Peaceful nature and smalltown feel in New Orleans suburb
Just across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, Madisonville is a "suburban neighborhood that has grown around the sleepy little town of Historic Madisonville," says Sandra Roberts, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker who has been selling homes in the St. Tammany area for 46 years. First named for President James Madison in 1811, the town of Madisonville was incorporated into Louisiana six years later. As historic Madisonville contours the western bank of the Tchefuncte River, the area has had a rich history as a river town throughout its history and is still home to a unique fishing and outdoor culture. The neighborhood has become a "great area to develop in with a high growth factor and phenomenal schools, "says Roberts, adding that "it still has never lost its charm." With the calm waters of the Bayou De Zaire winding through the neighborhood, proximity to nearby parks and plenty of docks and marinas lining the Tchefuncte, residents of Madisonville enjoy a "less hectic, laid-back lifestyle." People from all over visit and move to Madisonville for its combination of the convenience that comes from living close to the city and suburban areas with the warm and inviting atmosphere that comes from living near a small, peaceful peaceful town filled with history and scenic beauty.
Riverside homes and suburban Madisonville communities
On average, homes in Madisonville sell for about $440,000, which is $130,000 more than those in the surrounding area of St. Tammany Parish. This growing neighborhood offers a cozy patchwork of sizes and styles, ranging from wooden cottages and brick ranch-style homes to Acadian and French Country homes. Newer, custom-built homes can also be found in the area, but, while older homes in the area tend to be raised to protect from flooding, these more recent ones are not. Homes in Historic Madisonville tend to be "well-kept historic homes lovingly refurbished, but still with that New Orleans flavor," says Roberts. From $300,000 to $400,000, homebuyers can find three and four-bedroom homes built in ranch, French-inspired and traditional styles, while, for $500,000 to $800,000, larger homes with four to five bedrooms and up to 3,000 square feet can be found. Selling from one to two million, riverfront, five-bedroom mansion homes are also available and feature private docks, in-ground pools and up to 5,000 square feet.
Top marks for St. Tammany Parish Public Schools
Thanks to St. Tammany Parish Public Schools, students throughout the Northshore have access to "some of the most high-achieving schools in all of New Orleans," says Roberts. With an extremely parent-involved community, as well as the resources and productive atmosphere this creates, these schools are the kind where teachers have to tell parents, "Alright, that's enough, we have too many volunteers." Students in pre-K through second grade can attend Madisonville Elementary School, which earned a rating of B from the educational review site, Niche, while students in third to sixth grade can attend schools like Joseph B. Lancaster Elementary, which received an A-minus and is also rated as #23 in Best Public Elementary Schools in the New Orleans Area by Niche. Madisonville Junior High and Covington High receive ratings of A-minus and B-minus from Niche and provide older students with quality education. Covington High offers bus transportation for its students and offers programs for its students like the 4H Club, an Art Club and an Environmental Club.
Classic Louisiana nature along Lake Ponchartrain
In Madisonville, nature is never far away. On a sunny afternoon, locals can head to the sandy beaches of Lake Pontchartrain to enjoy views of the water, have a barbecue with family or go fishing. Or, Madisonville Boat Launch provides residents with nearby boating access to the lake. With the Bayou De Zaire, Tchefuncte River and Lake Pontchartrain all close by, opportunities for fishing, boating, paddling or just appreciating the classic New Orleans nature are abundant.
One popular park in the area is Madisonville Fairview-Riverside State Park. Two miles east of the neighborhood by car, or just a few minutes away by boat from the Madisonville Boat Launch, residents can visit this 99-acre park along the shores of the Tchefuncte River to find a playground for kids to play on and barbecue grills, picnic tables and get-togethers. Surrounded by canopies of mature oak trees bearded with Spanish moss, this park is also home to a peaceful campground with spaces for RVs, a nature trail that takes visitors by the river and plenty of docks perfect for fishing or putting a kayak in the water and heading out to explore the local environment. In addition to crabbing, fishers can catch bass, bluegill and white perch near the park area as well as channel catfish, speckled trout and redfish closer to the lake.
Shopping and dining near the Tchefuncte river
Despite being a peaceful area, Madisonville has a wide selection of shopping and dining, with shopping centers with big-name stores like Target and Best Buy available along Interstate 12 and other options in nearby areas like Mandeville. Locally, the town of Madisonville is also home to "Jumpin' bars and high-end restaurants," says Roberts. Morton’s Seafood Restaurant and Bar is one family-owned, local spot that has been serving the community since 1985. Residents can drive over or step off the river at their boat dock for some fresh seafood in a fun atmosphere.
Tchefuncte’s Restaurant is a fine dining establishment serving locally sourced cuisine and scenic views of the river. Local favorites include their turtle soup, pan-roasted rock shrimp and roasted Peking duck breast.
For groceries, residents can stop by Uncle Dale's Produce, a locally-owned roadside farmers market that supplies Madisonville with homegrown produce. For a wider selection, residents can also head to Piggly Wiggly, one of several grocery stores in the neighborhood.
Conveniently positioned near New Orleans and I-12
Just 38 miles, or about 40 minutes, from New Orleans across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, residents of Madisonville are conveniently located near the many conveniences and amusements of New Orleans but are removed enough to enjoy a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. State Road 22, also called Emerald Road, connects Madisonville with surrounding areas like Lewisburg, while Interstate 12 takes further to areas like Baton Rouge or Mobile, Alabama. The closest hospital is St. Tammany Parish Hospital, which is about six miles north in Covington, while the closest airport, New Orleans Lakefront Airport, is just across the lake in New Orleans.
Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival
Historic Madisonville is known throughout the surrounding area for its annual Wooden Boat Festival. For over 30 years, the festival has come to the banks of the beautiful Tchefuncte River every fall. Presented by Maritime Museum Louisiana, the festival brings in more than one hundred vintage, wooden boats, as well as hundreds of spectator boats. Over the two-day celebration, residents can enjoy learning about various kinds of boats, listening to live music and options for fun like arts and crafts booths and the Quick 'n Dirty Boat Building Contest and Parade.
Maritime legacy uncovered in Madisonville's museums
Another big attraction in the area is Madisonville's museums, where visitors can learn about the area's rich past. The Maritime Museum Louisiana is dedicated to bringing Louisiana’s often-forgotten maritime legacy to life. Featuring exhibits on Louisiana shipyards, lighthouses and a Civil War submarine, the museum also houses pirogues, bateaux and canoes. The museum also hosts programs on boat building and offers hands-on field trips.
Located in the town’s historic courthouse and jail, Madisonville Museum offers exhibits of Native American cultural artifacts, Civil War history and important documents, photos and genealogy papers from the town's history. The six-cell jail is on the National Register of Historic Places and exhibits the “Alice,” the 1881 handmade canoe that completed the full-length journey of the entire Mississippi River.
