Baton Rouge, the state capital of Louisiana, is picturesquely situated along the Mississippi River. If you have some time to take in the sites and activities, especially in the spring or autumn when the weather is ideal, you'll find enough to keep you occupied. The city is home to the destroyer USS Kidd, which is a component of the USS Kidd Veterans Memorial, a must-see attraction in the city.
Worth visiting are the stately ancient houses, notably Magnolia Plantation (1791), one of the area's oldest, and the State Capitol Building. Other enjoyable activities include visiting some of Baton Rouge's museums and cultural sites, such as the LSU Rural Life Museum, which sheds light on the region's rich past. Outdoor activity is also readily available in Baton Rouge; locations such as the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center are excellent locations to seek adventure.
With our list of things to do in Baton Rouge, you may discover more fascinating locations to visit:
1. The Historic State Capitol
The Old State Capitol is a magnificent Gothic-Revival fortress constructed in 1847. It is significant both historically and architecturally, and is well worth a visit, even if just from the exterior.
After the Union Army set fire to the castle, it was restored in 1882 and functioned as the state capital until 1932, when the current State Capitol building opened. This striking building, perched high above the Mississippi River on a cliff, is now a museum of political history.
The museum has many noteworthy exhibitions, including The Legacy of Huey Long, The Governors' Portrait Gallery, and Baton Rouge during the Civil War. The Old State Capitol offers a variety of events and maybe leased for weddings and other special events.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 100 North Boulevard
2. Veterans Memorial for the USS Kidd
The USS Kidd Veterans Memorial is a short walk from the State Capitol building. This attraction is centered around the destroyer USS KIDD, which was named for Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, Sr., who was killed during the 1941 Pearl Harbor assault on the USS Arizona.
The ship dubbed the "Pirate of the Pacific," was launched in 1943. On board, the tales of the ship's lengthy and fascinating history prior to its decommissioning in 1964 are recounted. The ship has been featured in a number of films and historical documentaries throughout the years. Today, tourists may climb aboard the USS KIDD and learn about its history.
Additionally, the USS Kidd Veterans Memorial complex has an observation tower and museum. This Historic Warship & Nautical Center is home to many one-of-a-kind relics, a model ship collection, and a tiny version of Washington, D.C.'s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 305 South River Road
3. Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University was founded in 1860 in Alexandria and relocated to Baton Rouge in 1869. The institution relocated to its present site in 1926. The LSU Rural Life Museum and the LSU Museum of Natural Science are two of the highlights.
The sites include American-Indian mounds that are estimated to be over 1,600 years old. Baseball at Alex Box Stadium/Skip Bertman Field and football at LSU Tiger Stadium are two popular sports programs and venues on the LSU campus.
4. Louisiana's State Capitol
Baton Rouge's Louisiana State Capitol was constructed in the early 1930s. This iconic building is 450 feet tall and has 34 stories. The outside limestone is decorated with many symbolic symbols symbolizing the state, while the interior marble complements the elaborate furniture throughout the structure.
Two sets of sculptures flank the outside stairs: the Patriots, an armed soldier and the mourners of a fallen fighter; and the Pioneers, a robed lady surrounded by settlers.
The State Capitol was built as a consequence of the efforts of Huey Pierce Long, a Louisiana governor who would later serve in the United States Senate. He battled valiantly to get the construction constructed, was successful, and was subsequently murdered in the same structure.
Huey Pierce Long is buried on the grounds, and his monument is located there. Consider taking the building tour, which includes an elevator trip up to an observation deck with panoramic views of the city. Louisiana's State Capitol is a National Register of Historic Places listing.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 900 North Third Street
5. Magnolia Mound Plantation
Magnolia Mound was constructed in the latter part of the 18th century and reflects the architectural influences introduced by early French and West Indian immigrants. The house has been held by a number of different individuals throughout the years, each of whom has made their own modifications and additions.
The house, a bousillage-style timber building, retains most of its 18th- and 19th-century look. It is bordered by mature oaks. The city of Baton Rouge expropriated the property in order to preserve it as a historical monument of a bygone era.
Today, it is on the National Register of Historic Places and is accessible for visits to the public. The property is almost 15 acres and is comprised of the main home and numerous additional structures.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 2161 Nicholson Drive
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