Taxes

9% sales tax; 13% hotel/motel tax

Population

More than 800,000 people live in the metropolitan area. Baton Rouge is one of the largest cities on the Mississippi River and Louisiana's most populous.

Climate

• Baton Rouge has a semi-tropical climate, perfect for outdoor activities
• The weather is consistently warm from May to September
• Winter is usually mild and short-lived
• Spring is glorious with cool nights and warm, sunny days. A light jacket is all that is needed.
• Fall is mild and only a light sweater is needed in the evenings
• Precipitation is reasonably well-distributed and ample throughout the year with an average annual precipitation of 55 inches

Average summer temperature: 81.3
Average winter temperature: 52.5
Average annual temperature: 67.5

Location

Baton Rouge, the state capital, is located in Southeast Louisiana, 157 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico and 80 miles WNW of New Orleans via Interstate 10. Baton Rouge is also served by I-12, I-55, I-59 and I-49.

Air Service

Baton Rouge is accessible by jet service via Delta, American, Northwest and Continental. Many hotels provide complimentary transportation to and from Baton Rouge Metro Airport. Rental cars and taxi service are also available.

Hotels

Rest easy in the Rouge! There are over 8,000 hotel rooms in the area and nearly 4,500 are committable for a citywide event. Baton Rouge hotel rates are among the most affordable in the U.S. Baton Rouge hotel properties also provide complimentary parking.

Restaurants

No doubt, while you are here, you'll fall in love with regional dishes that reflect our Cajun, Creole, French and Mexican heritage. There are over 900 restaurants in the Baton Rouge area offering every type of menu. From alligator sauce piquant all the way to Zydeco shrimp, the abundance of innovative menus and dishes found throughout our city sometimes makes it difficult for visitors to decide where to eat and what to order!

The Baton Rouge River Center

The Baton Rouge River Center offers 70,000 sq.ft. of exhibition hall and 125,000 sq.ft. of flat floor space. Also offers theater, classroom and banquet style seating and 8 break out rooms.

Hotels with Meeting Facilities

• Baton Rouge Marriott
• Cook Conference Center and Hotel
• Embassy Suites
• Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
• Holiday Inn Select
• Holiday Inn South 
• Hyatt Place
• Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center Hotel

Off-Site Meeting Facilities and Area Resources

• Baton Rouge River Center
• LSU and Southern University
• Lamar Dixon Expo Center

Recreational Facilities

• 190 Public Tennis Courts
• 184 City Parks
• 75 Recreational centers/facilities
• 8 Public Swimming Pools
• 7 Public Golf Courses
• 1 Amusement/Water Park
• 4 Bowling Lanes
• 5 Movie Theatres
• 2 Roller Skating Facilities
• 1 Miniature Golf Course

Cultural and Arts Activities

• Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre
• Baton Rouge Symphony
• LSU Museum of Art
• Southern Museum of Art
• Louisiana Art and Science Museum
• Swine Palace Productions
• LSU Theatre