What a stark reminder of the horrors humans inflict on one another. Very peaceful spot. Nice spot…read moreto stop and think about the harm humans cause one another. This is the location of the second largest slave sale, only behind New Orleans.

If you intend to see this, keep your eyes open because it's right on the corner of a sidewalk-less…read moreroad in what looks like an innocuous patch of grass. The explanations of the monument are more visible than the monument itself.

This is one of those places the experience is truly dependent upon the person. History does not…read morealways present itself with a rush of excitement or a spectacle to behold. Driving up to the Emerald Mound, one might think to themselves, "Look, a hill covered with grass. How quaint," and then wonder why they made the trip. This is where imagination is key to the experience. Imagine this place a thousand years ago. Imagine the indigenous people and their culture and how vastly different it is from today. We are standing in the exact same place they were. Take the time to read about it and then decide if standing on hallowed grounds aren't worth more than just a grassy hill.

I think most people in the United States know about ruins in the southwest. You may have seen…read moreancient pottery and figurines in museums. You've probably heard about the Navajo, Hopi, and other cultures of that region. The Natchez culture is not unfamiliar, either, but do you know about the mounds scattered in the southeast and the larger ancient Mississippian culture? It was new to me not that many years ago as I first saw pottery of this culture in a museum. I have wanted to see more but there doesn't seem to be a lot of pottery remaining from this period. What about the mounds? Well, what are essentially man-made hills aren't as visually compelling as a desert cliff dwelling, right? It explains why so few tourists visit. Emerald Mound is the second-largest mound in the United States and was an important ceremonial center dating from 1250 to 1600. There is some good information posted but this site is crying out for an interpretive center that could really help tell the story of this ancient culture and bring it to life.

This state capitol feels like a monument to both old and new. Sprouting out amongst the nearby…read morebuildings as a concrete obelisk, you probably wouldn't think much of the Louisiana State Capitol. Its greens are a bit underwhelming but as you get closer to the building you do get a sense of its historic significance. Once you're in and past security you're greeted with an art deco style interior that feels old and outdated but in a bit of a charming way. Going on a Friday before a long weekend meant the place was a ghost town but that was nice as we felt we had the whole place to ourselves to explore. There wasn't much going on when we went but they do have an amazing observation deck that allows for beautiful views of the Baton Rouge area (for free!). You do have to take two elevators to reach the top but it's well worth it. Keeping with the theme both elevators are small and old fashioned which kind of adds to the charm. There's also a gift shop at the top where we bought some magnets from for a reasonable price. This was a fun pit stop we hit along the way to New Orleans which is how we would view this place as a whole. There's nothing here that would make you go out of your way for it, especially with how difficult parking can be around there (we walked 10 minutes from our spot). However, if you're on your way to NOLA or are very interested in Louisiana's state history, then this place would definitely be for you.

The tallest capitol building in the United States is well worth a visit. The lobby is gorgeous and…read moreyou can take the elevator up to an outdoor viewing area with 360 degree views of the city. There is a small gift shop up there, too. You can also peek into both the state legislature rooms which are amazingly detailed and decorated. Don't forget to find the back hallway on the ground level where Huey Long was shot. There are still many, many bullet holes in the walls from that incident, believe it or not. It's free to visit and well worth checking out.

Like I said in my review of the state capitol, I was born here, my grandparents lived here. My…read moregrandfather worked downtown. We spent a lot of time as kids downtown Baton Rouge AKA "Red Stick" its french. OuiOui. My brother & I leaned to roller skate in the Capitol park here when we were kids. It's an amazing place indeed. French Louisiana *is* the state with the most spectacular history, food & ART. No one can deny its relentless beauty and uniqueness. Especially "Downtown Baton Rouge" right on the Mighty Mississippi River. Home of the LSU Tigers baby meow! Laissez les bons temps rouler. OuiOui. Highest Recommendations.

We had a great visit. Family, Fun, & Great food…read more "Southern hospitality", is a real thing!

We wanted to get out on Labor Day. So we drove down to St. Francisville! I didn't realize how much…read morehistory is down here! I loved walked the streets and seeing all the homes from the 1800s! The visitor center is so cute too. It's a little museum and has cute things to buy. There are a few little shops and restaurants as well. It's such a charming little town!!

Cute sleepy small town that makes me feel like I am in a gothic city as there seems to be an…read moreillusive something creepy just beyond reach. Could it be the souls lost in the battle that happened nearby that gave the Union control of the mighty Mississippi? Could it be the remnants of the plantations nearby? I enjoy coming and visiting with the area. Come. Shop the antique stores. Take in the sites.

Like my fellow bridge junkies, I was also captivated by the bridge. Had to stop at selfies with it…read more There are plenty of photo opportunities in and around Natchez to do so, and I couldn't resist. This particular spot is under the hill, by the Camp. Just had to pull over and capture the view.

I want to be cool like Joel so I thought I'd review this bridge like he did…read more The Mississippi River Bridge is way cool looking and crossing it is even cooler. You actually pass the Mississippi/Louisiana state line while crossing it. It's a cantilever bridge (which are my favorite) and it's also the tallest bridge in Mississippi. My favorite thing about this bridge is the gorgeous view of the Mississippi River. It's really impressive!

I came recently because I was in the area. Their most recent rotating exhibit was about Creole Folk…read moreTales and artwork. The rest of the museum was still very interesting and well worth a visit. Reasonable admission price, friendly employees. They also hold events that are open to the public and sound very interesting.

I did not like that the museum employee gave me a copy of part of what I had already asked my…read morehusband to purchase. He got me the West Baton Rouge Families Book by the West Baton Rouge Genealogical Society in Port Allen, Louisiana. The Book is very excellent and it started me out knowing something of my great-great grandparents and my great-grandfather that was his son, I puchased other books, read articles and obits, and researched about him for over a year. When I went into the museum, no one mentioned there was an entrance fee. I went there to buy more books, The person who helped me was very efficient and knowledgeable. I told him what book I had already, the Families book. Nonetheless, he took me in back and copied stuff from the Caire file and gave it to me. it looked like a lot more than what could have been in the book and I thought it was different. I gave him $20 for going out of his way to assist me and making copies. When I got home, I tore up the copies immediately because I realized they were what my family already spent a lot of money to buy as they were part of the Families book. I am very upset that this happened to me at the museum. I would have never accepted the copies had he told me he was copying what I already had from in the book (some pages). I am going to send in registration because I did not realize that there was an admittance fee. I am giving the museum a 2-star rating rather than 5 because I am so upset that the fellow gave me those copies which I do not think he should have, assumed he would not do something he should not, and I am very, very upset about it. I gave it 2-stars rather than one because the books are good and I really appreciate them. I am willing to share what I have researched and gathered about this line if there is interest; however, everyone left that area. I do not know if there is interest. When the guy took me in the back, I saw there was an amazing mural of the area from 1925. That was incredible! It really must have taken a long time to paint such a large item. And it was great quality.

The Atchafalaya River is a supporting cast member for the Mighty Mississippi River and only gets…read morehonorable mention when the great floods from the north threaten people and property along Old Man River. The Morganza Floodway, which leads to the Atchafalaya Basin and the Atchafalaya River in south-central Louisiana is opened to divert water from the Mississippi River during major flood events this is accomplished by flooding the Atchafalaya Basin, including the Atchafalaya River and the Atchafalaya Swamp. The spillway and adjacent levees also help prevent the Mississippi from changing its present course and threaten NOLA, but the Cajuns that make the Atchafalaya Basin home rarely get mentioned no matter how these events affect their lives and livelihoods. Bridges are a powerful symbol--a metaphor for "crossing over." And our lives are all about making different crossings - as we try to peer to the other side of the bridge, we wonder...What is waiting for us on the other side? In this case it's Krotz Springs that sits quietly along US Highway 190, famous for its artesian spring water that was accidentally discovered while drilling for oil. These Atchafalaya Bridges are dual cantilever bridges built in 1973 and 1988 to replace the original 1933 truss bridge. The muddy water that flows to the Gulf of Mexico are filled with rich sediments and are home to an array of wildlife and fish species that provide a living for those that call this beautiful swamp land home. No there isn't anything that makes these structures unique and they look like hundreds of other we've all crossed over, but to the people that rely on these bridges everyday to live their everyday lives they mean everything so that makes them pretty special...

I love this bridge! I have started taking back roads to get to Baton Rouge from Lafayette which is…read morehow I happened upon this bridge recently. Side note-as someone who strictly took interstates to get around, I highly recommend taking back roads when you can. The scenery is much lovelier and the drive/traffic is way less stressful. Try it! Once I saw this bridge approaching I knew I was in for a treat. It's fairly new and the bridge is smooth, smooth, smooth. Normally that would lead me to start going fast because I love to drive fast, but this time I went the limit and took in the view. That's probably a good thing since after reading the reviews I've learned cops like to hang around at the bottom. Do yourself a favor and take the back roads slow and easy and enjoy this beautiful bridge. Bonus-Billy's Boudin just opened a new location in Krotz Springs right before or after you cross this bridge, depending which direction you're going.

From the historical marker: Constructed in 1931 by James J. Carruth and his wife, the two-story…read morestucco Coffee Pot Inn was Brookhavens's first drive-in restaurant. The building also served as the Carruth family home and as a Greyhound bus stop in 1933. In 1936, Eddie Hinnant played a piano on top of the building nonstop in an attempt to break his record of 110 consecutive hours. Due to the large metal coffee pot on top of the building, the Coffee Pot Inn is considered a local landmark. Nearby Brookhaven is experiencing a retail resurgence downtown, and I can't help but think it won't be long before someone opens up this cute building again.