Locals Love This Quirky Town in Louisiana—and It’s Still Underrated

Abita Springs is a quirky town in Louisiana with the biggest personality. Yet, it’s still not on many people’s radars when visiting New Orleans. Well, let’s be for real, it’s hard to compete with the energetic vibe of the Big Easy. Luckily, Abita Springs doesn’t mind sitting in a category of its own: it’s got a little bit of quirkiness, a little bit of culture, and a whole lot of small-town charm and character that keep locals and visitors (in the know) coming back for more. Road trippers stop in to check out the Abita Mystery House, a museum full of oddities, but we’ve got more reasons for you to visit this unusual town in Louisiana.  

Where Is Abita Springs and Why Is It So Unique

Sitting just north of New Orleans, Abita Springs is just an easy 50-minute drive. That said, you’ll need to cross the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway bridge, which seems like it stretches forever, and it does, because it’s the longest bridge in the United States. But once you cross the lake, you’ll find that you’ve landed on the quirkier side of the bayou. 

By now, you’ve probably heard the saying, “There must be something in the water,” right? Well, this is not proven by any scientific studies, but I think former health resort towns like Abita Springs (known for their healing waters) have some of the coolest and most colorful personalities around. Artists, spiritualists, and people with creative energy usually find their way to these destinations. Naturally, the different shades of character will carve and define the identity of the folks in the community, and that’s exactly what you’ll find in one of the best small towns in Louisiana.     

The Quirky Attractions That Define This Town

No trip to Abita Springs is complete without browsing through the oddities at Abita Mystery House, so make it one of the first places that you visit. You’ll enter through an old gas station and walk into a mix of indoor/outdoor spaces filled with over 50,000 bizarre, funky, weird, and unusual things, many of which you have never seen in your life. We’re talking, Buford the Bassigator, the cryptid with the head of a gator and the body of a bass, to Darrell the "Dogigator (no explanation needed), to interactive miniature displays, to what seems like thousands of bottle caps, and a UFO? 

There is so much more, and you could easily spend hours here looking at all the stuff. For $5, I’d say it’s worth it to see all the oddball folk art at this Louisiana roadside attraction that owner John Preble collected since the late 1990s.   

Aside from the museums, Abita Springs is the place to find funky small-town festivals. The Abita Springs Busker Festival, held in April, is where musicians, magicians, folk artists, and street performers (buskers) come together to celebrate local culture. Aside from live performances, you can eat, purchase local artwork, and dance the day away. 

Artsy bike enthusiasts shine at the Louisiana Bicycle Festival held along the famous Tammany Trace in Abita Springs. With zydeco music playing in the background, you’ll see everything from people in costumes to handmade two-wheeled contraptions to unicycles to vintage bikes, and more. The wheeled/biked themed festival is a celebration of bikes, food, nature, and just good old Louisiana culture. 

Other festivals include the Moonshadow, a “3-day, 2-night celebration of music, healing, and art,” and the Whole Town Garage Sale, where artists, treasure hunters, collectors, and more come together for one big shopping extravaganza. This small town in Louisiana is one of the best places to celebrate spring. 

Why It’s Still Flying Under the Radar

When you have a famous neighbor known worldwide that attracts almost 20 million people every year, it’s hard to compete with that. I like that Abita Springs doesn’t try to keep up with NOLA; it’s got its own Louisiana flair going on. Abita Springs has about 2,800 residents, but its quirky personality outshines its size. It’s the kind of place that after you visit, you’ll leave with something to talk about. Sure, the town is still underrated, but for those who know how wonderfully special it is, they keep returning to experience more.     

Visit the Town of Abita Springs website to discover other places to add to your list. And be sure to check out the local restaurants, boutiques, and galleries here too, and stop by Abita Brew Pub for locally made beer and eats, and then burn those calories on the Tammany Trace, a 30-mile-long rail trail that crosses several towns.