Located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is a growing hub for industry, technology, and research. Rich in culture, traditions, history, food, and entertainment, the city offers something for everyone.

European settlers took the city over from the Native American tribes occupying the area. They moved onto the Istrouma Bluff, the first natural bluff upriver from the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico. This strategic location allowed development without fear of seasonal flooding. Since the city's colonization, it has been ruled by seven different governments. As a result, you'll see the influence of diverse cultures, including English, French, Spanish, and Native American.

The city's distinct blend of Cajun and Creole influences everything from architecture, food, and music. Baton Rouge has a distinct college town feel. The flagship campus of the Southern University System is located here. Louisiana State University is also based here, with an expansive campus dotted with Italian Renaissance-style buildings and groves of live oaks. Catch a football game at LSU's Tiger Stadium to cheer for the Fighting Tigers. Then, visit Mike the Tiger's Habitat, located across the street from the stadium.

Dive deeper into the history of Baton Rouge by exploring the USS Kidd, home of a vast collection of Louisiana veterans' artifacts. Gaze at the castle-like facade of Louisiana's Old State Capitol, home of interactive history exhibits. After touring the inside, enjoy a picnic on the hill outside overlooking the Mississippi River.

Be sure to spend time at the Baton Rouge Zoo, just 15 minutes north of downtown. As the first zoo in Louisiana to win accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, it houses a collection of over 800 animals from around the world.

The food in Louisiana is renowned for its rich flavors and liberal use of spices. There's no better place to experience Creole and Cajun-style dining than in Baton Rouge. The food has a proud history tracing back to the early French settlers in the area. Chow down on delicious oysters at the Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar, an entire restaurant dedicated to oysters. It's not hard to find restaurants serving sensational gumbo and crawfish dishes with freshly-caught seafood.

The climate in Baton Rouge is subtropical, meaning it has mild winters and hot and humid summers. The city's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico exposes the metropolitan region to the potential for damaging winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes. The most damaging culprit to the city's buildings is unstable trees nearby. Let LawnStarter's expert arborists keep your property safe by trimming, cabling, and removing branches and trees that have the potential to cause damage. Simply download the LawnStarter app, enter your ZIP code, and you'll get an instant list of services available in your area. While you're out and about taking in everything Baton Rouge has to offer, you can rest assured that your trees and property are taken care of.