Welcome to one of America’s fastest growing cities, Baton Rouge is home to a bevy of unique and accommodating meeting spaces. From old to new, the avant-garde to the antebellum, you’ll find just the right space for your special event. That’s the beauty of Baton Rouge. It’s a perfect mix of work and play with a host of enviable opportunities to explore the history, culture, music, and food.
Newly renovated with over 200,000 square feet, the Baton Rouge River Center has it all: well-appointed meeting areas, state-of-the-art exhibition space, as well as deluxe concession and kitchen facilities. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, this gorgeous expansion has completely transformed downtown Baton Rouge and offers you much more than just another meeting space. Need something a bit more tailored? With the new 70,000 square-foot Exhibition Hall adjacent to the existing Arena, both can be joined to create an instant 100,000 square-foot exhibit space with a total of 17 breakout meeting rooms. Big space, friendly folks, the Baton Rouge River Center is certainly a statement facility.
Not all meetings come in a box, and when it comes to planning a truly breakout experience look no further than the breathtaking vistas of Baton Rouge. Both of these two out-of-the-ordinary spaces will easily redefine “memorable meeting.” First, explore the possibilities with the outdoor pavilion and picnic area at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo. With a professional on-site catering team, planning a picnic lunch or seated dinner is a breeze, and when you’re done, time to hop a train or stroll the immaculate 147-acre grounds, home to over 1,800 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish. Offering a slightly different environment, you can surround your group with the beautiful sights and sounds of nature at the LSU Hilltop Arboretum. Luscious and lively, the Arboretum is a 14-acre odyssey of Louisiana trees and shrubs that creates an exquisite backdrop for any event, any size. Either way, Baton Rouge is sure to take events outside of the ordinary.
When it comes to planning signature events in Baton Rouge, our past is your present. Begging the question, where else could you find such an intriguing mix of historic attractions that highlight a past rich in color and tradition?
It’s not just spacious auditorium seating for 100 people; it’s a one-of-a-kind experience. A star-studded standout on the banks of the Mississippi River, the USS Kidd, a WWII Fletcher-class destroyer, is ideal for a memorable gathering replete with battleship and museum tours, easily accessible catering, and even overnight accommodations are available.
When it’s a matter of elegance, be sure to reserve the Old Governor’s Mansion. Not just the gorgeous ballroom, but the breathtaking views, it’s majesty of the grounds, and beautiful rose gardens always make for a stylish affair. Jazz musicians can be hired to play on site, while mansion tours are quick and lovely respites for hosts and guests alike. And when it comes to logistics and specific tastes, you have your choice of outside caterers to punctuate your signature event.
There’s architecture and there’s grand architecture. Parties come to life in the Old State Capitol. The magnificent rotunda and both House and Senate Chambers are available for after-hours events, as well as the surrounding five-acre grounds, which are ideal for outdoor functions including concerts and picnics. Likewise, elegant conference rooms and public meeting facilities may also be used for smaller meetings and gatherings during the day, as well as for lectures and conferences.
Host your next meeting at one of the top art museums in Baton Rouge. Located in the Shaw Center for the Arts, the LSU Museum of Art is a remarkable venue with 14 different galleries, soaring 16-foot ceilings, thoughtful lighting, as well as spectacular views of the Mississippi River. Equally as eclectic, the Bert and Sue Turner Gallery is 2,000 square-feet of continuous space that easily accommodates up to 200 people in a reception style. For smaller but imperatively stylish gatherings, the Conference Room in the LSU Museum of Art is the perfect solution. In short, events become unforgettable when your guests mingle among historical pieces and delectable fine art.
The Capitol Park Museum is an award-winning, International-style structure with two spacious galleries permanently showcasing aspects of the state’s history, as well as cultural attributes that define the “Louisiana experience.” A third gallery provides a venue for traveling exhibitions and other shows. The museum offers more than 10,000 square-feet of indoor and covered outdoor space, which can easily accommodate up to 750 people for special events such as meetings, dinners, and receptions.
For a truly memorable occasion, reserve the Louisiana Art & Science Museum. Available event spaces include the main and upper art galleries, the Adalié Brent Auditorium, and the smaller meeting room. The museum also offers the Challenger Learning Center with a space shuttle simulator, ideal for corporate team building. From auditorium seating to classroom style, LASM is the perfect setting for both seminars and receptions. But no matter the venue, take advantage of the many complimentary services that our destination sales and services team can offer. From start to finish, we will assist every step of the way – making sure to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
With an abundance of modern hotels, unique inns and quaint bed & breakfasts, Baton Rouge is a great home away from home. Check out the Cook Hotel, conveniently located on LSU’s campus and a perfect choice if you’re in town for an athletic event or school function. Likewise, there are a bevy of downtown hotels certain to please, such as Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center or the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel. You can even stay at one of America’s most haunted homes, The Myrtles Plantation. With so many accommodation options, there’s no need to miss out on everything Baton Rouge has to offer.
And getting to and around the Capital City is easily managed. From the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, there are several options to get you to your final destination – hotel shuttles, taxis, rental cars. If you’re driving in, there are four major interstates that make the drive quick and convenient. And as a bonus, parking in most hotels throughout Baton Rouge is complimentary.
The perfect mixture of work and play comes with the territory when you’re one of the fastest growing cities in America. For more information, call 800 LA ROUGE or visit www.VisitBatonRouge.com. Go BR! And get inspired.
