Hey there! Â I had so much to share that I needed to break this New Orleans visit up into 2 parts, so today it’s shopping in Covington, a really cute town over on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Â And let me tell you, this is one giant lake! Â Driving across the bridge from New Orleans to Covington is around 24 miles, so it take a few minutes to get over there. But, it’s totally worth it to do a little shopping and browsing in Covington.
We took Parker with us, so we were mindful of dragging her into too many stores, since you know, kids and their attention span. Â But she was a trooper and made it for a few hours with us, promptly falling asleep on the drive back, which was good. Â Four year olds still need naps.
I shared Covington shops 3 years ago when we went there for the first time, so I didn’t take many photos of Covington again, but we also visited Mandeville by the lake while over that way and it is such a gorgeous area. Time sure flies! Looking back at those pics, Parker was almost 1 then.
We did a little shopping in Covington at some cute boutiques they have and I bought a few new things that I’ll share with you on a fashion post. Then we went back to the English tea room in Covington for lunch. Parker likes this place and enjoys tea time. Her mama is happy about that, since Lauren loves all the tea rooms, so Parker is getting schooled in that too. My sis had to watch her with the sugar cubes, as those cute things fascinated her and she wanted to eat them all!
It’s a really cute place for lunch, so if you are in the area, definitely stop by.
I got a chicken salad plate and it was delicious!
Cutie Pie Parker! That’s not a real tattoo in case you are wondering. She loves those temporary tattoo stickers.
One of my readers who follows me on Instagram told me about Mandeville and going down to the lake front and how pretty it is, so on the way back home, we drove down the main road that fronts the lake and wow, she was not kidding! Such a pretty place. My sister, Renee, and BIL are seriously thinking about retiring to the Covington area in a few years, to be closer to Lauren and the kids, so it was neat to see nearby Mandeville and this area by the lake. There are restaurants and the most gorgeous homes along this stretch.
The huge oaks with moss dripping from them are so picturesque and pretty.
The lake is so large and vast it looks like the ocean.
And then there were the houses! You know how much I love driving by pretty homes, so I couldn’t help but snap lots of pics to share with all of you. It’s a beautiful area!
Everywhere we turned was a beautiful home.
Stately homes all along this stretch of the lake. I can imagine the real estate prices here are pretty steep with these views.
I love this one!
We passed The Lake House and thought about eating here for dinner, but we went back to another restaurant later in the week, called Rip’s on the Lake and it was very good too. We sat on the patio and enjoyed a beautiful evening on the lake.
We called and made reservations for the patio and it was such a fun dinner.
We had 2 little girls with us, so tried to keep them entertained. There were prom goers all over the place and a table of 6 right behind us. I hope we didn’t ruin their dinner with too much noise from our table!
I had a delicious snapper dinner and it was such a memorable place to visit.
Mandeville by the lake was so gorgeous, so I hope you enjoyed the drive bys of these stunning homes on the water. I don’t know the background of all these houses, but they look old and historic and very well maintained.
It was a fun time in New Orleans with Lauren and her family. Those girls are growing up so fast and we treasure every opportunity to be with them. Lauren will be coming here for Mother’s Day, so I’ll be sure and share pics from her trip home too! Have a great week!
I am from NO and love Mandeville and Covington. My dad was from Mandeville. We have stories, too. Thanks for sharing.
What beautiful homes! Would love to visit the area sometime soon. Cannot believe Iris and Parker are 2 and 4 already. On your previous post with Lauren and the girls, I love Lauren’s embroidered top……can you provide a link?
HI, Gina, it was a dress from J Crew. I looked to see if I could find it online, but didn’t see it.
I always enjoy your family photos so much. The little girls are growing up! So happy you had a great trip with your family.
We loved that area and almost moved to Covington. Like you I loved the big houses along the lake. It is a beautiful place to live. I loved seeing the girlies again.
I’m just a northerner who loves that architecture down that way—-lovelovelove!!!
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is 24 miles long not 30. You seemed surprised by how nice things are in the area.
HI, Joe, my guess was a little off on the miles and no it’s not that I was surprised, but it just looks different from other areas in NOLA that I’ve been too.
I live in the country, about 30 miles North of Covington in a little town called Franklinton. If you’re ever in the area in October, you should visit the Washington Parish Free Fair here in Franklinton. Its the worlds largest free fair.
I meant to ask where you’re from? Your article was a suggested read on google when I opened it to do a search.
Hi, Elvora, that’s interesting that Google search was how you found my blog? I’m in Atlanta and my sister and I were visiting my niece down there.
Small world…I am also from Franklinton! Grew up there but live in Birmingham AL now. Always loved the lakefront and it was nice to take a stroll down memory lane with Rhoda’s pictures of this beautiful area. Makes me miss home! Thanks Rhoda!
I’m so glad you made it to the lake front in Mandeville and had dinner. If I think of any other suggestions, I will gladly send your way. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed your visit to the north shore. I am originally from that area. It has grown so much in the last few years.
Thanks for the wonderful pictures today Rhoda….such beautiful homes…and of course I always love the shots of family, eating, shopping, having fun together! Thanks for all of it!
I knew Parker’s tat was probably a temp since every little girl known loves those things when they’re little. A friend told me she was worried that her little girl was going to grow up and have tats all over her body! lol Those girls are so cute!
I live in Covington. I am from New Orleans though but I rarely go there now. The temperature is
much cooler here especially in the a.m. Thank you for posting your trip.
HI, Glenda, it sure seems like a great place to live and my sister will probably end up retiring there. Beautiful place!
Thanks for the photos Rhoda. Covington is my home town. I lived there the first 49 years of my life. I’ve been away for 9 years now. I surely miss it. I know each one of those homes on the lakefront and the English Tea Room on Lee Lane, of course. I’ve had many meals at Rip’s. For decades, the restaurant used to sit on the slab that is now the patio. It flooded so many times during hurricanes or tropical storms they finally raised it. It’s such a treat to see photos of home! I’m so happy y’all had a fun time on the northshore. I love all aspects of your blog, but I think sharing your family is my favorite. I wish our family was as close. 🙂
HI, Beth, oh this is so fun to read. I don’t think I realized this is where you are from. Thanks for commenting and letting me know. I think it looks like a great place to grow up!