Honestly, most people treating Covington as a quick "pit stop" on the way to New Orleans are making a massive mistake. I’ve seen it a hundred times. They blow through the intersection of Highway 190, grab some fast food, and miss the fact that just a few blocks away, there’s a town that feels like a fever dream blend of a European village and a rugged Louisiana river outpost.
Covington isn’t just a suburb. It’s a 200-year-old historic hub where the "Ox Lots"—ancient public squares designed for parking ox carts—still dictate the layout of the downtown. You can feel that history in your bones when you’re walking down Lee Lane. But it’s not a museum. It’s a living, breathing place where you can find a James Beard-nominated chef working in the same zip code as a hardware store that still sells alligator-claw back scratchers.
The Downtown Vibe: Ox Lots and Art
If you want to understand the real things to do in Covington LA, you have to start at the Southern Hotel. It’s the anchor. Back in the early 1900s, people came here to escape the "vapors" of New Orleans and breathe the pine-scented air. Today, the hotel is a masterclass in restoration. Even if you aren't staying there, walk into the Cypress Bar. Look at the murals. They tell the story of the Northshore without being cheesy about it.
Right outside, the "St. John District" is where the magic happens.
Covington is famously laid out in a grid with these internal squares called Ox Lots. They provide free parking—a miracle in 2026—but they also keep the storefronts tight and walkable.
Where to Actually Spend Your Money
Don't just look at the windows. Go inside these spots:
- H.J. Smith & Sons General Store: This place has been family-owned since 1876. Half of it is a functioning hardware store where you can buy a cast-iron skillet, and the other half is a free museum filled with 19th-century farm tools and random curiosities. It smells like old wood and history.
- Marianne Angeli Rodriguez Gallery: If you need a break from the "old world" vibe, Marianne’s work is an explosion of contemporary color. Plus, there are resident shop cats (Pigment, Teapot, and Graffiti) who basically run the place.
- Copper Rooster Antiques: For those who like the thrill of the hunt. It’s dense. It’s dusty in the best way.
Why You Must Get on the Bogue Falaya
Covington is cradled by three rivers, but the Bogue Falaya is the queen. People think "river" and imagine brown, muddy water. Not here. The Bogue Falaya has these incredible sandy banks and clear-ish water that makes you forget you're in the deep South.
You can rent a kayak or a paddleboard right behind The Chimes restaurant. Canoe and Trail Adventures operates there. Pro tip: Paddle upstream for about twenty minutes. You’ll find these little white sandbars where you can literally just park your boat, hop out, and wade. It’s remarkably quiet once you get away from the bridge traffic.
If you aren't into paddling, just go to Bogue Falaya Wayside Park. There’s a statue of Walker Percy, the famous philosopher-novelist who lived here. It’s a great spot to just sit and realize why so many writers and painters hide out in this town.
The Food Scene is Ridiculous
Let’s be real. You’re in Louisiana. If the food isn't good, the town doesn't exist. Covington punches way above its weight class.
Del Porto Ristorante is the big name. Chefs David and Torre Solazzo have been James Beard semifinalists multiple times. This isn't your "spaghetti and meatballs" Italian spot. We're talking house-made agnolotti and seasonal crudo that feels like it belongs in Manhattan or Chicago.
For something less "white tablecloth," head to The Greyhound. It’s located in an old Greyhound bus terminal (hence the name). They do wood-fired pizzas and snacks that are basically elevated street food. Their "Banana Bread Old-Fashioned" sounds weird, but trust me, it’s a local favorite for a reason.
A Few Other "Must-Eats"
- Bear’s Restaurant: If you don't leave here with gravy on your shirt, you didn't do it right. Their roast beef po-boy is legendary. It’s messy. It’s glorious.
- Lola: Located in the old train depot. They serve "New Louisiana" fare. Their chicken salad is surprisingly famous, but the duck fat fries are the real hero.
- Mattina Bella: The place for breakfast. Order the Blue Crab Benedict. Just do it.
The Tammany Trace: 31 Miles of "No Cars"
One of the smartest things this region ever did was take the old Illinois Central Railroad line and turn it into a paved trail. The Tammany Trace starts (or ends, depending on your perspective) at the Covington Trailhead.
The Trailhead itself looks like an old-fashioned movie set, complete with a clock tower and a small museum. On Saturdays, this is where the Farmers Market happens. It’s not just vegetables; it’s live music, local honey, and people gossiping over coffee.
You can rent a bike from Brooks' Bike Shop right there. If you’ve got the legs for it, you can ride all the way to Abita Springs (about 4 miles) for a beer at the Abita Tap Room and be back in time for lunch. The path is flat, shaded by massive pines, and feels incredibly safe.
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Festivals You Actually Want to Attend
Covington doesn't really do "small" festivals.
Every May, the A Taste of Covington food and wine festival takes over the town for the entire month. It’s not just one big messy event; it’s a series of vintner dinners and tastings spread out, so it never feels like a tourist trap.
Then there’s the Bluesberry Music & Art Festival in October. It’s held in Bogue Falaya Park. Think blues music, local art, and literally everything has a blueberry twist (yes, including the beer from Abita Brewery).
The Weird Side: Insta-Gator
If you have kids—or if you’re just a kid at heart—you have to drive a few minutes out to the Insta-Gator Ranch & Hatchery.
This isn't a "swamp tour" where you might see one alligator's eyes peeking out of the water. This is a working ranch with thousands of them. They explain the conservation efforts that saved the species, but the highlight is the "touch tank." You can hold a baby gator. Their skin feels like cool, beaded leather. It’s one of those things to do in Covington LA that sounds touristy but is actually fascinating.
How to Do It Right
If you're planning a trip, don't try to cram this into a Tuesday morning. Most of the boutiques on Lee Lane and the art galleries on Columbia Street keep "boutique hours"—meaning they might be closed on Mondays or close early on Sundays.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Calendar: Look at the Covington Business Association website to see if your visit aligns with an "After 5" wine walk or a free concert at the Trailhead.
- Book the Water: If you want to kayak the Bogue Falaya on a weekend, call Canoe and Trail Adventures at least two days in advance. Those rentals go fast when the weather is nice.
- Parking Strategy: Don't circle the block for street parking. Drive straight into one of the Ox Lots (like the one behind the Southern Hotel). It’s free and keeps your car out of the main flow of traffic.
- Dinner Reservations: If you want to eat at Del Porto or Gallagher's Grill on a Friday or Saturday, you need to book at least a week out. These aren't "walk-in" friendly spots during peak hours.
Covington is a place that rewards people who slow down. Put the phone away, grab a coffee at St. John’s Coffeehouse, and just walk the squares. You'll find things that aren't on any map.