Baton Rouge, meaning “Red Stick,” is the state capital of Louisiana. Situated on the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is home to an important port, which has brought the city wealth with its oil and gas exports. The city represents the best of Louisiana’s vibrant culture. Baton Rouge is a thriving city, known for its two large universities, food and music.
Top Student Travel Attractions in Baton Rouge
Louisiana’s most renowned heritage attraction is the Louisiana State Museum, a landmark that reflects the state’s history and cultural diversity. Two permanent exhibitions are Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana and the Nation and Experiencing Louisiana: Discovering the Soul of America.
The Old State Capitol, 150 years old, is a Gothic architectural treasure with a romantic and medieval appearance that has withstood the test of time. Students here can see exhibits focusing on Louisiana’s vibrant political past.
The Old Governor’s Mansion
The Art Deco-style Louisiana State Capitol, the tallest state capitol building in the nation, is 34 stories high. The State Capitol offers self-guided tours and gives students views of the Mississippi River and Capitol grounds from its 27th-floor observation deck.
The Old Governors Mansion, called the “Louisiana White House,” was so named by the first governor, who requested it be built to resemble the president’s White House. The mansion served as the official residence for nine Louisiana governors. Students will see similarities to the White House, such as the Oval Room and East Ball Room.
The LSU Rural Life Museum is an outdoor folk museum that recreates an 1800s plantation. Through collections of tools, household utensils, furniture and farming implements, students see the major activities of work on a plantation.
Louisiana Art and Science Museum is housed in a historic train station. It includes the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium & ExxonMobil Space Theater, which offers sky shows, large-format films and digital music shows that play on a 60-foot domed screen. Students will also see galleries showcasing the solar system, Milky Way galaxy and the universe.
The USS Kidd
World War II destroyer USS Kidd is known as the “Pirate of the Pacific.” Located in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge, she is the focus of a memorial that honors the men and women of our American armed forces.
The Baton Rouge Zoo features over 1,800 animals from all over the world. Students will also see an aquarium and a display of parrots and other tropical birds.
Dixie Landin‘ is an amusement park with attractions like the Ragin Cajun, which is a giant steel looping roller coaster that drops from 14 stories up. Blue Bayou Waterpark has over 20 water attractions such as the High Water Slide, a triple seven-story slide.
Highland Road Park includes an observatory, recreation center, tennis courts, a picnic area and archery targets that will give students plenty of outdoor things to do.
Popular Sightseeing Tours for Students in Baton Rouge
The “Baton Rouge Capital Tour,” a walking or driving tour provided by whenwegetthere.com, showcases some of Baton Rouge’s most famous attractions. Students will get the chance to visit nine destinations including the USS Kidd and Magnolia Mound plantation home.
Airboat Tours allows students to tour the swamps, marsh and bayous in airboats. They offer personalized tours in six-passenger airboats or slower-paced rides in a 15-passenger airboat.
Student Performance Venues in Baton Rouge
The Mainship Theater in the Shaw Center of Arts, Baton Rouge Little Theater, Baton Rouge Community College Magnolia Performing Arts Division and the Louisiana State University’s Shaver or Reilly Theater can host performances of groups of all sizes.
At the Downtown Festival of Lights, an annual holiday celebration the first week of December, choirs can sing holiday carols on the main stage. Mardi Gras is a great opportunity for student dance groups and marching bands to join in the excitement of Carnival time. Parades that roll through Baton Rouge on the two weekends before Fat Tuesday have over 20 slots for performance groups.
Student Accommodations in Baton Rouge
The city has approximately 9,000 hotel rooms. If your group is interested in historical attractions, a downtown hotel such as the Hilton Baton Rouge Center would be a great place for students to stay. Hotel Indigo is also recommended. If your group plans to go on excursions throughout the city, then places off of I-10 like Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn, Crowne Plaza and Embassy Suites make a good resting spot.
Food and Dining for Student Groups in Baton Rouge
Boutin’s Cajun Restaurant offers a special blend of live Cajun music and delicious cuisine that delivers a Louisiana experience that students won’t forget.
T.J. Ribs has steaks, chicken, pulled pork, burgers and salads that will satisfy a variety of appetites. At Pastime, the pizza is baked in stone deck ovens, and students have the chance to create their own pizzas.
Ralph and Kacoo’s is billed as the largest seafood restaurant in the South. It offers affordable prices and the False River Gift Shop for souvenir hunters. The restaurant can accommodate up to about 800 people.
Baton Rouge’s Student-Friendly Festivals and Events
Students can celebrate the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. event in January at the parade and march held at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church.
At the Baton Rouge Blues Fest, held in April, students can come out and see top Blues artists. FestForAll in May showcases the original artwork of 80 local and national artists. Superfest, a two-day festival held around Memorial Day weekend, features well-known country singers.
In Baton Rouge, students will visit the swamps, see some political and historic sites, and kick back and relax at amusement parks. Baton Rouge is more than worth a spot on your group’s agenda.
