They say your college years fly by, and they may be right. Whether you grew up in the city or moved to Baton Rouge for a change of scenery during your college years, we hope that Baton Rouge has a special place in your heart. If you’re looking to move on from the Red Stick after graduation, here are some things you should do before graduation.

 

Dine at Your Favorite Local Spots

Breakfast

To start your day, how about a bit of nostalgia from your college days. We all remember those college mornings running late on an empty stomach. Greeted by the smiling faces at Kolache Kitchen and being handed that crisp white bag full of baked goods was the perfect way to start any day. Or head into Louie’s Cafe for some classic diner food and reminisce on great memories with great friends.

Coffee

If stepping into Highland Coffee reminds you too much of studying for finals week, head into one of Magpie Cafe’s locations for a cup of brew and some treats or head into Lighthouse Coffee for their interesting creations and beautiful aesthetic. There are so many local coffee shops in Baton Rouge to visit, so check out our Best Local Coffee Shop blog!

Lunch

It may be hard to find burgers with boudin or a gumbo gravy outside of the Mid City neighborhood, so have lunch at Curbside Burgers! Sit outdoors for that prime patio sitting and maybe treat yourself to a boozy milkshake! If you’ve got family and friends coming in for your graduation, having a wide variety of delicacies at White Star Market is a perfect lunch location to bring even the pickiest eaters.

Dinner

There is no shortage of incredible restaurants in Baton Rouge, but for a perfect dinner, we recommend eating at Tsunami downtown. Why? The location in Baton Rouge has a stunning view of the Mississippi that is unmatched by any other locations in Louisiana. Take one last look at the great skyline of the city you may have missed these past few years.


 

Take a Tour

Capitol Buildings

Stand on top of the Capitol Building one last time and truly feel on top of the world (the views will not disappoint and it’s free). Visit the beautiful castle’s, more commonly known as the Old State Capitol, museum for an interesting history lesson.

Tiger Stadium & Mike the Tiger’s Habitat

Even if you didn’t attend LSU for college, you cannot deny that Tiger Stadium is one of the main focal points of Baton Rouge. Take a tour of the stadium to really soak in all of the history and the memories that were made there. We’re sure you’ll be back in Death Valley for Saturday night football (who can stay away?) but it’d be a great close to your graduating year. While you’re there, say goodbye to Mike the Tiger! Nothing brings visitors greater joy than seeing Mike lounging around his habitat or swimming around. It’s gonna be hard saying goodbye to Baton Rouge, but saying goodbye to Mike may be harder. He’d love to see you!

The USS Kidd

This iconic attraction in Baton Rouge is a must-see if you’re even thinking of leaving the city after college. Named after Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, Sr., it is the only ship to have been kept in its World War 2 configuration and one of four Fletcher-class destroyers left that has been preserved as a museum. Also, it is a famous haunted attraction, so go ghost hunting with your friends!

 

Baton Rouge Activities

Check out Red Stick Social

This new addition the capital’s social scene, Red Stick Social, is equipped with bars, bowling, and brews perfect for group activities. Grab a group of friends and head on over for an evening filled with fun and games for adults!

Listen to Blue’s Music

Baton Rouge is the birthplace of all things rhythm and blues. If you’ve never been exposed to the sounds of local music, go to a listening room like Teddy’s Juke Joint or step into Phil Brady’s blues bar for live music.

Get Outside

To enjoy that beautiful Baton Rouge weather, head downtown to Arsenal Park for a perfect for day of beauty and history all in one! It offers an incredible view of Capitol Lake, a garden of beautiful flowers and trees and The Arsenal Museum, with free entry Tuesday through Saturday. For the more adventurous ones, the LSU UREC offers gear rentals open to the public for outdoor activities such as kayaking, camping, canoeing and backpacking!


From graduation ceremonies to parties, to plan your stay in Baton Rouge, visit https://www.visitbatonrouge.com/hotels/.