Framed by a fork of the Bogue Falaya and Tchefuncte River, Covington is a historic city in Louisiana’s St. Tammany Parish. It was originally established as the town of “Wharton” and has recently flourished as a commuter city for New Orleans. Covington has provided a backdrop for several films, including the 2019 period crime thriller “The Highwaymen”.
Things to do in Covington
Covington serves as the starting point of the Tammany Trace, a 50-kilometre-long rail trail that follows the former Illinois Central Railroad. It’s accessible to walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users, and there’s a separate equestrian path for horse riders. Hugging the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, the trail connects Covington to the city of Slidell.
The Tammany Trace passes through Fontainebleau State Park, which occupies the site of a historic sugar cane plantation and brickyard. It provides an important habitat for native birds and can be explored along a short nature trail. Stop at the visitor’s centre to learn about Bernard de Marigny, who operated a nearby sugar mill in the 19th century. In addition to a children’s playground, the park features a fishing pond and pier.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss the Children's Museum of St. Tammany, which occupies a colourful building between Covington and Mandeville. It is packed with interactive and hands-on exhibits focused on STEM and learning through the power of play. Kids can solve problems in the “How & Why” gallery, climb the Great Tammany Oak and explore their creative side in the ARTworks space.
Getting around Covington
Covington is around a 45-minute drive from New Orleans and an hour from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America and Europe. Buses connect to Covington, although renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the city.