✕
☰

Let's Go Downtown

Ideas for the weekday, weeknight, and weekend in Baton Rouge

by ,

Kourtney Zimmerman

When was the last time you ventured into downtown Baton Rouge? Lunch-hour wanderings toward the riverfront are a popular pastime for the Country Roads staff, but there’s really no hour of any day that’s off limits for a lark.

Weekday: For a quick refresh, grab a sandwich or other hand-held nutrition from one of the plentiful options on or near North Street, then take a walk by the river. We live along one of the marvels of the natural world, a waterway almost as long as the Nile and at least as legendary as the Amazon—get out there and admire it! If you’re feeling adventurous, sneak by Hollywood Casino for lunch and run five dollars through one of the slots—there’s a small chance the reels will come up just right, and you won’t have to go back into work for the afternoon (or, in fact, ever).

Kourtney Zimmerman

A lunch break isn’t enough time to explore a whole museum, but it can let you take in an exhibit or two. Say hi to a triceratops at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, goggle at the magnificent stained glass of the Old State Capitol, or take in some of the offerings at the LSU Museum of Art. At noon on the first Wednesday of each month, the LSU MOA presents a Brown Bag Lunch, where you can bring your own lunch and hear an artist or curator’s talk; this month, curator Courtney Taylor discusses the work of feature subject and cover artist sculptor Martin Payton.

Weeknight: After work you might be inclined to take the edge off–and happy hour specials at the Third Street’s new Driftwood Cask and Barrel, whose kitchen is finally set to open this month, should be more than sufficient. You can’t beat a late afternoon at the globally gourmet Cocha: grab a glass of chardonnay to go with the Thai chili seared scallops, swimming in a light seafood broth with sweet-potato orange puree.

Kourtney Zimmerman

For cardio and competition, join up with Happy’s Running Club, or wind your way north, down Main toward the river, to actual hole-in-the-wall Bald Eagle Pub for Thursday night trivia, where close quarters with your opponents should keep you cagy.

Kourtney Zimmerman

Weekend: Start a lazy Saturday with coffee from Magpie, then head over to the Red Stick Farmer’s Market to browse autumnal offerings—it’s gourd season! Have a casual meander around Arsenal Park, with views of the Capitol and Governor’s Mansion, or the streets of pleasantly wacky Spanish Town. Cane Land Distilling and Tin Roof Brewing Company are both technically on downtown’s outskirts but will absolutely do for a detour. Save some energy for an evening show at the Manship Theatre; special treats this month include ballet performances by Los Angeles-based troupe BODYTRAFFIC and a series of screenings of the films of Martin Scorsese, in honor of the director’s birthday month. At this point, you might consider heading home. Monday’s closing in, and you’ve got lots to do. (See top.)

Back to topbutton