re: Going to Baton Rouge Zoo for the first time this weekend, tell me what to expect

The zoo is Not a good neighborhood, but you won’t feel unsafe driving in and out and walking to and from your car. Kevlar is definitely unnecessary. You’re not going to get mugged trying to go to the zoo.

What you will experience is a fairly underwhelming, poorly maintained zoo without many of thr classic zoo animals you’d hope to see (no elephants).
However, it’s not expensive, not crowded, and fairly shady, which comes in handy on hot summer days.

It’s a decent way to entertain a kid.