It’s always exciting to adventure away from home, but there are many great getaways close to home. If you’ve wanted to visit a bed and breakfast, Baton Rouge has plenty in and around town. They offer mouth-watering morning meals, close proximity to interesting attractions, and of course, beautiful rooms where you can relax after a long day of exploring.
Where to Stay
The Stockade, situated in the heart of the city, is a great place to begin your B&B experience. The inn is part of the National Registry of Historic Places as an archaeological site dating back to the Civil War. Artifacts from that era have been unearthed, such as bullets and personal items. Fast forward to 2021–and you’ll be greeted by a stately home that offers five luxuriously-appointed rooms–the Blue Room, the Escape Room, the Garden Room, the Rex Room and the Welch Room. The accommodations offer different amenities such as four poster hand-carved Rice beds, private balconies, sitting areas, wingback chairs–everything for a romantic getaway.
Where to Eat
The Stockade
Begin your morning with a hearty breakfast at The Stockade. Their signature dishes include the Eye Opener Egg Casserole with spinach and spices, or sample their garlic cheese grits, blueberry banana pancakes, bacon, sausage, and ham, or yogurt topped with granola or fruit compote. Breakfast is served weekdays from 7-9 a.m. and at 9 a.m. on weekends.
Sammy’s Grill Highland
If you’ve been out all day sightseeing and need a break, this is a top spot for lunch or dinner. They offer a full menu filled with an array of appetizers, salads, soups, pasta dishes, steak, seafood platters, burgers, sandwiches and desserts. Local favorites include red beans & pork chops, catfish, and BBQ shrimp. Top off your meal with a slice of Mississippi Mud Pie or their smooth and creamy Bananas Foster Cheesecake.
Mansurs on the Boulevard
If finer dining is a must, then include an evening at Mansurs. This spectacular establishment has been awarded with the Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor. Start your meal with Oysters on the Half Shell or Charbroiled Oysters, then slip into their soup du jour, the Cream of Brie & Crabmeat. Steaks, Veal Oscar and east coast cold water lobster are just a sampling of some of their fine entrees. They also serve lunch and brunch, and they offer an extensive wine list that includes selections from California, France and Italy.
What to Do
If you love the great outdoors, then a visit to the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center is a must. This 103-acre nature conservation park houses a 9,500 square foot structure that contains live animal exhibits and photographs of the park’s flora and fauna. The center has over a mile of walking paths where you might come across various birds, squirrels, fox, deer, or raccoons.
One of the architectural jewels of the South is the opulent Houmas House. Your visit to the estate gives you a glimpse as to what life would have been like living on a 1800’s sugarcane farm. Guided tours allow you to discover exquisite gardens spanning 38 acres as well as rare and period artwork.
Louisiana’s Old State Capitol offers a step back in time, educating visitors about the state’s history and democratic process through a multitude of exhibits, programming and the arts. There is no charge to tour the building and audio tours are complementary. Marvelous shows such as The Ghost of the Castle take place–an immersive 4D theatrical presentation highlighting the life of Sarah Morgan, an authentic Civil War-era figure who loved the castle from the day it was built.
Capital Park Museum is one of the most entertaining and informative locations in the city, presenting a panoramic exploration of the state. Whether you want to learn about Louis Armstrong and Huey P. Long, or possibly have interest in colonists, American Indians, or Buddy Guy’s polka dot Stratocaster guitar–it’s all there for you and your special someone to explore.
