Zachary Lumber & Hardware

If you're taking the kids out for a while and you don't want to pay outrageous admission prices, head for Independence Park. The area features lots of great amenities like playground rides, picnic tables, a soccer field and baseball diamond, walking trails, and a tennis center. It is one of the city's busiest parks not only because of the impressive features but also because of its central location. Other added attractions include a shuffle board area, and an area for skateboarding. There's something for everyone in the family at this park.

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.

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.

The Varsity Theatre is a familiar place for several well-known performers. As a matter of fact, a total of 55 Grammy winners have graced its stage since 1991. The Varsity strives to constantly deliver the best in live music entertainment for Baton Rouge. Genre doesn't matter, as some of the biggest names in country and pop music have lit up the entertainment venue's marquee. But that's not to say that you won't hear some of the scene's best up-and-coming acts; you can tell all of your friends that you heard them at the Varsity before they were famous.