Baton Rouge
River Road African American Museum, Baton Rouge; (c) Soul Of America
Baton Rouge is a spicy riverfront mix of Louisiana state capital, heritage sites, and college town. Aside from Southern University and extraordinary Cajun cuisine, the plantation-based Black museum is special.
Cultural Sites
Odell S. Williams African American History Museum enables a deep dive into our heritage
Restaurants & Nightclubs
Chicken Shack, is knuckle-sucking good
Visiting Louisiana State Capitol grounds; credit Visit Baton Rouge
Shops & Galleries
Southern University Museum of Art Gift Shop is a must-visit to peruse African American art
Cajun Cuisine
Since Cajuns were poor, they depended on what was available on land or waterfront
Zydeco Music
Zydeco is derived from “les haricots sont pas salés” which means “the snap beans are not salty”
The Kappas tree at Southern University Baton Rouge; (c) Soul Of America
Heritage Sites
Mount Zion Baptist Church was Organized in 1859 by African Americans
Family Attractions
Louisiana Art & Science Museum features the collection of African American sculptor Frank Hayden
General Attractions
During the Huey P. Long governorship, America’s tallest State Capitol skyscraper was erected
Carnival dragon at the Louisiana State Museum; (c) Baton Rouge CVB
The Arts
The 150-year-old statehouse with a grand stairway
Baton Rouge Trivia & Famous Residents
The city’s name is French for “Red Stick”
Lake Charles
On the night of Mardi Gras, gyrating revelers fling purple, gold and green beads