This Is Louisiana's Quirkiest Little Town
What started as a renowned health resort, famous for its curative springs, has developed into one of the most quirky and artistically rich towns in Louisiana: Abita Springs. While the offbeat Abita Mystery House may be its most recognizable attraction, the town’s creative spirit runs much deeper. Busker festivals, open-air landscape painting exhibitions, and energetic Cajun dance troupes all contribute to its unmistakable Louisiana flair. If you are looking to experience some of the state’s most eccentric traditions, Abita Springs should be on your itinerary this summer.
A Brief History
Initially settled by the Choctaws for its high-quality natural springs, Abita Springs has been attracting visitors for centuries. In the 1820s, a wave of European immigrants arrived in the area. Shortly after, a physician tested the water, finding it to have high degrees of minerals and medicinal qualities. This water, combined with the area’s excellent air quality and climate, became a hot spot for health resorts. The first major hotel in town was built in 1880, with many more hotels and boarding houses to follow. Many families came from New Orleans, attempting to escape the heat and the Yellow Fever outbreak.
However, as automobiles became popular and the disease epidemic was controlled, many of the health-related hotels and resorts later emptied. Although Abita Springs has largely shifted away from its original reputation as a health resort town, it continues to attract residents and visitors who appreciate a laid-back lifestyle. It also attracts a prominent community of artists, jewelers, writers, poets, and philosophers who found inspiration in the town’s historic homes.
Abita Mystery House
The Abita Mystery House is the perfect example of the quirky spirit that the artist community has brought to town. Formerly known as the UCM Museum (a play on words that sounds like 'You See 'Em”), this odd roadside attraction has been part of Abita Springs since 1993. As they walk through the property, visitors will find a hodgepodge of odd collections, humor, and art. Over 50,000 objects are strewn throughout the Mystery House, ranging from old phones and arcade games to bottle caps and transistor boards. The artist behind the chaos, John Preble, has aimed to create an altered-state style universe where you never know what you will find around the corner!
Annual Community Festivals
Whether it be a town-wide garage sale or a busker festival, Abita Springs has a unique event for every type of traveler. Each March, since 1994, hundreds of vendors from across town have gathered for the annual Whole Town Garage Sale. In addition to flea markets and food vendors, private residents also join in on the fun, setting up their own vendor stands. Thousands of buyers come in from around the region to see what is for sale! Also in March, Abita Springs hosts the annual Busker Fest, a celebration of street performers who entertain for tips. The festival features some of the best talent from the greater New Orleans area, with a focus on preserving Louisiana roots music. The event is free to attend. Visitors just need sunscreen, lawn chairs, and dancing shoes to enjoy the show.
If you love landscape paintings, make sure to stick around for the En Plein Air exhibition in April. This event showcases some of the best landscape paintings by local artists, with an open-air exhibit featuring around 75 Louisiana scenes. Attendees interested in purchasing a piece will be glad to know that 30% of the proceeds support programs at the Trailhead Museum! All of the exhibitions are free to attend.
Live Music and Dance
Abita Springs’ music scene extends beyond its festivals. The Abita Springs Opry is just one of the examples. This non-profit organization, dedicated to sharing and preserving traditional Louisiana roots music, hosts six shows throughout the year. Each performance takes place in the Abita Springs Town Hall, a historic building over a century old, with pecky cypress walls and wooden floors, creating the perfect setting for the region’s old-style tunes. Visitors can expect to hear genres such as bluegrass, country, and traditional southern gospel music.
Cajun music is another important part of the arts and cultural scene in Abita Springs. Whether you want to learn how to dance or just want to enjoy a show, you are in for a treat! Once a month, the Northshore Cajun Dancers offer live performances in the town hall. The dance company kicks off the evening with cajun dance lessons at 7 pm, followed by a band performance at 7:30 pm. In addition to the dancing, there are various food options, along with Abita beer, wine, soda, and popcorn for purchase. Like the En Plein Air exhibition, proceeds go towards the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum.
Final Thoughts
With its French, Creole, Cajun, and Spanish influences, Louisiana is already arguably one of the most culturally unique states in the country. As a result, it is difficult to pick just one town as the quirkiest! However, Abita Springs, with its many musical traditions, art events, and, of course, the Abita Mystery House, takes the crown for the most memorable traditions. So why not take a trip and find out what makes this town stand out?
