French, for the “red stick”, Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana and is known for its rich history, nightlife, and spirit.
Its Rich combination of French, Creole, and Cajun cultures makes for delicious food, music, and customs.
Baton Rouge is home to celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal, Shane West, and Steven Soderbergh.
When visiting the city you can expect to be surrounded by museums, historic buildings and homes, parks, and theaters.
There’s plenty of stuff to keep the kids busy as well.
Read on for things to do in Baton Rouge with kids.
Contents
- 12 Things To Do In Baton Rouge With Kids
- 1. The Baton Rouge Zoo – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 2. Louisiana Arts And Science Museum – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 3. The 13th Gate Haunted House – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 4. Baton Rouge African American Museum – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 5. Bennett’s Water Ski And Wakeboard School – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 6. Blue Bayou Water Park And Dixie Landing – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 7. Knock-Knock Children’s Museum – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 8. USS Kidd Veterans Museum – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 9. Magnolia Mounds Plantation – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 10. LSU Rural Life Museum – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 11. Liberty Lagoon – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- 12. Cajun Tubing And Kayaking – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Baton Rouge Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
12 Things To Do In Baton Rouge With Kids
1. The Baton Rouge Zoo – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
A trip to the zoo is always a fun time for all, and The Baton Rouge Zoo is no exception.
Open Monday to Friday, all year round, visitors can cross the continents and interact with native species.
Kids can feed the giraffes and fish from the feeding stations provided.
Hop on the old-fashioned railroad train and tour the zoo without walking.
Sensory bags and quiet zones are provided for those that need.
Visit the education center to learn about conservation and caring for animals.
There are also concessions for food and a gift shop.
2. Louisiana Arts And Science Museum – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The delightful museum allows kids of all ages to discover, create, and have fun in a state-of-the-art facility.
There’s a planetarium with special events and a lab where kids can experiment and create.
Then experience the over 4,000 artifacts displayed in several exhibits that cover everything from Ancient Egypt to the history of Louisiana.
Let’s not forget, a guest favorite, an actual mummy from around 300 BC that is housed in a reconstructed tomb.
3. The 13th Gate Haunted House – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
From the creators of The 13th Gate Haunted House (deemed one of the scariest in the world), comes the 13th Gate Escape Room collection.
Choose from a variety of themed rooms like Tomb Raider, Haunted Asylum, and Area 51.
You’ll have 60! minutes to work as a team, figure out the puzzles and save humanity and yourselves.
This is a fabulous activity for families with hard-to-entertain teens.
4. Baton Rouge African American Museum – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Founded in 2001, the mission of the museum is to educate, celebrate, and honor the contributions of African Americans in Baton Rouge and beyond.
Visitors can hop aboard a bus that was used in the 1953 boycotts.
Then view artifacts from slavery through the Civil Rights Movement.
Hear stories from people who have experienced injustice, see inventions and learn about the African-Americans that created them.
Come for special celebrations like Martin Luther King Day and Juneteenth.
The museum operates on limited hours, so please check before visiting.
5. Bennett’s Water Ski And Wakeboard School – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
If you’re looking for a water-filled day in Baton Rouge, but don’t want the crowds of a water park, check out Bennett’s Water Ski and Wakeboard School.
The owners and instructors are all champion-level water skiers.
Everyone from beginners to expert skiers and wakeboarders is welcome.
Enjoy the water, get some exercise, and learn a new sport.
You’ll be in good hands at Bennett’s.
6. Blue Bayou Water Park And Dixie Landing – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
If the kids are arguing over whether to go to a water park or a dry amusement park, the solution is Blue Bayou and Dixie Landing.
Though not combined, the two parks are adjacent to each other and offer common parking.
So you can spend half the day on thrilling coasters, family rides, and letting the kids enjoy their own fun rides at Dixie Landin’, then go cool down at Blue Bayou.
There, you’ll find over 20 attractions including some of the largest water slides in the world.
There’s also a lazy river, a wave pool, and a splash pad for the kids.
Beach houses and cabanas are available to rent.
Both areas have several food options and gift shops.
7. Knock-Knock Children’s Museum – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The Knock-Knock Children’s Museum is geared toward younger kids up to 8 years old.
The center is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 AM until 4 PM, and offers 18 learning zones.
Some of these include interactive story time, hands-on art, STEM, baby rhyme time, and Tinker Time (engineering activities).
There’s also a play for all areas, that’s specifically designed for children with special needs.
8. USS Kidd Veterans Museum – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
This naval destroyer is named after Rear Admiral Issac Kidd, who died on the deck of The USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
It’s the most authentically restored naval ship in the world.
Docked on The Mississippi River, the goal of the shop is to educate and honor.
Visitors are welcome to tour (with a knowledgeable guide) the ship from top to bottom, including the anti-aircraft guns, the galley, sleeping quarters, and more.
Guests can also have the honor of watching military ceremonies for retirement, commission, and reenlistment.
9. Magnolia Mounds Plantation – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
No visit to Louisiana would be complete without stopping at a plantation farm. Magnolia Mounds in Baton Rouge is one of the last remaining properties of its kind.
The architecture and landscaping are inspired by the French that settled in the area.
The home itself was built in 1791.
Guests will experience an open hearth kitchen, slave quarters, an overseer’s house, an outdoor “privy” (outhouse), a blacksmith shop, stables, and gardens.
A guide will provide information on how people lived, worked, ate, and dressed at the time.
10. LSU Rural Life Museum – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
18th-century Louisiana comes to life on the modern-day campus of Louisiana State University.
Thanks to the donation of the Burden family this 25-acre area exemplifies a working-class farm, and 32 buildings that show life before the Civil War.
The area is divided into 4 sections including a working plantation, Upland South Region, Gulf Coast, and an exhibition barn.
Kids are sure to be interested in the old post office, schoolhouse, and sick house.
The museum is open weekdays from 9:30 AM until 5:00 PM.
11. Liberty Lagoon – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
This water park has been cooling people off since 2011.
With thrilling attractions like The Shockwave Bowl, Lazy Lagoon, and Super Slides, kids and adults alike are guaranteed a day of fun.
There’s also an Olympic-sized pool, splash pad, and other wet and wide rides for the entire family to enjoy.
There are plenty of food choices, picnic, and lounge areas with umbrellas.
The park is open from 10 AM until 7 PM from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
There is free parking and life vests.
12. Cajun Tubing And Kayaking – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Take a leisurely tube ride down the Amite River, enjoy the beautiful views, and spend time with your family.
Take a break along the way on the white sand shores or go for a dip.
If you prefer to be more active, you can also grab a kayak and stream through the water.
Life jackets are provided free of charge.
No reservations are required for groups smaller than 10.
Guests can come any time between 9 AM and 2 PM, but everyone must be off the river by 6 PM.
Baton Rouge Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Baton Rouge Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the safest parts of Baton Rouge?
The safest areas of Baton Rouge include South Baton Rouge, LSU East, Mallard Lakes, and Riverbend.
What's the best way to get around Baton Rouge?
The best way to get around Baton Rouge is by car.
The buses tend to be unreliable, but there is a free trolley that runs through downtown.
What are some good kid-friendly restaurants in Baton Rouge?
There are many great restaurants in Bayon Rouge that welcome kids, but some of the best-reviewed are Elsie’s Plate and Pie, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Poor Boy Lloyd’s, and TJ Ribs.
What are the best kid-friendly hotels in Baton Rouge?
A few great hotels that welcome kids are The Watermark, The Hilton, The Cook Hotel, The Renaissance, and The Holiday Inn.
All of these hotels are spacious and have pools.
