Hotels in Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge is a place so inspiring, musicians such as Garth Brooks, Kris Kristofferson and Janis Joplin all felt moved to sing about it. Sitting just east of the Mississippi River and only an hour and a half from New Orleans, Baton Rouge stands as the capital city of Louisiana Opens in a new window . The port in Baton Rouge is one of the busiest and most heavily relied-upon of the entire Mississippi, surviving seven different governments throughout its lifetime. Louisiana is known for its Southern hospitality, welcoming all guests with Cajun and creole cooking, music that ranges from swamp rock to zydeco, and one of the most colorful histories America has to tell.

Tours to take in Baton Rouge

Swamp tours

These tours are notorious for a great time in Louisiana, so get your group together, or fly solo to one of the many swamp tours available. Taken into lesser-traveled areas on a guided boat tour, guides will tell you histories of the swamps and information about the wildlife there. Stories about alligators, cypress trees and a rich local history bring Louisiana to life. Learn how locals are helping to maintain the wildlife, and possibly see your tour guide interact with a real alligator wading through its natural home.

Plantation tours

Local tours offer shuttle services to some of the most popular locations, with Oak Alley and Laura Plantation being two of its most remarkable. Oak Alley, with its beautiful entryway marked by glorious oak trees, is a hallmark of beauty from the Antebellum South. Laura Plantation, on the other hand, was run by a Creole business family, with a more refined design. Both of these beautiful architectural pieces leave visitors momentarily frozen in time, immersed in a part of America that once boomed with flowing money and elaborate parties.

What to do

Cruise the Mississippi

Baton Rouge's port is not only set up for shipments and cargo, but a great many pleasure cruises also launch from its berths. The river provided Mark Twain with inspiration, and can do so for others today, with a day of relaxation and unparalleled sights. With most cruises offering dinner and live music, these are great for a solo getaway after a business conference or a romantic weekend.

Check out the architecture

A city this old and established is bound to have historically significant buildings, and Louisiana's Old State Capital is one of them. Built in 1929 and neogothic in design, it is constructed like a castle ready to defend some bygone empire. The interior has beautiful stained glass ceilings and spiral staircases, deeply resonating with history.

Museums

All that history from seven different governments and a multitude of cultures has to be stored somewhere. Whether you're looking for a maritime treasure, such as the USS Kidd, or a history of the people at the LSU Rural Life Museum , visitors will find a plentiful amount of history displayed within the city’s boundaries. The museums dotting the surface of Baton Rouge have countless stories to share with history-loving visitors.

Climate

The swamps infuse Louisiana with quite a bit of humidity. Hurricane season ranges from June to November, with the heaviest time for storms usually around September. Temperatures in Baton Rouge are usually very mild, seeing about 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the coldest month and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the hottest month. Occasionally, residents and visitors may face a very strong cold front, but they are infrequent and short-lived. Even during the rainy season, the weather remains enjoyable in this city of wonders.