Things to Do in Hammond
Recommended Things to Do by Groupon Customers
Spanish moss drops from the branches of Afton Villa Gardens’s 250 live oaks, brushing the shoulders of Apollo, Diana, and other faded statues of Greek gods. The vitality of the greenery stands in stark contrast to the remnants of past grandeur dotting the landscape. A Gothic Revival mansion stood in the center of Afton Villa Gardens 130 years ago, but crumbled in a 1963 fire. But signs of the estate remain: classical statues carved from Italian stone dot the 250 acres of fertile land, and the mansion’s brick foundation now supports English wallflowers, wild ferns, and exotic Post-it notes.
As the newest residents and caretakers, the Trimble family pays homage to the past not only by preserving the ruins, but by nurturing plants typical to 19th-century southern gardens and West Feliciana parish. Camellias and sweet olive border a formal boxwood parterre, and honeysuckle and silverbell compete for the affections of bumblebees beneath cherry trees. Visitors are welcome to tote along food and beverages to savor a picnic lunch on the idyllic grounds.
Within the springy confines of Space Walk’s Vertical Rush, tykes ricochet like excited electrons across tunnels, slides, and climbing walls. The springy obstacle course is one of hundreds housed inside Space Walk of Greater New Orleans’ 43,000-square-foot facility. Though those bounce houses typically measure 15’x15’, the facility can supply revelers with inflatables that measure up to 23-feet tall.
To ensure safe gravity defiance, trained bounce experts help parents hone in on an inflatables that suits tykes’ ages, interests and varying Buzz Aldrin impersonations. Additionally, the staff not only delivers and sets up houses, but happily trains party throwers in proper bounce-house technique, along with scrubbing down the houses before and after use.
New Orleans Harley-Davidson outfits first-time and seasoned riders with the hardware, services, and skills to dominate the road. Bikers can scour a chromed-out collection of new and used bikes, including Sportsters, Dynas, and Touring Harley-Davidsons, as well as trike bikes, Yamahas, and Suzuki cycles. Factory-trained and certified technicians tackle standard services and upkeep, or soup up bikes with performance modifications and accessories such as leather training wheels. New Orleans Harley-Davidson also equips part-time riders with rentals and hosts educational boot camps that impart riding skills.
As dusk descends on an isolated bayou, a horde of zombies emerges from fetid swamp waters—their low moans drifting through the humid night air. They smell flesh. Five hopelessly lost travelers have wandered off-road into their domain, and now they must scramble to escape the approaching onslaught.
This spine-tingling scene hails from one of three harrowing vignettes set against the backdrop of Louisiana’s shadowy swamplands and fog-laced backwoods that make up the titular The Dark Tales of El Diablo—the half-eaten brainchild of independent filmmaker Spencer Lee. Throughout the film, failed horror writer Charlie—played by Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman alum Chad Allen—turns to an unholy muse to revive his middling career, summoning the demon Diablo and forcing him to share the three demented fables. But as Charlie listens to the tales intertwine, he soon discovers Diablo's true intention—to escape into the outside world.
At Baker Range, Inc. cups of freshly brewed coffee accompany rented firearms and shooting lessons. Former Airborne Infantry Lieutenant of the 82nd Airborne Division and longtime lawman Gordon Hutchinson leads private lessons, where he dispenses tips on technique and safety. Instructor Shael Stringer heads up the range's security-training department. Required by the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners, his training classes have steadied the hands or prehensile feet of thousands of security guards.
The instructors at Creations Bayou, formerly known as Sadie’s Closet, encourage students to let their artistic instincts run wild during painting classes, sewing classes, and children's summer camps. In a flurry of brushstrokes, aspiring Claude Monets create their own interpretations of reference pieces, painting wall-worthy pictures depicting lovebirds on a tree branch, multicolored sunsets, and blossoming foliage. During camp sessions, youngsters take on a different artistic endeavor each day, tie-dyeing pillowcases, constructing picture frames, or spelling out their favorite Supreme Court Justice’s name in glitter. Creations Bayou also regularly hosts art-themed parties for both kids and adults.
