3 Tips For Newcomers To Baton Rouge

Many prople travel. Many people also have no clue what goes on outside of their home town. Put those two together and it makes for a toursist/new resident that sticks out in a crowd. Aside from the occassional lost bag at the airport or the bad directions given by a family friend who told you he knows all, many people will agree that there is not much worse than actually looking like a tourist. Well for those of you who plan on visiting the wonderful city of Baton Rouge, here are three helpful tips to ensure you maxamize your stay.

1. If you define yourself as a casual football fan, keyword being casual, step your game up. Football is life in Baton Rouge, and LSU football is king. Game day starts well before kickoff. LSU fans from all over Louisiana converge on the city Friday afternoon to begin the festivities. The smell of grilled meat, of all kinds, and the ringing of “tiger bait” in your ears, are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to a Saturday afternoon in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge breeds a different kind of football fan; the type that will offer you great food regardless of your team affiliation, “tiger bait” a six year old, and beat you in a game of washers without spilling a drop of beer. Tailgating isn’t just a past time in Baton Rouge, it is a profession. Much thought is put into the pre game ritual. Entertainment systems, DJ’s, mascots on a spit, full sized electric fans, and RV’s of all sizes are commonplace anywhere around Tiger Stadium. By the time Saturday night rolls around, the crowd is in full swing. They do not call it Deaf Valley for no reason. Tiger Stadium is among the loudest in the nation, especially when a rival like Alabama or Florida is in town. If you somehow manage to snag student tickets consider yourself warned because anything goes in LSU’s student section. Nothing is off limits, but expect to have the time of your life. From the time the team takes the field to the singing of the alma mater to end the game, Tiger Stadium is electric. As the saying goes, “It never rains in Tiger Stadium.” Saturday night on the bayou is definitely a unique experience that has to be seen to be believed.

2. Stomach exercises are a must if you plan on making it in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge natives make it a point to find any excuse to cook. Everyone is the best chef in Baton Rouge, or at least that’s what they will tell you. However, once you’ve had a taste of their food, each one will become your new favorite chef. The cuisine in Baton Rouge is definitely one to savor. The combination of unique flavors coupled with the extensive amount of local restaurants makes for a food lover’s paradise. Many nation wide food chains have gotten their start in Louisiana, such as popular chicken finger joint, Raising Canes, and everybody’s favorite fried chicken chain, Popeye’s. It is vital that you explore your options. Much of Baton Rouge’s best food is found in what you would call “hole in the wall” locations. Make your way to places like Raul’s, Chelsea’s, South of Philly, or my mom’s house you will definitely understand what I mean. The phrase, “big things come in small packages,” definitely applies to these locations due to the fact that these small places pack huge flavor. One thing is for sure, when packing to spend time in Baton Rouge, you should definitely make sure your appetite is included.

3. If you’re planning on coming to Baton Rouge for an extended stay, to prepare for the traffic you must dump the truck. Contrary to popular belief Baton Rouge is, for the most part, a very urban area. There is no need for a Silverado with 45 inch tires and a lift kit. That truck will spend less time swerving through mud, and more time looking down on people in traffic. Recent events such as Hurricane Katrina and certain renovations have caused an influx of people to move to the city. Of course, with more people comes longer drive times and denser traffic. Driving a huge truck on the traffic filled streets of this city would only serve the purpose of wasting gas, and showing other people your country roots. I know you may be thinking, “the bigger the tires, the bigger the man,” but such is not the case here. Those tires will only force others to talk about you as you awkwardly park at Wal Mart or any other local superstore.

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