Baton Rouge, LA Road Trips

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. 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.

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. (updated Oct 2021) 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.

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. (updated Oct 2021) 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". (updated Dec 2017) 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). (updated Oct 2021) 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. 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.

1 Anthony's Italian Deli, 5575 Government St, ☏ +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. 2 The Chimes, 3357 Highland Rd, ☏ +1 225 383-1754. 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. 3 Rock n Sake, 30430 Perkins Rd (near the overpass), ☏ +1 225 615-7940. Sushi restaurant and bar; fun hip place with an awesome bar and fantastic food. 4 India's Restaurant, 5230 Essen Ln, ☏ +1 225 769-0600. 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. 5 Louie's, 3322 Lake Street, ☏ +1 225 346-8221. Daily 6:30AM-2:30PM. A traditional diner right at LSU's North Gate. 6 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. (updated Apr 2020) 7 Pastime, 252 South Blvd, ☏ +1 225 343-5490. A half-century old pizza parlor and bar serving easily the best pizza in the city.

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. 1 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. 2 Churchill's, 2561 Citiplace Ct #450, ☏ +1 225 927-4211. "Premium Cigars & Elixirs", also frequently has live music and tastings. 3 O'Hara's Irish Pub, 136 Third St. A low-key downtown bar with an eclectic mix of college kids, professionals and everyone in between. 4 Tigerland, 1125 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, The House, JL's Place, etc. This is also a place fraught with druken bar fights.

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. 3 Courtyard by Marriott Baton Rouge South, 10307 N Mall Dr, ☏ +1 225 293-7200, fax: +1 225 293-0323. 4 Crowne Plaza Baton Rouge, 4728 Constitution Ave, ☏ +1 225 925-2244. 5 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. 6 Holiday Inn College Drive, 4848 Constitution Ave, ☏ +1 225 448-2030. 7 Wyndham Garden Baton Rouge, 5600 Bluebonnet Blvd, ☏ +1 225 293-1199. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. With a Y-shaped pool. 8 SpringHill Suites Baton Rouge South, 7979 Essen Park Ave, ☏ +1 225 766-5252, fax: +1 225 766-0797. 9 Bally's Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel (formerly Belle of Baton Rouge), 103 France St, ☏ +1 225 242-2600, toll-free: +1 877-225-7772. (updated Jan 2026) 10 TownePlace Suites Baton Rouge South, 8735 Summa Blvd, ☏ +1 225 819-2112, toll-free: +1-866-816-8699, fax: +1 225 819-2117. 11 Residence Inn Baton Rouge Towne Center at Cedar Lodge, 7061 Commerce Circle, ☏ +1-225 925-9100. (updated Jan 2016)

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). (updated Feb 2019) 2 Louisiana Regional Airport. A general aviation airport in the nearby suburb of Gonzales. (updated Feb 2019) 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. 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).