Looking for ways to beat the heat? Baton Rouge has you covered with an array of cool activities and treats to help you stay refreshed and entertained all summer long. Dive into the fun at one of our water parks, perfect for splashing around and making memories with family and friends. Craving something sweet to cool you down? Visit our delicious ice cream shops, where you'll find a variety of flavors that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. But that's not all! Discover how you can stay cool in Baton Rouge with these suggested activities and things to do this season.
MAKE A SPLASH
Our parks system, BREC, offers user-operated splash pads at five locations: City-Brooks, Greenwood, Jackson, Highland Road, North Sherwood, and Zachary community parks. The splash pads, which are activated by the push of a button, are open daily from March through October. For a more luxurious experience, you can laze away a hot day at the rooftop pool at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center or L’Auberge Casino & Hotel. City-Brooks, Anna T. Jordan, Howell, and Independence Community Parks offer public pools for daytime swimming until July 30. If you’re looking for lap swimming, check out the outdoor pool at the C.B. Pennington Jr. YMCA. Baton Rouge also boasts two popular water parks: Blue Bayou and BREC’s Liberty Lagoon, perfect for a full day of water fun.
PADDLE AROUND
Explore Louisiana's waterways by canoe or kayak, tailoring your adventure to be as relaxed or thrilling as you like. Paddle along the scenic trails at Greenwood Community Park, with rentals available through BREC. For a different experience, rent paddleboards from Muddy Water Paddle Company and set off on your own or book a group instructional session with friends for a fun day out.
AN ICY TREAT
Indulge in a Louisiana summer tradition at one of Baton Rouge's many snoball stands, like SnoMan Snoballs, Cool Delights, or Rainbow Delites Snowballs. If you're taking a dessert break, head to the LSU AgCenter Dairy Store for ice cream made with milk from the AgCenter's Southeast Research Station, featuring a variety of flavors. For something just as sweet but a bit different, Sweet Society offers taiyaki ice cream served in a charming fish-shaped waffle cone.
Photo credit: @maameefua.koomson
INDOOR CLASSES
Ever wanted to make your own candle scent? Or learn how to make your own cocktails? The summer's the best time to learn! Make the most of your time indoors and check out The Bougie Bar for candle making, The Tipsy Librarian for summer cocktail making, or DIY Disco and Bellyfire to make your own arts and crafts pieces.