<p>In Baton Rouge, I would say if you are going to make a day out of it, go downtown and see... the capitol (tallest capitol building in the US), the old capitol (castle-like, now the museum of political history, I think), and the new Shaw Center (Art and stuff). If you have the money, eat at [Tsunamis/url</a>. The food isn't worth the money, but supposedly the atmosphere and view of the city make up for it (it's on top of the shaw center). </p>
<p>Around campus there's plenty of night-life, though I can't attest to what it's like during the summer. North of campus, just outside the gates, there's [url=<a href="http://www.thechimes.com/%5DThe">http://www.thechimes.com/]The</a> Chimes<a href="Seafood%20Restaurant/Bar">/url</a>, [url=<a href="http://www.varsitytheatre.com/">http://www.varsitytheatre.com/</a>] The Varsity <a href="Bar,%20and%20hosts%20the%20better%20local%20music">/url</a>, and other bars and places to eat (Northgate Tavern, Serrano's, et al). I suggest having a burger at some point in time at Raouls (hole in the wall, but one of the better burgers you'll ever have) . </p>
<p>Other popular bars are located in Tigerland off Nicholson (Fred's, Tiger bar, Bogies, Reggies, etc.) I prefer north campus bars to tigerland, but that's just my opinion. Once again I don't know what it's like during the summer, but every Thursday night is 80s night at Spanish Moon and it's really popular and the place is usually crowded. </p>
<p>As far as other food, I really like [url=<a href="http://www.parrains.com/%5DParrain's%5B/url">http://www.parrains.com/]Parrain's[/url</a>] not too far from campus. And [url=<a href="http://www.mikeandersonsbr.com/%5DMike">http://www.mikeandersonsbr.com/]Mike</a> Anderson's](<a href="http://www.servingsushi.com/Default.asp%5DTsunamis%5B/url">http://www.servingsushi.com/Default.asp) on nicholson is good as well. Don't know how transportation is to these places. I could see getting to Parrain's easier than Mike Anderson's on a bike (don't know about public). There's no shortage of food places in baton rouge, but other restaurants are further way from campus and not easily gotten to without transportation (though I don't know how public is again).</p>
<p>If you really want to get some culture, then there's no way you can come down here without at least making some sort of side trip to New Orleans for a weekend. Since you need transportation, read up on this: LA</a> Swift . Best way to get from BR to NOLA for cheap. Once you get there you are going to want to see Bourbon st and anything in the French Quarter. Eat at Cafe</a> Dumonde or at the original Copeland's. </p>
<p>There's other stuff to do as well, but I figure as a first timer this should get you going. I realize you may also not have the time nor money to do all of these things. I just thought I throw them out there.</p>