Jennifer Esneault Photography

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.

The USS Kidd and Veteran's Memorial is a standing tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice during two eras of our nation's military conflicts. See the actual aircraft that soared through the skies of Southeast Asia as well as actual items used during the attack on the beaches of Normandy. The names of the fallen Americans are etched on to a granite wall, and they will forever be remembered as our heroes who tirelessly fought and never gave up. This "Pirate of the Pacific" is located in downtown Baton Rouge, and is a constant reminder of the outstanding bravery of our unparalleled service men and women.

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.