After a recent trip to Blue Bayou in Baton Rouge, I learned quite a lot about things I did, and could have done, to make my trip even better. While it's still fresh, and the season is still open, here's 10 tips to make your next trip to Blue Bayou even better.

  • 1

    Old Parking Lot

    For quick access to the water park
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    For years, I've been parking in the huge lot just off of Highland. We unpacked our gear, paid our entry, then walked OVER Highland, through Dixie Landin and eventually settled in our spot at Blue Bayou. If you take a right instead of a left, you'll head to the original parking lot, which is adjacent to Blue Bayou, and makes for a much easier walk (especially if you plan on having a picnic in the parking lot).

  • 2

    Water Shoes

    Any kind will do
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    Let's face it, our feet aren't made for walking on concrete, especially if it's hot outside. Without shoes of some kind, you're likely to get yourself burned on the soles of your feet, especially in the afternoons. Instead of finding grass and shade to place your feet, be sure to get some shoes you don't mind getting wet. Be they flip-flops, shoes made for water or sandals, something is definitely better than nothing.

  • 3

    Save Money

    Season pass and more
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    If you plan on going to Blue Bayou more than once a season, consider getting a season pass. For less than the cost of two regular admissions, you'll get a season pass that will get you into the park all season long. Also, be on the look-out for special Coke cans that have a $5 discount on regular day tickets.

  • 4

    Get There Early

    The early bird gets the rides
    (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
    (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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    It's common sense, but it bears repeating. If you want the shortest lines, get there early. Conja, Voodoo and Azuka, three of the biggest rides in the park, also have the longest lines. I recommend getting to the park early, then hitting those three rides first. Then take advantage of The Racer, The Plunge, Awesome Twosome, then relax in the Lazy River and check out all the people in line for the biggest rides. If you wear your swimming attire on the way in, you won't have to change before heading to the rides.

  • 5

    Tube Rental

    Kinda worth it
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    You may wonder, why rent a tube at the lazy river when they give you a blue one for free? Well, there are a few reasons why you should pay the $5 and get the yellow rental. First, you get $2 back when you return the tube. Second, you don't have to stand in the ridiculously long line to get into the river, just head to the rental line and you'll be in the water in no time. Third, you don't have to get out after one lap, you can stay lazy as long as you want. Finally, you can bring the rental tube into the wave pool as well.

  • 6

    Protect Your Valuables

    and keep them handy
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    Let's face it, you're gonna spend money at the park, from the frozen lemonade, to food, to other necessities. Make your life easier by investing in a waterproof carrying case for your valuables. You can get them for credit cards and cash, or larger sizes to accommodate phones. It beats heading back to your locker to dig money out every time you need to buy something.

  • 7

    Shortcut Between Blue Bayou and Dixie Landin

    Big timesaver
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    Found this little gem the other day. If you want to travel from Blue Bayou to Dixie Landin, you can either walk all the way out of Blue Bayou, walk down a bit before making your way to Dixie Landin. OR, use the cut-through at the landing pool of Azuka to quickly cut through to Dixie Landin.

  • 8

    Reapply Sunscreen Often

    More than you think
    Matt Cardy/Getty Images
    Matt Cardy/Getty Images
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    You're going to be in the sun all day. You're going to be in the water a lot. You're also going to be doing activities like the lazy river and rides that may rub off your sunscreen. I had the pleasure of hanging on to a tube in the lazy river, thus removing the sunscreen from the front of my body, leaving it prone to the effects of UV rays, and I'm paying the price.

  • 9

    Sign Up For Nixle

    Your travel savior
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    Let's face it, there are few things that will ruin your trip that are worse than sitting on the Atchafalaya Basin bridge because of an accident. If you sign up at nixle.com, you can get text notifications when there are accidents in any area. Just enter the zip codes you are interested in (70517 is for St. Martinville/Henderson area) and you'll get a text when there is an accident reported, potentially saving you hours of travel delays.

  • 10

    Know Alternate Routes

    If you get an alert from Nixle
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    It's a pain to have to go around accidents, but it's much better than the alternative. There are a few ways to get around the Basin Bridge in case of accidents:

    From Lafayette to Baton Rouge: I-49 North to 190 East is your best bet. You can drop down at HWY 77  in Livonia which will bring you out on I-10 at Grosse Tete. You could also stay on 190 East and exit at HWY 415 which will bring you out at Lobdell. Finally, just a few miles down is HWY 1 which will bring you out at the Mississippi River Bridge.

    From Baton Rouge: Just reverse the above directions, take any of those 3 exits on I-10, then take a left on 190 West and then south on I-49.

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