Labor Day weekend day trips to take from Baton Rouge

With Labor Day weekend around the corner, we’re digging back into the archives from quick day trip ideas from Capital City.

We’re all familiar with the revelry of New Orleans and the Cajun spirit of Lafayette, but what about all the space in between? In dusty shops along Range Avenue in Denham Springs, you can sift through rows of wicker chairs and porcelain teacups in search of one-of-a-kind treasures. In St. Francisville, stroll sidewalks lined with quaint boutiques, moss-covered oaks and haunted mansions. South of the city in Ascension Parish, you’ll find rich culture and history in museums, restaurants and shops. And across the Mississippi along the shores of False River, you can unwind from it all, watching the sunset while sipping a cold Louisiana beer.

In a 2019 cover story, we uncovered hidden gems in the eight parishes that surround Baton Rouge. So when you’re planning your holiday weekend, take the roads less traveled. You might be surprised to find how close to home adventure really is. (Just be sure to verify the featured businesses’ current hours and location, as this story was originally published pre-pandemic.)

TO THE NORTH

THE QUIET LIFE
How to make the best of a weekend in and around St. Francisville

TO THE EAST

TOWN AND COUNTRY
Shopping for treasure and drifting along the bayous of Livingston Parish

TO THE SOUTH

HIDDEN GEMS
Must-see attractions in and around Donaldsonville

TO THE WEST

GO WITH THE FLOW
Fill up on Cajun cuisine and visit historic sites just across the Mississippi River

This cover story was originally published in the May 2019 issue of 225 Magazine.