Known for being the capital of Louisiana, and known for being the home to LSU, Baton Rouge has a little bit of a reputation of… not being known for much else. The Red Stick (Baton Rouge’s nickname—Baton Rouge means “red stick” after all) might be a little more subdued than some other Louisiana locales and might live up the quip of being “big small town Baton Rouge.” But there’s plenty to do, see, and enjoy in Baton Rouge—whether you are a visitor or a resident. Here are 7 things to do in Baton Rouge right now, no matter the time of year.
1. Walk along the Mississippi River
Taking a note from other cities around the United States, Baton Rouge has been diligently developing a riverwalk-style area along the Mississippi River. While there has long been a paved path atop the levee that holds Old Muddy in place, what is more recent is a developed promenade complete with attractive park benches, an intriguing and photo-worthy art installation, a colorful mini mural, effective street lights, and an engaging view of the “new bridge.”
Located in the downtown area, start your walk at the intersection of Florida Blvd and River Road. This area will be identified on your map app as Mississippi River Park and features the Eye of the River sculpture. Walk south, taking note of the bridge view and the upcoming Baton Rouge City Dock (from time to time, riverboat cruises will be moored at the dock. It’s not uncommon to be able to strike up a bit of conversation with cruisers.) You’ll quickly come to the Riverfront Plaza area, where you can see an artistic representation of the Red Stick; a bridge to more of downtown; the fabulous Louisiana Art & Science Museum (LASM); Red Stick Amphitheatre; the USS Kidd; the River Center; and several other sights ending near Government Street at River Road.
This is a great place to amble and spend a few minutes. Now, truth be told, lots of locals don’t quite appreciate watching the barge and boat traffic on the Mighty “Missisip.” For them, it’s the equivalent of watching freeway traffic—there’s nothing really special about it. But if you look upon the river as a major US waterway—at once looking at the industrial revolution and the Civil War in one body of water; taking stock that this one river runs from Lake Itaska in Minnesota, over 2,300 miles until it passes by New Orleans and spills out into the Gulf of Mexico, you may be able to better appreciate you are walking alongside significance.
2. Check out the growing collection of murals in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge is blessed with many artists, with a wide variety of styles. As many sections of Baton Rouge are being revitalized or redeveloped, dozens of open wall spaces are transforming from blank spots into stunning murals. Featuring designs that range from whimsical to poignant, Baton Rouge is encouraging this unique, large-scale artform to bring a special flair to the city.
But the murals don’t stop on walls. Several businesses max out the artistic fun on their storefront windows. Starting in 2020, local artist Ellen Ogden (@elloartist) brought her nature-influenced “Reflect Love” message to local shops and restaurants. The eye catching, attractive murals usually bring a theme of the business forward with their design (like the sushi rolls and orchids gracing the outside of must-try Umami Restaurant.) The project started as a way to bring attention to local companies, but lives on as way for Baton Rouge businesses to stand out and be a part of something special in our town.
So how do you find all these murals? We’ll give you a couple of specific spots to check out, but you can also follow nonprofit The Walls Project (website and Instagram) as well as the aforementioned Ellen. Hashtags like #batonrougemurals are worth a follow on social media. One note of caution: some murals are found in areas where you will want to use greater situational awareness and your own discretion before visiting.
Some suggested murals to view:
– Take a picture with your crawfish arms held high! Located on the side of Poor Boy Lloyd’s on Lafayette Street (at Florida Blvd.) Show off some local flavor (and get you a po boy and some fried pickles at Poor Boy Lloyd’s while you are there.)
– Postcard-esque. The side of Superior Grill on Highland features a stylized homage to Baton Rouge. Perfectly made for commemorative pictures, this is the photo spot for visitors.
– The most adorable student is ready to welcome you to Mid-City. As this section of town is having its big come-up, be sure to check out the sweet students gracing a wall near Government and Acadian Thruway.
3. Check out any of the bucolic Baton Rouge parks
You’ll hear Baton Rougeans say it over and over (and it’s our official stance, too): Baton Rouge has great parks, and great libraries. (More on the libraries in a moment.) Pick nearly any park in Baton Rouge or the surrounding area, and you will enjoy well maintained grounds, points of interest, a variety of trees, and usually some kind of related equipment (whether play, calisthenic, or sporting.)
Lots of Baton Rouge parks offer paved walking paths and benches—perfect for a nice stroll or a place to sit a spell. The parks in Baton Rouge are a great way to see a different side of the city. While many subdivisions host private parks and some of our main streets are not conducive to walking or riding or jogging, the public parks in Baton Rouge provide everyone with the space and place to enjoy the outdoors.
Not sure where to start? Visit these parks first:
– City-Brooks Community Park: Close to the Garden District, the City-Brooks Community Park offers a signature look of Baton Rouge. Tennis courts, the Baton Rouge Art Gallery, golf nearby, this park is known for gorgeous trees that create a natural canopy walkway. If you walk a bit, you’ll make it to some of the chain of lakes that connect to the LSU lakes. City-Brooks Community Park is located along Perkins Rd. near Magnolia Dr.
– Bluebonnet Swamp: This is the place to bring out of town visitors. Part nature education center and part boardwalk swamp tour, there’s a lot to learn about at the Bluebonnet Swamp. Walk on a series of twisting and cloverleafing boardwalks and appreciate the stately trees, lush fauna, critters, and raw beauty found in a swamp. (Visitor fee applies.)
– Hilltop Arboretum: We’re really sharing a gem with you for this one. Owned and operated by LSU, the Hilltop Arboretum (off Highland Blvd) is small but gorgeous. Perfect for a short walk. Take in the small pond, view the wildflowers, be wowed by the pavilion. Trees take center stage on these grounds (it’s an arboretum after all) and you can learn to identify some of Louisiana’s trees thanks to the handy identifying plaques all around. Don’t pass by this treasure of Baton Rouge.
– Bonus nearby park: Greenwood Community Park (near the Baton Rouge Zoo.) A historical walk; amphitheater; kayaking on the small lake (seasonal, check the BREC website for times); tennis; disc golf; and more.
These four will get you started, but there are dozens more. Learn more about Baton Rouge parks here. And if you’re wanting a little more in terms of parks and adventure….
4. Walk around LSU Lakes
One of the crown jewels of attractions in BR, the LSU Lakes are a chain of lakes, surrounded by roads and sidewalks. Everyday of the week, you can find locals and visitors enjoying LSU Lakes. Fishing, kayaking, jogging, walking, biking, roller skating—all of these and more can be enjoyed at LSU Lakes. If you aren’t feeling particularly active, LSU Lakes is perfect for bird watching; people watching at “Baton Rouge Beach” (aka Milton Wampold Park); or property peeping—some of the most gorgeous Baton Rouge homes are found around LSU Lakes.
As a gauge, walking around the biggest lake, without taking all the side streets (in other words, the most direct route) takes just over an hour for a brisk walker. Bathrooms and ample parking are available at Wampold Park (901 Stanford Ave, Baton Rouge.)
5. Do a little Baton Rouge shopping
Sure, Baton Rouge has plenty of shops that you can find anywhere (like many places—chain stores and big shopping centers abound.) But you can also shop some local fare in Baton Rouge—cute boutiques, small local-focused shopping centers, and a couple of unique marketplaces, that offer not only special items you may not be able to find anywhere else, but also some destination shopping experiences: stores that are fun to visit just for the sake of visiting. What are some of our favorites?
– Stop by the Electric Depot. One part boutique haven, one part event center, the Electric Depot turned an abandoned power station into one of the coolest places in Baton Rouge. Electric Depot hosts some fun art markets and seasonal events, but it’s also home to some good places to eat, and excellent places to shop. (1509 Government Street, Baton Rouge)
– While at Electric Depot, be sure to visit Local Supply. Baton Rouge based artists and crafters are featured at Local Supply—hands down a must-visit if you are looking to buy Red Stick themed gifts. (Map link to Local Supply.)
– Do you have a foodie in your life? Stop by Red Stick Spice Company on Jefferson Hwy. In one gorgeous shop, you’ll be able to recreate all the flavors of South Louisiana cooking with the help of Red Stick Spice’s expert staff. Be prepared to spend some time exploring all the offerings of Red Stick Spice and make sure to poke your head into the Teaching Kitchen (where amazing cooking classes are regularly held.) They also have a podcast!
– Hey Penelope is worth the drive to find hot fashion trends alongside adorable local items. A ladies’ boutique that understands the local Baton Rouge clientele, Hey Penelope is the place to get outfits for game day, parade day, or a special day. Fun Baton Rouge items also make Hey Penelope a place to look for local gifts.
– Mid-City is happening and Mimosa Handcrafted jewelry is one Mid-City’s gem. What once was a discreet office building is now an adorable mini mall of stores, home to Mimosa and a few other shops, including the darling book mart Red Stick Reads. Visit this location not only to take in some wonderful BR businesses, but to see what new life is springing forth in Mid-City (and take a picture with the pelican mural while you’re there!)
6. Baton Rouge has great restaurants
Newsflash: we like to eat in South Louisiana, especially in Baton Rouge. If you’ve been following along this list of fun things to do, we’ve had you walking all over, shopping, bebopping all over the place—we’re sure you’ve worked up an appetite.
Areas like Mid-City and Government Street host many local favorites. The Overpass area is perfect for a bite to eat (and dessert at Gail’s Fine Ice Cream) or a bar crawl. Even Downtown has a host of great eateries. Be prepared to enjoy some of the best South Louisianan fare you’ll find in the state.
7. Visit the libraries of Baton Rouge
Remember above when we touted the parks and the libraries in Baton Rouge? We didn’t forget. The libraries in Baton Rouge are one of the best things going for our city. THE BEST. While all the various locations of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library system have things to offer, for the purpose of honing in on one fun thing to do in Baton Rouge, we’re going to focus on the Main Branch at Goodwood.
A gorgeous campus, you will experience neighboring botanical gardens and a water fountain plaza at the Main Library. Inside, the multi-story building is modern, sleek, and clean. Pick from dozens and dozens of comfy chairs or convenient desks—many with gorgeous views through floor-to-ceiling glass views. There are also plenty of rooms available for public use, ranging from small to venue sized.
Art can be seen in several parts of the Main Library, including an area where local artists have a rotating gallery.
If you need any more convincing on the fun that is to be had at the Main Library, there is a constant parade of free events and classes hosted at the library and open to all.
For a part of the country that perpetually is battling schooling issues, the Baton Rouge libraries seem to be a bulwark against ignorance and illiteracy. We hope that this remains the case for many years to come, especially since some seem determined to go against common sense in pursuit of policies that work in theory, grasping at a social goal. (7711 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge)
Conclusion
Which of these Baton Rouge fun activities do you want to do first? Did we miss something big? Of course, this list isn’t comprehensive, and it doesn’t include festivals, events, or parades. But if you need something to do right now in the Red Stick, we hope this list was a great start. Let’s geaux!
