Abita Springs, LA

Tucked into the piney woods of St. Tammany Parish, Abita Springs is a small Northshore town with a quirky, laid-back personality. Located just north of Lake Pontchartrain, this community of around 2,600 residents originally grew as a historic retreat known for its fresh artesian springs. Today, it offers a relaxed, small-town pace while staying full of character. You can spend weekends biking the paved Tammany Trace path straight through the town circle, exploring the folk art oddities at the Abita Mystery House, or grabbing lunch and a pint at the Abita Brew Pub.

ATTRJohn Messina / Public domain

For everyday living, families benefit from the well-regarded St. Tammany Parish school system, while neighboring Covington and Mandeville make grocery runs, shopping, and healthcare convenient. Commuters also have easy access across the lake to New Orleans or along Interstate 12. Community life centers on fun local traditions, whether you are catching live roots music at the Abita Opry, browsing the Sunday farmers market, or laughing at the homemade floats in the annual Push Mow parade. It makes for an inviting, easygoing spot to settle down if you want scenic Northshore living with big-city access close by.