Where to Stay in Baton Rouge (Best Areas & Places)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Baton Rouge | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQ

If you’re wondering where to stay in Baton Rouge, you’ve come to the right place! As a graduate of Louisiana State University, I can tell you about all the hidden gems and places to avoid.

If you’re a Tiger fan or a prospective student, I recommend staying either directly on the LSU campus or in Tigerland just south of LSU. I’d personally suggest the Sonesta ES Suites Baton Rouge which puts you within walking distance of Tiger Stadium.

Of course, Baton Rouge is a spread out city with many different neighborhoods, so there are lots of other options. Keep reading and I’ll tell you all the pros and cons of each area.

Let’s get started with a quick overview of my favorite hotels in the city first!

Best Places to Stay in Baton Rouge

Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Baton Rouge? Here are my top picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Renaissance Baton Rouge
• 📍 Best Location – WATERMARK Baton Rouge, Autograph Collection
• 🏈 Best Near LSU – Sonesta ES Suites Baton Rouge University at Southgate
• 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – WATERMARK Baton Rouge, Autograph Collection
• 👪 Best for Families – Drury Inn and Suites Baton Rouge
• 💻 Best for Business – Baton Rouge Marriott
• 🛏️ Best Budget – Hampton Inn and Suites Baton Rouge Downtown

Click here to see all top Baton Rouge hotels or here for apartments.

Ok, let’s do a deep dive of the best areas and neighborhoods in Baton Rouge: 

7 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Baton Rouge

In order to decide where to stay, it’s important that you know the layout of the city and its various neighborhoods.

Baton Rouge is somewhat sprawling, with a few important locations. These include the campus of  Louisiana State University, Downtown Baton Rouge near the Louisiana State Capitol building, and Spanish Town, a funky artistic enclave.

Read on to learn about all these vibrant and unique neighborhoods.

Louisiana State University / Tigerland

👉 Best Area For Prospective Students and Football Fans | ✨ Best Louisiana State University/Tigerland Hotel: Sonesta ES Suites

Louisiana State University is well–known in the football world as the home of the LSU Tigers. If you are a Tiger fan – or would-be future student – you will enjoy staying as close to campus as possible.

During game days, Tiger Stadium can get really busy with crowds, and parking can be a nightmare. So if you’re visiting Baton Rouge for a football game, it is sensible to stay in accommodations within walking distance of the stadium.

For football fans, I recommend the Sonesta ES Suites Baton Rouge. The hotel is located south of LSU’s campus in a neighborhood called Tigerland, largely known as a party hub for students.

While exploring LSU’s campus, even outside of football season, make sure you check out Mike the Tiger’s habitat and the statues outside Tiger Stadium. Kids especially will love meeting LSU’s live mascot.  

Pros of Staying in LSU / Tigerland Neighborhood:

• Easy access to LSU’s campus
• Walking distance to Tiger Stadium
• Bars and restaurants within walking distance

Cons of Staying in LSU / Tigerland Neighborhood:

• Restaurant options are somewhat limited
• Can be boring if you’re not attending a football game or visiting the college
• Tigerland can be raucous
• Extremely limited hotel options

Downtown Baton Rouge

👉 Best Area For History Buffs | ✨ Best Downtown Baton Rouge Hotels: The WATERMARK Hotel • The Hotel Indigo Downtown Baton Rouge • Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Baton Rouge

The downtown neighborhood is one of the most historic and picturesque parts of the city. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, downtown will give you incredible access to most of Baton Rouge’s museums, as well as several great parks, the levee, and the Louisiana State Capitol building.

Families will enjoy visiting the Louisiana Art and Science Museum, which has a mummy and a planetarium. Kids and adults alike will appreciate the opportunity to explore the USS Kidd battleship and the extensive museum associated with it. 

Solo adults or couples will enjoy the Belle of Baton Rouge riverside casino and will appreciate the fantastic history exhibits in the Old State Capitol Museum.

You can finish the evening off by enjoying the frequent live music downtown, eating oysters at the Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar, taking in the stunning views of the city from the rooftop sushi bar, Tsunami.

Downtown is home to one of the most famous hotels in Baton Rouge, the historic Watermark. It is located in a 1927 skyscraper and is known for its stylish luxury.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Neighborhood:

• Full of excellent museums and other Baton Rouge attractions
• Great access to the Mississippi River and right in the city center
• Frequent live music and free events

Cons of Staying in Downtown Neighborhood:

• Restaurants and bars tend to cater to those who work downtown and can be closed on weekends
• Almost all museums and activities shut down on Mondays
• Due to a slightly higher crime rate than some other neighborhoods, situational awareness is required 

Spanish Town

👉 Best Area For Quirky Trendsetters and Artists | ✨ Best Spanish Town Hotels: Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Baton Rouge • The WATERMARK

Spanish Town is Baton Rouge’s quirkiest neighborhood and will appeal to artists, hipsters, and anyone who’d like a non-touristy experience when choosing where to stay. It is a historic neighborhood that was commissioned in 1805.

Spanish Town is known for its colorful bungalows, community-centered marketplace, and a higher-than-average LGBTQ population in Baton Rouge.

Since there are no hotels in Spanish Town, visitors will need to rent a house to stay right in the neighborhood. The closest hotel accommodations that I recommend are Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Baton Rouge and The WATERMARK.

Spanish Town and Downtown are within walking distance from each other, with Spanish Town being particularly close to the Louisiana State Capitol and beautiful Arsenal Park, which also contains the Arsenal Museum.

As you walk downtown, be sure to stop at Capitol Market, the community centerpiece of the neighborhood. When you reach the end of the eponymous Spanish Town Road, you’ll reach the Capitol Park Museum, which has fantastic exhibits on the region’s culture, maritime industry, and Mardi Gras.

The best time to visit Spanish Town is during Mardi Gras when the most vibrant (and not always kid-friendly) parade takes over the neighborhood.

Pros of Staying in Spanish Town Neighborhood:

• Vibrant architecture reminiscent of New Orleans
• A quirky, artistic vibe
• Walking distance downtown
• A memorable Mardi Gras parade location

Cons of Staying in Spanish Town Neighborhood:

• No hotels in Spanish Town proper
• Only one restaurant in Spanish Town proper
• It’s about 1-2 miles to get to some of the furthest spots downtown

Southdowns

👉 Best Area For Nature Lovers and Business Travelers | ✨ Best Southdowns Hotels: Hampton Inn I-10 and College Dr. • Holiday Inn Baton Rouge College Drive • Baton Rouge Marriott 

The Southdowns neighborhood offers up a little of everything to those trying to figure out where to stay in Baton Rouge. Due to its proximity to LSU, you’ll see occasional students hanging around or exercising by the University Lakes, but the area is more known as a quiet residential hub.

Southdowns allows easy access to the University Lakes, which are popular for walking, running, and cycling. Its main thoroughfare, Perkins Road, is a bustling bastion of restaurants, bars, and shops.

In particular, the Perkins Road Overpass area is home to several wonderful and trendy restaurants like The Overpass Merchant and Chow Yum Asian Fusion, which will please foodies of all ages. 

Southdowns does not have dedicated hotels, so you may choose to either rent a house or stay in the cluster of nearby hotels in the College Drive area.

These hotels offer convenient access to the Garden District and Mid-City in addition to Southdowns, giving you a great launch point for much of Baton Rouge. A great and popular option is the Baton Rouge Marriott.

If you’re visiting during Mardi Gras, don’t miss the Southdowns parade!

Pros of Staying in Southdowns Neighborhood:

• Close to LSU but with a more mature vibe
• Easy car ride to the Garden District or Mid-City
• Affordable hotels nearby on College Drive

Cons of Staying in Southdowns Neighborhood:

• No hotels in Southdowns proper; you will need to access it by car
• Not as much to do as some of the other parts of the city
• Not very much is within walking distance

Garden District

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Garden District Hotels: Hampton Inn I-10 and College Dr. • Holiday Inn Baton Rouge College Drive • Baton Rouge Marriott 

The Garden District is a beautiful, upscale residential area just northwest of the cluster of hotels on College Drive.

This means that if you choose to stay in one of these accommodations (such as the Baton Rouge Marriott with its impressive outdoor pool and on-site restaurant), you’ll be able to check multiple neighborhoods off your list, including the Garden District.

If you rent a house or room right in the Garden District, you may end up within walking distance of the University Lakes and City-Brooks Community Park, one of the best parks in Baton Rouge. One of my favorite features of City Park is the meditation labyrinth, but you may also enjoy access to golf and a splash pad that kids will love.

The Knock Knock Children’s Museum is close to the park, making this area great for families with small children.

Especially if you’re not from the South, don’t miss the opportunity to sample the Soul Food at Zeeland Street. 

Pros of Staying in the Garden District Neighborhood:

• Historic area with beautiful homes
• Close to a park, the University Lakes, and a children’s museum
• Quick car ride to other parts of Mid-City
• Quiet

Cons of Staying in the Garden District Neighborhood:

• No hotels in the Garden District proper; you will need to access it by car
• Not as much to do as some of the other parts of the city
• No nightlife scene

Capital Heights/Mid-City

👉 Best Area For Foodies | ✨ Best Mid-City Hotels: Hampton Inn I-10 and College Dr. • Holiday Inn Baton Rouge College Drive • Baton Rouge Marriott 

Capital Heights and its umbrella neighborhood, Mid-City, is a trendy and up-and-coming neighborhood. It has some of the best restaurants in the city, like Elsie’s Plate and Pie and City Pork.

Mid-City’s main thoroughfare is Government Street, which hosts several art hop nights a year. During these events, the street shuts down and holds a vibrant art festival where vendors sell their wares, shops stay open late, and businesses offer visitors snacks and wine. 

Mid-City also has some of the trendiest drinking establishments, like Mid-City Beer Garden and the old Baton Rouge favorite, Radio Bar. Some of the restaurants (like Curbside Burgers) offer Pub Trivia nights and other fun events.

Overall, Mid-City will appeal to younger visitors who want to experience the hip side of Baton Rouge and see how the locals really live. If you’re looking for an inexpensive hotel option, check out the Hampton Inn I-10 and College Drive, which is less than 10 minutes from most Mid-City attractions by car.

Pros of Staying in the Mid-City Neighborhood:

• Hip, up-and-coming area
• Hosts a neighborhood street festival several times a year
• Some of the best restaurants and bars in the city

Cons of Staying in the Mid-City Neighborhood:

• Not walking distance from LSU or the downtown areas
• More crime than in some other areas of the city

South Baton Rouge

👉 Best Area For A Little of Everything | ✨ Best South Baton Rouge Hotels: Renaissance Baton Rouge • Drury Inn and Suites • Holiday Inn Express Inn and Suites Baton Rouge East

South Baton Rouge is a rather sprawling area with a suburban feel, but it has some of the best hotels in the city (both luxury hotels like the Renaissance Hotel and relatively cheap hotels like the Drury Inn). 

South Baton Rouge is relatively far from certain parts of the city (like the Downtown area and the Mississippi River), but it gives unique access to some great attractions on that side of the city. These include the Louisiana State University Rural Life Museum, which has walking trails, a museum, and a mock 18th-19th-Century village.

Families with children who visit during hot months will love the proximity to Blue Bayou Water Park. Nature lovers should absolutely explore Bluebonnet Swamp, a boardwalk park featuring unique South Louisiana flora and fauna.

Pros of Staying in the South Baton Rouge Neighborhood:

• Some of the best hotels in the city
• Great access to parks and walking spots
• Close to the wonderful Rural Life Museum

Cons of Staying in the South Baton Rouge Neighborhood:

• Relatively far from the rest of the city
• Sprawling and relatively suburban in feel

Tips for Staying in Baton Rouge

Be Prepared for the Heat and Sun

Especially during the summer, the Louisiana heat and humidity are brutal! Make sure to pack light-colored clothing, breathable fabrics, brimmed hats, sunscreen, cooling towels, and other gear that will help you stay cool.

Go inside the State Capitol

Baton Rouge allows you to visit the Capitol building because the city is the capital of Louisiana. As the tallest capitol building in the United States, it’s quite a sight from the outside, but don’t miss the chance to go inside, too. 

There’s an observation deck at the top, and you can ask someone to point you in the direction of the wall damage from the bullet that killed the 40th governor, Huey P. Long.

Consider Renting a Car or Using Ride Shares

You may be able to do all your sightseeing on foot if you stay downtown and your trip is short. However, if you’re staying in the other neighborhoods on this list, you’ll get the most out of your visit by having a way to easily visit other parts of the city. The public transportation system (buses) is basic and not a great way to get around as a visitor.

Renting a car or using ride shares are your best options for getting around Baton Rouge.

Watch Out for Snakes, Spiders, and Alligators

There are some great parks in Baton Rouge, but be mindful of your surroundings and keep an eye out for potentially dangerous or venomous critters like snakes, spiders, and alligators.

Try the Local Cuisine

Baton Rouge has some excellent Cajun and Creole food. Be adventurous and try local favorites like Boudin Balls, blackened alligator, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and gumbo.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Baton Rouge

What are the best areas to stay in Baton Rouge for first-timers?

People who visit Baton Rouge for the first time should stay in Downtown Baton Rouge if they’re interested in history and culture and near Louisiana State University if they’re visiting for a football game.

What are safe areas to stay in Baton Rouge?

Southdowns and the Garden District are two of the safest neighborhoods in Baton Rouge.

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After reading this article, I hope you now know more about where to stay in Baton Rouge! Also, don’t forget about all the excellent day trip options from Baton Rouge while you’re there!

(Featured Image Credit: Chad Robertson Media / Shutterstock)