Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge serves as the capital of Louisiana, renowned for its exceptional culinary offerings, historical sites, and unique attractions.

Positioned along the picturesque banks of the mighty Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is celebrated for its delightful river vistas and advantageous location. Regardless of your interests, this vibrant city presents a plethora of enjoyable experiences.

Baton Rouge is also home to the Tigers, the local football team. Sports enthusiasts will find attending a dynamic game at the LSU Tiger Stadium to be an exhilarating experience.

For those traveling with children, a planetarium experience at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum offers an engaging stargazing adventure. Alternatively, visitors may prefer exploring the historic downtown area, visiting the renowned decommissioned destroyer, the USS Kidd, and the Old Arsenal Museum.

Let us delve into the top activities to enjoy in Baton Rouge:

1. LSU Museum of Art

Art enthusiasts in Baton Rouge should prioritize a visit to the LSU Museum of Art, which resides within the larger Shaw Center for the Arts, encompassing an impressive 13,000 square feet across fourteen galleries.

As one of the most frequented destinations in Baton Rouge, the LSU Museum of Art showcases a diverse array of artistic styles and genres, particularly featuring significant works from the southern United States.

In addition to regional art, visitors can explore an international collection, including Chinese art, and view numerous mediums such as carvings, paintings, sculptures, pottery, and multimedia installations.

The onsite store offers the opportunity to acquire exceptional pieces crafted by local artists.

2. Mike the Tiger Habitat

Mike the Tiger serves as the official mascot of Louisiana State University, and visiting his habitat ranks among the top experiences in the city.

This tiger has historically represented the university, with Mike the Tiger I first introduced in the 1930s.

Recent developments have expanded his habitat from a 2,000 square foot enclosure to a 15,000 square foot compound in contemporary times.

3. Magnolia Mound Plantation

Despite its name, Magnolia Mound Plantation is a historic home constructed in 1791, reflecting the French Creole architectural style.

Situated near the scenic banks of the Mississippi River, the plantation spans 16 acres, including several outbuildings, offering visitors an intriguing window into the historical lifestyle of Baton Rouge.

4. Old State Capitol Building

Louisiana’s Old State Capitol Building is one of the state’s most historically significant structures, operating as the head of the State Legislature from the 1800s to the 1930s.

Perched on a bluff, the building offers breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and is renowned for its Gothic design, often mistaken for a castle.

Listed on the U.S National Register of Historic Places, it houses memorabilia from political history as well as educational documents, photographs, and artifacts pertinent to Louisiana’s past.

5. Red Stick Farmers Market

For those interested in experiencing the freshest produce available in Baton Rouge, the Red Stick Farmers Market, open every Thursday and Saturday, is a must-visit.

This open-air market exclusively features produce from local farms and growers, ensuring locally sourced offerings.

Crisp fruits and vegetables are abundant here, alongside meats and artisanal baked goods.

In keeping with Louisiana’s culinary heritage, visitors can also find a variety of seafood and homemade products, such as honey, pickles, and jams.

6. Baton Rouge Zoo

The Baton Rouge Zoo has been serving as an animal sanctuary since it opened to the public in 1970.

Housing nearly 2,000 animals, the zoo features a diverse collection of reptiles, fish, birds, and primates from around the globe.

The zoo serves to educate visitors about a range of national and international species while also participating in conservation efforts for endangered animals, such as the Arabian Oryx and Guam rail.

Designed with younger audiences in mind, the zoo offers various themed exhibits, including the Otter Pond and Parrot Paradise, that showcase different animal species.

7. Capitol Park Museum

The Capitol Park Museum provides insightful exhibitions focusing on Louisiana’s culture, history, and industries. Both static and rotating displays offer visitors an opportunity to engage with this vibrant region of the United States.

Noteworthy exhibitions include ‘Experiencing Louisiana: Discovering the Soul of America’ and ‘Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana and the Nation.’ Topics range from the Civil War to the Baton Rouge Bus Boycott of 1953, while also highlighting vital industries, including shrimp, sugar cane, and oil production that have historically sustained the state.

8. Louisiana Art & Science Museum

Those intrigued by art and science will find the Louisiana Art and Science Museum an enriching experience, featuring galleries dedicated to both disciplines along with an in-house planetarium.

Housed in a historical building that formerly served as a railway station, constructed in 1925, the museum’s mission is to educate the public and display the best of art and science from the Louisiana region.

Visitors can explore various fine art galleries alongside eclectic exhibitions, such as the Ancient Egypt Gallery, which features mummies.

A planetarium, named after Irene W. Pennington, is available for sky shows and workshops, offering an immersive journey through the solar system.

9. The USS Kidd

The USS Kidd, known as the ‘Pirate of the Pacific’, is a destroyer initially launched in the 1940s. The ship participated in World War II and was decommissioned in 1946, later returning to service for the Korean War in 1951.

Today, the USS Kidd serves as a memorial honoring World War II servicemen from Louisiana who made the ultimate sacrifice, and visitors are welcome to tour the decks of this significant piece of American naval history.

10. Louisiana State Capitol

As the capital of Louisiana, a visit to Baton Rouge necessitates a trip to the Louisiana State Capitol building, situated in the city’s downtown district.

This Capitol is the seat of the Louisiana government and stands at 450 feet, making it the tallest state capitol building in the United States, thus a worthwhile sight to behold.

Furthermore, the building is included in the U.S National Register of Historic Places, displaying Art Deco architectural design that makes it an iconic landmark in Baton Rouge.

11. Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

Covering 103 acres, Bluebonnet Swamp features a 9,500 square foot exhibition center alongside paths throughout the swamp with observation decks.

These vantage points are ideal for spotting diverse local wildlife, including armadillos, otters, coyotes, and deer, as they explore the breathtaking forest and marsh landscapes.

Birdwatchers will find a rich variety of species year-round, and the Exhibit Building hosts galleries centered on animals and minerals, along with interactive exhibits designed for younger visitors.

12. LSU Tiger Stadium

A visit to the LSU Tiger Stadium is essential for anyone wishing to experience an authentic American football game, as it serves as the home ground for the Louisiana State University Tigers football team.

The stadium, often referred to as ‘Death Valley’ due to its electrifying atmosphere during games, is the ninth-largest stadium worldwide, capable of accommodating more than 100,000 spectators simultaneously.

13. LSU Rural Life Museum

Located on the Burden plantation spanning 40 acres, the LSU Rural Life Museum comprises 30 historically significant buildings that narrate the tale of Baton Rouge.

The museum aims to illustrate the historical context of rural life in Baton Rouge from the 18th century onwards, featuring period artifacts and static displays.

Guided tours with knowledgeable docents are available, providing insights into the cultural and historical importance of the various structures while allowing visitors to leisurely explore the beautiful surroundings.

14. Downtown Baton Rouge

Downtown Baton Rouge offers a vibrant atmosphere for those seeking nightlife and dining experiences.

Stretching along the scenic Mississippi River, this culturally and historically significant area features an array of restaurants, bars, and casinos. It also hosts the Live After Five series, which comprises free outdoor concerts.

15. Old Arsenal Museum

The Old Arsenal Museum, established on the grounds of the new State Capitol Building in 1838, was originally a powder magazine used to protect this strategically significant area along the Mississippi River during the 19th century.

This museum is filled with historical artifacts related to military history, allowing visitors to gain insight into the site’s past and the surrounding region, including exhibits on the notorious Battle of Baton Rouge that occurred in 1862.