Long before it was a petrochemical stronghold, Baton Rouge was the dividing strip between the hunting lands of the Bayougoula and Houma native tribes. The ghoulish marker was a tree stained red with blood and it was this that inspired the name given to the area by the 17th century French conquerors (Baton Rouge translates as Red Stick).
Baton Rouge has been held by the French, the Spanish, the English and the Republic of West Florida among others. The European flavor lingers on, giving Baton Rouge something of the feel of Montreal, found in hidden pockets among the industrial grey-lands and the laid-back air of the locals.
Things to See and Do
If the Spanish moss and five balmy seasons don't put you in a Southern mood, the Belle of Baton Rouge will. This triple-decker steamboat is also a casino, and an evening spent wining, dining and (hopefully) shining at the tables will probably unwind the up-tightest of vacationers. Resist the urge to mimic the accent (the service is better that way) and sip a mint julep or three.
The Myrtles Plantation is one of those eerily well-preserved Southern estates. Although beautiful, it has an air of melancholy that can make it a little spooky, and the ghost stories don't help much either. If you scare easily, try to visit during the day when the chandeliers, leather-bound books and sweeping lawns are charming rather than chilling.
Get out of town a little to the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center. This 101 acre preserve has trails (hiking, or simply strolling, depending on your tastes and reactions to the hot weather) that meander through the rich array of plant and wildlife.
Music
For music in the south, you just can't beat the blues. If you're swinging past Baton Rouge in late April, get yourself to the Baton Rouge Blues Festival. This is a week of street blues, club blues, honky-tonk, bluegrass, roots and all the good stuff that brings out the dancer in everyone. Local and international acts, check individual venues for details.
Food
Food in Baton Rouge is a diverse affair. TJ Ribs is beer, brisket and (as the name suggests) plenty of babyback ribs. It's also all about beer and sports and is the best place for southern comfort-food. At the other end of the dining experience is Maison LaCour. This family-run French restaurant is the epitome of understated French chic and serves up a mouth-watering range of home-made pates, pastries and delicately flavored food that fuses traditional French with a lighter modern palate. Well worth making a reservation if you are feeling a little heavy in the pockets. Service and food like this don't come cheap.
Hotels
Accommodation in Baton Rouge tends towards the apartment-style (with kitchenette) that offers travellers the economical option of preparing some of their own food. These are usually full-service hotels as well though, with the amenities like room service and restaurants. A double suite will cost around $110 per night in a central hotel within walking distance to the best sights.
Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Salt Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(Photo:iStockPhoto/Patties)
