1. Baton Rougians Have Southern Hospitality In Spades
It’s true. Baton Rouge may evoke some negative connotations when it comes to rowdy college kids, but the city is rich with hospitality, southern style. People here are generally nice, down-to-earth, friendly people, eager to help out and always happy to stop and chat awhile.
2. Baton Rougians Really Know How To Party
New Orleans may put the capital “P” in “Party” but Baton Rougians get down too. We love costuming for just about any occasion—whether it’s Halloween, Mardi Gras, or St. Patty’s Day—we will get dressed up (or down!) and party like it’s our last night on Earth.
3. Graffiti Is Encouraged Here
The BR Walls Project has commissioned several stunning wall murals around town that strive to highlight the artistic talent in the community and the state.
4. It’s Football Or Die In Baton Rouge
If you live in Baton Rouge, chances are you were born to love football. But if not you still learned quickly that the most important thing in life is football. And specifically, LSU football. People schedule their entire lives around the sport—weddings, baby christenings, school papers and birthday celebrations—they all take a backseat to Tiger Pride.
5. And Don’t Bother Driving On Game Day
It’s bumper-to-bumper traffic when the Tigers throw down, with everyone trying to get somewhere to watch the game. Not to mention tailgating starts early and with it a little bit of booze-hounding, so it’s best to leave the car keys at home.
6. It’s Spelled “Geaux”
As in Geaux Saints!
7. A Tiger’s Roar Means Wins…
Mike, the mascot for LSU, enjoys exalted status around town. Not just for being the only live tiger mascot in the nation, but also for being able to lead the team to victory, or so the legend goes. For every one of Mike’s roars on game day, LSU will score a touchdown.
8. …And His Bite Satisfies The Sweet Tooth
The LSU College of Animal Sciences make….ice cream? Indeed. The delectable dessert is made with milk from the AgCenter Dairy Farm and sold on game day. The most popular flavor is, naturally, the Tiger Bite, a golden vanilla and creamy blueberry swirl.
9. Baton Rouge Has Its Very Own “Human Jukebox”
LSU tends to grab the spotlight attention, both within the state and nationally. But it’s not the only game in town. Southern University offers 42 undergrad and 19 graduate programs and their own highly competitive sports teams. And the school’s marching band, nicknamed the “Human Jukebox,” gets props for putting on an amazing show.
10. Plywood Flamingos Migrate Here Every Every Mardi Gras
The pink, plywood flamingos that pop up every year around Spanish Town, right before Mardi Gras, are the stuff of legend. They embody the essence of the people who live and work in Spanish Town, who proudly proclaim that “poor taste is better than no taste.”
11. Who Cares About A Giant Ball When You Have A Red Stick?
New York has the ball drop on NYE, so what? It isn’t nearly as exciting as Baton Rouge’s very own red stick, a nine-foot LED light that was slowly dropped from 30 feet for the very first time this year, helping Baton Rougians bring in a very cheery new year indeed.
12. It’s Fun To Play In Mud And Water
It’s fun for the musicians, and fun for the fans. Mud and Water is one of the coolest places to catch live music in town. A host of local and national acts ranging from rock, blues, country, and funk can be seen there. And you can’t beat a beer and a shot for $7.
13. There Is A Ceiling That Can Write
While living in Baton Rouge you end up visiting the State Capitol at least once, where you learn of the pencil embedded in the ceiling of the Senate, the lone remnant of a bomb that exploded there in 1970.
14. The Best Meals Arrive On Wheels
Baton Rouge has jumped on the food truck bandwagon. Wednesday Wround Up brings hungry diners a bevy of delicious options to choose from. The food trucks converge at different locations every week, tweeting out their spot ahead of time to faithful followers.
15. Free Music Festivals Abound In Baton Rouge
If late night shows aren’t your thing, BR has plenty of other options to catch great music live. The July 4th on the levee always features a good lineup, and there is also the FestForAll, Live after Five, and Earth Day festivities.
16. Go To Roberto’s For Insanely Good Bread Pudding
Among other things at Roberto’s River Road Restaurant, the blueberry bread pudding is sinful, the chocolate bread pudding is decadent, and the plain ol’ bread pudding is amazing. Really you can’t go wrong with any of it. Other favorites include the shrimp and grits, crab and brie soup, and stuffed fish.
17. The Roads Have Not Caught Up With Baton Rougians’ Cars
For being such a big city, Baton Rouge still has a small-town feel. Despite the fact that there are 230,000 people living here, the city still has a bunch of narrow, one-lane roads that only fuel the congestion and create traffic jams.
18. Running With A Purpose Makes Baton Rougians Happy
Serious and recreational runners alike are part of the weekly runner’s group, Happy’s Running Club, where the motto is “run, drink, and be happy!”
19. Baton Rouge’s Food Scene Is Growing And It’s Delish
BR has long suffered from its stereotype of having an asphalt arena of fast food and chain joints, but the craft culinary scene is growing and building momentum here. Over the last few years innovative minds have brought farm fresh foods, the localvore movement, gourmet food trucks, and a some great new restaurants with cutting-edge philosophies.
20. The Old School Food Scene Is Not Too Shabby Either
Stroubes may not subscribe to molecular gastronomy or other avant-garde culinary trends but its solid seafood and steak menu hits the spot.
21. Baton Rougian Foodies Shop At Maxwell’s
When it comes to butchered meats, Maxwell’s is the place to go. And when cooking yourself isn’t an option, the deli and prepared food section will get the job done and leave a smile on your face.
22. Bikers Amass En Masse On Fridays
On the last Friday of every month dozens of bikers meet at the clock tower and ride Baton Rouge streets for mingling, exercise, and bike awareness…In costume, of course.
23. Baton Rouge Has Its Very Own Pop Art Movement
Stabbed in the Art is a cool pop-up concept that allows artists to showcase their artwork for free in various spots around the city.
24. There Are Fine Arts At The Swine Palace
Looking to impress your gal on that dreaded first date? Head to Swine Palace for a play. Swine Palace is known for staging some of the hottest productions around town.
25. Mid City Is An Art Lover’s Haven
The White Linen Night in New Orleans is held every August in sweltering, stupefying heat. But in Baton Rouge, art lovers are smart enough to wait until November for things to cool off a bit.
26. Saturdays In Baton Rouge Are Spent At The Farmers Market
The Saturday morning Red Stick Farmers Market has been around for almost 20 years. It’s a great place to grab fresh, locally grown produce, dairy products, and meats and seafood.
27. This City Really Knows How To Make A Splash
For the best dance club and venue to watch drag shows, Baton Rougians head down to Splash, where things are always interesting, to say the least.
28. It’s Easy To Get The Blues In Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge takes credit for birthing the swamp blues so it is no surprise that the city would throw a stellar blues festival. Every spring the Baton Rouge Blues Festival features both homegrown blues artists and international legends on several stages over the course of a day.
What’s something you learned living in Baton Rouge? Tell us in the comments below!
