Baton Rouge holidays
Louisiana’s laid-back capital has all the swampy southern charm of New Orleans minus the round-the-clock party scene. The best holidays to Baton Rouge celebrate the city’s colourful mix of French, Spanish, Cajun and Creole influences. From crawfish boils and blues bars to wetlands tours and the tallest capitol building in the United States, see why Baton Rouge deserves a spot on your Southern city bucket list.
The best neighbourhoods in Baton Rouge
Downtown Baton Rouge
Downtown is where to stay in Baton Rouge if you want to get the pulse of the city. History, art, politics, culture and business all combine in this lively neighbourhood. The tower of the Louisiana State Capitol marks the heart of it all, so use it as a guiding landmark as you explore the area’s galleries, art museums and walking paths along the Mississippi River.
Good for: Hotels, museums, river walks
Garden District
Bordering Government Street to the north and the green grounds of City-Brooks Community Park to the south, the Garden District is the perfect place to escape the crowds. Stay in this leafy neighbourhood to be near antique shops, cafes, bars and some of the city’s fanciest restaurants. Be sure to check out the historic bungalows in the Roseland Terrace Historic District and the ancient oak trees along Drehr Avenue.
Good for: Architecture, cafes, antique shops
Mid City
Mid City is where to stay in Baton Rouge if nightlife plays big in your itinerary. The neighbourhood is known for its cocktail dens and blues bars. It’s also home to the Louisiana State University campus, and serves as a playground for many of its more than 35,000 students. In summer, beat the crushing humidity with a frozen daiquiri and end the night at one of Mid City’s many food trucks, popular with students.
Good for: Blues bars, food trucks, college campus
Things to do in Baton Rouge
Places to eat
Restaurants in Baton Rouge spotlight the spicy cuisine for which the region is known. So expect a pinch or two of cayenne pepper in your dishes. You’ll love the jambalaya and gumbo, but never pass up a good crawfish boil when offered. Alongside all the Creole and Cajun kitchens, Baton Rouge also offers a nice selection of ramen bars and taco trucks.
Shopping
Looking for souvenirs? Take a peek inside Downtown Baton Rouge’s gift shops, where you can pick up Cajun spice mixes and fluffy alligator dolls to take home. For serious shopping, head to the out-of-town Mall of Louisiana, where you can ride one of the world’s largest indoor carousels in the state’s largest shopping centre.
Take in the culture
Ever wondered why Baton Rouge was called ‘Red Stick’ by French explorers? Learn all about Indigenous, colonial and 20th-century history at Capitol Park Museum. From the USS Kidd Veterans Museum to the Old State Capitol Museum, you’ll find plenty of places to learn about the city’s storied past.
