Located approximately 40 miles north of New Orleans across the breadth of Lake Pontchartrain, and originally the home of Choctaw Indians whom held the natural waters of Abita Springs sacred; sits a small quiet town steeped in history and lore straddling the slow moving waters of the Abita River. Originally established in the late 1800s and currently housing a population of roughly 2,350 as stated by the 2010 census, Abita Springs is a small peaceful community which continues to grow and provide benefits for it’s residents and visitors alike. In downtown Abita you will enjoy scenic river front parks and recreation, as well you will discover the strange and interesting; in a town so charming you may have to call it home…
For the very many who dearly love sunshine and the great outdoors, you will find Abita Springs provides both in ample quantities. First is the St Tammany Trace which runs almost directly through the center of town, and is a grand total of 28 miles of converted great Illinois railroad ROW (right of way), used by many for recreation and exercise. The Abita Trailhead has become a gathering point for people who enjoy walking, rollerblading or cycling through the scenic piney woods surrounding Abita.
Alongside the Tammany Trace and centrally located is the Abita Park; which is a haven for wildlife and is a small slice of the scenic beauty Southern Louisiana has to offer. However, due to Hurricane Katrina’s wrath, recent improvements have had to be made which now greatly enhances the visitor’s experience. Open from sun-up to sun-down, and now home to the The Abita Museum, time seems to pass slowly by as you stretch your legs during an afternoon walk. The soft coo of a morning dove mingles gently with the chirping of a fox squirrel as you stroll along the river amongst the towering hundred year old oak trees, standing about like silent sentinels. Truly a quiet place of peace and beauty.
Friends of the Park, which is a local community organization promoting a better Abita Springs, stays very involved in the park, and along with the city, helps coordinate and host many of the family oriented festivals and events which take place annually. One of the major events held every Fall is the annual Abita Water Festival and along with the Abita Springs Gospel Jubilee, the Abita Earth Fest, the Abita Opry Fest, and the Abita Beer Chili Cook-Off, there is more than enough entertainment to keep locals and tourists busy alike. As well live music is played regularly in the Park and there are children’s activities held during Halloween and Christmas. Not to mention, city engineers have future plans which include additional nature trails and an Amphitheater.
I also have to mention the Abita Springs CJ Finn Ballpark located off of Highway 36 is a great place for team sports. This family ball field offers young and old alike opportunities to participate in baseball, football and soccer, just to name a few.
One last item when it comes to entertainment in Abita Springs is The Abita Opry. Given the opportunity we truly recommend enjoying the rich Southern tunes which emanate from the Abita Town Hall during the Spring and Fall months. If you like toe tapping, hand clapping good music, the Abita Opry can help revitalize your soul. A good time and smiles for all!
Well, now that you know Abita Springs has a rich entertainment schedule we are going to talk about a few things to do about town, and we are going to start with a visit to the Abita Mystery House or (UCM Museum) (which is pronounced U-SEE-UM) which, I feel confident, is the strangest place in Abita! LOL. Amazing stories and strange facts will fascinate the young and old alike.
Now as we move on to something a little more dear to my heart… You will be able to explore the Abita Brewing Company, where the gratifying frosty beverages, known as Abita Beer , are hand crafted from the finest ingredients known to man! And the best place to enjoy these savory liquid delights is The Abita Brew Pub; good food and good drinks! (Hic!)
Also if you like to play golf? The Abita Springs Golf Club can provide you with all that is needed when it comes to a morning of 18 holes of play. As well, for the more serious minded, there is Money Hill Golf Course and Country Club; which is one of the premier private golf courses in the State of Louisiana and is adjacent to over 900 acres of Nature Conservancy preserved land.
If you would like to visit beautiful Abita for a worry-free weekend getaway, then we recommend the The Abita Springs Bed and Breakfast located on over 100 acres with stocked ponds for fishing. What a place for a little rest and relaxation! Or if you are looking for an event center to hold a wedding or a family reunion, the The Abita Quail Farm is a well known established venue for large gatherings. And for the handy man looking to renovate, or just plain working on a honey-do, he has only to visit, Abita Lumber, a full service lumber yard, conveniently located less than 1 mile outside of town on Hwy 36.
In my opinion, the education system will always be one of the most important aspects of any city or town. Good schools are a must if you are planning on raising a family, and Abita Springs Louisiana has several very good schools. To begin with there is Abita Springs Elementary School which ranked a top score of 10 out of 10 by GreatSchools.org which is a recognized website whom scores schools nationwide through student performance, parent’s ratings and parent’s reviews. Next in line is Abita Springs Middle School which scored an outstanding 8 out of 10 by Great Schools. And we would like to add, both of these public schools are located just blocks from downtown Abita. Not to forget, for the families with children in their teenage years; Fontainebleau High School, which is the area high school in charge of educating the Abita Springs local, also scores an excellent rating of 10 out of 10 through GreatSchools.org.
In conclusion we hope with the information provided above, you now have a richer understanding of the history of Abita Springs and of the beauty, charm, and stewardship the local area has to offer. Please feel free to post with any questions or comments, we welcome your knowledge and input.
Please contact us at marc@mmsre.com or at 985-867-8670 for more information on real estate in Abita Springs.
Thank you and have great day!
Marc Pellettiere
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