New Orleans is famous for a lot of things. Its hauntingly beautiful cemeteries are one of them. But the Big Easy isn’t the only place to visit if you’re a Tombstone Tourist. You can find these stunning—if not somewhat dilapidated—sites across Louisiana, and the Northshore has a few worthy of note. Many people wonder why…
Author: hc
Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
Who doesn’t love a festival centered around food? In the Spring, you can attend a three-day celebration of all things strawberry. The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival has crates upon crates of the sweet, yet tart, bright red fruit. You’ll find strawberry shortcake, chocolate-covered strawberries, deep-fried strawberries, strawberry daquiris, strawberry lemonade, strawberry beignets, and fancy-enough-all-on-their-own fresh-picked strawberries….
Maritime Museum Louisiana
Louisiana’s waterways played an extensive part in the state’s development, and they still do today. Nestled against the Tchefuncte River in Madisonville, the Maritime Museum Louisiana (formerly known as the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum) does an excellent job of telling the history of the area’s waterways in a fun, educational experience. The museum has…
Abita Mystery House UCM Museum
I’m confident in saying that this is by far the most interesting and unique museum I’ve ever been to. Near the center of Abita Springs off Hwy 36, the Abita Mystery House holds just about everything you never knew you wanted to see. Full of folk art, push-button animated displays, unusual artifacts, and just plain…
Abita Café and Abita Roasting Co.
If you are looking for a great breakfast, lunch, brunch restaurant on the Northshore, Abita Cafe and Abita Roasting Co. have you covered in Abita Springs, Covington, and Madisonville. You can find the usual suspects on the menu, but you’ll discover some really great Southern dishes as well. Cajun Praline Chicken and Waffles can’t be…
H.J. Smith & Sons General Store
A working hardware store may not be the first place you think you’d find a museum, but it’s what you’ll get at H.J. Smith’s & Sons in Covington. This general store has been around since 1876! There’s a lot to discover here. I really enjoyed looking at the old photographs. It’s a fun stop if…
Bark Park at Pelican Park
There are a lot of parks in the area. But if you’re looking for a dog park, the Bark Park at Pelican Park in Mandeville (located off HWY 190 towards Lacombe) is one of the best. The bark park is divided into two sections—one for small breeds and one for larger breeds. There is plenty…
Flying Dolly’s (formerly Just Chillin’)
I firmly believe Snoballs are a food group, at least in the summer in the South they are. And I consider myself somewhat of a Snoball connoisseur having done decades of taste-testing research. There is a science to making the perfect Snoball. Sometimes they’re topped flat, sometimes rounded. Sometimes they have crunchy ice, sometimes it’s…
CJ’s Antiques and Collectibles
Places like this make me so happy. I could easily spend an entire day here searching for treasures. They have over 15,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles. It’s a HUGE space of multiple connected buildings full of consignment stalls! I’ve never walked away empty-handed. Room after room there are weird/pretty/interesting/vintage things stacked to the…
Northshore Cajun Dancers
I spent a weekend being entertained in Abita Springs. First, there was Bingo, then the Abita Brewery tour, and then Cajun Dancing on Saturday. Once again, I found myself in the Abita Springs town hall, but this time it was to see some 2-steppin’ and listen to Cajun music. Now, I’ve known my whole life…
Farmers Markets
When I die, bury me in Covington Cemetery No.1 so that every Saturday I can dance to a banjo and taste Mayhaw jelly. Covington’s Farmer’s Market: N. Columbia St. Saturdays 8 am- 12 pm (There is also a market at the Covington trailhead on Wednesdays.) Street parking. I love the location of the market in…
Tour the Abita Brewery
I will admit that I’m not much of a drinker, and I am definitely not a beer expert. Occasionally, I like to sample different kinds of beer to see if I find a new favorite. The Abita Brewery tour is a great opportunity to do that. You can sample their popular and seasonal brews on…
Bingo in Abita Springs
I thought I knew how to play Bingo. It’s one of those games that EVERYBODY knows, like tic-tac-toe or heads-up-7-up. My hubris was quickly put in check at Abita Spring’s Friday night Bingo. Luckily, I had a friend with me that had been before, and the people working were friendly and willing to explain the…
NorthshoreLore&Rapport 