This Louisiana Town Has The Most Walkable Downtown
About 45 miles north of New Orleans, Louisiana, Abita Springs is a small town of about 3,000 residents in St. Tammany Parish, celebrated for its charm, history, and relaxed pace of life. The community serves as a trailhead for the 31-mile Tammany Trace, a scenic multi-use trail that connects Abita Springs to other nearby towns, including Covington and Mandeville.
But beyond being a gateway to outdoor recreation, Abita Springs has one of the most inviting downtowns in the state. Along Main Street and its surrounding streets, a stroll takes you through Abita Springs Park to a museum that offers insight into the town's past, local eateries ranging from a brewpub to a pizza parlor, both with a homey feel, and quirky attractions, such as Abita Mystery House, where there is far more than meets the eye!
Main Street
On Main Street, Abita Springs Park is home to a beautifully restored two-story pavilion, built in the 1800s, where the statue of Princess Abita honors the town’s famed "healing waters." Other highlights of the park include its Tammany Trace trails and its community events. On Sundays, the park hosts the Abita Springs Art & Farmers Market, where dozens of vendors offer fresh produce, handmade items, and local artwork, along with live music from rotating artists. In addition to the weekly market, annual events held in the park include the Abita Springs Busker Festival, a lively celebration of Louisiana's musical roots featuring the talented artists from New Orleans and beyond.
Within the park grounds, the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum is a small but fascinating destination that features exhibits on the town's historic hotels, railroad history, and Choctaw heritage, all within one room. In the springtime, the museum hosts one of its biggest events, En Plein Air, an exhibition featuring landscape artwork from local artists.
Holly Street
From Main Street, take a short walk to Holly Street to Abita Brew Pub, a popular establishment that's been around for more than 30 years. It's known for its selection of beers, including Turbodog, a brown ale with a rich, dark color and full body with sweet chocolate and toffee-like notes, and Amber, a lager brewed with pale and caramel malts and German Perle hops. Beyond beverages, the pub offers burgers, salads, and pastas, alongside Southern dishes like catfish étouffée, po-boy sandwiches, and jambalaya.
While waiting for your food and drinks to arrive, take time to admire the wall décor, filled with framed pictures and artwork that celebrate the region and its brewing heritage, or you can head over to the merchandise area to pick up T-shirts, drinkware, and other keepsakes. The pub also features live music on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as a cozy outdoor patio with shaded seating.
Level Street, Railroad Avenue, & Grover Street
Just a few steps from Abita Brew Pub, Mama D's Pizza & More sits on Highway 59. The small eatery offers much more than just cheese and pepperoni pizzas. On the menu, find everything from gourmet pies with toppings ranging from garlic chicken to shrimp, as well as calzones, homemade pastas, and sandwiches. From there, continue along Level Street past Ann O'Brien Lane and the Abita Springs Hotel to Abita Springs Café, a charming hometown favorite offering all-day breakfast items from the New Orleans French toast to the Cajun country platter, as well as lunch and dinner specialties.
Head back down Level Street for a short walk toward Highway 59, home to a complex that includes Rosie's Tavern, a popular spot for a drink and a game of pool in a relaxed setting. Connected to it is Artigue's Abita Market, a family-owned and operated store selling everything from fresh produce and baked goods to specialty items and grab-and-go meals.
From the market, stroll down Level Street past Abita Springs Café, then turn onto Hickory Street toward Abita Mystery House, located on the corner of Highway 36 and Grover St. Originally known as the UCM Museum, the roadside attraction was created by Louisiana artist and inventor John Preble. Enter the museum through a vintage gas station, which leads to an exhibition hall and several areas filled with interactive miniatures, pottery, and sculptures, including Darrel the Dogigator. Additional sights to see while there include a Louisiana Creole cottage, the House of Shards, an Airstream trailer, and a working art studio where new exhibits and paintings are created.
Nearby Towns Worth Strolling Through
Beyond Abita Springs, several neighboring communities offer their own walkable main streets. A few miles west, Covington's lively historic downtown is centered around Columbia Street and Lee Lane. Stroll through the Marianne Angeli Rodriguez Gallery to see vibrant contemporary artwork on display before heading over to New Orleans Food & Spirits to indulge in Cajun cuisine. After grabbing a bite to eat, head to the nearby HJ Smith & Sons General Store & Museum for a family-owned hardware store featuring merchandise from the 1870s through the early 1900s, along with a museum worth exploring.
Less than 15 miles south of Abita Springs, Mandeville, set along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, is another charming Louisiana town to discover. On Girod Street, catch a musical performance or take in an art show at the North Star Theatre & Cultural Center. From there, it's a short stroll past Jefferson Street to LaLou. The café offers breakfast specialties ranging from shrimp and grits to a New Orleans-style omelet with andouille and crawfish, as well as a lunch menu. Afterward, head to Lakeshore Drive to enjoy the scenic waterfront.
In addition to Covington and Mandeville, Madisonville, located on the banks of the Tchefuncte River, is also an incredible community to visit. On Mabel Drive, just off Main Street, take a deep dive into the area's history with a stop at the Maritime Museum of Louisiana. It houses several displays and exhibits, ranging from past and present lighthouses to an iconic shipyard from the 1900s. From there, take a 15-minute walk down Main Street to Water St. to dine at riverfront restaurants, such as Social and Morton's Boiled Seafood & Bar.
Abita Springs: A Downtown Worth Discovering
Abita Springs may be modest in size, but it delivers big on Southern hospitality and small-town charm. Take a detour from the bustling city of New Orleans to explore this walkable downtown area where the town's unique character shines from the scenic Tammany Trace trails to the vibrant energy of the Abita Springs Art & Farmers Market, where local vendors and artisans bring the community together. Additional stops, including the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum and John Preble's Abita Mystery House, offer a taste of Louisiana culture and history. Add local flavors, from craft brews at Abita Brew Pub to Southern dishes at Abita Springs Café, and it's easy to see why this St. Tammany Parish gem leaves a lasting impression.
