An Insider's Guide to Baton Rouge

When thinking of Baton Rouge, images of the state capitol building, swamps lined with moss-covered trees and the rich sounds of zydeco music come to mind. My experiences with BR have been great. I used to travel through Baton Rouge when heading to school and back home. I also attended many activities at LSU and Southern, back then it was pretty much a college town. I must say the city has changed tremendously since then. Don’t get me wrong, LSU and Southern are still pretty much the heart beat of the city, but other amenities now accompany the “authentic Louisiana at every turn.”

The addition of new shopping centers, businesses, expanded lanes on the I-10 and more has aided in paving the way to the city’s growth. In the early fall of 2005 Hurricane Katrina brought a number of people to the area. Several of those individuals have returned to New Orleans, while several have now claimed Baton Rouge as their new home.

Southern Louisiana’s world-famous food is a big draw for the area. Locals enjoy seafood galore, and other treats unique to the area like boudin, gator and deer. In addition to the great cuisine, the city has year round activities that frequently bring residents from neighboring cities like Lafayette and New Orleans to the area. Residents and visitors enjoy exciting festivals, high-end shopping and more.

I was honored to attend a Gubernatorial Inauguration a few years ago at the State Capitol. The rich history this building holds and its architectural design is extraordinary. The Louisiana State Capitol towers at 450 feet tall with 34 stories. It’s the tallest of its kind in the United States and features various sculptures from the history of Louisiana and the U.S. Films like All the Kings Men and Everybody’s All American used the capitol as its backdrop while shooting. This is a must see on your tour of Southern Louisiana.

Now when it comes to eating in BR, one of my favorite stops is Mike Anderson's Seafood Restaurant. The ambiance is great, but there's no denying that the food is the main attraction. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. You name your favorite seafood dish, and they serve it. The seafood platter is my dish. Of course, you can't eat it all, but man it's definitely fun and delicious trying. On your next visit to Baton Rouge, treat yourself to this famous staple in BR. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the saltwater aquariums are great too!

If you're looking for a little adventure on your journey through BR, you must take a tour of the swamps. I've seen my share of wildlife in the marshes with family and friends. As a kid we used to go fishing and crabbing often and the things we encountered while traveling to our spot ...let's just say it was pretty adventurous.

The scenery includes moss-covered trees and lots of wildlife. That's right wildlife! You will encounter gators, birds, turtles and more. The swamp areas of Southern Louisiana are a tourist attraction. There are a number of tours available for you to choose from. I listed two popular ones below.

Alligator Bayou Tours/www.alligatorbayou.com
McGees Landing/ www.mcgeeslanding.com

Before you can fully experience all that Baton Rouge, Louisiana has to offer-the great universities, LSU and Southern, the world renowned Mardi Gras and most importantly, the people, you need to get here. For information about tours or area attractions visit the Baton Rouge travel site. Now if you're considering moving to the area, call a homegrown Baton Rouge mover to handle your relocation. Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler(let the good times roll)!

Learn more about Baton Rouge and Southern Louisiana from other Hubbers:

Things to do in Baton Rouge:  Now if you are looking for fun things to do in Baton Rouge, Louisiana then you've come to the right place. I grew up in Baton Rouge and still live just about five miles outside the city limits so I know quite a bit about the things there are to see and do. 

Top Ten Hot Jobs in Baton Rouge:This part of Louisiana is one of the 22 parishes designated in1960 as Acadiana, home of the Acadian people that were driven from Nova Scotia (Acadie) long before Louisiana was a state. The Acadians became known as Cajuns and became well known for their cuisine, which is featured in books, television cooking shows, state fair demonstrations, restaurants from diners to full service establishments, and homes around the country.