What do you hope to achieve by joining Visit USA UK? 

I’m looking forward to diving deep and keeping up to date on the UK market.

The UK has consistently been one of our top international visiting markets and I’m so excited to share all the new things happening in Baton Rouge.

Our membership will also help me strengthen existing partnerships and build new ones. 

How well do you feel the UK trade (particularly our travel agent readers) know what Baton Rouge has to offer? 

I think the UK trade has a general idea about Baton Rouge, but they might not realise just how much variety and opportunity the city offers.

It’s often seen as a quick stop to check out the Louisiana State Capitol building en route to other destinations, but there’s so much more here that’s perfect for UK visitors.

“Our culinary scene is on fire and there is so much creativity in our dining experiences coming from our award-winning chefs”

Also, we are the home of the Swamp Blues (Ed’s note: a subgenre of Louisiana blues and incorporation of zydeco and Cajun music influence) in Louisiana and a college town that is uniquely American.

We have fantastic museums that are immersive and help tell the colourful history of the city and state with stories that stay with you long after your visit.

But our best asset is our local residents: those who live in Baton Rouge match up to the epitome of Southern hospitality and love to welcome visitors and make sure they have the best time.

Baton Rouge is an ‘eclectic’ city with 300 years of history behind it. How can the visitor tap into its rich culture?

Baton Rouge is a fantastic place to dive into the history and culture of Louisiana –and as the state capital it provides a comprehensive overview to help get a true understanding of the complexity and diversity of the state.

The Capitol Park Museum downtown is a must-visit – it is interactive and engaging, with exhibits that explore the differences of Creole and Cajun cultures to unique music genres like Swamp Pop and Zydeco.

Then there are our festival traditions, like bonfires on the levee and, of course, the Mardi Gras celebrations.

A downtown tour will tie it all together, with stops at the Old State Capitol, the “New” State Capitol, historic Spanish Town neighbourhood, and the Mississippi River levee. And be sure to tour LSU and Southern University campuses too – the city’s history is entwined with the development of these universities.

Along the way, you can also visit Magnolia Mound Historic Home and Museum and LSU’s Rural Life Museum.

Visitors can experience Louisiana life from the late 18^th century through to the modern era to really get a sense of why Louisiana is melting pot of global cultures. 

Baton Rouge is known for its culinary experiences. What does ‘Southern food’ mean in Louisiana’s capital? 

Being located between New Orleans and Lafayette on Interstate 10, Baton Rouge serves up both Creole and Cajun flavours.

But our chefs like to push the envelope, blending traditional Louisiana fare with celebrating global influences. For a taste of this fusion, check out Chow Yum Phat, Mestizo’s, Cocha, or Solera.

You can still find traditional Louisiana cuisine as well, from high-end dining experiences to local hole-in-the-wall staples.

Zeeland Street Market, a local breakfast and lunch restaurant, was included in the Top 50 Restaurants of the US in 2024 by the New York Times, and we’re excited to say that we are home to a James Beard nominated mixologist.

And enjoying a cocktail from Tsunami’s on the Shaw Center Rooftop is the best way to view a sunset over the Mississippi River! 

What are the city’s key festivals that international visitors should consider planning a visit around? 

There are festivals and events held throughout the year, but the free Baton Rouge Blues Festival is a highlight.  It is held every spring downtown, and features multiple stages with local and international blues musicians, an art market, food trucks, and a laid-back vibe.

In the spring and fall, you can also enjoy Live After 5 on Friday nights downtown – a great way to wind down after the week.

Mardi Gras, of course, is another must-see. It’s a whole season, not just a day, and Baton Rouge celebrates it uniquely.

Our biggest parade, Spanish Town, happens the Saturday before Mardi Gras Day and features the traditional colors of Mardi Gras, plus we add hot pink and flamingos. We paint the town pink and figure the more sequins that are on show the better!

The Southdowns night parade is also a spectacle with creative lighting and glow-in-the-dark décor in both the parade and on the spectators! 

How does Baton Rouge fit into a touring itinerary of Louisiana and the Southern states? 

Louisiana occupies a unique space in the American South and Baton Rouge, as its capital city, offers a great overview.

Centrally located, it’s ‘perfectly metropolitan’ – an escape from the hustle and bustle of a big city but still with plenty to do and perfect for a slow travel itinerary.

We are located between New Orleans and Lafayette, and just an hour from both cities. The route between the two, taking in Baton Rouge, makes for a great itinerary and is an excellent choice for those who enjoy slow travel and immersing themselves in the local culture.

Travellers can spend multiple nights visiting New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles, staying nights in each city while exploring the area.

Baton Rouge also makes a great hub for day trips to other areas and activities, like swamp tours and plantation tours.

And for music lovers, it’s an easy stop on Southern Music itineraries, coming down from Natchez along the Memphis to New Orleans route. 

What is your own idea of a perfect Baton Rouge weekend or 48 hours in the city?

My favourite season is LSU Football season, although spring crawfish season is a close second!

LSU football is a way of life in Baton Rouge and a strong part of our culture. With three universities in the city, Louisiana’s flagship university LSU, Southern University (HBCU), and Baton Rouge Community College, we are a stereotypical Americana college town.

We start enjoying game day festivities the day before by enjoying the campus atmosphere with some cocktails at a rooftop patio bar.

Then we start game day with breakfast at Louie’s Café on campus or Leola’s Cafe in MidCity before ‘tailgating’.

Walking the campus prior to game and people watching is always a good time, and everyone is so friendly and welcoming – you’re bound to make some new best friends and try some locally homecooked treats.

Nothing beats a Saturday night in Death Valley, the LSU Tigers’ stadium’s nickname, that seats over 102,000 fans per game – and cheering on the Tigers together provides a lifelong memory!

The party continues long after the game, with tailgates lasting into the night and local bars, like Walk-Ons by campus, buzzing.

I love ending the night at Phil Brady’s Blues Bar, the oldest Blues Bar in Baton Rouge, for a casual vibe with local musicians.

The next day is all about recuperation: shopping at local boutiques in Towne Center or Perkins Rowe, brunch with friends at the amazing restaurants in the Overpass District; maybe a relaxing spa treatment, or a rejuvenating walk along the Mississippi River levee. 

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