3 minute read
Easy to Discover: Covington
ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, the quaint and welcoming Division of St. John in Covington is thoughtfully laid out in a grid pattern, with free parking areas called Ox Lots centrally located throughout the town. This harkens back to days when schooners came down the Bogue Falaya River to trade goods from Covington and surrounding Northshore areas with New Orleans. Traders brought their wares and parked their oxen in the squares.
Modern-day, downtown Covington is booming with shops, art galleries, museums, live entertainment, festivals, a bountiful farmers market and more than 25 restaurants in this walkable district, many of which are in historic cottages. The town is nestled at the convergence of three scenic rivers, the Bogue Falaya, the Abita and the Tchefuncte. The elegantly restored boutique Southern Hotel has been welcoming guests since 1907, and the Blue Willow B&B and Camellia House B&B offer visitors comfortable accommodations in the walking district.
Take advantage of the walkability of Covington and shop at the boutiques, antiques and art galleries along Lee Lane, E. Rutland, N. New Hampshire Street and Columbia Street. This little stretch is home to a variety of shops in cute-as-can-be cottages and offering all kinds of shopping temptations. There’s custom jewelry, boutique clothing and vintage finds. And don’t miss H.J. Smith & Sons General Store and Museum, family owned and operated since 1876. Covington’s art community is robust at galleries around downtown, including Marianne Angeli Rodriguez, SALADINO, Rutland Street Gallery and Armbruster Artworks. Explore your own creative side and inquire in advance about making your own masterpiece at Hammer & Stain.
If staying outdoors is the goal, you can rent bikes, paddleboards or kayaks at Brooks’ Bike Shop and pedal around downtown or launch from the paddler’s launch at Bogue Falaya Park. Canoe and Trail Adventures offers canoe and kayak rentals from The Chimes. The Bogue Falaya’s scenic waterway offers many sandy banks to pull up and splash around on, and clear water to spot schooling fish.
Culinary Hotspots
ABITA ROASTING CO. - 1011 Village Walk, (985) 246-3345
BOULEVARD AMERICAN BISTRO - 70340 LA-21 ,(985) 326-2121
CURED. ON COLUMBIA - 415 N. Columbia St., (985) 893-0355
DEL PORTO RISTORANTE - 501 E. Boston St., (985) 875-1006
ENGLISH TEA ROOM - 734 E. Rutland St., (985) 898-3988
GALLAGHER’S GRILL - 509 S. Tyler St., (985) 892-9992
LOLA - 517 N. New Hampshire St., (985) 892-4992
MATTINA BELLA - 421 E. Gibson St., (985) 892-0708
MERIBO - 326 Lee Lane, (985) 302-5533
NEW ORLEANS FOOD AND SPIRITS - 208 Lee Lane, (985) 875-0432
TAVI - 330 N. New Hampshire St., (985) 200-2045
THE CHIMES COVINGTON - 19130 W. Front St., (985) 892-5396
THE GLORIETTE - 428 E. Boston St., (985) 202-8090
THE GREYHOUND - 701 E. Boston St., (985) 400-5828
VALENCIA - 315 N. Vermont St., (985) 900-2151
