10 Things To Do In Mid-City Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge, Louisiana is a gorgeous city with a rich history and a population that gives new meaning to the term southern hospitality. The capital city has something to offer everyone. Whether you are a shopper, science buff, foodie, an adventurer, or an adrenaline junkie, you are covered.

1. Spanish Town Market

Grocery Store, Spanish

In the shadow of Louisiana’s State Capitol building, nestled in the heart of Baton Rouge’s oldest and friendliest neighborhood, sits a large red house. Celebrating 100 years of business in 2014, Spanish Town Market is a living legend in the capital city for their unbelievable burgers, po’boys, sandwiches, and savory southern classics, such as jambalaya, boudin, gumbo, étouffée, French dips, chicken and dumplings, and beef tenderloin stew – the epitome of homemade comfort food blended with southern hospitality. Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is the only place in Baton Rouge you can order your groceries with hot menu food items for delivery.

Price: Budget

Opening Hours: 7am – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 8am – 9pm (Sat), 8am – 4pm (Sun)

Watch Out For: Smokin’ chicken sandwich

Botanic Gardens at Independence Park

Independence Park was originally purchased from the Goodwood Plantation by the parish in 1931 in order to build an airport. In 1976, the old airport was converted into a park; in 1991, the Botanic Gardens were established at Independence Park in Mid-City, Baton Rouge. Located within the grounds, the Baton Rouge Garden Center plays host to all of the local gardening clubs and shows. The series of gardens is continuously expanding as more funds become available.

Price: Free

Opening Hours: 7am – sundown

Botanic Garden at Independence Park, 7950 Independence Boulevard, Baton Rouge, La, USA, +1 225 928 2270

2. Tony's Seafood

Market, Seafood

This is it – the place that singlehandedly defines Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Tony’s Seafood is a massive market, offering an expansive variety of foods, spices and other products, but specializing in the freshest seafood. They have it all – alligator, duck, frog legs, rabbit, turtle, crab, crawfish, lobster, oysters, shrimp, scallops, drum, catfish, garfish, redfish, salmon, snapper, tilapia, tuna, and more. The farm-raised catfish are on display in a massive tank. If you don’t feel like cooking, that’s okay – the cafeteria-style lunch buffet has everything your heart could possible desire. For the rest of time, Louisianians will be arguing over who has the best crawfish; however, in Baton Rouge, the debate is virtually settled – with a reputation of selling up to 50,000lbs of crawfish in a single day, Tony’s takes the prize.

Price: Mid-Range

Opening Hours: 8am – 7:30pm (Mon – Thu), 8am – 8pm (Fri – Sat), 8am – 7pm (Sun)

Watch Out For: Everything…this place is one of a kind.