Skip the travel and enjoy a B.R. staycation

If airfares are making you nauseated, and you also can’t stomach the price of hearing Miley Cyrus songs to the Grand Canyon and back, here’s a little thought that might just cheer you up a bit: We live in an area that’s overflowing with sporting, dining, and educational opportunities. When was the last time you went antebellum for a few hours at any number of plantation homes that dot the area? Or poked around LSU in search of scientific—rather than sporting—specimens?

225 asked some been-there-done-that sorts to dream up a local “staycation.” Sure, there’s no Dumbo ride or gargantuan granite dead dudes around here (or maybe there are?), but at least when you’re done with it all, you won’t have to get your shoes inspected by a complete stranger.

For the outdoorsy:

Triathlete Jennifer Jeansonne has ridden bikes with Lance Armstrong in Austin, so she knows a thing or two about how to dream up an awesome outdoors vacation. Jeansonne didn’t have any trouble putting together a backyard adventure right here in Baton Rouge.

Downtown run-around

Spend the night downtown at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, where you can enjoy the Mississippi River views and imagine the day when Baton Rouge hosts its own Ironman race with an open-water swim in Old Man River. Slap on your running shoes, grab a cup of Joe at P.J.’s and hit the pavement for an early-morning jog on nearly-always-shady Lafayette Street. Swing over to Third Street toward the State Capitol and Armory Park. Challenge yourself on the archaeological mounds that sit in the shadow of state government. Once your heart rate comes down, cross River Road to the levee running and biking path, which will take you all the way to LSU and back. After a hot shower, head over to The Little Village at 453 Lafayette St. for lunch to carbo load on their famous, butter-infused bread. “Only half a loaf if you have a small group,” Jeansonne says. If you’re still not tired, head to an evening Spin class at the Lamar YMCA on Third Street or a jaunt with Happy’s Running Club, which meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Roux House patio. Participants are encouraged to “run/walk/crawl” downtown followed by food and drink specials at Happy’s Irish Pub the rest of the evening.

Head for ’dem hills … two-wheelin’

Think Louisiana is flat, flat, flat? Think again. Just a 45-minute drive north of the city is some of the most mogul-like terrain you’ll ever meet. If you’re up for a challenging bike—or even motorcycle—ride, Jeansonne recommends the daunting “Woodville Loop,” which winds for 67 miles from St. Francisville to Woodville, Miss., and back. Follow that up with lunch at The Magnolia Cafe at 5687 Commerce St. in St. Francisville. Spring for the delightfully fresh and cool guacamole to take the edge off your hunger before diving into the menu that features thick muffalettas and gooey desserts. Too wasted to drive back to Baton Rouge? Crash at the budget-and-biker friendly Quality Inn St. Francis, also known as the “Inn on the Lake.” The hotel is used to sweaty cyclists who often use the inn as a meet-and-greet spot. Yes, it has both a lake and a swimming pool. If you wake up feeling feisty, take a shorter spin that includes the Bluffs (See map at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2703865). “Be sure to look for alligator and nutria as you ride over the low water bridges,” Jeansonne says. “Unless you are going really fast, then you need to pay attention to the grooves in the bridges.”

Family fun:

The Mensmans—Chris, Danielle, and their three kids, Estelle, 4, Joseph, 2, and Henry, 1—are always on the lookout for something fun. Day one of their staycation, according to Danielle? “PJ day for everyone. Breakfast food for all three meals.” Then, let the adventure begin.

North Baton Rouge safari of fun

Start at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo, where you can make monkey noises, watch elephants munch on entire heads of lettuce and see what it takes to outrun a dik-dik. Head down Plank Road for lunch at Tony’s Seafood, 5215 Plank Rd., where you can watch the catfish swim and eat a plate lunch with boudin or hogshead cheese on the side. For dessert, head over to Krispy Kreme to see how plain dough can be transformed into little bites of glazed heaven.

Go wild at LSU

At LSU’s Museum of Natural Science in Foster Hall, check out the impressive display of critters—one of the nation’s largest collections, with 2.5 million specimens. Learn about rainforests, deserts, and yes, Mike the Tiger. Stroll down Dalrymple to Mike’s cave to watch him swim and frolick in his waist-deep pool that, on certain hot days, looks more than a bit appealing. Stave off the heat with an ice cream from The Dairy Store, where LSU students majoring in Dairy Food Technology cook up a mean assortment of dipped treats in flavors such as Tigerbite, bananas Foster, and deep-dish apple pie along with old standards like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Play freeze-tag with the kids on the vast expanse of green that is LSU’s parade grounds.

Our very own Magic Kingdom

Tour the Gothic-style Old State Capitol that sits atop a hill overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge (100 North Blvd.). “My daughter thinks it is a princess castle, complete with a ballroom,” says Danielle Mensman. Cross the street to the Louisiana Art and Science Museum, where the kids can spin through space at the planetarium, cook up some art at the Discovery Depot and test out a few theories at the Science Station. Admission: $6 adults, $5 children, with planetarium shows extra. Finish the day off with a trip to the top of the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St., where, on clear days, it feels like you can see forever.

Close-to-home romance:

Newlyweds Cacie and Patrick Robichaux are keen on adventure and romance. In mid-February the two hiked an icy trail in Western Colorado. They got married on the beach. At first, they worried that a Baton Rouge staycation might spell Dullsville. Think again.

Clutch your sweetheart, Civil War-style

Head to The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, 7747 U.S. Hwy 61, quite possibly the most haunted place in America. After dinner and dessert at Varnedoe’s Carriage House Restaurant (be sure to sample the fried green tomatoes and Duck Audubon, which is basted in a tangy-sweet Steen’s Cane Syrup sauce), spend the night—but not necessarily to sleep. “True love is putting the death grip on your partner at 3 a.m. because the curtains moved a little too much,” Cacie Robichaux says.

Brews on the rails

Load up the bikes and take a drive to Abita Springs, a quaint town east of Baton Rouge that just happens to have a certain microbrew beer named after it—or is it the other way around? At the city’s main crossroads sits the Abita Brew Pub, where you can get some brews, burgers and a pretty decent po-boy. A short distance away, the Abita Tasting Room offers free tours most days of the week (check abita.com for details). After you’ve tanked up, ride a portion of the Rails to Trails along the Tammany Trace. Pause to smooch at every stop sign. Jump on the road and head back to the Capital City in time for sushi at Tsunami atop the Shaw Center. Watching the sun set over the Mississippi River, the future will always look bright.