"Keeweechic's Baton Rouge" Baton Rouge by keeweechic
Baton Rouge Travel Guide: 276 reviews and 565 photos
Baton Rouge literally means “redstick,” The city was given the name 300 years ago by a French explorer Iberville for the “red stick” he saw on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The cities earliest written records are found in the diaries of these early explorers which tell the story of a pole stained with blood of fish and animals which served as a dividing line between the Houmas and Bayougoula Indians.
Baton Rouge was established as a military outpost in 1719 and incorporated in 1817. During the Civil War, the city was captured by Admiral David Farragut and the seat of government was moved to New Orleans. It was 1882 before Baton Rouge again became the capital of the State. Louisiana State University came to the city in 1869 and was at the time located downtown. The Indian mounds on the campus of the present LSU were built 450 years before the construction of the great Egyptian pyramids.
Baton Rouge is the State Capital of Louisiana and the Parish (county) seat. It lies just northwest of New Orleans on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is the premier industrial city in the area and has large petroleum and chemical complexes on the Mississippi River. The Port of Great Baton Rouge ranks second in Louisiana and fifth in the nation. Baton Rouge celebrated its 303rd Birthday in 2002.
"Baton Rouge was clothed in flowers, like a bride — no, much more so; like a greenhouse. For we were in the absolute South now — no modifications, no compromises, no half-way measures. The magnolia trees in the Capitol grounds were lovely and fragrant, with their dense rich foliage and huge snowball blossoms. The scent of the flower is very sweet, but you want distance on it, because it is so powerful."
- Mark Twain, in his 1883 travelogue, "Life on the Mississippi."
Reviews (33)
Windy Weather
Warnings and Dangers
(1)
Beware of windy conditions when going up to the observation deck of the Capitol Building. When its really bad, they will... more travel advice
The Cajun Village - Sorrento
Off The Beaten Path
(1)
The Cajun Village is about halfway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge & New Orleans. There is a small collection of... more travel advice
An Eventful Stop Off
Favorites
(1)
We had originally planned to visit Baton Rouge on our trip south but we changed plans and stayed an extra night in... more travel advice
Getting There
Transportation
(1)
By Road : I-10 comes in from Lafayette (LA) and Houston (TX) in the west and New Orleans in the south. I-61 leads in... more travel advice
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Things to Do (26)
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Nightlife (2)
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Hotels (1)
A Port in the Storm -
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- updated a Baton Rouge Travelogue "State Capitol"
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Latest Baton Rouge hotel reviews
- Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center
- 132 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013 - Cambria Suites Baton Rouge 1-10/College park
- 98 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2013 - La Quinta Inn Baton Rouge
- 61 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013 - Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center Hotel
- 154 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013 - Quality Suites Bluebonnet Center
- 11 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013 - Calloway Inn and Suites
- 13 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 23, 2012 - Courtyard by Marriott Baton Rouge Siegen Lane
- 62 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 8, 2013 - Super 8 Motel Baton Rouge
- 43 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013 - Crossland Sherwood Forest
- 16 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 9, 2013 - Residence Inn Baton Rouge Siegen Lane
- 44 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 26, 2013 - Days Inn Baton Rouge/Siegen Lane
- 29 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 17, 2013 - Hampton Inn Baton Rouge-I-10 & College Dr.
- 54 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 30, 2013 - Holiday Inn Select Executive Center
- 115 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 15, 2013 - Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge Downtown Riverfront
- 121 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2013 - Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Baton Rouge East
- 40 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 1, 2013

National/State Park
Historical Travel
Museum Visits
Comments (12)
Great job on your pages. You have a knack for finding the most interesting places and write great storys. Barry in Lafayette, Louisiana
Observant insights about Baton Rouge. I always enjoy architecture, and the architecture here is beautiful.
Since many are saying that Baton Rouge will become Louisiana's premier city due to the destruction of New Orleans, I thought I'd check out your page to see what the city is like.
Hi Keewee. Little brother sent me some pics of B.R. and I ha dto check your site to see what they were pics of. Better than a tourism guide!!
Good tip about BW Richmond Suites. Judging from some of the posts I've read, a lot of people end up staying in West Baton Rouge at the lower end chains. Great presentation!
Wow! Great coverage, would love to go here some day. Wonderful information and history, sounds like a fun place to visit! Thank you :o)
This sounds like a fantastic city. Can't believe they used Australia timber, Woww.... Love the shot on the observation deck.. LOL..
And I thought I was the only one who liked Baton Rouge!
Once I got to know this city I always thought it is underrated. It's really beautiful and only improving each year. Thanks for doing such a great job portraying it!
The State Capitol looks great and what a view!