Few places do college football tailgating like Baton Rouge.
When LSU has a home game, the party starts long before kickoff, as the campus comes alive with music and the smell of Louisiana cooking.
But the Cajun food and cold drinks are only part of the appeal.
The atmosphere — generations of LSU fans gathering with friends, family and strangers to celebrate a shared love of the Tigers — is unique. And there’s no shortage of ways to join in.
Whether it’s your first LSU game or your 50th, the best advice is simple: arrive early, bring your appetite and give yourself time to wander. And don’t miss Mike the Tiger’s habitat.
Because in Baton Rouge, the tailgate isn’t just something you do before football.
It’s one of the main events.
Here are five spots to soak in the LSU tailgating experience:
Parade Ground
The quintessential LSU tailgate. The Parade Ground is located near Memorial Tower and the Student Union in the heart of campus, and this is the place to indulge in the classic Louisiana tailgate — crawfish, gumbo, jambalaya, maybe even some fried alligator.
Greek Theater
Tailgates circle the Greek Theater, putting you right in the middle of the Golden Band from Tigerland’s rehearsal before the march down Victory Hill. If you want to feel like you’re part of the tradition rather than just watching it, this is your spot.
Campus Mounds
Uniquely Baton Rouge, these Native American ceremonial mounds near Tiger Stadium are among the oldest in North America, and yes, they’re in the middle of a tailgate party. The mounds are preserved and fenced off, but the energy around them is pure LSU.
Touchdown Village
These dedicated RV lots draw fans who arrive days early and leave late. If you’re looking for enormous setups, TVs, grills, coolers and fans who have essentially turned tailgating into a lifestyle, this is it. If you want to see what full commitment looks like, here’s your stop.
Bud Light Fan Zone
No tailgate invite? No problem. If you want something closer to a structured fan experience, the Bud Light Fan Zone is directly across from Tiger Stadium in front of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center and opens five hours before kickoff with food trucks and live music.
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Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.