Arts & Entertainment

The Baton Rouge area is home to some of the region's most unique events, food, and arts. With its numerous theaters producing classic works and new drama, dance companies, vocal ensembles, and orchestras, the Baton Rouge area is quickly becoming the Creative Capital of the South. Several museums and galleries host touring art exhibits, as well as numerous talented local artists.

The Capital Region is also host to dozens of festivals and major community events each year that celebrate its role as the political and cultural center of the state of Louisiana. Mardi Gras parades, the annual Art Melt, street art festivals, hot air balloon festivals, and community-wide dragon boat races are just some of the activities that roll through town in a year. With all that's going on, visitors and residents are sure to meet new friends and enjoy the culture of our community.

And then there's food. The Baton Rouge area has more than 600 restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. From fresh Louisiana seafood to fabulous steaks, authentic Asian to home-style Italian, the Baton Rouge area has a fantastic selection of entrees to meet the demands of any palate or budget. After dinner, get out on the town! Baton Rougeans dance the night away to the sounds of jazz, blues, cajun, and rock at our many nightlife stops. If you'd like to try your luck at the tables, the Mississippi River is home to bustling gaming casinos too. No matter if you are a lifelong Baton Rougean or new to the area, there's always something new to do!

Dining

Capital Region restaurants serves up a delectable array of dishes to suit any palate. Baton Rouge chefs hold national renown, preparing unique dishes you can't get anywhere else in the world. From spicy Cajun food to rich Creole meals, nothing beats authentic Louisiana cuisine. Sit down to a steaming bowl of red beans and rice on Mondays, try all combinations of delicious gumbos, and delight in incredible etoufees and jambalayas. Since the region is located less than 100 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, you can expect some of the freshest seafood in the country prepared just the way you like it.

The area is also home to authentic cuisine from the Middle East, the Caribbean, India, Thailand, Mexico, and Europe. Additionally, there is plenty of American fare including lick-your-fingers barbeque and incredible steaks. Click here for a great list of BRAC member restaurants.

If you like to cook, there are several specialty food stores, neighborhood groceries, and cooking classes to assist you in achieving chef status in your very own home.

Nightlife

There's always something to do and see after the sun goes down over the Mississippi River. From the incredible sunset views from the Shaw Center's terraces to rolling the dice at one of our river casinos, you are sure to find a fun way to pass the night away.

The Baton Rouge area is also home to a great blues tradition, which still heats up microphones at hot spots across the area. Several blues greats have called the Capital Region home including local legends Tabby Thomas, Henry Gray, Raful Neal, Kenny Acosta, Buddy Guy, and Slim Harpo. Younger musicians are breaking the area's music mold and have infused the local scene with great new vibes. Meriwether, Shark Attack!, Elsah, The Eames Era, and many others all hail from the Red Stick. To learn more about Baton Rouge's happening nightlife and the latest from the music scene, visit www.225BatonRouge.com.

Performing Arts & Festivals

From festivals celebrating local arts, music, and cuisine to museums showcasing our rich and varied history, the Baton Rouge area's calendar is bustling with things to do.

The sparkling new 55-million dollar Shaw Center for the Arts offers visitors spectacular views of the Mississippi River. It is the realization of a community that understands how visual and performing arts stimulate the personal and economic growth of a city and is home to the Manship Theatre, the LSU Museum of Art, the LSU School of Art, and the Brunner Gallery. The Shaw Center has become a gathering place for young professionals and art enthusiasts.

A few steps down River Road, the Baton Rouge River Center is a multipurpose facility dedicated to bringing premier events and entertainment to the city and its surrounding areas. Host to multiple touring stage productions and concerts, the River Center is also home to the Baton Rouge Symphony; Louisiana's oldest, continuously performing orchestra. Over our 58 year history, the Symphony has performed over an estimated 500 concerts for the people of Louisiana.

Dozens of food, music, and art festivals are held throughout the Capital Region: Gonzales' Jambalaya Festival, downtown Baton Rouge's weekly Red Stick Farmers' Market, and other unique local events like the National Hot Air Balloon Championships, and the Angola Prison Rodeo. Cultural events like the Art Melt, Fest for All, the Live After Five outdoor concert series, and Earth Day all showcase the work of local artists and musicians. For a complete list of great things to do, check out the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau's list of 101 Things to Do.

Museums and Gallaries

The Baton Rouge area has many historical museums that teach us more about our rich Southern history including the Louisiana State Museum, LSU Rural Life Museum, the Louisiana State Archives, the River Road African-American Art Museum, the West Baton Rouge Museum, and many plantation and historical homes along the river. Visitors can explore how culture shapes our lives today through the art exhibits at the LSU Museum of Art, BREC's Baton Rouge Gallery, and the Southern Museum of Art.

The Louisiana Arts and Science Museum and planetarium features art exhibitions and workshops, hands-on science exhibits, and treasures from ancient Egypt. Just a few footsteps away in downtown Baton Rouge, the USS Kidd stands as the centerpiece of a memorial which serves to honor the men and women of our American armed forces.

The Louisiana State Capitol Complex, home to the tallest State Capitol building in the nation, boasts beautiful gardens, the Old Pentagon Barracks, and the Louisiana State Museum and Library. Within walking distance, you will also find a wealth of history and beauty at both the Old and New Governor's Mansions and the Old State Capitol, known as "Louisiana's Castle on the River."

Cultural Newsletters

The Baton Rouge area has many cultural newsletters. From arts to dining to entertainment, everything you need to know about what’s happening in the Baton Rouge area can be found in one of these publications: 225Select is a monthly city magazine that covers people, entertainment, and style in the Baton Rouge area. Culture Candy is a calendar of events for the creative community of Baton Rouge. Red Shtick Magazine is a monthly publication of irreverent views and satirical news. Cherry Baton Rouge is a weekly city events e-newsletter. Sign up via their MySpace page or email rougecherry@gmail.com.