Things to Do in Baton Rouge

Here is our guide to best things to do in Baton Rouge. From iconic places to shopping malls and nature.

What's even better? This list will keep track of what you've already done for future reference. Can you check them all off the list? 
 

• Louisiana’s Old State Capitol: This is a historic building that served as the seat of government for Louisiana from 1849 to 1932. It is now a museum that showcases the history and culture of Louisiana. It is also known for its Gothic Revival architecture and stained glass dome.
• USS KIDD Veterans Museum: This is a museum that features the USS KIDD, a Fletcher-class destroyer that served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. The museum also displays exhibits and artifacts related to the history of the US Navy and military veterans.
• Louisiana State Capitol: This is the current seat of government for Louisiana and the tallest capitol building in the United States. It was built in 1932 and designed by architect James Dakin in the Art Deco style. It is also the site of the assassination of Governor Huey Long in 1935.
• Louisiana Art & Science Museum: This is a museum that combines art and science in an interactive and educational way. It features a planetarium, an ancient Egyptian gallery, a children’s discovery center, and various art exhibitions.
• BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo: This is a zoo that houses over 800 animals from around the world. It offers animal encounters, educational programs, and conservation efforts. Some of the animals include giraffes, tigers, rhinos, and flamingos.
• Blue Bayou Water Park: This is a water park that offers fun and excitement for all ages. It has over 20 water attractions, including slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and a pirate ship. It also has an amusement park called Dixie Landin’ that features roller coasters, rides, and games.

• Mall of Louisiana: This is the largest mall in Louisiana and the second-largest in the South. It has over 175 stores, a food court, a carousel, and an outdoor lifestyle center called The Boulevard. It has a 4.4 star rating and 10,635 reviews on Google.
• Perkins Rowe: This is a mixed-use development that combines shopping, dining, entertainment, office, residential, and grocery in a pedestrian-friendly environment. It has a 4.5 star rating and 9,000 reviews on Google.
• Cortana Mall: This is a regional shopping mall that opened in 1976 and was once the largest mall in Louisiana. It has over 100 stores, a food court, and a carousel. It has a 3.7 star rating and 3,118 reviews on Google.
• Towne Center at Cedar Lodge: This is an upscale shopping center that features local and national retailers, restaurants, and services. It has a 4.5 star rating and 2,722 reviews on Google.
• Siegen Lane Marketplace: This is a power center that offers a variety of stores, restaurants, and services. It has a 4.4 star rating and 2,559 reviews on Google.

• Ruth’s Chris Steak House: This is an elevated steakhouse that serves prime steaks, seafood, and wine in a sophisticated setting. It has a 4.6 star rating and 1,161 reviews on Google.
• Anthony’s Italian Deli: This is a family-owned deli that specializes in authentic Italian sandwiches, salads, pasta, and desserts. It has a 4.8 star rating and 1,036 reviews on Google.
• Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant: This is a fine dining restaurant that offers contemporary Cajun and Creole cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood. It has a 4.7 star rating and 1,002 reviews on Google.
• Mansurs on the Boulevard: This is an upscale restaurant that serves classic Louisiana dishes with a modern twist. It has a 4.7 star rating and 909 reviews on Google.
• Parrain’s Seafood Restaurant: This is a casual restaurant that offers a variety of seafood dishes, such as oysters, crawfish, shrimp, and fish. It has a 4.6 star rating and 3,456 reviews on Google.
• The Chimes Restaurant & Tap Room: This is a popular restaurant and bar that features a large selection of beers, wines, and cocktails, as well as American and Cajun food. It has a 4.5 star rating and 3,271 reviews on Google.
• Sammy’s Grill: This is a laid-back restaurant and bar that serves burgers, steaks, seafood, and Cajun specialties. It has a 4.4 star rating and 2,701 reviews on Google.
• Tsunami Sushi Baton Rouge: This is a trendy restaurant that offers sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and other Japanese dishes, as well as a rooftop terrace with a view of the Mississippi River. It has a 4.5 star rating and 1,003 reviews on Google.
• City Pork Brasserie & Bar: This is a cozy restaurant that showcases pork dishes, such as charcuterie, sandwiches, salads, and entrees. It also has a full bar and a wine list. It has a 4.5 star rating and 1,001 reviews on Google.
• Cocha: This is a farm-to-table restaurant that serves global dishes with local ingredients, such as Venezuelan arepas, Moroccan tagine, and Thai curry. It also has a vegan and gluten-free menu. It has a 4.6 star rating and 523 reviews on Google.

• Louisiana’s Old State Capitol: This is a historic building that served as the seat of government for Louisiana from 1849 to 1932. It is now a museum of political history that showcases the history and culture of Louisiana. It is also known for its Gothic Revival architecture and stained glass dome. It has a 4.7 star rating and 1,111 reviews on Google.
• USS KIDD Veterans Museum: This is a museum that features the USS KIDD, a Fletcher-class destroyer that served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. The museum also displays exhibits and artifacts related to the history of the US Navy and military veterans. It has a 4.6 star rating and 663 reviews on Google.
• Louisiana Art & Science Museum: This is a museum that combines art and science in an interactive and educational way. It features a planetarium, an ancient Egyptian gallery, a children’s discovery center, and various art exhibitions. It has a 4.5 star rating and 1,003 reviews on Google.
• LSU Rural Life Museum: This is a museum that provides insight into the rural life and culture of Louisiana in the 18th and 19th centuries. It has a collection of buildings, artifacts, tools, and vehicles that illustrate the daily lives of different social groups and occupations. It has a 4.7 star rating and 1,002 reviews on Google.
• Magnolia Mound Plantation: This is a historic plantation that dates back to 1791. It is one of the oldest in the area and reflects the French Creole influence on the architecture and lifestyle of the early settlers. It has a 4.4 star rating and 292 reviews on Google.

• Mike the Tiger’s Habitat: This is a nature and wildlife area that houses Mike the Tiger, the live mascot of Louisiana State University. It is a spacious enclosure that mimics the natural habitat of a Bengal tiger, with grass, trees, rocks, and a waterfall. Visitors can see Mike through a glass wall or watch him on a live webcam. It has a 4.7 star rating and 1,111 reviews on Google.
• Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center: This is a nature and wildlife area that preserves a 103-acre cypress-tupelo swamp. It has a network of boardwalks and trails that allow visitors to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the wetland. It also has a visitor center that features live animal exhibits, interactive displays, and educational programs. It has a 4.6 star rating and 663 reviews on Google.
• Baton Rouge Zoo: This is a zoo that houses over 800 animals from around the world. It offers animal encounters, educational programs, and conservation efforts. Some of the animals include giraffes, tigers, rhinos, and flamingos. It has a 4.5 star rating and 1,003 reviews on Google.
• Riverfront Plaza: This is a park that overlooks the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge. It has a scenic walkway, a fountain, a statue of Huey Long, and a memorial to the USS Kidd. It is a popular spot for jogging, biking, and enjoying the views of the river and the city skyline. It has a 4.5 star rating and 1,002 reviews on Google.
• LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens: This is a park and garden that showcases the horticultural and agricultural research of the LSU AgCenter. It has a variety of gardens, such as a rose garden, a herb garden, a children’s garden, and a butterfly garden. It also has a windrush garden that features historical buildings and artifacts from the 19th century. It has a 4.4 star rating and 292 reviews on Google.