Discover 26 Hidden Gems in Louisiana You Can’t Miss

Home of the annual Mardi Gras celebration, Louisiana is situated in the southern region of the United States and is unique in that it does not utilize counties but “parishes.”

Bordered by Arkansas to the north, Mississippi to the east, Texas to the west, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Louisiana has been primarily formed from sediment deposited by the Mississippi River. Consequently, the state boasts a rich ecosystem of marshlands, swamps, large estuaries, and a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Officially titled the Pelican State, after its state bird, the Eastern Brown Pelican, Louisiana derives its name from King Louis XIV of France (reigning 1643 – 1715) and was known as “La Louisiana,” meaning “Land of Louis.”

While the state showcases much of its character with Breaux Bridge, recognized as the Crawfish Capital of the World, Dubach, termed the Dog Trot Capital of the World, Mamou as the Cajun Music Capital of the World, and Crowley, the Rice Capital of the World, it is probably best known as the birthplace of celebrity chef Paul Prudhomme, who is frequently credited with creating the Turducken—a dish consisting of chicken stuffed inside a duck, which is then stuffed inside a turkey.

A state with a wealth of hidden treasures, Louisiana has much to offer in terms of undiscovered locations and unique experiences. Let us examine some of the lesser-known gems in Louisiana and explore the many attractions that await discovery.

1. Frenier Cemetery, Laplace

Julia Brown, deemed a faith healer and voodoo priestess depending on the needs of the local residents, forecasted the demise of Laplace long before it occurred; however, her warnings were not heeded. Tragically, the only remnant of Laplace, Louisiana today is a cemetery filled with gravestones.

Julia resided in the town during the early 20th century, and although she was viewed as an oracle, people tended to keep their distance due to her supernatural reputation. One day, seated on her porch, Julia ominously remarked, “One day I’m going to die and take the whole town with me.”

The town gathered for Julia’s funeral on September 29th, 1915—the same day that the New Orleans hurricane of 1915 obliterated Laplace from the map of Louisiana. All residents except for two, who were out of town at the time, were tragically killed.

Now, Julia and the entire town lie beneath the grounds of Frenier Cemetery.

2. The Eiffel Tower of New Orleans, New Orleans

Located on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana, stands the Restaurant de La Tour Eiffel, which was once a celebrated dining establishment that occupied the top of the real Eiffel Tower.

In 1981, renovation work at the world’s most-visited paid monument resulted in the conclusion that the restaurant needed to be dismantled due to its excessive weight atop the structure. Regrettably, the restaurant was carefully disassembled and stored by parts.

Upon hearing the news, Daniel Bonnot, a distinguished French chef, and his partner, John Onorio, eagerly seized the opportunity to acquire the components. The duo invested $1.5 million to transport it to New Orleans, where it was given a (brief) second opportunity. Despite opening to a large crowd, the restaurant had to close within three years due to financial difficulties.

Numerous endeavors aimed at repurposing it into nightclubs and dining establishments were unsuccessful.

Currently, the venue serves as an event space and museum known as the Eiffel Society.

3. Lake Peigneur, Erath

A simple workplace error can result in an enormous whirlpool of regret, quite literally.

Until the late 1980s, Lake Peigneur was a modest freshwater lake covering 1,300 acres, popular for recreational activities and fishing. However, everything changed dramatically on November 20th, 1980.

At the time, Texaco was drilling for oil under the lake; however, a miscalculation by the workers led them to drill through the ceiling of the salt mine located beneath the lake. While the workers evacuated just in time from the drill site and the mine, they witnessed one of the largest man-made whirlpools in history unfold before them!

Intense shaking occurred around the lake, and suddenly, the 10-feet-deep Lake Peigneur engulfed everything in its vicinity—65 acres of land, eleven barges, homes, forests, and a 150-foot-tall oil rig. This incident not only resulted in the (temporary) tallest waterfall in the state, but it also marked the only recorded moment in human history when the Gulf of Mexico flowed northward!

So, the next time your supervisor gives you a quizzical look for missing a minor deadline—you now possess a noteworthy story to recount.

4. Kentwood Historical and Cultural Arts Museum, Kentwood

The town of Kentwood seems to have little to celebrate beyond being the birthplace of the alleged “queen of pop,” Britney Spears.

As a gesture of admiration for their beloved singer, locals established the Kentwood Historical and Cultural Arts Museum, which honors Britney Spears’s singing career and life journey. The museum features four rooms dedicated to a wealth of fan photographs, artifacts, an impressive case displaying her awards, and a glowing tribute to Britney being one of its main attractions.

The second exhibit, which contrasts sharply with the first, pays tribute to local soldiers who bravely fought in World War II. It includes a machine gun from that era, mementos brought back by soldiers, and a dummy battleship that narrate the history of the town.

5. Abandoned Jazzland, New Orleans

Six Flags is recognized as the largest regional theme park company globally, with approximately 18 locations throughout North America, making it one of the most notable within that sector. Jazzland, situated in New Orleans, was part of Six Flags Parks and operated for over five years until Hurricane Katrina rendered it deserted and silent on August 29, 2005.

Once a premier attraction, the park was inundated by Hurricane Katrina, resulting in water levels reaching six feet and overturning the entire site.

As restoration projects commenced in the town, renovations for the amusement park proved too costly and were ultimately slated for demolition.

Although the remnants of the amusement park are no longer accessible to the public, urban explorers in search of adventure often trespass to experience the once-vibrant, now post-apocalyptic wonderland.

6. Grace Episcopal Church, St. Francisville

The American Civil War, one of the most significant events in the nation’s history, concluded on May 9, 1865. Nevertheless, during a brief period in St. Francisville’s history, soldiers from both the Confederacy and the Union came together in reverence for Lt. Commander John E. Hart, who commanded the Union warship, U.S.S. Albatross.

In early 1863, the conflict between the two factions reached its zenith. U.S.S. Albatross, commanded by Lt. Commander Hart, was one of two Union vessels that breached the Confederate blockade surrounding Port Hudson, located approximately 12 miles from St. Francisville. Grace Episcopal Church became a frequent target of Union soldiers.

However, on June 12, 1863, the gunfire unexpectedly ceased. Commander Hart, gravely ill, had taken his own life. In a surprising turn of events, a small boat approached the Confederates, carrying a white flag to request an honorable Masonic funeral service for Hart in the churchyard.

Considering Hart was a practicing Mason, W.W. Leake, the Confederate Officer and a fellow Mason, arranged for the burial, thus momentarily halting the Civil War for both factions.

7. The Singing Oak, New Orleans

Situated across from the New Orleans Museum of Art is a local artist’s creation that often goes unnoticed by pedestrians unless they pause to appreciate the vast Oak located in the center of City Park.

The Singing Oak, also referred to as the Chime Tree, is recognized not only for the shade it provides but also for the enchanting melodies produced as the wind passes through its branches.

Local artist Jim Hart has attached numerous wind chimes to the oak, which create harmonious sounds when blown by the wind. The chimes have all been painted black to seamlessly blend with the tree branches.

The tallest chime on the tree measures an impressive 14 feet!

8. Abita Mystery House, Abita Springs

Unusual Collections and Mini-town (UCM) Museum, known as the Abita Mystery House, was established by local artist John Preble, who was inspired by Tinkertown Museum in New Mexico and began collecting various discarded items and scrap materials.

Comprising multiple buildings crafted from found objects and unique handmade creations, the Abita Mystery House showcases a variety of quirky exhibits—art cars, arcade machines, mosaic tiles, creole cottages, and miniature towns.

Visitors may also witness a push-button-activated “jazz funeral” or meet Darrell, the dogigator (a whimsical blend of a dog and an alligator).

9. Saint Roch Chapel, New Orleans

During the yellow fever epidemic of 1817, New Orleans suffered the loss of 40,000 residents. Reverend Peter Thevis could no longer endure the devastation, and in 1867, he dedicated his prayers to Saint Roch, the Patron Saint of Good Health.

Saint Roch was reputed to have saved numerous lives during the pestilence and other terminal illnesses.

After being banished from his parish due to contracting the plague, Saint Roch retreated into a nearby forest, where a dog, owned by a local resident, brought him food and tended to his wounds.

According to legend, the dog’s care ultimately helped heal the saint, and subsequently, the dog’s owner became his disciple.

Reverend Thevis and his congregation reportedly suffered no casualties during the yellow fever outbreak.

Today, individuals continue to pray to Saint Roch for health and leave offerings such as dental plates, polio braces, and other prosthetic limbs as tributes.

10. The Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville

There are claims that the Myrtles Plantation is built over a cemetery. While this assertion remains unverified, numerous other accounts contribute to its reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the United States.

The earliest narrative asserts that David Bradford owned and constructed the property in 1796. Known as “Whiskey Dave,” he was a prominent figure during Pennsylvania’s Whiskey Rebellion, and his estate operated as a legitimate plantation employing several enslaved individuals. Among them was Chloe, a slave who was ultimately banished after a minor dispute with her master.

In a bid to regain her position, Chloe attempted to cure Bradford’s sick grandchildren with an herbal remedy; unfortunately, it tragically led to their passing. As a consequence, Chloe was executed by hanging from a tree on the plantation grounds and later discarded into the Mississippi River.

The plantation underwent several ownership changes, and inexplicably, numerous children met untimely deaths from various illnesses during its history.

11. Fort Proctor, St. Bernard Parish

Designed as a castle-like bastion to safeguard New Orleans from its adversaries, Fort Proctor was erected following the city’s attack by the British Army in 1814. Floating amidst Lake Borgne in St. Bernard Parish, this citadel, unfortunately, was devastated by a hurricane shortly after its completion.

By the time reconstruction efforts commenced on Fort Proctor, the Civil War had engulfed America, subsequently diverting all resources and attention to the prevailing conflict. When the battles concluded, the remnants of the fortress were left as an outdated, dilapidated structure without any functional purpose.

Today, Fort Proctor is exclusively reachable by kayak or small boat and serves as a fascinating destination for urban explorers to investigate the submerged foundations and crumbling walls.

12. Séance Room at Muriel’s Jackson Square, New Orleans

Muriel’s Jackson Square in New Orleans, Louisiana, offers a dining experience unlike any other, where one can indulge in a plate of Creole delicacies next to a séance room dedicated to the spirits of the city’s past.

Originally serving as a holding area for enslaved individuals, the building partially succumbed to the Great New Orleans Fire in 1788. The new owner, Pierre Lepardi Jourdan, later restored it and resided there with his family.

Tragically, Jourdan lost ownership of the property through a poker game in 1814; unable to retain his residence, he took his life on the second floor.

After several ownership changes, the building reopened in 2001 as a restaurant, preserving much of its original architecture. A séance room was established on the second floor following numerous reports of paranormal activity.

Every night, a table at the restaurant is set with offerings of wine and bread reserved for Jourdan.

13. Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum, Gibsland

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are names that transformed the perception of criminals from mere rogues to glamorous figures in American history. They are forever remembered as a “power couple” who ruled the nation’s crime landscape during the Great Depression.

When they were not traversing the country or posing for photographs, they engaged in robbery and theft, occasionally resorting to violence. Their story, reminiscent of a tragic Romeo and Juliet tale, concluded in a dramatic fashion—marked by bullets and bloodshed.

The Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum commemorates the site where this infamous couple perished in a vehicle after being ambushed by six police officers. Owner L.J. Hinton, the son of Ted Hinton (one of the officers involved in the incident), has preserved various artifacts from the scene, including firearms, a windshield from their vehicle (the actual car is displayed in Vegas), replicas of their gravestones, and Bonnie’s iconic red hat.

14. Museum of Death, New Orleans

Originally established in California by J.D. Healy and Catherine Schultz, this unique collection made its way to New Orleans in 1995. It includes a composition of autopsy videos along with letters and artworks by serial killers, shrunken heads, and various macabre artifacts displayed within the Museum of Death situated in the French Quarter.

Undoubtedly, this museum caters to a specific audience and may be considered quite graphic to some visitors.

The eclectic collection comprises a business card from Jack “Sparky” Ruby, who murdered Lee Harvey Oswald; paintings by serial killer John Wayne Gacy, known as the “Killer Clown”; correspondences from serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, referred to as the “Milwaukee Cannibal,” and Ted Kaczynski, the “Unabomber”; various photographs of the Manson family; and notably, the Thanatron—a euthanasia device invented by Dr. Jack Kevorkian.

While there are no age restrictions for entry, the graphic nature of the exhibits may pose challenges for some visitors. Additionally, if a guest faints during their journey through the museum, they are humorously rewarded with a commemorative t-shirt marking their “passing out and living to talk about it” experience.

15. Angola Prison Rodeo, St. Francisville

For the past 50 years, Angola State Penitentiary has hosted a distinctive event that, while might appear brutal and dangerous to outsiders, provides inmates with a rare sense of freedom and power that is often lacking in their daily existence.

This annual event, open to the public since 1967, takes place on Sundays in October and one weekend in April. While it is not the only prison rodeo in existence, it holds the title as the longest-running prison rodeo in the country. Held in a stadium accommodating 10,000 spectators, the Angola Prison Rodeo is filled with thrilling and daring competitions.

Traditional events include bull riding, wild cow milking, and bareback riding, while less conventional sports such as bull poker (in which four men sit at a poker table while a charging bull approaches; the last one remaining at the table wins) are also featured.

16. Holt Cemetery, New Orleans

New Orleans is often likened to a vast necropolis, and justifiably so. With most of its deceased buried above ground, Holt Cemetery distinguishes itself as one of the few locations with 99% of its inhabitants interred subterranean.

Informally used as a potter’s field for numerous years, the cemetery was officially established in 1879 by Dr. Joseph Holt. The site remains with the families and subsequent generations of the deceased, provided they manage and uphold it. Primarily used by African Americans, the departed are interred in wooden coffins that decompose at an accelerated rate, enabling the sites to be reused.

Rather than exuding the eerie atmosphere typically associated with such places, Holt Cemetery is filled with handmade tombstones, teddy bears, plastic flowers, and other heartwarming decorations, creating a peaceful environment for the deceased.

17. Avery Island Tabasco Museum and Factory, New Iberia

Avery Island, located in New Iberia, Louisiana, is recognized for two primary aspects: its geological composition as a salt dome and as the site of the McIlhenny Company, a family-owned enterprise that has been producing Tabasco sauce for five generations.

The island is home to vast fields of a unique red pepper utilized in crafting the renowned hot sauce. Since 1868, the McIlhenny Company has been dedicated to producing this popular condiment.

Initially a factory, the establishment has since expanded to include a restaurant, a museum, and a country store, all of which uphold a recipe that has been in use for over 150 years. Tabasco has become a household name not only in the United States but across the globe.

Avery Island also features the Jungle Gardens, a wildlife sanctuary founded by Edward McIlhenny, the son of Edmund McIlhenny, the creator of Tabasco.

18. Bonfires on the Levee for Papa Noel, Lutcher

As December approaches, residents of St. James Parish in Lutcher, Louisiana, unite to build numerous pyres in various shapes and sizes, often designed to commemorate significant events from the year, which are subsequently lit throughout the month, culminating on Christmas Eve.

The pyres typically resemble teepees or pyramids, yet they are often crafted in the shape of trains, beer bottles, and other Louisiana symbols. One pyre is ignited each day until Christmas Eve, when all remaining pyres are set ablaze, followed by a fireworks display.

Though the origins of this tradition remain somewhat unclear, recent explanations suggest it stems from the region’s predominantly French population, honoring Papa Noel, the French Santa Claus believed in various French-speaking countries.

19. Cottage Plantation, St. Francisville

In the southern United States, as in the broader country, the Civil War period ushered in significant transformation. The resultant tensions were profound enough to cause reverberations long after the war concluded. Thus, much of America can be categorized into two distinct eras—pre-war and post-war.

Very few remnants of the pre-war period persist, aside from some war memorials, battlefields, museums, and occasional artifacts. However, at Cottage Plantation in St. Francisville, little seems to have changed. At first glance, it appears to be a typical plantation, yet its remarkable feature is its conservation—now serving as a Bed and Breakfast.

Once the residence of Judge Thomas Butler and reportedly host to Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, who recuperated there following his injury in the Battle of New Orleans, Cottage Plantation still retains its historical integrity—land, structures, furnishings, slave quarters, greenhouses, and even the cemetery.

Guests have the opportunity to stay in his room while exploring a plantation that astonishingly appears to have been frozen in time since the 1800s.

20. Fort Livingston, Grand Isle

A variety of pirate tales are associated with Louisiana’s barrier islands, and Grand Isle is no exception. Once populated by pirate captain Jean Lafitte and his crew, Fort Livingston was constructed in 1834 after the government reclaimed the land from the pirate community.

However, construction on the fort was interrupted by the onset of the Civil War; nonetheless, a substantial portion of the structure had already been built and utilized by Confederate soldiers seeking refuge within its unfinished walls. Following the capture of New Orleans, the soldiers abandoned the fort, which subsequently fell into complete dereliction following a hurricane in 1872.

Even after more than a century has passed, Fort Livingston remains surprisingly intact. Accessible only by boat or kayak, it invites explorers to inspect its remnants and observe the surrounding wildlife.

21. Bayou St. John Confederate Submarine, Baton Rouge

During dredging operations at Bayou St. John in 1878, workers uncovered a peculiar object—a submarine whose history remains ambiguous.

This “apparent” Confederate submarine is believed to have been constructed around 1862. After several years of neglect, it was displayed at the Spanish Fort park museum, where it was mistakenly identified as the Pioneer, another submarine from the Civil War era.

The 20-foot-long vessel is fashioned from riveted iron and features a hand-cranked propeller.

Though the origin and narrative surrounding the submarine remain unclear, it is currently exhibited at the Louisiana State Museum.

22. Rayne Frog Festival, Rayne

Among the many distinctions associated with Louisiana and its towns, Rayne’s title as the “Frog Capital of the World” perhaps stands out the most. One may wonder how many towns can claim such a moniker.

Louisiana was known for its flourishing frog industry since the 1880s, when a Frenchman named Donat Pucheu began trading in frog legs in New Orleans. At the time, Rayne was home to the Louisiana Frog Company Plant, which reportedly exported around 500,000 frogs in 1937, some weighing as much as three pounds.

As the frog industry experienced a significant decline in the 1970s, the residents of Rayne initiated a Frog Festival. Since its inaugural celebration in 1973, the town has continued to host the festival annually in November.

Pageants, lengthy parades, and even live frog-kissing events are some of the highlights of the festival, which culminates in an evening dedicated to savoring frog leg delicacies!

23. Touchstone Wildlife and Art Museum, Haughton

Touchstone Wildlife and Art Museum is a family-owned collection of intriguing artifacts that has captivated visitors since its establishment in 1981.

As a roadside attraction, the museum features over one thousand taxidermied animals and mounted animal pelts presented against painted backdrops that replicate their natural habitats.

Exhibits include zebras, gorillas, tigers, deer, snow leopards, and various fox species.

In addition to taxidermy displays, the museum hosts war memorabilia and a collection of pop-culture memorabilia featuring Star Trek and Bonnie and Clyde.

A section dedicated to American Indian dioramas is currently under construction, but visitors may observe the artists at work as they craft these artifacts.

24. Ignatius J. Reilly Statue, New Orleans

Situated outside the Hyatt Centric in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the statue of Ignatius J. Reilly, who is renowned for his prominent role in John Kennedy Toole’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comic novel, A Confederacy of Dunces.

In this narrative, Reilly traverses the streets of a slightly fictionalized New Orleans in search of employment. The strong connection of both the novel and the author to the city led to the statue’s placement outside the former D.H. Holmes Department Store, where, according to the story, Reilly awaited his mother.

This novel was published posthumously, 11 years after the renowned author took his life, driven by depression and rejection he faced regarding his literary work during his life. A collaboration involving Toole’s mother and fellow author Walker Percy resulted in A Confederacy of Dunces achieving instant acclaim and becoming a cult classic, earning Toole his first and only Pulitzer Prize!

25. Manchac Swamp Bridge, Ponchatoula

Manchac Swamp Bridge, a 22.8-mile-long concrete overpass spanning the Manchac Swamp, is as notable for its structure as it is for the stories that surround the area it traverses.

As the second-largest bridge of its kind globally, the Manchac Swamp Bridge was established in 1975 to facilitate local traffic. This concrete overpass sees a substantial flow of vehicles daily. While many simply cross the swamp, some seek out the area’s legendary tales.

Numerous rumors circulate regarding the Manchac swamps, but two stand out prominently. The first is that of Aunt Julia Brown, a voodoo priestess and purported oracle who predicted the destruction of the town of Laplace, stating she would perish along with it on the day of her burial. Tragically, a hurricane devastated the town on the day of her funeral in 1915.

Reportedly, the original bridge constructed in 1975 collapsed just one year later; however, the current structure appears to have successfully avoided any such curse thus far.

The second tale involves a Rougarou, a mythical Cajun werewolf that roams the swamp, said to pass its curse onto those who meet its gaze. Believers assert that if you encounter this beast or lock eyes with it, you will transform into a werewolf under the next full moon, and the hex will remain unless passed on to another. The simplest way to break the curse is to remain silent about the encounter for 101 days!

Regardless of the veracity of these narratives, the green-eyed, predatory alligators gliding through the swamps are indeed real.

26. House of Broel, New Orleans

Louisiana, particularly New Orleans, exhibits an unparalleled aptitude for embracing the bizarre, and few places in the world can replicate the eccentricities that characterize this city. Doubtful? Consider the unique interplay between weddings, dollhouses, and canned frog legs.

Managed by acclaimed fashion designer Bonnie Broel, the House of Broel is a Victorian mansion located on St. Charles Avenue that reflects the artist’s passion for weddings, dollhouses, and her father’s contribution to the Louisiana frog industry.

Claimed to be the most extensive collection of miniature exhibitions by a single individual, the “Dollhouse Museum,” situated on the mansion’s second floor, is part of Broel’s personal collection.

With over 60 distinct pieces, the collection is remarkable for its intricate attention to detail and historical accuracy.

The same floor also showcases Broel’s collection of memorabilia related to Louisiana’s frog trade, artfully featuring various frog-themed items that echo her father’s legacy in the industry.