Rent-A-Wheel

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.

Louisiana's Old Governor's Mansion has, in a sense, gotten a second chance. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is a breathtakingly beautiful structure that also serves as the headquarters for the Foundation for Historical Louisiana. The home has a dramatic history all its own. The structure was built in 1929 by Huey P. Long and served as the governor's residence until 1963 when a new structure was built. The house museum now houses rare artifacts, documents, and other relics of Louisiana's history and features regular tours headed by highly knowledgeable guides. The venue is also available for private parties, family gatherings and weddings.

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.

If absorbing nature sounds like a great idea to you, then you can take it all in at BREC's Cohn Memorial Arboretum. The facility is used for the preservation and study of plants from other areas, but having them all together only adds to Baton Rouge's beauty. In addition to the enticing foliage, there are fruit orchards, a butterfly garden, paved walkways and a bamboo collection that inhabit this outdoor environment. Choose between self-guided or guided tours. If you prefer the guided tour, the number of participants is limited to 14 and arrangements must be made ahead of time. Admission to the area is free, but no picnics or pets are allowed.