China Star

The professional staff and talented artists at the West Baton Rouge Museum know how restless and distracted kids can sometimes be. That's why they constantly work hard to create exhibits that not only involve your children, but the experiences are often interactive and on-going. Exhibits like Cathartic Art elicits emotions, the expressions of which are highly encouraged. Another great example of a kid-pleasing exhibit is "S is for Sugar" that incorporates learning about letters, farming and sugar. That, along with all the other educational and constantly-updated exhibits make the West Baton Rouge Museum a great family attraction that offers a completely sweet experience.

The Afton Villa Gardens stand as proof that there can be beauty among the ruins. These breathtaking gardens rest on the terraced ruins of the palatial home built by Susan Barrow in 1849. These are 250-acres of trees, plants and flowers that line a winding walking trail. Take a stroll along this gorgeous path that always proves to be a calming, restorative exercise no matter what the season. And speaking of seasons, when spring brings the flowering and budding of these plants and trees, it also brings throngs of nature lovers to see the indescribable outdoor beauty unfold right before their eyes.

The Independence Park Theatre strives for the freedom of self expression, and judging from the very packed list of events, they seem to be reaching that goal quite often. Concerts, plays, musicals, dance recitals, pageants, lectures, graduations, seminars, workshops and conferences have all taken place at this all-purpose entertainment venue since it opened its doors in 2001. Also, within its walls is where the Louisiana Art and Artists' Guild makes its home, and there, the tradition of self expression continues as you will find several exhibits throughout the year.

The Louisiana State Capitol Building not only serves as the state's political center point, it also houses some highly interesting items that help paint a fuller, more panoramic picture of the state's development and history. The structure took only 14 months to complete and stands on a 27 acre tract of land. It also has the distinction of being the tallest capitol building in America, and has been recognized for its stylish, art-deco design. The building was finished in 1932 and has stood proudly as a beacon over the state since then. The building is open weekdays except for major holidays and there is no admission fee.