Mid City Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge, LA Area Guide

Thanks to its location by the river, Mid City perseveres as an old and well-rooted section of Baton Rouge. Throughout its history, Baton Rouge has been a site for wars and revolutions; occupied during the Revolutionary War and again during the Civil War, it has stood the test of time to become home to many heroes, particularly during the most recent Civil Rights Movement. Just along the southern borders of this neighborhood stand the Old State Capitol building and the Old Governor's Mansion. Locals may volunteer their time for the Martin Luther King Day of Service on January 19th at Magnolia Cemetery. This event, hosted by Mid City Redevelopment Alliance, allows for locals to learn about the Civil Rights Movement by maintaining this national historic site.

Mid City is home to many gems serving the best local eats. For a great taste of Louisiana, locals and visitors swear by Bellue's Fine Cajun Cuisine. Recommendations include a Cajun gumbo served over rice, a dish known as crawfish etouffee and the infamous habanero chicken fingers. When you're in the mood for seafood, just head down the main strip, Plank Road, to Tony's Seafood. This local joint doubles as a meat market and a restaurant. Be warned, Tony's happens to get so busy it requires local law enforcement to direct traffic in and out of its parking lot. When it finally comes time to order, start with the fresh fried catfish and sides. For a local night out, you're best to head south of the neighborhood where there are many more bars and clubs. When looking for a party, head down Government Street to Radio Bar. This place is known locally for its jukebox-style sound system and its hosting of the Bar Olympics, an event where people drink and play games, such as ping pong, darts and shuffleboard. Expect large crowds and $9 cocktails. If you love live music and fine wines, check out Boudreaux & Thibodeaux. This restaurant and bar sits south of Mid City, and drivers can easily reach it by cab or car via Interstate-110. For a treat found few other places, order the flaming Dr. Pepper. Lucky patrons get a fiery show of burning alcohol and corn syrup right next to their tables.

Taking your car around Mid City can be a simple affair. The scenic highway runs across the entire neighborhood and continues north for miles, running parallel to the Mississippi. You may also get onto Interstate 190, which divides the neighborhood and branches out throughout Baton Rouge. Parking spots in Baton Rouge should be easy to come by. For those who prefer public transportation, the CATS bus system runs across most of eastern Baton Rouge. Biking and walking are also great options in this neighborhood, a local organization, Bike Baton Rouge, works around the clock to improve this option for residents.

When looking for a day in the sun, the neighborhood parks offer large open fields for sports or playing with the dog. On the north end of Mid City there is Monte Sano, a large park with a basketball court and baseball diamond. To the south, you find the Memorial Sports Complex, which holds a large stadium, great for running. Lastly, there is Howell Park golf course, perfect for those looking to tee off. If you plan to join the community on a regular basis or wish to join a class the Baton Rouge Park and Recreation Committee helps provide many opportunities and classes. There are also special events at the Baton Rouge Gallery and the zoo hosted year round. Just pop in at the local rec center to learn more.

With its central location in Baton Rouge, the cost of living is a little higher in Mid City than the city average cost. The average rent of this section of the city is $525 for a one-bedroom unit. You can expect to pay around $3 to $4 for a beer at a local bar. Traveling around the city offsets the costs for locals as gas prices are 6 percent lower than the national average. Bus prices are fair as well—including the transfer, it is $2 to get across Baton Rouge from this Mid City neighborhood.

Most notable shopping areas in Mid City are along Plank Road and off Interstate 190. Do not expect many high-end stores in the neighborhood. However, expect to find many locally owned businesses such as Brookstown Hardware on McClelland Drive. If clothing is your style stop by Storyville on Bluebonnet Boulevard, a local shop started by LSU alumni with original t-shirt designs. When in the mood for more retro apparel, check out Time Warp Boutique, this little store can be found on Government Street and stocks vintage clothing from the 1940s to the 1990s. For large-scale shopping around Mid City, you have head to Towne Center, the local mall off Corporate Boulevard. When grocery shopping, most locals make it down to the Piggly Wiggly or the Save-A-Lot to stock up on food for the house. If interested in a farmer's market, look no further than Pete's Farmer's Market located along Airline Highway.