Explore Downtown Baton Rouge

Downtown Baton Rouge packs a full day into a walkable stretch along the Mississippi River.

In a single day, you can stroll the levee, dig into the city's history at some of Louisiana's best museums, grab lunch at a locally owned spot, and cap it all off with a night out downtown. This itinerary takes you from breakfast to last call, no car required.

Not sure where to start? We've mapped out the full route at the bottom of this page so you can hit every stop without the guesswork.

Downtown Baton Rouge

BREAKFAST MUSEUMS LUNCH MORE MUSEUMS DRINKS DINNER NIGHTLIFE TOURS

Breakfast Option

The Vintage

Start your Baton Rouge adventure with a delicious breakfast at The Vintage. Within walking distance from all downtown hotels, The Vintage offers a cozy atmosphere to enjoy freshly brewed specialty coffees, signature beignets, along with a variety of pastries and savory breakfast options.

Tour Capitol Park Museum

Capitol Park Museum tells the full story of Louisiana, from its earliest days to the present. Permanent exhibits cover the breadth of what makes this state distinct: the commerce and culture of the Mississippi River, the legacy of Huey P. Long, the music of Louis Armstrong, the tradition of Mardi Gras, and everything in between. If you want to understand Louisiana before you explore it, this is the place to start.

Tour Louisiana State Capitol

At 450 feet, the Louisiana State Capitol is the tallest state capitol building in the country, and it looks the part. Built in 1932 under Governor Huey P. Long, the Art Deco tower is worth a stop just for the architecture, from the grand 49-step staircase with every U.S. state's name carved into the steps to the House and Senate Chambers and a relief map of Louisiana embedded in the Memorial Hall floor. Admission is free and tours are still available, though the building is currently undergoing renovations. Note that the observation deck is closed until further notice.

Credit|@brob_400

The Oldest Neighborhood in Baton Rouge

Self Guided Tour of Historic Spanish Town

Platted in 1805 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Spanish Town is Baton Rouge's oldest neighborhood and one of its most interesting to walk through. Tree-lined streets are lined with a mix of Greek Revival homes, shotgun houses, and Arts and Crafts bungalows, some dating back to the early 1800s. The neighborhood has a personality all its own, and that personality is on full display every Mardi Gras season when Spanish Town hosts the largest Mardi Gras parade in Baton Rouge. Forget purple, green, and gold. Spanish Town runs on pink, and the flamingos are everywhere. Even outside of Carnival season, it's worth a stroll.

Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park

Dedicated in 2017 on the grounds of the Louisiana State Capitol, Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park honors the hundreds of thousands of Louisianans who have served, been wounded, or killed in action. The park includes the Old Arsenal Powder Magazine, built around 1838 on what was once a Federal Military Post, and is home to the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, the first of its kind placed on state capitol grounds in the nation. It's a meaningful stop that connects Baton Rouge's deep military history to the present.

The Old Arsenal Museum

Built in 1838 on what was then a federal military post, the Old Arsenal Museum is one of Baton Rouge's most historically significant sites. Its position on the Mississippi made it a key defensive stronghold, and its walls have seen it all, from Louisiana militia at the start of the Civil War to occupying federal troops during the Battle of Baton Rouge. Some of their graffiti is still visible on the walls today. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum offers exhibits on the Battle of Baton Rouge, military history, and the story of the Capitol grounds. Visits are by appointment only, so plan ahead before you go.

Lunch Option 1

Poor Boy Lloyd's

Poor Boy Lloyd's has been a downtown fixture since 1967, and it shows in the best way. The menu leans into plate lunches, fried seafood, and po'boys on New Orleans French bread, all served counter-style in a no-frills setting one block from the river. Order the shrimp po'boy and don't skip the bread pudding.

Credit|Cecelia Creole Bistro

Lunch Option 2

Cecelia Creole Bistro

Lunch doesn't get more Louisiana than this. Cecelia's turns out classics like étouffée, shrimp and grits, and crab cakes alongside standouts like pork belly and andouille egg rolls and skillet cornbread with a maple bourbon glaze. It's a sit-down spot worth slowing down for, right in the middle of downtown.

Louisiana's Old State Capitol

Few buildings in Louisiana carry as much history as the Old State Capitol. This National Historic Landmark has survived war, fire, abandonment, and more than a few heated moments inside its walls, including the 1861 session where Louisiana voted to secede from the Union and the impeachment proceedings of Gov. Huey P. Long. Interactive exhibits on voting and Louisiana's colorful governors fill the space, and before you leave, look up: the stained-glass dome is worth every photo. Cap your visit with "The Ghost of the Castle," a 4D short film featuring the ghost of Sarah Morgan, a real Civil War-era Baton Rouge figure who documented her love for the building in her published diary.

Louisiana's Old Governor's Mansion

Built by Huey P. Long in 1930 and nicknamed "Louisiana's White House," the Old Governor's Mansion served nine governors during one of the most colorful eras in state politics. Hidden staircases, a grand ballroom, and a replica of the Oval Office round out a tour that's equal parts history and spectacle.

Louisiana Art & Science Museum

Housed in a historic railroad depot on the banks of the Mississippi, the Louisiana Art and Science Museum covers a lot of ground. Fine art exhibitions, interactive galleries for kids, and an Ancient Egypt Gallery with a mummy all share space under one roof. Save time for the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium, a 60-foot domed theater with a 4K fulldome projection system and 15,000-watt surround sound that makes it one of the most advanced multimedia venues in the country.

Cocktails at Tsunami Sushi Rooftop

End the day the right way at Tsunami, perched atop the Shaw Center for the Arts with an open-air terrace overlooking the Mississippi. The sushi is worth staying for on its own, but the cocktails and the view at golden hour are what seal it. Grab a specialty roll, order a drink, and let the river do the rest.

Dinner Option 1

Cocha

Cocha's menu is built around what's fresh, local, and in season, with globally inspired flavors that keep things interesting. The kitchen turns out dishes that work for just about everyone, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options alongside seafood and proteins. Settle in for dinner indoors or outside, and check out the extensive craft cocktail and wine list.

Dinner Option 2

Capital City Grill

Capital City Grill's menu leans into Louisiana seafood, hand-cut steaks, and Southern classics, with daily specials that give you a reason to come back. It's the kind of spot that works for a business dinner or a night out with friends, and the bread pudding alone is worth sticking around for.

Dinner Option 3

Somewhere Neighborhood Bar

If you want to end the night somewhere low-key and unpretentious, Somewhere is it. The Third Street spot has the energy of a neighborhood bar done right, with smashburgers, boudin pepper jack egg rolls, video games, and a room full of big screens. It's casual, affordable, and exactly the kind of place you stumble into and stay longer than you planned.

Capital City Grill

Cocha

Somewhere Neighborhood Bar

Baton Rouge Nightlife

The fun doesn't have to stop at dinner! Third Street anchors the nightlife scene with a stretch of bars and venues covering every mood, whether you're looking for live music, craft cocktails, or just a good spot to keep the conversation going. It's all walkable, which means the night can go as long as you want it to.

Bars & Nightlife

Mother's Lounge

13 Social

Blend Wine Bar

The Main Lobby

Oxbow Rum Distillery

The River Room

The Basin Music Hall

Dark 30 Wine & Craft Cocktail Bar

Squeaky Pete's

Credit|Baton Rouge Cruises

Mississippi River Cruises by Baton Rouge Cruises

There's no better way to see downtown from a new angle than from the water. Baton Rouge Cruises runs narrated tours along the Baton Rouge shoreline aboard The Jacqueline Queen, a paddlewheel boat docked right on the Mississippi. The one-hour-plus cruise takes you past downtown landmarks, and for a longer outing, sunset cocktail cruises and Sunday brunch cruises are also on the menu.