Like the younger sister overshadowed by a gorgeous older sibling who evokes all the oohs and aahs, Baton Rouge radiates character and charm—you just have to look for it. Slightly more than an hour’s drive from the flashier and better-known New Orleans, the state capital offers intriguing museums, a lively arts community, fabulous dining, trendy boutiques, political vigor, and the flagship Louisiana State University with its sprawling reach.
“It’s a blend of all those things,” says Angele Fontenot, longtime resident and principal at
