Shawn Coffey: Allstate Insurance  

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.

Baton Rouge celebrates nature's wild kingdom at Brec's Baton Rouge Zoo. The Realm of the Tiger is the latest spotlight feature at the zoo, as it dramatically illustrates how the tiger lives in its natural environment as well as how it uses its natural instincts to find food and to remain one of the jungle's most respected residents. Also, see the zoo's latest addition, the baby baboon and enjoy the colors of the dusky shades of sunlight on the very popular Twilight Tour. All that plus the summer zoo camp for kids all go to make Brec's Baton Rouge Zoo the #1 family attraction in the city.

The Louisiana Art and Science Museum explores some of nature's most dramatic wonders both from the inside and the outside. On the inside, you can enjoy a vast array of interactive exhibits as well as see movies about volcanoes, among others. Aside from the galleries inside, peer at the galaxy outside in the Rene W. Pennington Planetarium located within the museum. Don't forget to stop by the gift shop to select an item or two that will remind you of your adventurous day at the Louisiana Art and Science Museum. It's the ultimate art attraction in Baton Rouge.