by Tom Bastek
Last updated: 11:00 AM ET, Tue January 6, 2015
We Say:
The "Capital City" of Louisiana, Baton Rouge has been ruled by seven different governments in its history: French, British, Spanish, West Floridian, United States territory and state, Confederate, and United States of America.
Developing out of the steamship trade and transport in the early 19th century, they are now the ninth biggest port in the U.S. and the city farthest north able to handle the big transport ships. Still on a building boom from the mid 1990s, the city of Baton Rouge is a hub for the petrochemical, medical, research, motion picture, and technology industries and has grown by over 200,000 people since hurricane Katrina.
Baton Rouge's mix of cultures provides an exciting culinary scene with, of course, a Cajun influence as well. Their nightlife and live music scene is strong and they have one of the SEC powerhouses in their Louisiana State University Fighting Tigers.
They Say:
The action is warming up in Baton Rouge-time to dive into one of the South's brightest hot spots! Baton Rouge's history is as cool as its charm is warm. With dynamic cuisine, upscale shopping, great live music, eclectic museums, and the excitement of big-time college football, there's enough action to keep you coming back again and again.
Baton Rouge was named one of the South's Best Foodie Cities in 2013 and 2014. There's no shortage of ways to experience culinary bliss here, whether you're pulling up a chair, setting out on foot or even jumping into the cooking game. - Visit Baton Rouge - The Official Travel Resource
Weather:
Current Traffic: Google Traffic
Airport:Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport
Public Transit:Capital Area Transit System
Bikeshare: At some colleges in the area.
Walkability Score: 37 at Walk Score
Parking Options / Expense: Best parking
Best Accommodations: (Expedia.com Highest Guest Rated w/ at least 50 Reviews)
Boutique: Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge Downtown
High End: Nottoway Plantation and Resort (technically 5 miles out of town, but awesome)
High End: Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
Mid Range: Drury Inn & Suites Baton Rouge
Bargain: Siegen Inn
Foods to seek out: Staff Picks
Oysters: Acme Oyster House
Crawfish: Tony's Seafood
Gumbo: Dempsy's
Known For:
Louisiana's State Capital - Take a virtual tour
Louisiana State University - LSU Homepage
World renowned southern cuisine - Parrain's
Sports Teams:
NCAA: LSU Tigers
U.S. Australian Football League: Baton Rouge Tigers
Deep South Rugby Football Union: Baton Rouge Rugby Club
Cool attractions:
Single
1. Have a pint of one of the 107 beers on draft at The Pelican House.
2. Win big at the Hollywood Casino.
3. Soak up some of the libations late night at Louie's Caf¨¦.
Couple
1. Look for the Ghost of the Castle at Louisiana's Old State Capital.
2. Take a stroll at the Botanic Garden at Independence Park
3. Take a flight with Baton Rouge Hot Air Balloons.
Family
1. Ride the Ragin Cajun at Blue Bayou & Dixie Landing
2. Take a picture with Mike the Tiger at his habitat.
3. Board the "Pirate of the Pacific" the USS Kidd.
Nightlife
1. Live Music - Boudreaux & Thibodeaux
2. Mixology - Olive or Twist
3. Cigar & Wine - Churchill's Premium Cigars and Elixirs
Baton Rouge is:
Image courtesy of worditout.com
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