Places to visit in Covington, LA.
Covington, Louisiana, is located at the fork of the Bogue Falaya and Tchefuncte rivers and is one of the wealthiest cities in the state. Several attractions are found in the city, making it an ideal destination for a vacation. These include Fairview-Riverside State Park, Bogue Falaya Wayside Park, and the Abita Mystery House.
Bogue Falaya Wayside Park
Bogue Falaya Wayside Park is an enchanting place to visit. It offers views of the adjacent river, plenty of shade trees, and a sizeable ADA-compatible playground. There are also restrooms and public parking. The park is open from 8 am to 5 pm.
Aside from being a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, Bogue Falaya Wayside Park is an ideal location for local events. Many of these events are held in the park’s pavilion, which is available for rent. These include outdoor weddings, birthday parties, and corporate picnics.
The pavilion was built in 1915 and served as a meeting place for the community. It also had a concession stand, showers, and changing areas for swimmers.
The pavilion was a favorite for swimming and general get-togethers. It was so popular that it was open all night.
Abita Mystery House / UCM Museum
The Abita Mystery House / UCM Museum is a roadside attraction outside Covington, Louisiana. It’s an odd, funky folk art environment with dozens of unique collections.
A museum is a great way to explore a city’s history and culture. The UCM Museum is the product of the creative mind of artist John Preble. He collects objects and creates fantastic worlds from them.
Aside from the collection of objects in the museum, there are several other things to see. For instance, visitors can check out a miniature southern town, a 100-year-old Creole cottage, and a labyrinth of buildings connected by walkways.
Inside the Abita Mystery House, visitors can find more than a thousand found objects, plus hand-crafted folk art vignettes. This shabby, kitsch museum is also home to an exhibition hall of memorabilia.
H.J. Smith & Sons General Store & Museum
One of the oldest continuously operating businesses on the north shore, the H.J. Smith & Sons General Store and Museum in Covington, Louisiana, has been a part of the city’s history for more than a hundred years. Today, the museum contains hundreds of historical artifacts, including a gas pump from the early 20th century, an antique cast iron casket, and a dugout boat.
The Smith family owns the store. It is located at 308 N. Columbia St. has been in business since 1876.
The store was initially built to serve non-perishable crops. In the early 1900s, the cotton crop began failing. The store offered general merchandise, which included hats, canned goods, and clothing. As the business grew, the store phased out the brokerage of cotton.
Fairview-Riverside State Park
Fairview-Riverside State Park is located between Covington and Madisonville, Louisiana. It is on the northern side of Lake Pontchartrain and offers beautiful views of the Tchefuncte River. The park is also home to the historic Otis House, built in the 1880s.
There are several things to do in the area. First, the state park is home to the Otis House, a 19th-century home lumber baron Frank Otis used as a summer home until 1962. The Otis House has since been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visitors to the park can enjoy fishing and boating on the river. They may see migratory birds and alligators. Also, there is a short nature trail. Besides being an excellent place to explore, it is also a great location for crabbing and a picnic. There are a few campgrounds nearby.
Although the park is small, it offers plenty of attractions. Fairview-Riverside State Park has camping sites, hiking trails, and a boardwalk. Plus, there are water toys available on the dock. Additionally, the park is dog friendly.
THE ICONS MUSEUM
THE ICONS MUSEUM is a modern space of art exhibits dedicated to delivering a world-class art experience. The museum features new portraits and sculptures of historical figures, modern icons, and innovators. Its mission is to provide highly personalized creative expertise to everyone.
THE ICONS MUSEUM is located in Covington, Louisiana. The museum is open seven days a week by appointment. For a private tour, call ahead to schedule an appointment. Artist Matthew Montero, a native of Covington, created this museum. His unique style creates freehand portraits of cultural figures.
You can find works of famous artists such as Marianne Angeli Rodriguez, a Filipino-American artist. Her works feature brightly colored contemporary paintings. She also has her gallery. Other art galleries include the Miriam Barranger Gallery, which exhibits a variety of styles.