Downtown Baton Rouge, the comeback kid. If you find yourself in Baton Rouge—whether for business or leisure—and want to take a look around… BUT you don’t have a lot of time, this guide will help you see some of the worthy and important sights of Downtown Baton Rouge—the capital region and city center of the Red Stick.
Ask a local or longtime resident of BR about the downtown and you may hear a harrowing story of overcoming, rebound, tireless rebuilding and a hopeful eye set on ultimate success.
Downtown Baton Rouge went through a very rough period and was nearly abandoned completely in the 1980s. Today, downtown Baton Rouge enjoys parks, greenways, restaurants, bars, hotels, one of our fantastic libraries, churches, and many museums—not to mention access to the Capitol building and other historic grounds. You won’t find a lot of retail (the final stage of urban renewal is getting retail, although some first-movers are coming in) but there’s plenty to do and see to get a sense of what Baton Rouge is all about. Ready to romp around the downtown? Here are some suggestions.
1. Louisiana State Capitol
Standing tall at 450 feet, the Louisiana State Capitol is an iconic landmark and the tallest state capitol building in the United States. This Art Deco masterpiece, completed in 1932, offers free tours and panoramic views of the city from its 27th-floor observation deck (also free!) Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about Louisiana’s rich (and sometimes scandalous) political history and admire the building’s stunning architecture. The steps leading up to the Capitol building have the names of the other 49 states, and are also the site of citizen meetings and demonstrations. The Capitol Gardens in front are splendid and worth walking around. The walk around the Capitol Lakes (behind the Cap building) can be lonely but scenic; same goes for the nearby Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Nearby: Spanish Town neighborhood; Mississippi River; Pentagon Barracks Museum (historic Civil War fort); Capitol Park Museum
2. Mississippi River Park
Walk along the mighty Mississippi River and enjoy one of downtown Baton Rouge’s newest features. The top of the river levee has been fashioned into a type of riverwalk park, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the river and the surrounding sights. You’ll most likely be accompanied by various barges and tug boats, workin’ away on Big Muddy. Face southward (down river) to see the “new bridge” (not the “old bridge” thinly in view when facing upriver.) Technically, you could continue on the levee walk all the way to the LSU Campus and beyond (a popular running and biking path) but as our focus is visiting downtown, you can keep this extra info in your future adventure planning mental file.
Several noteworthy sculptures are on the walk. On the north end of the Mississippi River Park, you’ll find the elegant and very photogenic The Eye of the River—a mirrored chrome orb under similarly reflective bars. A gift of the Baton Rouge Downtown Rotary Club, the sculpture is a great place to take pictures and look at the river.
Continue to the south end of the park and you’ll see a red stick sculpture—a symbolic representation of the red sticks from which Baton Rouge gets its name. The “paperclip dock” (real name: Baton Rouge City Dock) is fun and unusual. If you’re lucky, riverboat tour boats might be docked—the boats are close enough to talk to passengers and say ahoy. A walkway bridge can take you over River Road to the River Center or you can continue on to the USS Kidd (a wonderful real warship turn museum; under repairs until 2025.) A great spot to take a leisurely look around.
Nearby: Louisiana Arts & Science Museum (worth a visit); Pennington Planetarium; Old Capitol Building; USS Kidd; North Boulevard Town Square
3. Old State Capitol
A castle in Downtown Baton Rouge? Yes! The Old State Capitol is a Gothic Revival castle that served as Louisiana’s seat of government from 1852 to 1932. Now a museum, this National Historic Landmark houses engaging exhibits on state history and politics. The stained-glass dome in the main hall is a particular highlight, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that visitors can enjoy by simply looking upwards once inside the building. Explore the entire building, including the dramatic curved staircase leading to upper floors. If you are fortunate enough to visit the Old State Capitol during many holiday seasons (like Christmas or Mardi Gras) you will enjoy the festive decorations that add just a little bit more to the gorgeous setting.
Nearby: North Boulevard Town Square; Galvez Plaza & Stage; Old Governor’s Mansion; Downtown Greenway; First Pres church; First United Methodist church; Stroubes Seafood and Steaks; Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar
4. Shaw Center for the Arts
Special note: Read to the end for a special spectacular view opportunity. The Shaw Center for the Arts is a cultural hub in downtown Baton Rouge. This modern complex houses the LSU Museum of Art, the Manship Theatre, and the Hartley/Vey Theatre. Several dining and sipping options are nearby (the Third St. side of the Center is a popular bar crawl area—several popular watering holes are on the block.) Art lovers will enjoy the museum’s extensive collection of visual art, while the Manship Theatre hosts a variety of performances (including film series) throughout the year.
One of the best vistas in the Downtown area can be found atop the Shaw Center at Tsunami Restaurant and the accompanying open rooftop. Take the elevator to the penthouse floor—exit left to visit the bar and restaurant; exit right to go out on the rooftop. The view of the Mississippi River and environs are not to be missed. Pro tip: when the Live After 5 free concert series is happening in Galvez Plaza, the rooftop is a perfect spot to take in the music while avoiding the throngs of people (you’re welcome.)
Nearby: North Baton Rouge Town Square, the Downtown library branch
5. Main Street Market AKA The Farmer’s Market
Is it the Farmer’s Market or the Main Street Market? What’s the confusion? Why the AKA? Well, it depends on what day it is. More on this in a moment. Any day of the week: Food enthusiasts should not miss the Main Street Market, a year-round indoor market featuring local vendors selling fresh produce, artisanal foods, and unique crafts. It’s the perfect place to sample local flavors and pick up souvenirs. The market also hosts cooking demonstrations and special events throughout the year. If it’s Saturday, the streets alongside the Main Street Market transform into the weekly Red Stick Farmer’s Market—local and nearby farmers bring their produce and other products from their farms to your table. In South Louisiana, food is king so be sure to experience an important part of the local culture by experiencing true local food.
Nearby: Cocha restaurant (one of the best in BR; incredible wine selection and excellent cocktails); Mathern’s Market (grocery store); St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Bonus: Other Downtown Baton Rouge Sights to See
There are several gorgeous buildings in Downtown Baton Rouge that are of note: St. James Episcopal Day School is gorgeous and nearly takes up a city block. The Tunnel is an old beautiful bank that has new life as an event center. The Raising Cane’s restaurant downtown is topped by a historic Coca-Cola sign.
Keep your eyes peeled for the many murals on buildings downtown, including the clever photo op on the side of Poor Boy Lloyd’s restaurant. You can take your picture with a pair of giant crawfish claws for a fun novelty snapshot. (Get yourself a po-boy sandwich, fully dressed, with some fried pickles while you’re there, yum.)
Getting Around Downtown Baton Rouge
Downtown Baton Rouge is relatively compact, making it easy to explore on foot (weather permitting.) If you drive into town, make sure you double check your parking situation. In the past, parking monitoring was lax at best. Some folks got a little complacent about paying for parking in metered spots or lots—consider those times over. As the downtown is trying to pull itself together, more rigorous parking enforcement should be considered the norm.
Where to Stay in Downtown Baton Rouge
Some of the most beautiful locations in downtown are now modern hotels that are striving to earn good reputations. The Watermark Hotel, Hotel Indigo, and the Hilton are all centrally located and have given historic buildings new life. Other quality lodging options are downtown as well.
Conclusion
What from our list has you most intrigued about Downtown Baton Rouge? Where are you going to visit that you didn’t know about before? Downtown Baton Rouge is making a comeback, highlighting the historic locations, natural features, and awesome restaurants. As more people are moving to the downtown and working near downtown, amenities, retail, and other features can be expected to follow. Many Baton Rouge residents are hoping and praying for the continued improvement of the metro area, seeing the potential of “Cap City.” You are invited to visit Downtown Baton Rouge and enjoy it for yourself!
