On my visit to Baton Rouge for an LSU game some weeks back, I was pleasantly surprised at just how cool this place is. Being just over an hour from the Heart of the Northshore in St. Tammany Parish, I knew it was well worth my time for a second look.

Something Old

My first stop was a visit to the past. The Old State Capitol Building was the site of some significant historic events, including the state’s secession from the Union to the attempted impeachment of Governor Huey Long. This magnificent structure was opened as the capitol building in 1852, only to be taken over by Union soldiers a decade later during the Civil War. Since that time, the building was burnt to the ground, rebuilt, closed and finally restored as a museum.

The exterior is pure grandeur. I learned that while the facade appears to be stone, it is actually bricks covered in plaster. (I still don’t know why that was the case.) The interior is just as beautiful, with ornate furnishings throughout. The extensive artifacts, art and antiques make for quite an enjoyable few hours. I was told you can even spend the night in the basement. That’s a hard pass for me, as I saw the “Ghost in the Castle” movie shown earlier in my tour.

Something New

Now it was time to visit the present, and what better way than to indulge in great Louisiana food. While New Orleans is known as a foodie’s number-one, Baton Rouge just might be a close second. The overall recommendation I received for a tasty lunch was Capital City Grill. Let me go on record to say, always listen to the locals! The menu did not disappoint, from the shrimp and corn bisque (go ahead and get the bowl) to the pecan redfish (translates to delicious perfection).

I needed to get back to the Northshore for a meeting, however I knew a return visit would be in order. Thank goodness St. Tammany Parish is so close!

With all the wonderful cities and towns of St. Tammany Parish, there has to be a good reason to leave the Northshore. Of course, I had taken many trips over the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway to indulge in the sights, sounds and flavors of New Orleans. I have never been to the state capital, Baton Rouge. Well, the place whose name translates to “red stick” (supposedly due to the red cypress tree that was a land marker), is really cool.

Tigers Do Scream

My friend, a big-time LSU fan, had tickets to the Auburn game in Baton Rouge. Being an Alabama grad, I know that anytime two Southeastern Conference teams are playing each other, it is going to be good. Since you can read all the stats and play-by-play on the internet, I will forgo rehashing it. And yes, the game was fantastic and exciting. And really loud. It was a bit confusing hearing, “Go Tigers,” as that is both teams’ mascot. Which brings me to the next thought.

I Like Mike

When I saw a directional sign for Mike’s Habitat, I had no clue as to who Mike was and why he gets a special callout. Once my friend’s shock of the question subsided, I learned the interesting history of Mike and the habitat. Mike is the live school mascot, and yes, he has his own living quarters. Should I be bold and inquire why the basic name of Mike? With the likelihood of being further humiliated, I proceeded to ask. The main person responsible for bringing a real tiger to LSU was named Mike. How silly of me to not know this. Read more about Mike and why everyone likes him here.

The Quad Quest

As with many schools’ pre-game activities, the central gathering place is the Quad. This part of the LSU campus is particularly beautiful. The incredible architecture that borders the Quad varies from Italian Renaissance to Southern Colonial, all set among a plethora of mature oak trees. The iconic landmark of the campus is Memorial Tower, built in memoriam of fallen World War I Louisianans. While we didn’t have the opportunity to go inside, one of the largest collections of art in the state is housed here.

What a treat to experience the extraordinary LSU campus. Yes, college life has changed from my day. Yet at LSU, I have a feeling much is the same.