South Louisiana
VisitBatonRouge.com; @VisitBatonRouge
Louisiana’s dynamic capital city, Baton Rouge is also home to two major university systems, a vibrant downtown, and an array of flexible meeting venues and accommodations.
Raising Cane’s River Center features more than 200,000 square feet of event space, including a 70,000-square-foot column-free exhibition hall that, combined with an adjacent 10,000-seat arena, provides more than 100,000 square feet of contiguous floor space. Other components include a 26,336-square-foot grand ballroom, 18,800 square feet of flexible meeting rooms, and a 1,900-seat Performing Arts Theatre.
Bally’s Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel completed a multimillion-dollar revamp last year. The property features 242 renovated rooms, a land-based casino floor, a DraftKings Sportsbook lounge, bowling lanes, 14,000 square feet of event space, and a 50,000-square-foot atrium accommodating 1,700 attendees for receptions.
The historic Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center will rebrand as a Sports Illustrated Resort. Backed by investors that include Louisiana State University (LSU) great Shaquille O’Neal, the hotel will feature 137 redesigned rooms and 42 luxury condos. The concept preserves the hotel’s historic event spaces, including the Riverview Ballroom, which accommodates 300 guests for seated banquets or 500 for receptions. The hotel will remain open during the rebrand renovations.
The 294-room Crowne Plaza Executive Center Baton Rouge features more than 32,000 square feet of space. L’Auberge Casino & Hotel offers nearly 13,000 square feet of flexible event space, which can be configured into three sections. Renaissance Baton Rouge has 12,685 square feet of space and nine breakout rooms. Baton Rouge Marriott features more than 17,000 square feet of event space.
“Baton Rouge is a welcoming city with beautiful, eclectic neighborhoods; something fun is always going on,” says Geraldine Bordelon, senior vice president of destination sales for Visit Baton Rouge.
Downtown has pedestrian walkways along the river, a walkable restaurant scene, and nightlife along 3rd Street. Mid City boasts shopping, art festivals, and local favorites like Elsie’s Plate & Pie. Group dining has expanded with downtown’s renovated Main Street Market, featuring four restaurants, a coffee shop, and hourly buyouts.
Planners are advised to take note of LSU and Southern University’s fall football schedules. Other busy times in downtown Baton Rouge include the annual Blues Festival (April), Louisiana Book Festival (October), and Live After 5.
