I’ve been having an internal battle about how best to recount my recent trip to Louisiana. After some hm-ing and ha-ing, I decided that since, I, myself, was so surprised at how wonderful Baton Rouge was, that I wouldn’t lump it all together in to one post, but I’d post separately about both Baton Rouge and Louisiana.
Let me tell you, when we decided to go to Louisiana, aside from the State Capitol being in Baton Rouge, I assumed we’d spend the rest of our time in New Orleans. I didn’t give a second thought to anything else to do with Baton Rouge, and that, my friends was my first mistake!
As we drove through Baton Rouge towards the State Capitol, we happened upon some places we didn’t know existed and I was pleasantly surprised to find, it has a lot more to offer than one would think. So much so, we had to go back to Baton Rouge on our way home, to spend some more time there and do a few more things.
I think that Baton Rouge lives in the shadow of New Orleans, even the lady who chatted to us at the Capitol said,
“Are you staying in town for long? Or are you off to New Orleans?”
When we told her the later, she frowned and said, “yeah, that figures, most people just pass through.”
That said, my first piece of advice about Baton Rouge? Don’t overlook this lovely city!
Our first port of call in Baton Rouge was our 6th State Capitol visit, and boy, Louisiana didn’t disappoint.
Leading up to the main entrance are a series of steps with the names of all of the United States in the order of each state’s admittance to the Union. The first 13 steps symbolize the original 13 states, after a small platform, the steps continue again with the rest of the 48 states. The 49th step lists both Alaska and Hawaii, which were admitted to the Union in 1959 after the Capitol was constructed.
It’s the tallest State Capitol building in the U.S and it has something we haven’t yet come across on our Capitol visits – an observation deck. It gives you a great ‘from above’ view of the city, the river and the surrounding areas. There’s also a gift shop up there, but it was closed when we got there.
When you go inside, this Capitol has a little more history to it, than many of the others. Former Senator and Governor of Louisiana, Huey Long was assassinated in the halls of the State Capitol.
You can even stick your finger in the only remaining bullet hole from the attack.
This place is filled with history, with lots to look at and lots of photo opportunities!
The next place we visited in Baton Rouge, was when we were leaving the state of Louisiana, after our few days in New Orleans. We saw it on our arrival to the city, but when we went to go and visit it, the lady said that the time we had left before it closed, wasn’t long enough to see everything we’d want to see.
She advised us to come back if we could, and I’m very glad she did!
The USS Kidd, Fletcher-class destroyer, the ‘Pirate of the Pacific’.
Located in the heart of scenic downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she is the centerpiece of a memorial which serves to honour the men and women of the American armed forces. We saw her moored when we drove past and the curiosity of all three of us, was most definitely piqued!
When you arrive, there’s a memorial plaza outside the museum, with an eternal flame burning in the centre of a wall of names, names of the fallen soldiers.
And a tribute to each of the branches of the US Military. It’s very moving, there is an air of sadness as you walk around, reading the names etched into the marble.
From there you go in to the veterans museum, which is drenched in even more sadness. Tributes to fallen soldiers, individual memorials and shrines, pictures, stories and anecdotes about these individuals.
Lots to look at though, many model ships (including a model Titanic) and lots to read/watch as you wander the halls.
I found this part of the museum very interesting, in spite of the sadness, I enjoyed reading about the soldiers who gave their lives defending my freedom to live in this country. I felt, that some how, the least I could do was read their stories, when they gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect me.
From there we ventured outside, over a short bridge to where the USS Kidd lies – stopping en route, of course, to pose in front of the ship in our newly purchased Navy hats from the gift shop in the museum.
Just think, for only $5, you, too, could own a navy hat like me 😉
The ship itself was pretty hot in August, when we boarded, there were four vets sitting having a chin-wag on deck. They told us to ask them any questions we had, but I tend to get star struck around servicemen, active or vets, so I just kinda nodded.
You get handed a map, and it’s a self-guided tour. Recommendation? Follow the numbers, it makes more sense that way!
You can, if you want, go below decks, I, however, suspected the overwhelming heat (the boys reappeared dripping with sweat) and I stayed on the top three decks, poking around and checking out her artillery.
We easily spent an hour on the ship alone, Col could have stayed there all day, but we were all cooking alive out there. It was very interesting, and, I read on Yelp, that it’s the best restored WWII vessel around.
Had we known how much there was on offer in Baton Rouge, I’d have planned for an overnight there, two days of tourist things, places I want to go back and visit, include:
LSU stadium to visit Mike the tiger and watch a Tigers college football game (for those of you who don’t know, I copped out of picking a side in the Aggies/Longhorns Texas college football debate and decided to go with LSU cause I like their colours – yes, I’m fickle, so sue me!)
Louisiana State museum/ Capitol Park Museum
“The Capitol Park Museum features thematic exhibits on the diverse aspects of Louisiana history, industry and culture. The museum includes two permanent exhibitions, entitled Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana and the Nation, and Experiencing Louisiana: Discovering the Soul of America.
Topics range from the Louisiana Purchase to Sportsmen’s Paradise to Mardi Gras traditions throughout the state. Artifacts include a 48 foot wooden shrimp trawler, a Civil War submarine, a record breaking Marlin, a Krewe of lawnmowers, a New Orleans Lucky Dog cart and musical artifacts from Fats Domino, Buddy Guy, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Aaron Neville and much more.”
“Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, a Gothic architectural treasure, stands high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The 160-year-old statehouse has withstood war, fire, scandal, bitter debate, abandonment and an occasional fistfight. Today, the building stands as a testament to bold, inspired leadership and active citizenship.
In 1990, the Louisiana Legislature placed the former statehouse under the jurisdiction of the secretary of state and appropriated funds for a major restoration project. The building re-opened as the Center for Political and Governmental History in 1994. Now referred to as the Museum of Political History, the Old State Capitol has received awards for its architecture, exhibits and preservation.”
“The Old Governor’s Mansion was built in 1929 by the “Kingfish,” Huey P. Long. The Mansion served as Executive Residence from 1930 until 1963 and housed nine of Louisiana’s governors including Earl K. Long and the “singing governor,” Jimmie Davis.”
“The Pentagon Barracks of East Baton Rouge Parish has been won and lost by the Spanish, French, and the British, and even has the distinction of being the site of the birth of a nation – the short-lived Republic of West Florida. During it’s use as a military post, many famous men and public figures served or visited, including Lafayette, Robert E. Lee, George Custer, Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln…Today the Pentagon Barracks houses the offices of the lieutenant governor and private apartments for state legislators.”
Not quite in Baton Rouge, about an hour North, in fact, Angola Museum (Louisiana State penitentiary museum)
“The museum, which was established in 1998 by Warden Cain, is dedicated to preserving Angola’s history. The museum has become an official tourist site in the parish and serves as a resource for information on the state’s correctional system.”
They also have a rodeo for the inmates!
“What began 40 years ago as a “fun” thing by a handful of rodeo-loving inmates and employees is now big business. Proceeds from the Angola Prison Rodeo cover rodeo expenses and supplement the Louisiana State Penitentiary Inmate Welfare Fund which provides for inmate educational and recreational supplies.”
I’m trying to talk Col in to getting tickets for this year 😉
I guess, what I’m trying to say is, spend a day or two in Baton Rouge, a city that is most definitely one of, if not, the, unsung hero of Louisiana!
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