Sidebars by Domenic Purdy // Additional reporting by Meg Ryan and Poet Wolfe

Sources: Oregon Counseling, Australian Department of Health, Artsy.net

Hobbies are important. They foster social connections. They help us learn something new, even when we think we’re done learning. They’re a big part of the “play” part of the live-work-play calculus. 

They can taste good (homebrewing), or feel good (knitting). They can help you make friends (disc golf and even gardening). And they can guide you to new places you’d never imagined visiting (birding). 

Greater Baton Rouge is a region teeming with enjoyable pastimes, thanks to agreeable weather, friendly people and a culture bubbling with joie-de-vivre and creativity. No matter your interest, you’re sure to find others who share it.

Bennett’s Waterski and Wakeboard School provides lessons to beginners and pros alike

Learn to go into the depths of the ocean, or stay slightly below the surface with Underwater Adventures on Government Street. Through a series of classes costing about $300, you can get your Scuba Diver certification card and learn the science behind diving, as well as access to equipment and pools. divewithua.com

Stow your PS5 or Nintendo Switch and try some classics at Gameware, a locally owned chain of video game stores offering both new and old games and hardware for the Atari 2600, Sega Dreamcast and everything in between. gameware.com

Attend bingo games every day of the week at Bingo Zone at the corner of Choctaw Drive and Airline Highway. bingozone.zone

Local fiber artists are weaving their own community

Hosting classes in metal stamping, resin stain glass, jewelry making, pop art and more, Create Studios brings creative, unique art classes to Baton Rouge. Running two to four hours, each class starts at $35 and can be done in Create’s studio or at home. createbr.com

Meeting monthly at the Main Library at Goodwood, the Louisiana Photographic Society gives photographers, new and old, a place to learn and showcase their work. It also offers a variety of two- to three-hour classes on Saturdays, with membership dues starting at $25. laphotosociety.com

Homebrewing flourishes in Red Stick

Red Stick Spice Company’s demo kitchen will have you crafting your own meals at home in no time. With classes like Better Than Takeout and Milk Bar Cookie Workshop, there’s a little something for everyone at the Jefferson Highway kitchen. redstickspice.com

The Barista Guild of Baton Rouge holds its Latte Art Throwdown at various coffee spots around town. The Barista Guild teaches members and interested onlookers how to draw beautiful latte art on top of the frothed milk of a cappuccino. Find them on Facebook.

Louisiana’s lush climate is an ideal backdrop to try your hand at gardening

The Baton Rouge Chess Club holds weekly meetings and regular tournament games. [email protected]

In Louisiana, running is about so much more than competition

Basics Paintball in Denham Springs takes safety seriously with its low-impact paintball arenas at all-inclusive prices starting around $40. For the more seasoned paintball player, Guerilla Warfare Paintball in Walker offers variety in equipment and play styles. basicspaintball.com and guerrillawarfarepaintball.com

LSU Quidditch is one of the longest tenured teams in the International Quidditch Association. Based on the sport Harry Potter plays at Hogwarts, LSU’s Quidditch team is full-contact and co-ed, available to students. Find them on Facebook

With more than 480 species wandering above us, Louisiana is a birder’s paradise

The Capital Area Beekeepers Association “is committed to preservation and sustainability of the honey bee as a pollinator and producer.” It welcomes anyone with interest in the honey bee. cabainfo.org

Take the bait and cast a line out for this leisurely activity

Civil Axe Throwing in Mid City has a one-hour “axeperience” starting at $24 per person. civilaxethrowing.com/baton-rouge

Book clubs meet monthly at various East Baton Rouge Parish Library branches, from the Mystery Lovers Book Club to the Historical Society Book Club. ebrpl.com

Baton Rouge’s welcoming disc golf community is on the rise

People of all ages can try out the sport in a variety of recreational leagues: Baton Rouge Men’s Club, Baton Rouge Women’s Club, the Baton Rouge Youth Rugby Club and LSU Men’s Club. brec.org/index.cfm/page/rugby and facebook.com/batonrougerugby

This BREC program offers exercise classes, art workshops and social opportunities in multiple parks for people 55 and older. brec.org/index.cfm/subhome/AdultsandSeniors.

This article was originally published in the September 2022 issue of 225 magazine.