Louisiana: Home of the well-known Mardi Gras, Ellen DeGeneres, and probably the best Creole food in the United States. So what exactly is there to do in Louisiana? Keep scrolling to find some unique travel destinations in the boot shaped state.
The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, Louisiana
Ever seen a ghost? The Myrtles Plantation has some dark history and a spooky background that may scare you just to read about it!
When David Bradford was finished building the estate in 1796, it soon became a true plantation, slaves included. A slave in particular, Chloe, is the tragic reason for the reported ghost sightings. According to the story, Chloe had mistakenly given Bradford’s grandchildren Oleander leaves, thinking she would cure them of their illness. Quite the opposite happened, and the children along with the mother died from the poisonous leaves. Chloe was then hanged and tossed in the Mississippi river.
As people moved in and out of the estate, some of the owners’ children died from different kinds of common diseases. This place became so infamous that the curse became more and more real. In the 1800s, a man was murdered on the steps of the house.
Today the plantation is open as a bed and breakfast and guests claim to see ghosts regularly. They say the ghosts seem to be kind and nonthreatening, and some say they see the figure of Chloe. Visit their website for more info and to plan your visit!
The Abita Mystery House – Abita Springs, Louisiana
If you’re planning a trip to Louisiana, chances are you’ll be going to New Orleans. Just outside of New Orleans, though, is a unique museum with possibly the most eclectic collection of items you may ever see in your lifetime.
The Abita Mystery House, or the UCM Museum, (Unusual Collections and Mini-town) was put together by a Louisiana painter, John Preble. Feeling inspired by the Tinkertown Museum in New Mexico, he decided to start saving any kind of random items he found. This folk art environment museum has over 1,000 items, including strange collections, souvenirs and according to the website, just plain junk. This may be why the entry fee stays so low…
Save up your pocket change and pay $3 for that ridiculously cheap entry fee and who knows what you may find at the Abita Mystery House.
Nicolas Cage’s Pyramid Tomb – New Orleans, Louisiana
Some of the best internet memes are of Nicolas Cage and his desire to steal the Declaration of Independence, so we shouldn’t expect anything less than his extravagant purchase of a pyramid shaped tomb for when he dies.
The nine foot tall pyramid stands in the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, along with other above ground graves. Though Cage has chosen to stay silent over his purchase, fans obviously theorize over his reasoning. Some say it’s a tribute to his “National Treasures” movies, while others say it’s a clue to his connections to the Illuminati group.
The pyramid has clearly made its way into pop culture, though several locals were upset about his ability to gain a spot in the already crowded cemetery. If you want to visit, you’ll need a tour guide, unless you’re visiting a family member. For more information regarding St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 – one of New Orleans’ most popular tourist destinations – visit the official website here.
The Singing Oak – New Orleans, Louisiana
Happily getting off the topic of death, ghosts, and cemeteries, the Singing Oak in New Orleans often gets overlooked by tourists because most think it’s a simple tree. What they don’t know, is that it offers symphonic melodies and tunes made by wind chimes while also giving one a break from the heat during the brutal summer.
Hung up by local artist Jim Hart, the chimes are painted black in order to blend in with the shadows the tree naturally offers. All chimes are tuned in pentatonic scale, all ranging in different sizes. While visiting, you can expect to hear soothing and peaceful melodies that may make you relax more than what you thought a tree ever could.
The Singing Oak can be found in New Orleans City Park.
