Entry No. 19 — the New Orleans file — filed under: oddities

The Bywater Museum of Unnatural History

A tiny, one-of-a-kind cabinet-of-curiosities museum (it kept its old Bywater name after relocating to Mandeville Street in the Marigny) packed with taxidermy, psychedelic dioramas, Victorian curios, mummifications and creepy dolls. Among the odder pieces are a miniature carousel horse and a gumball machine filled with wedding-cake figurines, leaning more whimsical than macabre. It is essentially a personal collection turned public, which is why it keeps idiosyncratic hours.

The move: Catch the short Sunday-afternoon open window (or book an appointment) and spend an hour pointing out the strangest object to each other room by room.

📍 Before you go Very limited hours, typically a short Sunday-afternoon window or by appointment; confirm via their site or Instagram before going.

• 📍 Marigny
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 921 Mandeville St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Hours: Added 2026-06-22 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-22