6 Most Eccentric Towns in Louisiana

From eerie plantations with a troubled past to stories of Bigfoot wandering through forested areas and occasionally to where people can see them, Louisiana has its fair share of eccentricities. Sometimes it's not any particular sight or sound, but the real, unmistakable feeling that something is strange in the environment. Keep in mind that chasing these oddities involves discovering several hidden gems that dot the state, some of which are incredibly evocative. So, which crazy spots should you immediately check out? Starting with Zwolle, discover these six eccentric towns in Louisiana.

Zwolle

In 2000, a 74-year-old man claimed to have seen a 6-foot-tall, charcoal-black creature, covered in hair, on the edge of the woods near Highway 120. Apparently, Bigfoot loves Zwolle and the surrounding area and has been making sporadic appearances for a while. For example, in 2014, Zwolley residents reportedly heard long, moaning wails from forested areas outside of town. Chances are, you don't want to meet Bigfoot, although you may want to attend the annual Toledo Bend Bigfoot Symposium to hear the latest science about the mysterious creature. If that's the case, there's still the North Toledo Bend State Park, a fantastic getaway for nature lovers with lots of birds to listen to and watch, the Toledo Bend Reservoir, and the Courtside Cafe, whose stuffed burgers are sacrilegiously delicious.

Abita Springs

Many people picture museums as housing only artifacts, such as ox plows and other knick-knacks, that portray day-to-day life in the 1800s. However, there's a museum in Abita Springs that thinks such standard exhibits do not pass the eccentricity test. Welcome to Abita Mystery House, whose unusual collections include mini-towns, a trailer that was "hit" by a flying saucer, and a half-dog, half-alligator. An on-site gift shop brims with the jewelry and wares of local artists. Pass by Abita Springs Park, especially if you want to experience a bit of nature and enjoy probably an hour of cycling or jogging. There's the Abita River, if you want to hear the sound of running water, and Abita Springs Trailhead Museum, a wacky space that also serves cold and fresh beer from the tap.

Mamou

Next time you want to enjoy Mardi Gras, consider checking out the Mamou event, as you may start looking at New Orleans differently. Fred’s Lounge, where the traditional courir's revival took place in the 1950s, is touted as the home of “the real Cajun Mardi Gras.” You will have the time of your life here, especially during the celebrations, although it opens every Saturday and delivers beyond any first-timer's wildest expectations. If such eccentricities are not your cup of tea, check out the swampy elegance of Chicot State Park, which is about 20 minutes from town, or the shimmering beauty of Miller’s Lake, a fantastic place to reel in a yummy catch. If you enjoy visiting small-town coffee shops, The Mou Latte boasts a 5-star rating on Google Reviews, which speaks volumes about its craft.

New Iberia

With plantations like Shadows-on-the-Teche, which carries echoes of America’s South in its rawest form, a deeply interwoven cultural heritage from Native American to Cajun to African American, and a local storytelling tradition that includes well-known page-turners like James Lee Burke’s The New Iberia Blues, New Iberia is not your normal place. If you are perceptive, you can feel the strangeness to your fingertips. One of its most unconventional accomplishments was serving as the state capital for a day. You can argue that it was perfectly normal, especially considering the circumstances, but it still remains an incredibly unusual feat. The National Paddle Trail has over 100 miles to explore, while a paved boardwalk offers soothing views of the surrounding scenery. Alternatively, you can drift into bliss at the nearby Rip Van Winkle Gardens, or just duck inside Books Along the Teche, where tomes on regional lore pole high on every shelf.

Transylvania

Bran Castle, one of Romania’s top tourist attractions, resembles the one described in Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula (1897). The novel was reportedly inspired by the story of Vlad III Dracula, a 15th-century Romanian ruler notorious for impaling his enemies. Plot Twist? The name of his birthplace in Central Romania is Transylvania. This could partly be the reason the American namesake has a quirky side to it. For example, a water tower in the community features a painting of a large black bat as a tongue-in-cheek ode to Dracula. The Transylvania Mounds, just a hair out of town, are a unique piece of history to explore. Transylvania once had up to 12 mounds; however, only about half of them are visible now. There's the Little RV Park at Transylvania, a quiet place to spend the night, and the nearby Poverty Point Reservoir State Park, a true hidden gem on a shimmering beauty with a relaxing atmosphere.

St. Francisville

Saint Francisville and the surrounding area preserve approximately 150 buildings constructed by wealthy cotton farmers. The most eccentric part is that many of these splendid mansions, most of which predate the Civil War, are home to shadowy weirdos with a penchant for staging extraordinary performances. The Myrtles, an old plantation repurposed into a hotel, is associated with the story of a slave-girl who poisoned her master's children. Today, people claim the spirit of poisoned children is brooding in the property, and that they play around and hang on the chandeliers. Also, it is a bit curious that a 30-foot-tall statue of a Confederate soldier has been in front of the West Feliciana Parish Courthouse since 1909. Take time to visit the exquisite Rosedown Plantation, where original furnishings are a close facsimile of what is perceived to be historically accurate. If you want to feel history, not just read about events in the misty past, the Audubon State Historic Site should be on your itinerary.

So, whether you want to dance to Cajun music in Mamou and experience a version of Mardi Gras where masked riders roam the countryside asking for contributions for a communal gumbo, or explore Laplace, a laid-back spot reportedly cursed by a witch, Louisiana serves a yummy offering of oddities. You will discover stories that send a chill down your spine, as well as other sights that are eccentric in a more tolerable way.