The UCM Museum

Description:

• Now you know we don't tell you to leave town lightly. There's so much to see in New Orleans, and you probably have too short a time (any period other than "endless years" is too short). But still, consider making the 45-minute drive across the Causeway to Abita Springs, to this classic folk-art roadside attraction. It's pronounced "You-see-em" by the way, and there's probably nothing here you can trust with your own eyes. For starters, it only looks like it's been around forever. In reality, that's part of the master plan by Louisiana artist/inventor John Preble, who started this project up about 5 years ago. You'll be smitten with the mini-dioramas that come to life in unexpected ways, illustrating local scenes such as a jazz funeral, a Mardi Gras parade, a haunted Southern plantation, and more. How about the preserved (and cheerfully fake) freaks such as Darrel the Dogigator (half dog, half alligator), Bufford the Bassigator (half fish, half gator), and the Quackigator (you get the idea)? Or the 1950s Airstream trailer that was struck by a UFO? Is this place the best roadside attraction ever or one heck of a piece of conceptual art? No matter. It's all great fun, and at such an affordable price, you can breeze through it or spend hours marveling at the sort of minds that can create such a place, not to mention continuing to add more stuff all the time. Only in New Orleans, we would say, except it's not. But that shouldn't stop you from buying all your NOLA souvenirs at the excellent gift shop.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010