiana State University
LSU is a beautiful tree-covered campus with multiple things to see and do. Explore the Union Art Gallery, Museum of Art, Greek Theater, Museum of Natural Science or catch a Tigers football game. Campus tours are available at various times throughout the year.
Louisiana State Capitol
The current capitol deserves a visit right along with the Old State Capitol. This art deco masterpiece was built in the early 1900’s. While they offer a self-guided tour, we strongly recommend a guided tour as this building holds quite a bit of history. Make sure you head to the 27th floor terrace for amazing views of Baton Rouge and the Mississippi River. Fun fact is that this is the tallest state capitol in the US. Plan on 1 – 2 hours.
State Capitol | Louisiana Welcome Centers
Magnolia Mound Plantation
This historic home is one of the oldest wooden homes in Louisiana. The French Creole plantation house was built in 1791 near the Mississippi River. Take a tour or grab a guidebook to appreciate the vibrant history of this property. There is so much to see and do here, plan on 2 – 4 hours.
BREC Parks | Magnolia Mound Plantation
LSU Rural Life Museum
The Rural Life Museum consists of a 27-building complex set within a 25-acre park. The museum is a recreated 19th century plantation that makes up one of the best outdoor museums in the US. The museum represents the everyday living conditions of rural working classes during the 18th and 19th centuries. Plan on a lot of walking and 2-3 hours to fully explore the grounds.
https://www.lsu.edu/rurallife/
Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
Get out and explore nature in this 101-acre facility that is dedicated to conservation, education and recreation. Includes a 65-acre cypress-tupelo swamp, boardwalk to hike along and wildlife such as birds, foxes, turtles and alligators. The nature center is an informative place to start and includes quite a few animals and reptiles. Expect to be there 1 – 3 hours.
BREC Parks | Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
Baton Rouge Zoo
Over 994 animals inhabit this top attraction in Baton Rouge and call it their home. There is lots of shade throughout the zoo to help keep you cool in the hot summer months. The Zoo hosts Zoo Lights at Christmas. With so much to see here, plan on 2 – 4 hours.
Shaw Center for the Arts
Check out the calendar for special events a the Shaw Center for the Arts. Grab a bite to eat upstairs at Tsunami. The Center also houses the LSU Museum of Art. If you get the chance to catch a show here, know that there are no bad seats in the house and acoustics are spectacular.
Louisiana Arts & Science Museum
The Arts and Science Museum is a great venue for visitors of all ages. The art gallery has changing exhibits and pieces from the permanent collection. There are also interactive galleries designed for children as well as a planetarium that features Sky shows, large-format films, visual music shows and galleries highlighting space science. Plan on at least 1-2 hours here.
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Mark
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.
Angela
Thank you. We hope you have time to visit some of these great locations.