6 Things To Do On LSU Campus

Each year, stately oaks and broad magnolias welcome thousands of visitors to the Louisiana State University campus and we want to share some of our favorite stops with you.

As you enter the Baton Rouge campus, you can’t miss the LSU lakes. Visitors and students are fishing, canoeing/kayaking, and paddle boarding, but it’s also the home of the LSU Rowing team. Runners and cyclists use this lake system’s approximately 7 miles of paths to train or exercise. Did you know that the LSU University Recreation Center (UREC) offers a program called Bike the Lakes? It’s a free program for everyone and bikes and helmets are provided if needed. 

As you continue down Dalrymple Drive, the next stop is the Greek Amphitheater which you might recognize from scenes in the movie Pitch Perfect 2. It may have been originally built in 1926 to hold major ceremonies, but today it’s most notably known as the gameday starting point for the Golden Band from Tigerland. On gameday, the Band, Colorguard, and Golden Girls line up to march down the hill approximately 2 hours prior to the start of the game. Be sure and check the weekly updated schedule for more details on www.LSUsports.net.

LSU’s campus is filled with places on the National Register of Historical Places. Just around the curve and across the street from the Greek Amphitheater you’ll find a landmark unique to our campus, the Indian Mounds. The oldest monument on campus is said to be over 5,000 years old and pre-date the Egyptian Pyramids. You can take a self-guided tour of the LSU Museum of National History to learn more about the Louisiana Native Americans and these mounds.

After your history lesson, head down the hill to visit everyone’s favorite mascot, Mike the Tiger, which is located just outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC). A live tiger mascot has been a member of the LSU community since 1936 and has lived on campus since 1937. Mike VII, LSU’s current live tiger mascot, was born on September 13, 2016 and was introduced to the LSU community on August 21 , 2017. Mike is usually outside every day between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (though times may vary), including weekends and holidays. Yard work is scheduled each Thursday morning, so Mike remains inside until that is done. When Mike is kept inside for yard work, maintenance or some other reason, it will be posted on Mike’s social media platforms like Facebook,  Twitter, and Instragram. You can also see Mike the Tiger via a web cam.

Whether it’s game day with friends, or a quick trip in the summer, a favorite stop on campus has to be the LSU AgCenter Dairy Store at the corner of S. Stadium Drive and Tower Drive. Their ice cream is made with milk from the cows on campus and is available in a cup or cone. It is priced by weight ($7.50/lb.) and the average price is usually $4 per cone/cup. If you’re not looking for ice cream, you can also choose from a selection of cheeses and meats (beef, pork, lamb, and goat) to grill for your ultimate tailgate.

To finish your tour, head to the north gates of campus where you’ll find Highland Coffees. They offer a selection of coffees made from beans roasted right there in the shop, fresh-brewed teas and pastries. This popular coffee shop opened in 1989, and when they mentioned closing their doors in 2014, LSU students, professors and other members of the Baton Rouge community rallied around them to ensure Highland Coffees would be around for more generations of people to enjoy.  For hours and live performance information , visit their website or find them on Facebook or Instagram.

We hope you create fond memories on your stops around campus. Be sure to tag us in your photos and use #sweetbatonrouge. Forever LSU!