Abita Springs, Louisiana: Abita Mystery House

This is a wonderful museum created by John Preble, an artist. It is in a small town North of New Orleans. It is a fairly new attraction. It features an ancient gas station that has been converted into a gift shop with exhibits out back. He has made the Bassigator (Louisiana's version of the Jackalope), a common sight in rural Louisiana, a UFO crashed into a trailer home, and several scenes of life in Louisiana, complete with buttons to allow movement. My favorite was a twister tearing up a trailer park! There are weird objects he has collected throughout the years. The museum is growing and has everything from La's only old bike display, to a large collection of paint-by-the-number art, and even very old arcade machines (fully playable).

The UCM Museum is billed as Louisiana's Most Eccentric Museum. It is the home of the world's largest and onlyest 24 foot Bassigator -- Buford is his name. They also display a UFO crash site -- the flying saucer is still embedded in the mobile home wall. This is a family museum with dioramas that have a lot of buttons kids can push to make things move. Also have bottles planted in the garden and around fish ponds. Very funny things here.