Richard Braniff, PhD

The Louisiana State Museum is just as good at preserving the area's culture as it is celebrating it. See various thematic exhibits on the diverse aspects of Louisiana's colorful history, industry and culture. See artifacts from the original Louisiana Purchase, a Civil War Submarine and an amazing 48-foot wooden shrimp crawler. See a captivating exhibit on the history and traditions of Mardi Gras as well as the various cultural influences that made the food here so spicy!

It doesn't matter if you're in from out of town or live in Baton Rouge with your sweetheart, a nice getaway is only as far away as the Stockade Bed and Breakfast. The charming ambiance and scenic location make it the perfect destination. If your respective schedules make it difficult for the two of you to coordinate a vacation, or if your budget requires you two to take a "stay-cation" this year, a night or two at the Stockade Bed and Breakfast is the perfect romantic detour.

If you're a real nature lover and want to see animals from all over the world but don't have the time or resources to make the trip, the Global Wildlife Center is a total must-see! This is the largest totally free-roaming wildlife preserve of its kind in the world. The 900-acre center is home to over 4,000 exotic, endangered and threatened animals from all over the planet. You can actually feed and touch the animals when you take the guided safari tour. Just reach out and touch a fascinating world of nature.