Things to Do, See in Baton Rouge for Rebel Travelers

This weekend, the LSU Tigers will host the undefeated Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. Rebel fans will be making the trip to Baton Rouge to cheer their undefeated team onto (hopefully) a victory. College Game Day will also be in town to highlight the game between the No. 3 ranked Rebels and No. 23 Tigers.
Baton Rouge, the home of Louisiana State University, is a town located on the Mississippi River that boasts a plethora of experiences. Located just a little more than 5 hours from Oxford, the town features a variety of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. In the fall, the town fills with LSU football fans who are not short of passion and dedication for their team.
For those of you making the drive to Baton Rouge, we have compiled a list of the most popular destinations and places you cannot miss.

Tailgating
“Welcome to Death Valley,” where the tailgating is unlike most of us have seen. It is more spread out than the familiar grove, but it is an experience to be had. The fans are passionate about their school and the food is unique — it will give you a taste of the traditional creole culture.
The Parade Grounds are the most popular area for tailgating. The college students are predominately found here, but it is a large area and open to all tailgaters.
We know that nothing will compare to the Grove, but embrace the LSU culture and food. How many times do you get to eat gumbo and shrimp while tailgating a football game? The possibilities of great creole cuisine are endless.

Restaurants
If you aren’t able to get a taste of the traditional Louisiana cuisine during tailgating, try out Chimes. Known for their creole and Cajun flavorings — they have everything from Po-boys to gumbo. It is also a great place to watch sports (so if you don’t have a ticket to the game- head here to watch Ole Miss dominate.)
Fat Cow is a place you MUST experience. They specialize in duck fat fried French fries. If you’re anything like me and have an unhealthy obsession with French fries- this is a definite pit-stop for the weekend.

For those of you looking for a more upscale experience, Tsunami is a sushi bar located in downtown Baton Rouge. Not only does it offer a variety of sushi and Asian cuisine, it is located on the top of the Baton Rouge Art Museum and overlooks the Mississippi river. (I hear they have great martinis, but some of us that aren’t 21 don’t have the luxury of trying out those out.)
Raising Canes is a staple fast food restaurant throughout the South, but it was created in Baton Rouge by an LSU business student. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu as long as you get the Raising Canes sauce to dip your chicken fingers in.
Caliente is full of Mexican flavor and known for their margaritas. When in doubt, Mexican food is always a great choice.
Social
As you might expect, the town is full of nightlife and Tigerland is the hot spot. Geared towards college kids, it is located near LSU campus. Featuring many different bars, Tigerland will not disappoint. (And hey, even if you’re out college- it is a great place to relive the memories.)

The Bulldog is a beer tavern that features a variety of choices. There are dozens of drafts that range from domestics to locally made beer. It is a great place to socialize and try a beer you haven’t had before.
The Tin Roof Tap Room is a brewery that specializes in locally brewed beers. Their tap room features all of their year- round and seasonal beers plus specialty, experimental, or one off beers. Also, they offer brewmaster tours every Friday at 6 P.M.
Zippy’s is a Mexican restaurant but is well known for their drinking atmosphere. If you’re in the mood for a margarita, this is the place.
If you’re looking for a more upscale place to go socialize, try any one of the many downtown bars. The Downtown Arts & Entertainment District features many different options for your night out. Art galleries, live music, and a diverse bar scene will provide a little something for everyone.

Love and Theft is performing a concert on The Parade Grounds (on LSU campus, near the student union) Friday night. It is free for all who attend. For those of you who don’t know, “Angel Eyes” and “If you Ever Get Lonely” are top hits by the band.
Shopping
Perkins Rowe offers a variety of activities from dining to shopping. This gorgeous area features many different restaurants, boutiques, and even a movie theater. In addition to the shopping and dining options, the center is beautifully designed to feature the elements of Louisiana and its culture.
Seasonal Activities
As we near the end of October, that only means one thing — Halloween. Every year, The 13th Gate opens in Baton Rouge and is ranked as “One of America’s Scariest Halloween Attractions” by the Travel Channel. The haunted house opens to the public every night at 6:30 P.M. If you would like to embrace the spirit of Halloween and experience one of the most frightening attractions in Baton Rouge, this should be on your list of things to do.
To all those fans traveling to Baton Rouge for the Ole Miss vs. LSU game: Enjoy your time. Remember that this is an opportunity for you to experience a different college town while celebrating your love of the Ole Miss Rebels.
And let’s be honest — “We may not win every game, but we’ve never lost a party.” Except this year, we are winning the games AND winning the parties, so that makes for a great weekend.
Lindsey Andrews is a HottyToddy.com staff reporter and can be reached at lnandre1@go.olemiss.edu.