Its strategic location along the Mississippi River made Baton Rouge quite a prize throughout history. Iberville liked the location as early as 1699 because the bluffs on the Mississippi River provided an ideal location for a fort.
- Begin with the the Pentagon Barracks adjacent to the Capitol grounds. The site was military home to General Zachary Taylor and generals Grant and Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Sheridan, Custer, Beauregard and many others.
- Fort New Richmond was long ago swallowed by the Mississippi River, but it was the sight of the only Revolutionary War battle to take place outside of the original thirteen colonies.
- Tour the Old Arsenal Museum, another relic of the time between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars in Louisiana. This armory was constructed away from the fort for the protection of the citizenry.
- Be sure to include a drive-by of the Lafayette-Tessier buildings, where General Lafayette made a speech to adoring throngs in 1825.
- Stop at Magnolia Mound, where the general probably stayed with one of his top aides, Armand Duplantier.
- Visit the Old State Capitol, almost destroyed by fire during the Union occupation of the city. A portion of the Senate Chamber has been left to show how the fire damaged the building.
- Drive by historic Magnolia Cemetery to see where the Civil War Battle of Baton Rouge was actually fought, and where many local veterans are buried.
- Head north to Port Hudson - site of the longest siege in American military history.
- Include the site of the Battle of Jackson Crossroads in East Feliciana Parish.
- Stop at the USS KIDD to see one of the best preserved WWII Fletcher-class destroyers in the country.
- Visit the Adjacent Nautical Museum with its memorial to U.S. service men and women killed in action, and Korean War P-40 and Vietnam era Corsair exhibits.
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Find Your Muse
The Louisiana State Museum-Baton Rouge will be honoring the sisterhood of these thought-provoking deities with the program
Louisiana Book Festival
On Saturday, October 4, Louisiana's FREE, world-class literary celebration offers children and adult booklovers unique opportunities to interact with more than 100 exceptional poets, writers and storytellers and to enjoy an inspiring variety of book-related activities, exhibitions and demonstrations... more>>
The Magic Flute
On September 20, Mozart's timeless, fantastical tale comes to a vibrant life in Opera's Louisiane's new 90 minute production. After saving the noble Prince Tamino from a pursuant alligator, the Queen of the Night solicits him to rescue her daughter, Princess Pamina, who has been kidnapped by an evil tyrant... more>>
Penny Day
The day celebrates elephants and is named after Penny, the Baton Rouge Zoo's first elephant. This day also celebrates the Zoo's opening... more>>
American Masters
American Masters from the Blanton Museum of Art's Mari and James A. Michener Collection opens at the Louisiana State University Museum of Art on June 27, 2008... more>>
Live After Five
Downtown Baton Rouge's favorite musical event is back. Eight Weeks of Live After Five return Fridays beginning September 12... more>>
Fireball Run 2: Back to the Track
The 2008 event will start in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and will zigzag through the coolest parts of America to finish in Grand Rapids, Michigan. more>>
Seein' Red
The
