Memorial Day: The Affordable Way

In 2018, Baton Rouge was ranked in the top 5 best inexpensive US cities to vacation for Memorial Day. If you’re looking forward to that long weekend vacation but want to save some money, we’ve got a lineup of incredible and affordable things to do so you can #ExploreBatonRouge without breaking the bank!

Affordable Food

Start your day off right with some delicious breakfast at Coffee Call. This Baton Rouge staple is a one stop shop for classic coffee and beignets with a lunch menu as well. It’s such a crowd pleaser and so affordable that you could buy trays of beignets for the whole crew. If you’re looking for a cute diner experience, try Simple Joe Cafe, located right in the Mid City neighborhood, it is perfect for breakfast and gourmet coffee lovers. They even have vegan and vegetarian options!

Just because the food is affordable does not mean it has to be boring! Consider these restaurants for a unique dining experience: Frankie’s Dawg House is Baton Rouge’s only gourmet hot dog spot with some unique creations. Located on Perkins Road in a lively part of town, Frankie’s offers classic and speciality hot dogs with the addition of some favorite Louisiana eats and a full bar. This restaurant is also dog-friendly, so bring a furry friend along! For some authentic Louisiana cuisine like jambalaya, visit Rice and Roux, a fast and casual Cajun restaurant that is also known for their catering. If you’re having a get together while you’re here in Baton Rouge, give them a call to make your tastebuds sing!

Hidden away in the hustle of the Capital City is Hayride Scandal, a bar that prides itself on its atmosphere and beverages. Go ahead—treat yourself to unique cocktails and enjoy each other’s company in a bar quite like no other.

Go Exploring

Baton Rouge has a lot to offer when it comes to history, culture and scenery. And who says you can’t do it all? This Memorial Day, you can be a part of a remembrance ceremony at one of Baton Rouge’s most famous attractions, the USS Kidd, to remember all who have fought for our freedom. The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. May 27th, on the grounds of the museum at the Louisiana Memorial Plaza. This Fletcher-Class destroyer, still in its original condition, also doubles as the Veterans’ Museum. You can tour for as little as $12 and become a member to support the museum (with awesome benefits like unlimited admission)!

Located in the northern part of East Baton Rouge Parish is BREC’s North Sherwood Community Park, a park designed to entertain the whole family. With bike trails, an indoor playground and a 3-acre lake for fishing, you could stay here all day. Pack a picnic and make it an inexpensive day spent enjoying Louisiana’s great outdoors!

If you’d like to explore more beautiful Baton Rouge scenery, the Louisiana State University Hilltop Arboretum is free of charge and open to the public. With 14 beautiful acres filled with native Louisiana trees and shrubs, there’s not a more gorgeous way to spend the afternoon.

One of Baton Rouge’s more famous landmarks, the Old Governor’s Mansion, is perfect for a historic tour with friends and family. Recently called “Louisiana’s White House” and built in 1930, this ornate mansion housed Louisiana’s past governors. It is also a popular spot for weddings and other celebrations. Tours cost around $10 for adults (with discounts for seniors), while kids can explore for free.

Look through telescopes and make new discoveries at the Highland Road Park Observatory! It’s always free to the public for all ages. With evening sky viewings every day and other special events, you can peek into space right from Baton Rouge.

Baton Rouge also has many accommodating hotels that are perfect for a long weekend getaway. If you’d like to stay with us for a while, check out visitbatonrouge.com/hotels to learn more about planning your stay in the Red Stick.