Explore Louisiana's “Sportsman's Paradise” Baton Rouge-style! Experience abundant swamp lands, wildlife and waterfalls. Swim, skate, walk, run, fish or golf to enjoy the capital city's natural beauty. 

Explore Louisiana's vast swamplands on a swamp tour at McGee's Landing in the Atchafalaya Basin or Cajun Pride Swamp Tours in Bayou Manchac. As the boat drifts through waterways, you'll learn about the state's wetlands, swamp creatures and unique history about Cajun towns. Walk on boardwalks and gravel paths through cypress-tupelo tree swamp and hard wood forest at BREC's Bluebonnet Swamp. This attraction features a 103-acre facility dedicated to conservation, education and recreation. While snakes and turtles are commonly seen from the trails, raccoons, rabbits, opossums, armadillos, squirrels, foxes, coyotes, deer and otter are also known to inhabit the site. It houses a 9500-square-foot building filled with live animal exhibits, photographic presentations of the site's flora and fauna, natural artifact and mineral displays and a sizeable vintage waterfowl decoy carving collection. If shopping for outdoor adventure items is what you're looking for at the Bass Pro Shop in Denham Springs and Cabela's in Gonzales as to find anything you wish for.

Nature enthusiasts will love hiking the primitive trails of the Clark Creek Natural area located 25 minutes outside of St. Francisville. Clark Creek Natural Area, referred to as Tunica Hills by Louisianians, features 50 waterfalls, some reaching heights of 30 feet. VisitAfton Villa Gardens in St. Francisville to explore gardens that rest on the terraced ruins of the palatial home built by Susan Barrow in 1849. The 250 acres of floral beauty thrill nature lovers every spring and fall with their grace and serenity. The sophisticated gardens at Rosedown Plantation in St. Francisville offer insight to the central place that horticulture held in the lives of southern plantation dwellers during the antebellum period and its aftermath. Windrush Gardens atLSU's Rural Life Museum features 25 acres of semiformal gardens designed by landscape artist Steele Burden. The gardens contain crape myrtles, azaleas, camellias and other plants that are representative of flora used in 19th century plantation gardens.

Also, BREC's Cohn Arboretum features more than 300 species of native and adaptable trees and shrubs, including several Japanese maples, a Tropical Conservation House, a camellia collection, evergreen collections, a crape myrtle collection and an herb and vegetable garden. This beautifully landscaped, heavily wooded land is used for the preservation and study of native plants and flora from other areas. LSU's Hilltop Arboretum offers an incredible collection of Louisiana native trees and shrubs just south of LSU's campus. Cross the old footbridge overlooking a twenty-foot deep ravine and wander into the tranquil "cathedral," where tree canopies form a green protective room. In the meadow, tall grasses and colorful autumn wildflowers shimmer in the bright Louisiana sunlight. Stroll through BREC's Botanical Gardens which showcase woody ornamental plants, perennials, annuals, ground covers and native wetland plants. 

Gaze at the stars, planets and meteors while learning about astronomy, physics, chemistry and space science at the Highland Road Park Observatory. The 20-inch reflecting telescope (used to discover dozens of asteroids) is located inside a retractable dome. BREC supplies an enthusiastic staff willing to answer questions concerning astronomy and space science.

BREC offers several recreation activities such as fishing, skating, swimming, biking, boating and horse riding at various sites in Baton Rouge. Begin your stroll or run around LSU's lakes at the Baton Rouge Beach. Learn to ride a horse at Farr Park. Roller skate and skate board at BREC's Perkins Road Extreme Park, or cool off in the summer months at BREC's Independence Park Family Aquatic Center. Visit City Park to enjoy golfing, the Baton Rouge Art Gallery and newly renovated dog park. Golfers can also enjoy LSU's Golf Course, Santa Maria and Pelican Point. 

Experience Baton Rouge's rich culture and history by walking through downtown Baton Rouge. Explore the Louisiana Art and Science Museum, the USS Kidd and Veterans Memorial,Old State Capitol, Louisiana State Museum and Louisiana's State Capitol! Stroll through the grounds or picnic at the peaceful lakes near the governor's mansion. 

If you crave adventure in the summer months, spend a day at Blue Bayou Waterpark and Dixie Landin' Amusement Park. Blue Bayou has more than 20 water attractions including the High Water Slide, the Ragin' Cajun and the CONJA', the world's largest in-line water slide. Dixie Landin' Amusement Park also offers fun and excitement for the entire family.

Please note, this tour is a suggestion of locations to visit and is not available for purchase.