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Louisiana's Old State Capitol has a long and winding history that is nothing short of dramatic. The fortress-like structure stood strong and impressive until it was gutted by fire in the Civil War. After recovering and returning to its original purpose, the building fell into disrepair in the early 1930s following the installation of a newer, less-storied building as the state's capitol. A concerned group of citizens worked hard to rebuild it and the old capitol now houses a wide variety of interactive exhibits that tell the state's sometimes controversial but never uninteresting story. The Old State Capitol is a must-see attraction for history buffs visiting Baton Rouge.

Crawfish is synonymous with Louisiana, so celebrate that fact at the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. Held every year, the gathering is considered to be one of the best food festivals in the whole country. Great family fun, live music, and lots of crawfish! Make sure you have some cool water or beverage for all the spicy fun.

There's always something fun happening at the Baton Rouge River Center. What better way to keep cool than to hit the ice at the center's expansive ice skating rink. This fun activity is available on selected days of the month during the summer. Also, big-name attractions are featured frequently, like the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, various musical acts, and even specialized event shows like the bi-annual bridal fair.

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.