Covington

JUST AS THE NAMES ABITA, TCHEFUNCTE AND BOGUE FALAYA, said together, have a rhythmic beat, so too does the vibrant city where these rivers converge. Covington, over 200 years old, is a place where the past and present hold hands, and nature and art of every kind are best friends.

Hear the local beat at downtown clubs, like the Columbia Street Tap Room and Encore Bar & Grill. Enjoy free Rockin’ the Rails concerts weekly in April and October at the Covington Trailhead, or music once a month, March to October, at the Columbia Street Landing and Saturday mornings at the bustling Farmers Market.

Catch the art beat in the city’s many galleries, including Armbruster Artworks, SALADINO, Rutland Street Gallery and Dead Tree Gallery. Visit St. Tammany Art Association’s exhibitions of established and emerging artists’ work and find great buys at the seasonal Art Markets Visit Southern Hotel, a work of art itself, which displays seasonal art installations. Also see how easily the past joins the conversation as you visit H.J. Smith & Sons General Store and Museum—there since 1876— now right in the middle of happening boutiques, restaurants and cafes.

Go half a mile north on 21st Avenue and look carefully to spot the enchanting “twig house,” a unique hundred-year-old sanctuary structure, artfully and obviously lovingly made from intertwined heart pine knots. The fairy-type house with a dirt floor and see-through walls has prompted many legends. See it and you may be tempted, like others, to invent your own story about its mysterious purpose.

But there’s no mystery about why a magnificent live oak stands in the middle of Boston Street, the town’s main thoroughfare. When the street was constructed, the oak was in the way, so the builders just built the road respectfully in a semi-circle around the treasured tree.

Culinary Hot Spots

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 DAKOTA - 310 E. Boston St. (985) 892-3712

THE GLORIETTE - 428 E. Boston St. (985) 202-8090

THE GREYHOUND - 705 E. Boston St. (985) 400-5828

VALENCIA - 315 N. Vermont St. (985) 900-2151