For years, producer, Emmy award winner, and host of “Expedition Unknown,” Josh Gates has trekked through jungles, climbed ancient ruins and dived into shipwrecks — all in pursuit of history’s greatest mysteries.

Now, he’s trading the wild for the stage as his live show comes to the Raising Cane’s River Center on October 25th, promising Baton Rouge audiences a night of discovery,  storytelling and a never-before-seen insight into his adventures across the globe.

“It’s a great way to learn more about the series and to go behind the scenes a bit,” Gates said. “If you don’t know the show, it’s a chance to learn about these incredible stories around the world of lost treasures and vanished civilizations — so it’ll be a night of high adventure.”

Fans can expect a mix of humor, suspense and exploration — the same ingredients that have made Gates a favorite among adventure-lovers and armchair travelers alike. But while his television career has taken him to nearly every corner of the world, Louisiana still holds a special place in his heart.

Gates has spent years chasing tales of lost gold, mythical beasts, and forgotten kingdoms — and Louisiana’s swamps once offered one of his favorite stories to explore. He recalled filming an episode centered on Jean Lafitte, the notorious 19th-century pirate and privateer rumored to have buried treasure in the state’s bayous.

“He’s such a fascinating character,” Gates said. “It was awesome to go through New Orleans and the swamps learning about its history and the possible treasure that may still be out there somewhere in Louisiana.”

The adventure through Lafitte’s legacy gave Gates a glimpse into the state’s rich mix of history and legend. Yet despite all his travels, he admits he’s never truly experienced Baton Rouge — until now. 

“I don’t think I’ve really spent any time in Baton Rouge, so I’m excited to go there because it’s a city I don’t really know,” Gates said. “This is an adventure for me.”

After spending years off the grid filming in remote deserts, mountains, and oceans, performing in front of a live audience might seem like a very different challenge. Gates, however, sees both experiences as equally exhilarating — and nerve-wracking.

“They’re both terrifying,” Gates said. “When we’re out in the field, we’re usually off the grid. The live show is an opportunity to come back to civilization, share stories and meet fans who are passionate about exploration and adventure.”

Unlike his TV expeditions, which can take weeks to film, the live shows give Gates a rare chance to connect directly with the people who follow his work. He says those moments of connection, especially with young fans, are what make the experience so rewarding. For Gates, adventure isn’t just about travel — it’s about curiosity. In an age where information is instantly available, he wants to remind audiences that mystery still exists.

“We have the first generation of kids who see the world as fully mapped because of these phones in our pockets,” Gates said. “So, kids are amazed to learn that there are still places in the world that we haven’t really mapped, and then they’re amazed to hear about all these archaeological digs where there are these huge discoveries still being made. I hope that kids and adults leave with this sense of wonder.”

That sense of wonder, he says, is something he hopes every audience member carries home.

For fans eager for what’s next on “Expedition Unknown,” the Baton Rouge show will include exclusive sneak peeks from the upcoming season, which begins airing in November.

“We’re doing a big two-part special on the Great Pyramid of Giza and investigating the mysteries around it,” Gates said. “We’re also going to be looking for a lost Nazi submarine off the coast of Poland and a lost steamship in the jungles of Nicaragua. It’s a very adventurous season, and I’ll be bringing along some goodies that nobody has seen before.”

Each story — whether it takes place in the depths of the Amazon or beneath ancient Egyptian stone — feeds into the same timeless fascination that fuels Gates’ career: the thrill of the unknown.

Even after years of filming across continents and uncovering lost pieces of history, Gates’ enthusiasm hasn’t faded. His curiosity, he admits, feels the same as it did when he was a kid exploring the woods behind his house.

“There’s just this natural spark of mystery,” Gates said. “That feeling of, ‘Oh, there’s a puzzle here we need to solve.’ The stories we tell have such a great natural hook that it’s easy to stay excited about them.”

But Gates has also come to appreciate that discovery doesn’t always come with gold or glory — sometimes, it’s simply about learning something new.

“Discovery comes in many forms,” Gates said. “There’s the real discovery, like being there when archaeologists open a tomb, but there’s also the discovery of knowledge. Sometimes it’s not about a golden treasure, but about learning something new, and that’s just as exciting.”

Whether he’s diving into ancient ruins or taking the stage in Baton Rouge, Josh Gates continues to chase what so many viewers love about “Expedition Unknown”: the endless thrill of uncovering the unknown — and the joy of sharing those discoveries with the world.