There are plenty of strange things throughout the state of Louisiana, but here are nine of the strangest. From natural wonders to unique museums to haunted places, there’s something for everyone! Check out some of these strange hidden attractions in Louisiana – if you dare.

1) Touchstone Wildlife & Art Museum, Haughton
Touchstone Wildlife & Art Museum/Facebook
Known in the greater Shreveport area as a hidden gem, this museum offers over 1,000 mounts of large and small animals from around the world. Each one is neatly displayed behind a glass enclosure, and the whole museum takes hours to completely tour it. For the most up to date hours and information, visit the official website.

Address: 3386 Highway 80, Haughton, Louisiana, 71037
2) Chauvin Sculpture Garden, Chauvin
Paulette Hurdlik/Facebook
100 concrete sculptures populate this narrow property in Chauvin. Kenny Hill began creating the sculptures by hand in 1990, portraying himself in many biblically-referenced scenes. The garden has now been preserved for public visitations. Read more about the garden here.

Address: 5337 Bayouside Drive, Chauvin, Louisiana, 70344
3) Large Rocking Chair, Ruston
facebook.com/FirstStreetAntiques
This mysterious, 12-foot tall rocking chair sat as a roadside attraction in a private yard before being purchased by local antiques store Junktiques. Great photo op! If anyone knows the origins of this chair, we’d love to hear from them. Check out the Roadside America page for more photos and information! Find it on Highway 167, in Ruston.
4) Marie Laveau’s Tomb
superselected.com
Recently restored, this tomb is a favorite haunt for visitors and locals alike, as residents love to ask for favors or for the blessings of Marie Laveau when visiting her tomb. Unfortunately, due to repeated episodes of vandalism, the tomb is only open to folks who have family buried in the same cemetery, or to visitors with tour guides.

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5) Abandoned Six Flags Amusement Park, New Orleans
Frank Ayami Photography/Facebook
After Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on this already-faltering park, Six Flags abandoned the former Jazzland site and it has been standing in disrepair ever since. Talk about an eerie amusement park look! But the pictures that come out of there are simply amazing.
6) The Singing Oak, New Orleans
The Singing Oak/Facebook
Nestled in City Park of New Orleans, carefully-placed windchimes inside of this old oak tree create a unique listening experience for visitors. The largest wind chime sculpture in America, it was designed by Jim Hart to offer a pentatonic scale, the same scale used in west African music, early gospel, and jazz as an homage to the influences of this musical lineage on New Orleans. Read more about the Singing Oak here.
7) National Hansen’s Disease Museum, Carville
roadtrippers.com
This museum was created to collect and preserve the medical and cultural artifacts of the Carville Historic District. The museum offers exhibits and information about Hansen's Disease - also known as leprosy - and the former leper colony in this area. Make sure to check the website for visiting hours, tours, and more.

Address: 5445 Point Clair Road, Carville, Louisiana, 70721
8) Manchac Swamp
Paranormal Investigation Teams/Facebook
Also known as the haunted swamps, Manchac Swamp is said to have been cursed by a voodoo priestess in the early 20th century. Many other stories haunt this area, which also happens to be one of the densest swamps in Louisiana. Make sure to read about the spooky history of the area before you visit!
9) Lake Peigneur, near New Iberia
Save Our Lake/Facebook
Now a peaceful lake, this site was the spot where an epic natural disaster took place in 1980. A drilling accident hit the Diamond Crystal salt mine, turning the shallow lake brackish and engulfing 65 acres of surrounding lands (and all the property on those lands). For more information on just what happened that crazy day, check out this previous article about the lake.

Have you ever been to any of these places? What are your favorite hidden attractions in Louisiana? Let us know in the comments. Need more inspiration? Take a look at this list of some really weird things you can find only in this state.

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More to Explore

Hidden Attractions in Louisiana

Tori Jane | August 04, 2021

What are some interesting hidden gems in Louisiana?  

Louisiana is a destination known for its embracing of the strange and unusual. There are many places that everyone thinks of as soon as they think “Louisiana” - the world-famous French Quarter of New Orleans comes to mind. However, if you’re going to go to New Orleans, check out the bizarre abandoned amusement park, Jazzland. It’s closed to the public, but it can be admired from afar. Also in New Orleans is “the singing oak”, a stunning old oak tree fitted with numerous windchimes – one of which is an impressive 14 feet long. And, if you’re ever in Saint Bernard Parish, take a gander at the abandoned Fort Proctor.  

What are the most unique attractions in Louisiana?  

Louisiana is a state filled to the max with history. Everyone needs to visit the Old State Capitol at least once, and you won’t find anything like Lousiana’s swap tours anywhere else! There’s a certain magic about this state that’s hard to express. The Mardis Gras is most certainly unique, as there’s no other celebration in the world like it (or as well-known as it is). The state is also home to the National World War II Museum, which will give you a detailed, in-depth look at the events of WWII. The Melrose Plantation is worth a visit, too, as it was once a plantation belonging to freed slaves in Natchitoches. Interested in some beautiful places that are just so uniquely Louisiana? Take a look at this article!  

Where can I find hidden gem museums in Louisiana? 

There are plenty of museums all over the state of Louisiana, but some of them definitely get more love than others. Here’s to the ones one could consider “hidden” gems! See art in action at Blaine Kern’s Mardis Gras World, where you’ll see world-famous floats from Mardis Gras past and learn all about how they’re created from start to finish. The old New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is also a gem that doesn’t get the love it deserves, and the Backstreet Cultural Museum is a must-see.  

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Featured Addresses
3386 US-80, Haughton, LA 71037, USA
5337 Bayouside Dr, Chauvin, LA 70344, USA
U.S. 167, US-167, Ruston, LA, USA
Jazzland, New Orleans, LA 70129, USA
The Singing Oak, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA
5445 Point Clair Rd, Carville, LA 70721, USA
The Manchac Swamp Bridge, Ponchatoula, LA, USA
Lake Peigneur, Louisiana, USA