Associated Veterinary Services

Everybody likes Mike, especially since he's the official mascot for Louisiana State University. Hundreds of fans and nature lovers alike flock to see Mike in his natural habitat at the LSU Tiger Cage; visiting Mike has become one of the city's favorite attractions. Originally, Mike's habitat was a mere 2,000 square feet and very limited for an animal (and mascot) of his stature. His home has now been expanded to include an impressive 15,000 square feet and he now resides in what is considered to be an amazing recreation of a tiger's natural habitat. Also, the lair features plenty of oak trees and an Italianate tower that echoes the architecture of the LSU campus.

If discovering talent before everybody else does is your thing, then you should make a habit of regularly checking out what's happening at the Claude L. Shaver Theatre and Dramatic Arts Building. The majority of the actors, actresses and crew are LSU students, and they bring together their talents on several productions throughout the year. The comfortably intimate entertainment venue holds 445 people, so make sure you get your tickets early for the next scheduled performance.

Baton Rouge's Burden Center is a visually compelling sight, and if you're a garden and nature lover, it might just be a sneak peak at what heaven must be like! This amazing 440-acre is a tract that is used for a wide array of projects that test various crops and plants as they grow in Louisiana's climate. There are also several beautiful gardens of roses, flowers and vegetables that have walking paths and and various rest areas where you can sit in the great outdoors and reflect on this buffet of visual beauty.

Nothing like a friendly game of laser tag! So head to Laser Tag of Baton Rouge, put on your safety harness, grab a laser gun and hit the maze and other dizzying scenes that bring out the laser warrior in every member of the family. Even if mom and dad don't want to get in on the recreational warfare, there's a great gallery area where they can watch all the fun and enjoy something tasty from the concession stand.