Labor Day marks the official end of summer, and honestly, there’s no better way to commemorate it than with a laidback road trip to Baton Rouge. With plenty of activities, shopping and dining to your heart’s content, you’re sure to fill your long Labor Day weekend with fun!
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FRIDAY
Welcome to Baton Rouge! Settle into your hotel and get ready to explore your home for the next few days. If you’re staying downtown, you’ll find museums and historic landmarks around every corner, as well as restaurants and bars. If you’re opting to stay elsewhere in the city, no worries – most things are located within 10 to 15 minutes of each other.
We invite you to hit the streets of downtown and explore the attractions located within walking distance of each other. When dinner time hits, head to a restaurant – Tsunami is perfect for sushi and rooftop views, while Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar is a great casual option. If you’re just looking for a quick snack, stop in at Mother’s Lounge, where you’ll find specialty cocktails and a charcuterie board of your dreams.
After dinner, you’ll hear the sounds of live music down Third Street, so stop in to listen to some tunes or grab a craft cocktail at one of the bars in the area.
SATURDAY
Rise and shine! Start your morning at the Red Stick Farmers Market and Baton Rouge Arts Market, where local farmers and makers will be selling their products. Grab some coffee from The Vintage, located just a few blocks over. Breakfast options also abound at this coffee bar, so be sure to bring your appetite!
After hitting the market, it’s time to hit Baton Rouge’s infamous shopping scene. You’ll find boutiques spread throughout the city, making it easy to shop local. Head to Perkins Rowe for a blend of local shopping, as well as brands you may be more familiar with. If you’re looking for the vintage and antique shopping of your dreams, head to Baton Rouge’s quirky Mid City neighborhood. A stop in at Circa 1857, Time Warp Boutique or The Pink Elephant is sure to leave you with some treasured finds of years past.
Use the afternoon to rest up (preferably poolside) before hitting the town for a night out. Start your evening with dinner and drinks at Louisiana Lagniappe or Supper Club. After a decadent meal, get ready to dance the night away! L’Auberge Casino & Hotel’s Edge Lounge features live music on the weekends, or for something a little more laidback, head back to Third Street in downtown Baton Rouge or check out the lowkey bar scene in Mid City.
SUNDAY
There’s no better marriage than Sunday and brunch – in fact, in Baton Rouge, it might even be synonymous! Baton Rouge locals take brunch seriously, and there’s even an award for it. Past years’ winners for the Best Brunch in Baton Rouge include Elsie’s Plate & Pie and Mason’s Grill, but other excellent options include The Overpass Merchant or Cocha. If you’re looking for something with a little bit of jazz, head to Juban’s where they hold jazz brunch every Saturday and Sunday.
Depending on how full you get at brunch, the rest of your Sunday could go one or two ways. You can hit the great outdoors at one of the BREC parks found throughout the city – Greenwood Community Park offers everything from paddleboarding to pickleball and Frenchtown Conservation Area is great for hiking. If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing, head to a brewery or distillery, such as Agile Brewing or Oxbow Rum Distillery, where you can sit back and relax with a cold drink and an abundance of yard games.
MONDAY
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and with Monday comes departure. Before you hit the road, a stop at Coffee Call is an absolute must for the perfect Baton Rouge send-off. Enjoy their specialty, beignet fingers, as well as hot or iced café au lait to fuel your journey home. We hope to see you soon!
