In Louisiana's capital region, Southern hospitality and a bustling college-town are paired with views of Mississippi River bluffs and moss-draped oaks.
At a Glance
Known For: the tallest state capitol in the country, LSU football and tailgating, riverfront museums and casinos, and river towns steeped in French and Creole history
Top Places to Explore: downtown Baton Rouge and the LSU campus, the historic river town of St. Francisville, and New Roads on scenic False River
Top Things to Do: tour the Louisiana State Capitol and the Old State Capitol, cheer on LSU football at Tiger Stadium, tour a historic home, and bike the False River trail in New Roads
Major Events: Mardi Gras, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival, LSU football season, and Wine Down on False River
Things to Do in the Baton Rouge Area
Louisiana's capital region stretches from the state capitol dome all the way north to Angola and south to White Castle and Springfield, and history awaits around every bend. In Baton Rouge, tour the Louisiana State Capitol, the tallest state capitol building in the country, then step back in time at the beautifully restored Old State Capitol, one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the region and home to a grandiose stained-glass dome. Round out a downtown day with the Capitol Park Museum and the ultra-contemporary Shaw Center for the Arts. Sports fans won't want to miss a home game at LSU's Tiger Stadium, where fans perfect the art of tailgating every fall.
Just north of the capital, the charming town of St. Francisville reveals rolling hills and hidden bluffs that give the landscape an entirely different feel than the rest of the state. Tour historic homes, including The Myrtles and Rosedown Plantation, then hike the Tunica Hills or browse the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum.
Places to Stay in the Baton Rouge Area
The Baton Rouge area offers plenty of places to stay for every kind of traveler. Downtown, book the Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge Downtown or the Hampton Inn & Suites Baton Rouge Downtown for riverfront views and walkability, or splurge on the AAA four-diamond Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel. Travelers headed north can settle into the St. Francisville Inn, a boutique hotel known for its Southern hospitality and poolside service.
What to Eat in the Baton Rouge Area
The Baton Rouge area brings Cajun and Creole cuisine to life at every turn. In the capital, Roberto's River Road Restaurant serves up a signature stuffed shrimp dish in a cozy 200-year-old house alongside the Mississippi River, while The Chimes has long been an LSU tradition for seafood platters, gumbo and po'boys. Try Mansurs on the Boulevard for upgraded Southern classics, or Gino's Italian Restaurant, a family-owned institution since 1966. Up in St. Francisville, start with crawfish dip and a hand-patted "Mag Burger" at Magnolia Cafe, or enjoy boudin balls and chargrilled oysters at The Francis Southern Table & Bar.
Baton Rouge Area Events & Festivals
Mardi Gras season brings more than 10 parades to Baton Rouge, giving New Orleans a run for its money on flair and flavor. In the spring, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival, one of the oldest free blues festivals in the country, fills downtown with music, while the fall belongs to LSU football. Over in New Roads, Wine Down on False River brings winemakers from Napa Valley for a weekend of tastings, dinners and live music along the water.
Plan Your Visit
It's easy to navigate the Baton Rouge Area. If you're flying into town, rent a car or book a rideshare from the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. Baton Rouge is a short drive from Biloxi, Mississippi (2 hours), Pensacola, Florida (4 hours) and Houston, Texas (5 hours), and it's less than an hour from New Orleans.
For more trip-planning information, visit Explore Louisiana, the state's official tourism website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Baton Rouge area known for?
The Baton Rouge area is known for the Louisiana State Capitol, the tallest state capitol building in the country, along with LSU football, riverfront museums and casinos, and the historic homes in St. Francisville and New Roads.
What are the best things to do in the Baton Rouge area?
Some of the best things to do include touring the Louisiana State Capitol and Old State Capitol, wandering the Capitol Park Museum, catching an LSU football game at Tiger Stadium, touring a Feliciana plantation in St. Francisville and biking the False River trail in New Roads.
What is the best time of year to visit the Baton Rouge area?
Spring brings festivals like the Baton Rouge Blues Festival and pleasant weather, while fall is prime time for LSU football season and cooler temperatures. Winter offers mild weather and lighter crowds, while summer can be hot and humid.
How do I get to the Baton Rouge area?
Travelers can fly into the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport and rent a car or book a rideshare. The area is roughly an hour's drive from New Orleans and is also within a few hours of Mississippi, Alabama and Texas.
Where can I get more travel information about the Baton Rouge area?
For official travel information, visit Visit Baton Rouge, the capital city's destination marketing organization. Travelers can also find statewide trip ideas, itineraries and regional guides on Explore Louisiana, Louisiana's official tourism website.