Mansurs on the Boulevard

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 the two of you can't quite agree on the cuisine of choice for your date, opt for both Italian with a French twist at Fleur de Lis Pizza . A local favorite for over twenty years, enjoy hand-made pizza with a wide choice of toppings in a casual, retro-style atmosphere. The sodas and beers are so cold, you won't need a glass, and if you think you'd like to have half of your pizza later at home with your date, the friendly staff will half-bake your Roman pizza pie so you can keep it in your freezer and warm it up later.

Get a taste of what life was like in Louisiana before the industrial revolution when you visit the Rural Life Museum and Windrush Gardens. The museum's credo is to commemorate and preserve history and educate future generations about not only the advances that have occurred up to this point, but the ones we will likely encounter in the future. Through various classes, field trips, and special exhibits, the museum offers several opportunities to dig deeper into various aspects of everything that came before.