A Relaxing Getaway to Covington, Louisiana
Words by Sarah Deloach
Nestled an hour away from downtown New Orleans sits the charming community of Covington. This beautiful area in St. Tammany Parish, the Louisiana Northshore, is home to communities full of character and food and drink to match. Downtown Covington is nestled along the beautiful Bogue Falaya River and offers the perfect setting for a relaxing getaway.
Lodging
It is safe to say that the Southern Hotel is a historic staple to the area. Originally opening in 1907, offering guests the most modern of amenities like hot water, electric lights, and carpet. Times have changed and luckily the Southern Hotel has kept up– since the reopening in 2014 they have been welcoming guests to come relax and enjoy the beautifully decorated space and an incredible staff that makes the stay simply unforgettable. A must-visit at the Southern Hotel is its newest addition, The Gloriette. Led by renowned Chef Steven Marsella, the restaurant recently opened and features local and French-inspired cuisine.
Grab a Bite
Everyone knows that the food in Louisiana is out of this world, and Covington is no different. With so many great options it can be hard to pick, so we recommend starting the morning off with a hearty meal from Mattina Bella, a popular spot that serves breakfast all day. If you didn’t fill up too much from Mattina Bella, stop by LOLA Restaurant for lunch. This restaurant is actually a train car that was converted into an eating space that serves gourmet soups, salads and sandwiches. When dinnertime rolls around, the made-from-scratch gourmet meals at LOLA are some that you definitely don’t want to miss. Then there’s the Louisiana-inspired dishes at Del Porto Ristorante. A visit to the area is never considered complete without a taste of Del Porto Ristorante’s incredible homemade pastas, soups, and antipasti—served up by three-time nominees for the James Board Award, chefs David and Torre Solazzo.
Out & About
Covington is surrounded with gorgeous scenery. Take advantage of the views and rent bikes at Brook’s Bike Shop for riding along the Tammany Trace to the Covington Trailhead. Only a couple steps from the Trailhead is Once in a While Gift Shop which has chic home decor, jewelry and fashions. If you are wanting more shopping, take a stroll to Columbia St, which has incredible shops like Columbia Street Mercantile for a dazzling outfit to wear to dinner, or even Marianne Angeli Rodriguez Art Gallery to support talented local artists.
Start planning your relaxing getaway to Covington at LousianaNorthshore.com.