A Guide to Louisiana’s Football Towns and Teams
BATON ROUGE | LSU & Southern
Baton Rouge practically doubles in size when the LSU Tigers fill up Death Valley stadium with ticket holders and the parking lots on campus and beyond with tailgaters. On the north side of town, Southern brings in its alumni and fans to A.W. Mumford Stadium for Saturday night action.
Origin Hotel Baton Rouge
Stay
Several outstanding hotels have opened in the last decade in downtown Baton Rouge, which is convenient to both universities. This past year saw the debut of Origin Hotel Baton Rouge, a boutique Wyndham property of 87 rooms with tiger-enhanced wallpaper, a rooftop deck and the Cajun and Creole restaurant Passé. Plus, it’s dog friendly and includes Sweet Baton Rouge, a locally, female-owned business that is community driven and Louisiana focused. In other words, you’ll find lots of purple and gold here.
For those who hate fighting Baton Rouge traffic, LSU fan Kathe Nelson suggests staying at the Hilton Capitol Center downtown and parking early at Alex Box baseball stadium, about a mile from Death Valley. “You can pedicab to and from Tiger Stadium if you’re too tired to walk,” she said. Of course, one can also Uber from their hotel.
Walk-On’s smoky BBQ Pork, sweet & spicy, Stingin’ Honey Chicken and bold Black Jack Chicken sliders
Eat
The Chimes Restaurant & Tap Room and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux have new locations in other cities, but the original restaurants are within walking distance from the LSU campus.
“I grew up on Chimes, and [it] got me through college, so I have a soft spot for the Chimes,” said food personality, LSU graduate and Baton Rouge resident Jay Ducote.
Deanne Marie loves to frequent DVA Tailgating near the LSU Campus Mounds. DVA stands for “Dimanche Viant Après,” French for “Sunday Comes After.”
“DVA tailgate is the absolute best,” Marie said. “Zach Rau kills it every week with his amazing food for friends and strangers alike. I’ve been going for a decade now and I’ve never been anything less than amazed.”
If you’re heading to a Southern game, stop for lunch at Tony’s, the largest seafood market on the Gulf Coast but also one of the best places to enjoy boudin balls.
Don’t Miss One of the finest views of the Mississippi River can be found at Scott’s Bluff on the Southern campus, named for the original property owner Dr. William Bernard Scott. It was here that French explorers sighted a Native American pole they named “Baton Rouge.” The bountiful Red Stick Farmers Market operates from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday on Fifth Street between Main and North streets downtown.
NEW ORLEANS | The Saints and Tulane University
The New Orleans Saints play the season at the Caesars Superdome while Tulane University plays theirs at Yulman Stadium on the Uptown campus.
Stay
Since New Orleans is a major U.S. tourist destination, there are a number of accommodations within the city and surrounding area. Hyatt Regency New Orleans-Downtown and the Holiday Inn Superdome are the closest to the Saints action, but those enjoying Tulane home games may need to check into accommodations Uptown and/or along St. Charles Avenue. One property to consider is The Pontchartrain, a historic hotel on the Avenue once frequented by Tennessee Williams and Frank Sinatra. The hotel features elegant rooms, dining options and a rooftop bar that offers a gorgeous view of the city.
Stop at The Pontchartrain and the colorful, perfect-for-a-photo Jack Rose Restaurant to try their Crispy Pork Belly.
Eat
This is more of a question of where do we begin? The city offers hundreds of restaurants so a great place to eat may rely more on where you’re staying, what part of town, how much you’re willing to spend, etc. For Tulane games, check out the many restaurants lining nearby Freret Street, such as The High Hat Cafe, Pigeon and Whale and Vals. Since Saints games are usually in the afternoon,try breakfast at the Bearcat Cafe, or stop by Copper Vine and Maypop after the win (we hope).
The Bayou Classic includes the “Battle of the Bands” between Grambling’s “World Famed” Tiger Marching Band and Southern’s “Human Jukebox.”
Don’t miss The 51st Annual Bayou Classic continues a gridiron rivalry between Grambling State University and Southern University on Nov. 30 at Caesars Superdome. The longstanding football game between the two historically black college and university (HBCU) schools began in 1932 and received its moniker in 1974, when the Bayou Classic was played at Tulane Stadium. The Bayou Classic is the only National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision game to be shown regularly on broadcast television.
RUSTON & GRAMBLING | Louisiana Tech University & Grambling State University
Stay
RVers should set up shop at Lincoln Parish Park located a short drive north of Ruston and about 12 miles from Grambling. The park’s camping sites front a large lake that includes a fishing pier and covered pavilions. There are trails, playgrounds and acclaimed mountain bike trails as well as hiking paths. All are reasons why the park was named in the top 10 in The Dyrt’s “2024 Best Places to Camp in the Southeast Region.”
If you want to be closer to the action, Tori Davis, director of marketing and communications for Experience Ruston, suggests The Elephant Room studio apartment with chef’s kitchen that’s located in downtown Ruston and close to the Louisiana Tech campus.
Eat
Desi Bourgeois, along with several other food truck owners, serve up a variety of local dishes at Bourgeois’ Heard Freighthouse Food Park in the center of downtown Ruston. Look for Bourgeois’ Grown & Grazed and Staple Sandwich Co., but also four other food trucks serving dishes that range from barbecue to Southern soul food.
Don’t Miss The Louisiana Tech Homecoming Pep Rally at downtown’s Railroad Park and visiting the Eddie G. Robinson Museum at the Grambling campus. Robinson won 408 college games and the NCAA’s benchmark for wins in Division I.
NATCHITOCHES | Northwestern State University
Stay
“Northwestern State in Natchitoches is a fun place for football — Bobby Hebert and Ed Orgeron played there,” said Valerie Andrews, a freelance editor who graduated from Northwestern in journalism and public relations. “Plus, you get to see the oldest city in the Louisiana Purchase, which is also the home of Robert Harling, author of ‘Steel Magnolias.’ Lots of cute B&Bs there, and also chain hotels.” And yes, you can stay at the Steel Magnolia House, a bed and breakfast.
Eat
The place to eat for Natchitoches’ famous meat pies is Lasyone’s, where the tradition began, but now there’s Flying Heart Brewing & Pub for craft pizzas and beer next to the NSU campus.
Don’t Miss Learn about Louisiana’s extensive sports history at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum. The museum features portraits and memorabilia of legendary Louisiana athletes and sports figures, plus there’s Louisiana history from early Native Americans to the present.
THIBODAUX | Nichols State University
Stay
Accommodations include chain motels, cabins, RV campsites and bed and breakfasts throughout the area.
Eat
There’s so many wonderful places to eat up and down Bayou Lafourche. To narrow in on preferences and price points, the tourism folks at Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou offer the Cajun Bayou Food Trail, complete with map. Visit lacajunbayou.com/foodtrail.
Don’t Miss In October, the French Food Festival cooks up in Larose and La Fete Des Vieux Temps (the Festival of Good Times) rocks out Raceland. For those who love the outdoors, Geaux Paddle puts you in kayaks and paddle boards at Nicholls Bayou Side Park.
LAKE CHARLES | McNeese
Stay
“Tru by Hilton is one of several affordable hotels within 10 minutes of McNeese,” said alumnus Toni Chapman, digital content manager at Visit Lake Charles. “They offer pet-friendly rooms and free breakfast,” she added but recommended heading out to the city for dining options.
Eat
“For breakfast, you’ll want to visit Big Daddy’s Sports Grill,” Chapman said. “This family-owned establishment has been supporting local schools and McNeese for years and they have Cowboy memorabilia adorning the walls. When you dine here you feel like an old friend, and they’re great for accommodating groups. I recommend the First Base.
“For lunch,” Chapman continued, “you’ll want to visit Crying Eagle Brewing or Rikenjaks. Both restaurants are a short drive from McNeese and offer delicious food, craft beers and outdoor patios.”
Don’t Miss “Celebrate the big win at Frosty Factory, On the Rocks or OB’s Bar and Grill,” Chapman recommended. “These bars offer great drink specials, live performances, karaoke and trivia nights, not to mention their menu items can’t be skipped over — from their gourmet pizza to their larger-than-life burgers, they’re the icing on the cake of a great celebration.”
LAFAYETTE & MONROE | University of Louisiana
Whether you’re watching Lafayette’s Ragin’ Cajuns or Monroe’s Warkhawks, it will be a guaranteed good time with great food.
Rest easy at Hamilton House Inn and try a decadent treat to celebrate your team’s victory at Sunday’s Soda Fountain.
Stay
Lafayette’s Juliet boutique hotel puts visitors right in the center of downtown Lafayette action. For those who dare to sleep in a haunted historic home, T-’Frere’s Bed & Breakfast offers tales of apparitions, but none that are scary.
In Monroe, relax at the circa-1847 Logtown Estate bed and breakfast surrounded by pecan trees and the Ouachita River or the historic Hamilton House Inn in West Monroe, close to antique shops, boutiques and restaurants.
Savory shrimp tacos for your pre- or post-game meal at Spoonbill Watering Hole.
Eat
Both residents and returning ULL alumni visit Olde Tyme Grocery near campus for its delicious po’boys, but the ambience here is just as important. The walls are covered in UL memorabilia, which also mean USL and SLI items, as the school has had many names since its inception. Downtown Lafayette has seen several outstanding restaurants open over the past decade or so, such as Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant, CENTRAL Pizza & Bar, Vestal and Pop’s Poboys, to name only a few. For dessert, try Borden’s, the oldest standalone shop of its kind in the U.S., or Sunday’s Soda Fountain.
In Monroe, award-winning native Chef Cory Bahr, who’s appeared on the Food Network and served as 2011 “King of Louisiana Seafood,” among so many accolades, serves up elegant Louisiana dishes at Parish Restaurant & Bar. He is also the proprietor of Standard Coffee Co., a great spot for lunch in the heart of Monroe.
Don’t Miss The two universities of Louisiana — University of Louisiana at Monroe and University of Louisiana at Lafayette — meet for their annual matchup on Nov. 30 at Monroe’s Warhawks Malone stadium.
HOME GAMES
09/07
Tulane vs Kansas State
LSU vs Nicholls
Southern vs Savannah State
Grambling vs Tuskegee
NSU vs Prairie View A&M
09/08
Saints vs Panthers
09/14
McNeese vs Stephen F. Austin
09/21
LSU vs UCLA
ULL vs Tulane
Louisiana Tech vs Tulsa
Grambling vs Jackson State
NSU vs Weber State
Nicholls vs Mississippi Valley State
McNeese vs Alcorn State
09/22
Saints vs Eagles
09/28
Tulane vs University of South Florida
LSU vs South Alabama
10/05
Southern vs Nicholls State
ULM vs James Madison
10/10
Louisiana Tech vs Middle Tennessee
10/12
LSU vs Ole Miss
ULL vs Appalachian State
ULM vs Southern Miss
Grambling vs Alcorn State
NSU vs Texas A&M-Commerce
10/13
Saints vs Buccaneers
10/17
Saints vs Broncos
10/19
Tulane vs Rice
Southern vs Alcorn State
Grambling vs University of
Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Nicholls vs Northwestern
10/26
NSU vs Lamar
Nicholls vs McNeese
11/02
Nicholls vs Stephen F. Austin
McNeese vs Texas A&M-Commerce
11/09
Tulane vs Temple
LSU vs Alabama
Southern vs Bethune-Cookman
ULL vs Arkansas State
ULM vs Texas State
Louisiana Tech vs Jacksonville State
Grambling vs Alabama State
11/10
Saints vs Falcons
11/16
Southern vs University of
Arkansas at Pine Bluff
ULL vs South Alabama
NSU vs McNeese
11/17
Saints vs Browns
11/21
Nicholls vs Southeastern Louisiana
11/23
LSU vs Vanderbilt
ULL vs Troy
ULM vs Arkansas State
McNeese vs Lamar
11/28
Tulane vs University of Memphis
11/30
LSU vs Oklahoma
ULM vs ULL
Louisiana Tech vs Kennesaw State
12/01
Saints vs Rams
12/15
Saints vs Commanders
12/29
Saints vs Raiders
