re: Baton Rouge - LSU Bucket List Trip

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I have a family friend from Yachats, Oregon who is going to every ESPN Game Day this year in their RV...

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I was going to ask if this was you...

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1. What is a must do/see in Baton Rouge for the Game Day experience?

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As others have said, walk up to any number of big tailgate parties. Tell them you are from out of town and want to experience LSU on a game day. They may give you a bit of good natured ribbing for being from out of town, but they are also very proud of their tailgate and will be happy to have you try all the food and drink they can provide. The key is to look for folks in their 30's-50's. Younger college age guys can still be a bit stingy with their food/drink.

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Also, any New Orleans recommendations besides the FQ?

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Uptown NOLA on St. Charles Ave or Magazine St. has several nice bars, restaurants, shops. The Warehouse Dist. is also a cool spot in which to walk around. If you are in to history, the WW2 Museum (in Warehouse Dist.) is great.

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On 10/11 (Friday)...looking for awesome Baton Rouge bar to watch Oregon vs Colorado game.

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Walk-on's right next to the campus is a good spot to watch the game. However, just know, it will be very crowded. The Overpass Merchant is a cool spot to hangout. It's small and not necessarily a "sports bar", but you can still easily watch the game there. Also, it's within walking distance of several other bars/restaurants and not that far from LSU's campus.

I used to play 4.0 in a league. Have only picked up a racquet twice in last 10 years, but since I have played all my life, it only takes me 5 minutes of court time to get back to a reasonable level of play.

If you dont find someone else, let me know.

Some things to definitely do while you're in town:
Must do's:
Tour the Old State Capital and New State Capital downtown, and definitely take a ride to the observation deck on top.
Walk the LSU Lakes
Visit Mike the Tiger's Cage
See the Band March down the hill about 2 hours before the game
Walk around in your own team's colors around different tailgates. Talk to people, take some gentle ribbing with humility, and let them feed you and fill you with booze.

Other possible activities in Baton Rouge:
Live After 5 concert at the Galvez Plaza
Rock n Rowe concert at Perkins Rowe
Top Golf at Siegan Marketplace
Main Event by the Mall of Louisiana is a good spot if you have kids/teenagers. It has bowling, laser tag, and an arcade
Red Stick Social (bowling alley/bar/restaurant right outside of downtown)
Hitting up mid-city thrift and antique stores (if that's what you're into). There's several along government street including Time Warp Boutique, Circa 1867, The Pink Elephant, and Alladin's Lamp.
If you have kids, the Knock Knock museum is another great spot by City Park.

Some fun activities around, but not in, Baton Rouge:
Drive up to St. Francisville and visit The Myrtles Haunted Plantation. If you do this, I also recommend getting some boudin and bbq from the Francis smokehouse.
Angola Prison Rodeo on sunday
plantation tours at Laura, Oak Alley, and Houma's House
Get shitfaced in the French Quarter/Frenchman Street in New Orleans. If you’re looking for a more alternative nola scene, hit up the bars on St. Claude like Hi-Ho, the Always Lounge, and Carnaval. Tipitina’s always has great shows so check them out and see who’s playing. Maple Leaf Tavern, Rock n Bowl, the Avenue Pub, Bachanal, there’s no shortage of great places to pass a good time in New Orleans.
Teddy's Juke Joint in Zachary for a unique delta blues club experience

Places to drink/hangout:
The Chimes (beer bar north of campus)
Tin Roof Brewery (between campus and downtown)
Happy's (live bands on the patio Downtown)
Dead Poet (original music south of campus)
Ivar's/Duvic's (Perkins Overpass Area)
Fred's (Tigerland college bar experience)
Walk-on's (sports bar with food south of the stadium. It will be packed on gameday, and will also have a band after the game)

Places to eat:
The Chimes/Parrain's (owned by the same people with basically the same menu)
Ruffino's
Louisiana Lagniappe
Roberto's River Road
Else's Plate & Pie
Overpass Merchant
Louie's (late night/brunch)

Sounds good. Thanks for the invite. Looking forward to it! I’ll be the guy with the Oregon shirt :-)!

No...different people. It’s pretty cool what they’re doing. Really hoping for GD in BR October 12...I think Texas bs OU gets it though. They seem to like that matchup...

The only place you should even consider wathching the oregon colorado game is Chimes (highland location). There are better places for different circumstances, but Chimes is classic LSU and that will be the best place for your situation. Not sure if you'll be alone, but BR people tend to be very stand offish, ur gonna have to make the first move. But, If you get drunk and start talking to random people you'll make some friends for sure.

For gameday, slowly walk from chimes to the parade grounds, to the quad, to mikes cage, to the stadium. And just say hi to some tailgates along the way that look like a good time. They'll invite you in for a drink and some food, i guarantee everyone has too much of both. (helps to wear the Oregon gear and be very nice).

After the game, depending on your age, there are 2 main bar areas.

19-25 yr old: head to tigerland, bunch of loud bars with tons of people and bands. Fred's is king down there.

25-35 yr old: overpass area is still crowded, but a little less loud and older crowd. overpass merchant and Ivar's are a good time, but they have other options you can walk to.

casinos: Lauberge is the best by far, but the belle and Hollywood are close to downtown (more bars)

You picked a great game to visit. I'm sure others have answered your gameday questions. As far as New Orleans goes, eat dinner at Jacques Imo's. Have fun.

You can ping me at usethenoodle@gmail.com and we can set something up for tennis. That would be a lot of fun...

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Avoid Bourbon St, not the entire quarter, especially if you've never been to NOLA before. The quarter (other than dirty arse Bourbon) is unique and a must see, especially if you've never been. Royal St., Jackson Square, street performers all over, great restaurants and hotels.

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Yeah. That’s better said.

I would say be careful at night. It is very easy to walk off into a rough area in short order. Either stay in busy areas of the Quarter or take a cab/Uber.

I’ve watched several away games from bars in the Quarter and had an absolute blast.