Travel Guide
Move Over New Orleans! This Charming Louisiana City Is Surging In Popularity
May
Like Mississippi, Louisiana is yet another surprising southern state on the rise.
In fact, the state’s lesser-known cities like Shreveport and Monroe announced earlier this year they broke all-time visitor records in 2024, in addition to Lake Charles soaring to new heights in 2023.
While New Orleans will always be the mainstay of Louisiana, there’s a new Bayou beaut entering the chat, drawing a whopping 9 million visitors last year and certainly not solely for college football games as legendary as LSU tailgates may be.
That’s right – none other than Baton Rouge, a charming riverside city beaming with magnetizing Cajun and Creole culture, phenomenal southern comfort foods, and timeless neighborhoods has claimed the title as Louisiana’s new travel hotspot.
Louisiana’s Capital: A Historic City With A Medley Of Cultures
Baton Rouge’s timeline spans over three centuries, resulting in a medley of cultures that make your visit to one of the South’s most underrated cities more enticing.
Since 1849, Baton Rouge has been the state capital, but before then, there was a short-lived period of independence after an era of Spanish rule in what was then known as West Florida, believe it or not.
Nowadays, there are still landmarks that have stood the test of time to enjoy at your leisure, such as the Old State Capitol, Longwood Plantation, and even the Pastime Lounge and Restaurant, a community staple since 1945, just to name a few.
To see the most historic sites on a budget, I highly recommend taking a self-guided tour for just $10.
One such place you shouldn’t skip is Spanish Town, the city’s oldest district. Here, you’ll find beautifully preserved architecture ranging from Creole cottages, Greek revival homes, and even what’s known as “shotgun houses”, which are typically painted a vibrant array of colors to reflect to lively spirit of the neighborhood.
Baton Rouge is so picturesque. Visit Baton Rouge just announced a new initiative to showcase the city’s architecture.
Enjoy Bayou Bites & Riverside Delights
A trip to Louisiana without putting your fad diet aside is a wasted trip if you ask me.
Whether slimy oysters gross you out or not, Cajun cuisine offers an unmatched symphony of flavors that just can’t be replicated back home.
Rooted in the traditions of French Acadian settlers, Cajun cuisine was formed from locally sourced ingredients whether it be seafood, meats, and homegrown vegetables.
Oftentimes the mechanism is to simply throw it all in a pot and let it simmer for hours, resulting in an explosion for your tastebuds that only Louisiana can offer with popular dishes like gumbo, jambalaya and étouffée (no offense, Popeye’s).
Better yet, Baton Rouge doesn’t feel touristy despite the influx of visitors. Unlike New Orleans’ French Quarter, you won’t feel overwhelmed when the bill arrives.
Located in walking distance to the scenic riverside, Cecelia Creole Bistro is a great spot to indulge in Creole classics without denting your bank account.
Speaking of the river, one of the most popular activities to enjoy “the Mississippi” is by taking a sightseeing cruise operated by Baton Rouge Cruises, which offers different themes every weekend:
- Friday: cocktail cruise
- Saturday: sunset cruise
- Sunday: brunch cruise
But there’s another unique aspect of Baton Rouge that’s a fan favorite, shall we say. You gotta book a thrilling Baton Rouge swamp tour — whizz through a maze of swamplands on a fan boat and witness alligators in the wild.
Stays For Every Budget
Summer humidity is rough in Baton Rouge, so you’ll likely want to book a comfortable room to rest up in the afternoon — that is, unless you put ice cubes in your bra like my Nana used to.
Not only is food across the board affordable in Baton Rouge, but accommodations are too.
A bare-bones stay at the Boardwalk Suites Hotel is only $43 per night in July, while the household names like Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel, conveniently located to the air-conditioned Mall of Louisiana, are a reasonable $137 per night, especially with a spacious rooftop pool to cool off.
For downtown stays, though, WATERMARK Baton Rouge (Autograph Collection) is the city’s most luxurious hotel, going for $185 this summer, but the quirky Origin Hotel Baton Rouge offers the best value downtown at $138.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
