Flights to Baton Rouge

No visa is required for domestic travelers within the U.S. For foreign nationals, please check the U.S. Department of State website.

Things to do and places of interest in Baton Rouge

The famous ‘Red Stick’ offers many interesting historical and cultural sights and events. Here are a few suggestions for your itinerary, when you travel to Baton Rouge.

• Check out the stunning Old State Capitol building, now the Museum of Political History. Standing high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi river, the 1847-dated Gothic Revival castle was burned by the Union Army, and then repaired in 1882. It then served as the state capitol until 1932.
• Tour the USS Kidd and Veterans Memorial, a nautical center consisting of the destroyer USS Kidd, an observation tower and museum. Come aboard the USS Kidd, nicknamed the Pirate of the Pacific, and learn about the ship’s long and fascinating history before it was decommissioned in 1964.
• If you visit during Mardi Gras, go to Spanish Town to take part in the celebrations – widely considered some of the most spectacular in the country. Spanish Town is the most bohemian area of the city, full of hip bars packed with patrons.
• Take your children to see the Baton Rouge Zoo, where they can admire exotic animals like rhinos, parrots, Chilean flamingos, Galapagos and Aldabra tortoises, and Mike the tiger. At the Kids Zoo, they’ll see domestic barnyard animals and can burn off some steam in the tunnels and play equipment.
• Visit the 1791-dated Magnolia Mound Plantation, sitting close to the banks of the Mississippi river. The plantation, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, covers 16 acres and is open to the public for tours.
• Culture vultures will enjoy the art scene in Baton Rouge, with most of the museums clustered around the downtown core. Stop by the Shaw Center, featuring the Manship Theatre and two galleries.

Tips and tricks for visiting Baton Rouge

If the weather is stormy during your visit, you should know that because Baton Rouge is so flat and drainage is poor, there is a danger of encountering flash floods. Places you should be wary of, due to urban flash flooding, include along River Road under the Mississippi River Bridge, some areas in the Garden District, and Brightside in south Baton Rouge.

Mardi Gras is a ton of fun, but watch out for the beads! They can give you a good whack if you aren’t paying attention. Sometimes the streets are a bit crowded as well, so if you are unsteady on your feet, you’d best stay away from the busiest areas.