The life of a college student is many things, but one thing it isn’t is boring. From classes, homework and social clubs to big game days, hanging out with friends and trying to catch a little shut-eye, you probably aren’t left with a lot of free time. Despite this time-crunch, it’s still worth getting out and exploring your new city. Especially if you’ve traveled to your school from another city or state, exploring your chosen city is a fun, fantastic and horizon-widening experience.
Have you chosen to attend school in the beautiful city of Baton Rouge? If so, then you won’t want to miss all the amazing sites and attractions our city has to offer. To help you experience Baton Rouge to it’s very fullest, we’ve put together this handy little guide for you.
So grab your newfound college friends and get ready to hit these best activities and destinations for college students in Baton Rouge:
- Visit downtown Baton Rouge
- Tour the Louisiana Art and Science Museum
- Meet LSU’s Mike the Tiger
- Play high-tech golf at Topgolf
- Dance and drink at Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s
- Try karaoke at the Cadillac Cafe
- Visit LSU’s Hilltop Arboretum
- Do a photoshoot at the Main Library
- See a show at Raising Cane’s River Center
- Attend an LSU sports game
- Visit the North Gates Music and Arts Festival
- Grab a gourmet popsicle at Rock N’ Pops
- Try all the pies at Elsie’s Plate & Pie
- Visit Curbside Burgers
- Grab a drink at The Bulldog
- Hang out at The Radio Bar
- Try authentic Louisiana cuisine and more at The Gregory
What to Do for Fun as a College Student in Baton Rouge
Our list compiles some of the best things to do in Baton Rouge for college students. Best of all? Most of them are within easy travel distance of LSU if that’s where you’re coming from, and all of them are within easy reach of the downtown area.
Tourism and Site-Seeing
Looking to see some of the sites Baton Rouge is most famous for? Here are just a few items to add to your list.
1. Stroll the Streets of Downtown Baton Rouge
You can’t truly know a city without first walking and re-walking the streets of its downtown neighborhood. In so many cases, this is where you can truly feel a city’s heartbeat and get a sense of its character. And in Baton Rouge, there’s so much to see and do in this neighborhood that you’ll need to make more than one trip to do it all.
We recommend gathering a friend or two and just taking a walk around with no real agenda. Instead, keep your eyes open for restaurants, stores and attractions that draw you in, and let your interests lead the way. You never know what underrated gems you’ll discover!
2. Geek out at the Louisiana Art and Science Museum
The Louisiana Art and Science Museum is a terrific spot we’d recommend to anyone visiting Baton Rouge. If you’re a student who’s actively interested in the arts and sciences, then it’s a spot you especially won’t want to miss.
Browse the art galleries for selections from permanent and traveling collections, enjoy the interactive science exhibits, check out the Ancient Egyptian artifacts and gaze up at the stars in the planetarium. The museum is located in what used to be the old train station and is bursting with interactive educational learning opportunities for all ages. There’s something for everyone to nerd out about here.
3. Meet Mike the Tiger
You might know that the LSU mascot is a tiger. But did you know that Mike the Tiger is real, and he lives in his very own habitat right on LSU’s campus? Students and tourists alike can stop by this habitat and say hello to the famous tiger — the only tiger to live on a college campus in the United States.
Drop by to meet Mike most days between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. If you can’t make the trip, feel free to check in on our favorite friend via the live feed of his habitat. Whether you attend LSU or not, this is one special site you won’t want to miss.
Play the Night Away
Have you just finished those pesky midterms? Are you looking to celebrate and blow off some steam? Try visiting one of these exciting spots.
4. Practice Your Golf Swing at Topgolf
Work on your golf game in a fun, high-tech environment at Topgolf. With micro-chipped golf balls, HDTVs in every bay and several different games to play, you can geek out over your techniques or compete with friends.
But with parties and events, classes and membership clubs, Topgolf is so much more than just golf. In this no-pressure environment, it’s all about fun! Topgolf Baton Rouge also features one of the best restaurants in the city, so you can nosh on American classics with local twists. This is an entertainment destination not to be missed.
5. Enjoy Food, Music and Dancing at Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s
Named for two fictional friends of Cajun culture, this laid-back nightclub has a fun atmosphere and plenty to explore. Check out the happy hour band, playing from the balcony, or the dance band in the nightclub room downstairs, where the décor is made to look like a Cajun fishing camp.
Come for the great food and drinks, and cover-free music performances at Boudreaux & Thibodeaux’s. Whether you’re celebrating a successful grade or just looking to live it up over the weekend, this is the right place to be.
6. Test Your Karaoke Skills at the Cadillac Café
The Cadillac Café is more than just a spot to grab a drink, although you won’t be disappointed with their two full-service bars, either. They’ve got a stellar reputation as one of the best spots to catch live-entertainment five nights a week.
Stop in here some evening, and you can catch some terrific live music. You can also enjoy a drink and a bite to eat while you sit back to watch whatever’s playing on any of the seven high-def flat-screen TVs scattered around the bar. Oh, and don’t forget to come back to either impress or embarrass your friends on weekly karaoke night.
Rest and Relaxation
Sometimes, we all need a quiet spot to relax and recharge before the next round of tests and research papers come due. For just such times, try visiting one of these spots.
7. Find Some Quiet at LSU’s Hilltop Arboretum
Sometimes, the thing that busy college students need most of all is some peace and quiet. Singing karaoke and cheering at the big game are both great ways to burn a little stress, but there are days when the best way to recharge is to find a quiet patch of nature and just enjoy the silence and the solitude.
If this is what you’re looking for, then we recommend checking out LSU’s Hilltop Arboretum — one of the best things to do near LSU. This park is located about six miles away from campus, and it features 14 acres with over 150 species of trees and wildflowers. It’s also completely free to enter, so no matter what your wallet looks like, you can always find a little peace here.
8. Shoot Some Instagram-Worthy Photos at the Main Library
Who doesn’t love a fun photoshoot? Whether you’ve got an Instagram that you love to update with photos of your latest adventures or you just enjoy the fun of taking pictures at a scenic location, then you won’t want to miss Baton Rouge’s Main Library at Goodwood. There’s more to see here than just rows of books.
If you find your way out onto the roof, you’ll find a gorgeous garden that’s a perfect background for all your photoshoot needs. Keep in mind that the amount of greenery present will depend on the time of year but either way, this is a perfect spot for stopping to catch your breath after a busy day of sightseeing.
Attend an Event
These are the items to mark your calendar for so you won’t forget to catch them while they’re in town.
9. Catch a Show at Raising Cane’s River Center
There’s no better place in Baton Rouge to catch a world-class show than at Raising Cane’s River Center. From international music stars to dance and theatre acts like Cirque du Soleil, this arena regularly attracts big-name performers from every corner of the world. You never know what’s coming to town next, but if you keep on eye on the schedule and grab tickets early enough, you just might be able to catch the show of your lifetime here at this stage.
10. Cheer on the Home Team
One of the most quintessential parts of any college experience is cheering on the local and home team at their biggest games of the season. Whether you attend LSU or any other college in the city, there are enough teams and sports scattered around town to delight any fans.
From football to baseball and many more, there is always a game to catch and a team to cheer for. And as a bonus, when you visit the LSU Tiger Stadium, you’re also visiting one of the most famous stadiums in the entire nation. We think that alone is something to write home about.
11. Don’t Miss the North Gates Music and Arts Festival
For students coming from LSU, the North Gates Music and Arts Festival is located practically in your back yard. This annual festival takes place every fall and celebrates the culture, history and arts scene of the North Gates community right outside LSU. Here, you can catch plenty of local music and art talent as well as good food and drinks.
Best of all, entry to the festival is entirely free, although you may have to pay to purchase specific items inside the festival. So grab your friends and mark your calendar for this once-a-year event.
Food and Drink
What’s a college town without a few amazing spots to grab a few drinks, a quick brunch or even a three-course dinner? Here are our top picks for grabbing a bite to eat in Baton Rouge.
12. Cool off on a Hot Day at Rock N’ Pops
Whether it’s been a long day of sightseeing, a hard day of classwork or just a hot day at the end of a busy week, you deserve a pick-me-up. Head on over to Rock N’ Pops Paleteria and say hello to possibly the best summertime snacks our city has to offer.
The delectable menu featuring fresh ice cream made in-house, root beer floats, gourmet popsicles and lots of other frozen delights is all served up in a fun rock n’ roll atmosphere with oldies music and lots of style. You’ll want to keep coming back to this local favorite.
13. Grab a Slice Elsie’s Plate & Pie
What’s better than classic, American pie? At Elsie’s Plate & Pie, the delicious varieties of pies are the clear stars of the menu, but this fun little restaurant has plenty more to try. With soups, salads, sandwiches and Cajun-inspired entrees, there’s something for everyone. Try classic pies like apple or cherry, get creative with s’mores or almond joy pies, or make it a meal with the savory hand pies.
Named for the owner and chef’s grandmother, Elsie’s emulates the welcoming atmosphere and home cooking of going to grandma’s house. It’s the perfect place to hang out and get a bite to eat while being reminded of the comforts of home.
14. Make Curbside Burgers Your Go-To Burger Joint
It might not be an original idea, but we think one of the most fun things to do as a college student at night is to go out for a great dinner and a little fun afterward. For an occasion like this, Curbside Burgers is the place to be. More than just your average burger restaurant, this one-of-a-kind shop is known for its wild combination of ingredients.
The Makai Burger, for instance, comes stuffed with yellowfin tuna, Chow Mein noodles, honey sriracha slaw and citrus and herbs. Oh, and while you’re here, make sure to check out their boozy milkshakes to top off a terrific night.
15. Sample the Best Beers in Town at The Bulldog
If you enjoy a good beer and you’re always looking to try the next greatest name or flavor in the game, then you’ll want to make The Bulldog a priority on your list of places-to-visit-in-town. With 81 beers on tap, they’re widely accepted as one of the top destinations for craft beer connoisseurs in the city.
The walls of the bar are also lined with plenty of TVs so that if you’re looking to catch the game as well as drink a few beers with a friend, this is a great place to do so.
16. Enjoy a Late-Night Drink at The Radio Bar
In addition to a go-to brunch spot, every college student also needs a go-to late-night bar. We recommend stopping by The Radio Bar on Government Street. This spot offers a more casual and hipster environment, where you can grab a drink, play some ping-pong or throw some darts and have your last hurrah of the night before finally heading home to bed.
They even have an exclusive app that lets you vote on and suggest music selections for dancing. For a late-night hangout that’s a few steps away from the craziness of busier spots, The Radio Bar is a gem of a destination.
17. Take Your Date Night to The Gregory
Sometimes, a hole-in-the-wall burger joint and bar is the order of the evening. However, if you’re looking to impress on an anniversary date or celebrate an occasion like graduation, it’s worth taking things to the next level at a spot such as The Gregory. We use only the freshest ingredients to recreate classics from the Louisiana culinary scene and put our unique spin on them.
There’s more to love at The Gregory than just the menu, though. We’re located just adjacent to the lobby of the gorgeous and historic Watermark Hotel, in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge and close to LSU. We also combine our elegant dining room with a full bar to give you seating options to suit the occasion. Furthermore, our dining room is decorated with stunning vintage murals painted by Angela Gregory, from whom our restaurant takes its name.
Does The Gregory sound like just the place for your romantic or special evening out? Book your reservation today to get started.
From The Gregory to the Louisiana Art and Science Museum and more, enjoy experiencing everything Baton Rouge has to offer!
