Louisiana travelers who enjoy folk art and roadside attractions should visit the Abita Mystery House in Abita Springs - across Lake Ponchartrain from New Orleans. The main attractions at the museum are the incredible hand made animated scenes of Southern life by Louisiana artist John Preble. With the help of over 50,000 found and recycled objects, Preble creates his own fantastic worlds: there's a Mardi Gras parade, a New Orleans jazz funeral, a Cajun dance hall, a haunted Southern Plantation, Alligator farm, mini golf, mobile home park, fireworks stand, and BBQ shack.

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Abita Mystery House, 22275 HWY 36, Abita Springs, LA 70420

The Abita Mystery House (also known as the UCM Museum) is Louisiana’s most eccentric museum. This enjoyable “roadside attraction” is housed in an assemblage of buildings including a vintage service station, a 90yr old Creole cottage, an exhibition hall, and the much photographed “House of Shards.”

Other Abita Springs attractions include a free tourist park with tall pines, a huge 120 year old pavilion and picnic grounds on the Abita River, B&Bs, the Abita Brewery, bike rentals, historic district, restaurants, art galleries, folk art exhibitions, and shops. Bicyclists, roller-bladers, hikers, joggers, and horseback riders can enjoy the Tammany Trace, a former railroad line 31 miles long.

The St. Tammany Tourist Commission Tourist Information Center is located at the intersection of Louisiana Hwy. 59 and Interstate 12. Travelers can stop here to get local maps and information of other local attractions and tours.

Louisiana Hwy. 59 is the highway to drive to get to Abita Springs.

The Abita Mystery House is on Hwy. 36, one block East of historic Abita Springs only traffic roundabout.

Everyone is welcome, even your family.

Open 10am - 5pm everyday but major holidays.

$3 admission, children 3 and under, free

How many miles away are you?
Mobile, AL  129
Pensacola, FL  187
Houston, TX  334
Memphis, TN  380
Atlanta, GA  454

honey island swamp monster

    We're an hour's drive from the New Orleans French Quarter.

    Lodging within 10 minutes of the UCM:

    Best Western - 504-892-2681
    Super 8 - 504-892-4470

    Courtyard by Marriott - 504-871-0244

    Holiday Inn - 504-893-3580
    Green Springs - 504-892-4686  (An original Roadside style motel.)
    Mar Villa Guest House - (985) 626-5975 NICE PLACE