LOUISIANA: THE PELICAN STATE
BY CLAY LARROY
A
vacation can soothe the soul and leave you renewed, refreshed, and invigorated.
Whether you are just now starting to plan your next vacation, or are merely
looking for travel ideas and suggestions, read all the
articles about travel. So take away some of the stress of making travel plans,
and get started thinking about the fun and relaxing times you will soon be
having on your next trip! When you are ready to plan an exciting vacation contact me!
Baton Rouge
Situated about 75 miles (121 km)
northwest of New Orleans, the state capital Baton Rouge is right in the middle
of plantation country along the Great River Road. Surrounded by sugarcane
fields, grand plantation homes, and isolated southern mansions. Beautiful
gardens flower along the banks of the mighty Mississippi, the city teems with
both historic buildings and a vibrant nightlife. Named by French explorer
D'Iberville about 300 years ago when he found a red stick on a bluff overlooking
the river.
Today, the one-time swampland settlement
is one of the largest port cities in the USA, known for its riverboat casinos
where high-stakes gambling, entertaining stage shows and Cajun cuisine reign
supreme. The city has an academic side too, being home to Louisiana State
University and Southern University, the largest historically African-American
university in the country. There are museums aplenty, art galleries, a
planetarium and active theatre and ballet companies.
Incidentally, the Baton Rouge also has
the tallest capitol building in the United States: the art deco construction, built
in 1932 to house the Louisiana seat of government, soars 34 stories into the
air.
Getting around in Baton
Rouge
Public transport options include buses
and trolley buses. Buses go all over the city but run infrequently. The Capitol
Park Trolley, which provides free service around the downtown area, is a great
way to explore Baton Rouge. The trolleys run between Monday and Friday, 10.30am
to 2.30pm. Renting a car is also a good option. The minimum age for this is
usually 25, although some agencies only require drivers to be 21 years of age. Keep
in mind that Baton Rouge is a much busier place than it once was. When
Hurricane Katrina hit nearby New Orleans, many people evacuated to Baton Rouge,
and a lot of them stayed. Many roads and highways now experience significant
congestion regardless of the time of day.
Climate in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge is quintessentially warm and
wet. The city experiences rain showers all year round, high temperatures and
humidity during summer, and generally warm, sunny winter weather. The climate
of Baton Rouge can be unpredictable sometimes, and cold spells have been
experienced in winter, with even the odd unexpected snowfall.
Temperatures in summer (May to August)
range between 71°F (22°C) and 92°F (33°C), while in winter (November to
February) temperatures range between 41°F (5°C) and 64°F (18°C). The best time
to travel to Baton Rouge is between February and April, when the weather is
usually fine and the heat and humidity are not at peak levels.
Sightseeing in Baton
Rouge
As the city is located in the heart of
plantation country, travelers to Baton Rouge should not miss the opportunity to
explore some of the stately country mansions. There are many such estates in
the Baton Rouge area, of which San Francisco Plantation is a sterling example. Follow
this visit up with an excursion to the Rural Life Museum and Windrush Gardens
to get a real feel of what life was like in the area's past. Another popular
plantation house is the 18th-century Magnolia Mound Plantation, a house seemingly
frozen in time and surrounded by old oak trees. One can comfortably explore on
foot the picturesque downtown area, where most travelers find accommodation.
Many of the city's prime sightseeing
attractions are in this area, including the Louisiana State Capitol and the USS
Kidd Veterans Museum.
REFERENCE
SITES:
Tina Knowles
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