Family and Recreation

LOUISIANA ART & SCIENCE MUSEUM
Runners up: Rural Life Museum, LSU Museum of Art

Ever wonder what it’s like to be an astronaut, travel back to ancient Egypt, go base jumping, or explore Australia’s Great Barrier Reef? Along the banks of the Mississippi River you’ll find everything you need for a day of adventure. There’s the Challenger Learning Center, the ExxonMobil Space Theater, the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium, the Ancient Egypt Gallery, not to mention world-class art exhibits. 100 River Rd., 344-5272, lasm.org

AUDUBON ZOO
Runners up: Aquarium of the Americas, Tunica Hills

Next time your kids “ax” you to take them out of town, visit Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, the favorite road trip for 225 families. The Uptown New Orleans zoo is home to 1,300 animals. Be sure to say hi to Mama, a 44-year-old Sumatran orangutan, and check out Rex and Zulu the white tigers. auduboninstitute.org

THE BLUFFS
Runners up: Country Club of Louisiana, Carter Plantation

Just outside St. Francisville along the bluffs of Thompson’s Creek, this Arnold Palmer-designed masterpiece is visually stunning and a challenge for golfers of all handicaps. Rolling fairways, dramatic elevation changes and fast greens with subtle breaks put a premium on thinking through this championship track. Distance off the tee always helps, but greater rewards come from keeping your ball in the fairway and strong, accurate iron play. 634-5222, ext. 3, thebluffs.com

LSU FOOTBALL GAMES
Runners up: Baton Rouge Area Chamber events, Live After Five

The coliseum must have been a networking dream for the Romans, too. More handshakes happen among the 100,000-plus tailgating Tiger fans each Saturday night in Death Valley than at any other event in the city. And there’s no better time to make a sales pitch than when your target has had jambalaya and a few beers, and the Tigers have just scored 6. lsusports.net

LASER TAG OF BATON ROUGE
Runners up: Louisiana Art and Science Museum, Bouncing Tigers

This is good news to any parent of young kids who’s lost count of birthday parties they’ve attended at indoor moonwalk centers. At Laser Tag kids age 7 or older play high-tech war games under cool, eerie lighting, plus there’s pizza, birthday cake and all the trimmings. ltofbr.com

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Runners up: Strawberry Festival (Ponchatoula), Festival International (Lafayette)

World-class rock and R&B stars? Check. Jazz and gospel heroes? Check. Homemade crawfish bread, tender cochon de lait po-boys and sugary sno-balls? Check, check and check. Sure it’s grown massive, but there’s still something for every taste. nojazzfest.com

TASTE OF BATON ROUGE
Runners up: Hollydays, Race for the Cure

It figures the most popular charity event includes the best cuisine in the city. This River Center event offers modestly named “sampling tables.” They are feasts of delectable food and wine selections from Louisiana Lagniappe, Ichiban, Mansur’s, Primo’s and about 50 other restaurants, bakeries and delis, all displayed like first offerings to the gods of gorge. Proceeds go to the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and the Community Fund for the Arts. tasteofbatonrouge.com