I always felt so sorry for those people who say they live in New York City yet have never been to the Statue of Liberty. I owe Baton Rouge an apology because up until recently, I was that person. I had never even gone outside of my 2-miles-from-campus comfort zone.
I had never been downtown, did not know what the U.S.S. Kidd was and -gasp – had not seen the Governor’s Mansion. It was not until I was showing my mom around town that I realized I had not strayed far from the likes of Interstate 10 or Highland Road, and that has only been my loss.
While driving downtown, I saw restaurants and shops I had never seen before and saw how much the city is changing. Baton Rouge is becoming so much more than a “football town with a drinking problem,” and it has been for quite some time. There is so much history here, and, as students in a growing city, it is ignorant of us to be unaware of where Baton Rouge has been and where it is going.
Driving down Lafayette Street, I realized it is clear that Baton Rouge is much more than just the capital city. The U.S.S. Kidd is one of the greatest war memorials in the country and is important to the history of our country, not just this city.
The Shaw Center for the Arts is not only gorgeous and home of one of the most chic and contemporary restaurants, Tsunami, but it is also being nationally recognized as one of the greatest works of architecture in the country. The view of the river and the city is so beautiful atop the Shaw Center. If you have not been yet, run there right now because it is the best view of the city.
Drive up and down Government Street and the range in shops and monuments from one end to the other reflect the diversity of this city. Go into the Honeymoon Bungalow shops and Time Warp Boutique on Government Street and check out all the shopping centers that are around, and you will notice quaint coffee shops and restaurants that seem to be the best kept secrets in Baton Rouge.
Wake up early one weekend and go to the Red Stick Farmer’s Market. This is the best time to walk around downtown because there is no traffic or congestion, and it is the best time of day to shop around and explore the area. Make a day trip to Port Hudson and see the National Cemetery. Appreciate everything that is around us – it was here before Katrina made Baton Rouge the largest city in the state, and it is only going to catapult from here.
So I acted like a tourist for one day and realized how lucky I am to be here. There is so much to learn in Baton Rouge, and really, isn’t that why we all came to college?
 
Contact Kelly Caulk
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