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Murals of the Future: In 1998, talented student artists from nearby middle schools were asked to imagine what the city would look like in the year 2020. You can see their futuristic visions immortalized in several murals along the Riverfront Plaza.

Murals at the Museum of Public Art: Located at the intersection of Myrtle Walk and Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive, this family-friendly museum is surrounded by large graffiti-style murals from internationally renowned artists.

Murals of the Museum of African-American History: Located at 538 South Blvd., this museum’s front entrance is accompanied by a classic Mercedes bus painted in tribute to the Baton Rouge bus boycott of 1953. Beneath the adjacent overpass, you’ll find murals dedicated to enslaved and freed persons of color across the Old South.

Metallic sculptures outside the House of Jamba: Located at 4808 Government St., this artist’s home is the site of some truly dazzling scrap metal creations, including massive birds, seahorses, pachyderms, and even a few extraterrestrials.

First, join us on March 14 for the 35th Annual Wearin' of the Green St. Patrick's Day Parade. Indulge your inner leprechaun at this award-winning parade, where you’ll find fabulous floats, bagpipers, marching bands, and much more. On March 15, prospective brides, grooms, and members of weddings-to-be will want to be right here at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center for Baton Rouge’s premier bridal show, The Total Bridal Experience.

TTBE will feature the latest trends and finest offerings from vendors and reps for bridal fashions and pre-bridal supplies. Also, don’t miss out on their fabulous selection of wedding music, food, and transportation, and be sure to register for a luxurious grand prize. Lastly, gather up the family and head over to the Baton Rouge Zoo on March 28-29 for the Zippity Zoo Fest. This celebration of the zoo’s 50^th birthday will offer animal chats, a Children’s Village, face painting, a photo contest, and much more, including birthday cake!  

Surprise your sweetie with the musical way to say, “I love you,” and you’ll give them a romantic treat they will always remember. And, Opera Louisiane offers a plethora of ways to vary the experience, including your choice of song from their list, delivered by a male or female Opera Louisiane singer.

Imagine the expression on the face of the one you love as they are serenaded with such classics as La Vie en Rose, Unchained Melody, or Some Enchanted Evening. O Sole Mio and other iconic operatic tunes are also available, while more recent selections include Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud and Shania Twain’s Still the One. With a little notice, the staff will even arrange for a custom song. To top it all off, each singing telegram is delivered with a special message card and chocolates, or sugar-free candy if your sweetie can’t have sweets.

Sing and Swing

Join us here at Crowne Plaza on January 10 for Sing and Swing, Opera Louisiane’s annual blowout combination dance party and fundraiser. This year’s event will feature Ned Fasullo and His Fabulous Big Band, live-band karaoke, drinks, appetizers, a silent auction, and one fabulous time. This event sells out quickly, so snag your tickets soon.

The Dog Film Festival

Join us for a Doggy Runway Show, some fabulous canine films, and a chance to save shelter dogs. Head over to the Manship Theatre on January 12, when Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge will present a special evening of fun and fundraising. A pre-show doggy runway will feature adorable pups seeking a permanent home, and all are invited to come early and pose for photos on the Red Carpet. Afterward, screen delightful short films (free of physical or verbal abuse), that range in length from 2 to 35 minutes each, including such titles as Elvis: The Lonely Hunter of Circle Beach, S**t Happens, and It’s a Potcake Life.   

The Nutcracker: A Tale from the Bayou

On December 14-15, the Raising Cane's River Center Arena will be transformed into a bewitching wonderland filled with snow, sweets, music, and divine dance, all accompanied by the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra.

Christmas and Carols: A Musical Holiday Festivity

Head over to the First Baptist Church Downtown on December 20, as Opera Louisiane presents a delightful performance of Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors” and a Christmas carol sing-along. Enjoy warm cider and cookies afterward while you visit and take photos with the cast.

Ice Skating on the River

Get out your skates, don your favorite Christmas sweater, and get ready to hit the ice at the Raising Cane's River Center from December 20 through January 5, 2020.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Join us at the Manship Theatre on December 22 for a special screening of Frank Capra’s holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Louisiana Renaissance Festival

Huzzah for jolly theme weekends! Ongoing every weekend from November 2 – December 8, this fest that’s part theme park, part holiday shopping opportunity, part live theater, and part taste of the past will feature over 600 artists, entertainers, and unique hand-made items. Visit the “Village of Albright,” for hundreds of booths, over 50 shows, and dozens of demonstrations.

White Light Night in Mid City

Light up Mid City on November 22 with this free and festive celebration of the arts. This signature autumn event will feature exceptional art, food, drink, and fabulous live music to keep the party vibe going.

Bayou Classic

Wind up your Thanksgiving holiday on an exciting note with a weekend of festive activities. A parade, a fan festival, and a Battle of the Bands will precede the clash of the big cats on November 30, when the Southern University Jaguars and the Grambling State University Tigers face off for a holiday showdown at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Host to thousands of visitors annually, the maze offers hayrides, giant sling-shots, zip-lining, a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, and loads of additional family fun. You’ll also enjoy burgers, corndogs, and other culinary offerings from local vendors. Also, don’t miss the Botanic Garden’s Night Maze. From October 8-14, don your Halloween finery and enjoy s’mores around the bonfire, glow-in-the-dark games, and live music.

Jazz aficionados won’t want to miss the Eddie Palmieri Quintet at the Manship Theater on October 16. Presented by the River City Jazz Masters Series, featured artist Eddie Palmieri enjoys the reputation of being one of the finest pianists of the past 60 years, and his influences include such jazz greats as Thelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock. And, don’t miss a great fall tradition when the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair comes to town from October 24 - November 3. Experience the thrill of a huge midway, 40-plus rides, traditional fair food, music, and more.

Donated by Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, this stunning fine jewelry set is only one of the raffle/auction prizes. Proceeds from the Gala will support the museum’s educational programs, which benefit over 98,000 school program participants annually state-wide.

Next, head over to our own Crowne Plaza Executive Center on September 27 for the annual Go Wild! Auction and Fundraiser. Come out and play our latest game: Ears or Tails, and groove on live tunes from Stormy the Band. Savor delectable bites and drinks and enjoy a live fashion show. The renowned Chuck Mutz, the Black Tie Auctioneer, will conduct the live auction featuring items to buzz about, but don’t forget to put in your bid for the silent auction as well.

Next, get your groove on at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum during the Woodstock 50th Anniversary celebration on August 17. Three after-hours, musical-themed planetarium shows, “America’s Musical Journey,” “Laser Beatles,” and the “Pink Floyd eXperience” will be presented, along with a special sneak peek of the exhibition “Harmonies in Color.” Lastly, join us in Morgan City on August 29 through September 2 for the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival! Since its humble beginnings in 1936, this festival honoring two of Louisiana’s most important economic industries has grown to become one epic, four-day party, with fantastic food, live music, arts and crafts shows and sales, the Blessing of the Fleet and Water Parade, a car show, carnival rides and games, the Children's Parade, and so much more.

This unique activity offers an ideal way to see much of the city, as the scavenger hunt requires no guide or reservation, only a simple app that allows folks to explore, search, and have a blast in their own way, at their own pace.

The primary focus is on art, culture, and history, so you’ll also have fun while learning more about the city. The hunt is a little over two miles, and begins at 900 North 3^rd Street. Most folks cover the area in no longer than a couple of hours at the most and will have the chance to see such landmarks as the State Capitol, the Old State Capitol, the State Library, and many other noteworthy city gems.

First, history buffs will enjoy the Baton Rouge City Tour at the LSU Rural Life Museum. You’ll visit the centrally-located Windrush Plantation, and see for yourself how Louisiana folk lived during the 19^th century. Next, lovers of the supernatural will feel at home on the Baton Rouge Haunted Adventure Tour, with their genuine tales of the many ghosts and spirits remaining among us. They even allow guests to try a little spirit searching using real ghost-hunting equipment. Wildlife lovers and Cajun fanciers will take a shine to the Baton Rouge Area Swamp Tour, with tales of Cajun folklore and sightings of swamp creatures. Finally, the Baton Rouge Area Plantation Tour is a must for those want to visit genuine plantation estates and learn more about the experience of plantation living.

Silverbell Tree

This native tree features thousands of small white blooms each Spring. The Silverbell Tree is a favorite to use in cultivated yards in the area and is easy to spot given its massive amount of bright blossoms. The clusters begin to appear in March and April and then dangle from the branches making them look like bells. You'll find this tree in parks and yards all over the area.

Louisiana Iris

These Spring perennials can appear as early as March and keep blooming through the end of May in the Baton Rouge area. You’ll find many different colors of blossoms including yellow, purple, and white. Look for the Louisiana Iris in wet areas like marshes or wet gardens with standing water. You’ll find this gorgeous flower in yards and landscaping as well as forests and wooded areas all around Baton Rouge.

Red Buckeye

Technically a flowering tree, the Red Buckeye features beautiful blossoms that are a magnet for hummingbirds. The red flowers that appear all over the tree are small and tube-shaped making them a natural food source for the winged pollinators. The blossoms of this shrub grow in 6-10-inch clusters making them easy to spot.

Blue-eyed Grass

This Spring wildflower is easy to miss given its tiny blue blossoms that appear at the top of the grass leaves. It's a member of the iris family and is a great addition when adding wildflowers to a cultivated garden. Blue-eyed grass grows during the winter making spring the time it shows off its delicate blue flowers. You’ll find this native flower all over the area in parks, forests, along roadways and in rocky xeriscaped areas.

Florida Starbush

This hardy plant features deep red and white star-shaped blossoms that differ from its long and dark foliage. The Florida starbush appears in Baton Rouge landscaping and gardens as an evergreen. It can grow quite large, up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide, making it easy to spot in well-drained areas all around Baton Rouge.

Louisiana Phlox

Found all over the Bayou State, the Louisiana phlox is a staple in many local gardens and landscaped areas. It loves partially shaded spots and offers delicate five-petaled blossoms that are a purple-blue hue. Many homeowners use this flower as a ground cover that provides a blanket of fragrant color to the garden.

There are plenty of exciting places to visit and see when traveling to central Louisiana. Easily spot these native flowers you will see everywhere in Baton Rouge this Spring that add to the beauty of the Bayou State.

Rose Weber is a garden care extraordinaire and home decorator. She has been gardening since she was a child and loves to spend her weekends teaching her grandchildren all about growing flowers and vegetables. You can find her sharing her crops and her decorating ideas with her friends and neighbors.

Ongoing through June 9, the exhibit traces the art community’s adoption of Impressionism, with a focus on those European artists who were among the first to embrace it, as well as the wave of American artists who took up the style by the 1900s. Over 75 selections of artwork culled from the collection of the Reading Public Museum will be on display, including both paintings and works on paper.

Next, be sure to stop by the Capitol Park Museum  through June 29 to explore “Soul of the South, Selections from the Gitter/Yelen Collection.” View more than 60 contemporary works created by 34 self-taught artists, all of whom either lives or lived here in Louisiana. Whether you refer to their respective nontraditional styles as naïve, folk, outsider, or visionary, you’ll find this exhibit a unique and fascinating representation of Southern art.

Featuring world-renowned performers, the company delivers royally on its mission to provide professional opportunities for Louisiana artists, culturally enrich the community, and educate school children by introducing them to the joys of opera.

One of the Opéra’s most successful community projects is a monthly event held right here at the Crowne Plaza. “Lunch with Leanne” includes a lovely, three-course meal featuring General Director Leanne Clement, Artistic Director Michael Borowitz and a 30-minute professional performance with a different guest artist each month. April 15 will be the last of the series for the season and will showcase bass-baritone André Courville. Also, don’t miss the Opéra’s performance of “Carmen” on April 26 at the Manship Theater at the Shaw Center for the Arts. Be sure to save the date for this classic and beloved tale of passion, seduction, and betrayal.

Next, celebrate all things Irish on March 16 at the first ever Wearin’ of the Green Shamrock Run 5K, followed immediately by the 34^th Annual Wearin' of the Green St. Patrick's Day Parade. This award-winning parade will have it all – bagpipers, marching bands, dazzling floats, and so much more – don’t miss it! Lastly, brides-and-grooms-to-be and all members of the wedding party will want to say “I do” for tickets to the Total Bridal Experience, on March 17 right here at Crowne Plaza. The show will focus on fashion, music, food, supplies, transportation, tips, and more. A Grand Prize Honeymoon will be up for grabs by one lucky bride or groom!

First, treat your sweetie to the Manship Theatre and the Capital City Grill’s Film Lounge Series, with unconventional movies, comfy seating, food and adult libations. Additional upcoming shows at the Manship include the 2019 Oscar-Nominated Short Films on February 10 (animation and live-action shorts) and February 22 (documentary shorts), and Spoof Night – Febru-Swayze Valentine’s Special on February 15.

Next, for a different sort of lunch date, join us here at the Crowne Plaza on February 11 for Lunch with Leanne. Enjoy a 30-minute concert, a three-course lunch, and a visit with the performing artist. Hosted by Opéra Louisiane General Director Leanne Clement and accompanied by Artistic Director Michael Borowitz, this series is wildly popular, so reservations are recommended; call (225) 925-2244.

Next, join us on January 18-21 for MLK Fest 2019. This four-day festival’s goal is to encourage volunteers to participate in community events, art projects, and enrichment activities. Also, don’t miss out on the Louisiana Marathon on January 19-20. This two-day running event features runners from over 36 countries and all 50 states, and the best part is the Finish Fest on the bayou afterward. Jambalaya, gumbo, and etouffee will play starring roles, alongside duck confit and cochon du lait, and all will be accompanied by live performances of jazz-funk-zydeco music.

Let the little ones dress as their favorite animal and explore a mile-long exhibit that features dozens of colorful and whimsical light sculptures of animals and animated displays. Next, cruise over to Baton Rouge General Medical Center for a brand-new, musically-synchronized light show. Don’t miss a visit to West Baton Rouge for Reflections of the Season, where you can drive, walk, or be conveyed by a horse-drawn buggy through a dazzling display. There’s also snow, ice fishing, rides, and games. Lastly, be sure to drive through Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland – a spectacular LED show synchronized to traditional holiday tunes.

Marvel at the downtown tree lighting, the snow village, and the star canopy, then visit with Santa and check out the Reindeer Run! Ride the magical train, and enjoy this year’s inaugural “Cajun Night Before Christmas.” More illuminated holiday attractions include the drive-through Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland from November 17 – January 7, and the Baton Rouge Zoo’s ZooLights from November 23 – December 30.