A vibrant spirit and Victorian architecture in Abita Springs
The spring water that gave Abita Springs its name was once said to have healing properties — an alluring attraction for 19th-century vacationers trying to cleanse themselves after a swampy night in New Orleans. While Abita Springs’ prominence as a resort has since dried up, its artsy downtown still attracts visitors and homebuyers drawn to its vibrant spirit and Victorian architecture. Meanwhile, outside downtown, newer homes provide quiet comfort and access to amenities. “It’s a very small-town vibe,” says Felix Forjet, a broker with Thrive Real Estate who has worked in the region for seven years. “It’s that small of a town, which is crazy considering how big Covington and Mandeville are.”
Popular eateries and bars in downtown include Abita Brew Pub
Downtown Abita Springs has a lively landscape full of eateries and shops. Initially headquartered in town, the Abita Brewing Company had to move production to a larger facility a mile down the road after demand for their beer grew too high. Their original home is now Abita Brew Pub, a popular spot pouring pints and serving Cajun favorites. Across the street, Rosie’s Tavern has bar games like pool and darts. Artigue’s Abita Market next door serves specials from its lunch counter, while Abita Springs Cafe is a landmark brunch spot just down the street. Residents can drive the 3 miles to the Claiborne Hill shopping center in Covington for a wider selection of shops, including groceries at Rouses.
Victorian builds in the town's core, plus more recent developments
Near downtown, Victorian-style homes from the early 20th century mix with more modern houses designed to fit in with older builds. Old-growth oaks shade the small blocks, and picket fences outline lawns flush with greenery. Further from downtown, the architecture diversifies. More recent developments often feature New Traditional homes, and a luxury subdivision of French Country-style houses sits around a golf course. Manufactured homes are also available. The median sale price in Abita Springs is $290,000 — lower than the nearby cities of Covington and Mandeville — and the CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national figure of 4.
Schools in St. Tammany Parish are well regarded
The St. Tammany Parish Public Schools system serves Abita Springs and receives an overall A-minus grade from Niche. Students can attend Abita Springs Elementary for kindergarten through third grade, followed by Abita Springs Middle for fourth through sixth. Both schools get an A-minus. Fontainebleau Junior High also receives an A-minus. B-plus-rated Fontainebleau High offers career-focused academic programs, including courses in agriculture, business and culinary arts.
Abita Springs Park and a Tammany Trace trailhead are each downtown
A pavilion originally built for the 1884 World’s Fair in New Orleans now shelters one of Abita’s natural springs at the entrance to Abita Springs Park. The downtown park also has a playground, a splash pad and a museum. The Tammany Trace trail follows the path formerly utilized as a rail line, cutting through Abita Springs en route to trailheads in Covington and Slidell. The Recreation District 11 complex has several baseball and soccer fields in the community, alongside an indoor gym. Fontainebleau State Park, on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain, is 12 miles from Abita. The nature refuge offers a lakefront beach, plus hiking and camping.
Art and antiquities at a farmers market and the Abita Mystery House
Each spring, the entire community takes part in the annual Whole Town Garage Sale. “They do a once-a-year garage sale,” Forjet says. “They shut down the entire town, basically, and everybody goes and sets up tables. The entire zip code has a garage sale on that day.” The Abita Springs Art and Farmers Market also attracts visitors from around the region every Sunday. Held at the Abita Springs Park pavilion, the market features produce and art from dozens of vendors. A less conventional experience awaits in an old gas station near downtown: Part museum, part roadside attraction, wholly weird, the Abita Mystery House contains mechanical dioramas, odd arcade games and sculptural ephemera tinged with absurdity.
Commutes to nearby Covington or across the causeway
Abita Springs is 4 miles outside Covington, and residents often commute for work. While the STAR Transit system provides on-demand transportation throughout St. Tammany Parish, most people drive to their destinations. Interstate 12 is about 5 miles south and runs along the Northshore. Those heading 45 miles to New Orleans can cross the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the world’s longest continuous bridge over a body of water. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has direct flights to nearly 60 destinations. The St. Tammany Parish Hospital, 5 miles away, has the nearest emergency room.
