Downtown Baton Rouge has been an overnight success. Whether you are looking for business or a little entertainment, Downtown can fulfill all of your wants and needs. It's a great place to go out with friends or a great place to take the family. During the day, Downtown Baton Rouge shows it's hardworking residents but when the sun goes down, the jacket and heels come off. It's beautiful, it's professional, it's entertaining- it's Downtown Baton Rouge.

"Downtown Baton Rouge is comprised of five geographic districts:  the riverfront, two historic neighborhoods (Beauregard Town and Spanish Town), governmental complexes and the Central Business District. As the governmental, financial and professional center of the metropolitan area, downtown Baton Rouge hosts over 22,000 persons in their permanent place of business, with an additional 100,000 traveling to the area daily to conduct business. These "daily residents" are complemented by the approximately 2,000 residents living in the downtown area. Conveniently located between Louisiana State University and Southern University, downtown Baton Rouge is also accessible to over 40,000 students."

So, are you thinking about living downtown? What a great idea. The view is insane and all of your favorite places are within walking distance from you. The Riverplace Condominiums offers luxury living at its finest. The new condominiums feature urban design mixed with with traditional architectural character unique to Louisiana.
They offer flexible, spacious floor plans with 18-foot floor to ceiling windows. Wow! Capture the beautiful view of the City and Mississippi River from your very own private terrace. The Riverplace Condominiums will have 24 house concierge and total access to a number of amenities. These condo's are surrounded by professional landscaping and fabulous private garden terrace entries. What are you waiting for? Riverplace is a great place to call home!

Looking for daycares downtown?

CHURCHES

There are several churches in Downtown Baton Rouge. If you are a church goer and are looking for a church to call home, please be sure to visit some of these beautiful and inviting churches.

First United Methodist Church
St. Joseph Cathedral
First Presbyterian Church
First Baptist Church
St. James Episcopal Church

If you are heading downtown for the weekend, you're going to need a good place to stay. The two hotels that Downtown Baton Rouge has to offer are the Sheraton and the Hilton.

The Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center Hotelis near all the action in Downtown Baton Rouge. What's so different about The Sheraton? Well, it's actually connected to the Bell of Baton Rouge Casino. So, you can have a blast without even having to leave. They are only steps away from the Baton Rouve River Center and a walk away from all the other action that Downtown Baton Rouge has to offer.

The Hilton Baton Rouge Center Hotel sit on the corner of Lafayette street. Valet parkers are standing on the curb waiting for your arrival. Don't be surprised if you get the VIP treatment at the Hilton, it's what they do. The Hilton has a hip, urban lounge that customers flock to. This hotel is 100% smoke free, not unless you are talking about their executive floor. The executive floor is where the finest go. The rooms are inviting and the floor has it's own bar overlooking the beautiful Mississippi River. They allow customers to smoke on the executive floor because of the outdoor balcony that overlooks the hotel's fabulous pool. If you want VIP treatment, plan a get away to the Hilton Hotel.

RESTAURANTS

Eating in Downtown Baton Rouge is a treat. Downtown has that "New Orleans" atmosphere, where you can walk and shop and eat. It seems as if every corner smells like good home cooking. Finding a place to fill your tummy will not be a problem.  Please enjoy this list of fabulous restaurants in Downtown Baton Rouge.

D'Agostino's Italian Restaurant, 151 3rd St, 379-8537
George's City Deli, 667 Laurel St., 383-7530
Harrington's Café, 329 Florida St., 343-2626
Faye's Subs & Salads, 311 Third St., 343-0283
Jambalaya Shoppe, Galvez Parking Garage, Fifth & Main St., 387-3022
Christina's Restaurant, 320 St. Charles, 336-9512
Capitol Bistro, Casino Rouge Pavilion, 1717 River Rd. North, 381-7777
Harves t, 5th & Main St., 383-0995
Jobe's Café, 315 North Blvd., 343-1874
Capital City Grill, In the Shaw Center, 100 Lafayette St., 381-8140
The Little Village Restaurant, 453 Lafayette St., 218-6685
Tsunami Sushi Restaurant / Lounge
Schlittz and Giggles
D'Agostino's Italian Restaurant, 151 3rd St, 379-8537
Poor Boy Lloyd's Seafood Restaurant at 205 Florida Street (225) 387-2271

You are probably wondering what kind of nightlife Downtown Baton Rouge has to offer. Honestly, if you are a night owl, this is the place to go. The good thing about Downtown is that you can walk from bar to bar. You don't have to get into your car and drive elsewhere, it's all there for you within walking distance.

Downtown Baton Rouge Bars:

The Wine Loft
Avoyelles' Third Street Bistreaux
Happy's Irish Pub
Red Star Bar 
Churchill's Wine and Cigar Bar
 The Roux House
Tsunami Sushi Restaurant
The Spanish Moon 
Pastime Lounge
The KingFish Lounge 
The M Bar
The Vault Wine Bar
600 Main 

Let's talk about Downtown Entertainment! What? There's more. You better believe it. There are a number of things to do downtown that are "family oriented". Take a Saturday and take a friend or the family and go enjoy yourself!

Downtown Baton Rouge Entertainment:

Baton Rouge Planetarium and Space Theater- The planetarium and space theater features an IMAX theater. What fun! Through out the week they show a number of IMAX clips about the universe, amazing caves and Orion and paradigm shifts. You can find the planetarium at  100 South River Road in downtown Baton Rouge.

USS KIDD- Bring the kids for this educational tour of the USS KIDD! The USS KIDD is located downtown on the Mississippi River. The USS KIDD is the center piece of a memorial which serves to honor men and women of our American armed forces.

Hours of Operation

• 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Daily)

• Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

• Allow approximately 1½ hours for touring.

GENERAL ADMISSION:

Ship & Museum:

• $ 7.00 - Adults (ages 13+)

• $ 6.00 - Seniors (ages 60+)

• $ 5.00 - Active Military (with ID-card-holder only)

• $ 4.00 - Children (ages 5-12)

• FREE - Children (ages 4 & under)

The Shaw Center For The Arts- This center offers visual and performance arts. The Shaw Center is a spacious museum that often features local artist. Also, inside The Shaw Center is the Manship Theater. This is where all the action happens. Seating 325 people, Manship Theater offers art lovers musicians, dancers, artists and actors. Also, located in The Shaw Center is the LSU Art Gallery. This gallery features exciting new artist from LSU and facility members. That's not all. The Shaw Center offers restaurants like Capitol City Grill and Tsunami's. They also have Pj's Coffee House and a wine bar. Spend the entire day at The Shaw Center and get in on the action!

SITE SEEING
 

If you are bored on a Saturday afternoon, why don't you go site seeing Downtown? They have a few historical sites to visit.

The Old Governor's Mansion - The Governor's Mansion was built in 1929 by the Kingfish. The mansion is a historic house museum and it's listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. It's also a great venue for special events. The mansion is available to the public for tours by appointment only. During the tour, you will learn about the mansion and about all the Goveror's who have lived there.

Open Tuesday through Friday:
Open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last tour begins 3:00 p.m.)

Adults $6
Seniors (62 or over) $5
Students (K-12) $4
Children under 5 Free
FHL Members Free

Old Arsenal Musuem -

"The Old Arsenal Museum, formerly known as the Powder Magazine, was built in 1838 and is the third structure to stand on this site. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the site was of particular military importance due to its location on the Mississippi River. It later served as the main defensive position of the southwestern United States."

Baton Rouge State Capitol- The Baton Rouge State Capitol is a historic landmark. It is located at N. 3rd St. on State Capitol Dr., Baton Rouge.  Admission is free at the Capitol. Their hours of operation are 9:00am to 4:00pm, daily, except on major holidays.

MARKETS

Redstick Farmers Market- This market is a producers only market that features over 50 vendors. This market has been in operation for over ten years. It is open on Saturday morning from 8:00am -12:00 pm. The Redstick Farmers Market consist of Louisiana small family farmers and local artisans. Items that are available to purchase are: fruits, vegetables, poultry, Angus beef, seasonal plants, wines, spices, sausage and cheese. This market is located at 501 Main Street.

Main Street Market-  The Main Street Market is a new market in Downtown Baton Rouge. It was built to house the popular farmers market held each Saturday. It features the freshest fruit, veggies, dairy products and meat. It's hours of operation are the same as the Redstick Farmers Market.

Baton Rouge Downtown Arts Market- This market is on the first Saturday of every month from 8 am-12 pm. The market features some of Louisiana's greatest artist. Sometimes they also feature live entertainment. Some of the items you can find at this market are: jewelry, ceramics, pottery, birdhouses, hand-made soaps, handcrafted furniture and lots more. They also offer items and entertainment for the kids.

Downtown Baton Rouge is really something you need to experience. It's full of life, good food and great entertainment.

If you are looking to relocate to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and need help finding a home- give me a call.

Lindsay Pendleton
Baton Rouge Real Estate Agent
Prime Locations Realty, LLC
(225)362-0437
http://www.forsalebylindsay.com/