COVINGTON

H. J. Smith’s Sons General Store and Museum has been a place to shop since 1876.

residents seeking quiet — and for refuge from yellow fever and other contagions that sometimes swept the city.

The hotel’s Oxlot 9 restaurant is fantastic, with elegant and delicious “gulfinspired Southern fare.”

Other interesting Covington restaurants are the English Tea Room and Eatery, a bit of the British Isles transposed to Louisiana; and Lola, in an old railroad depot with gourmet Southern and seafood fare

and pretty outdoor seating.

Elsewhere in the walkable downtown district is H.J. Smith’s Sons General Store and Museum, owned by the same family since 1876. Shoppers will find plenty of practical general-store wares and some oddball souvenirs plus a delightfully dusty museum with items dating back to the store’s beginnings.

I was also smitten with Covington’s “poetry boxes,” decorated containers scattered throughout town

displaying works of area poets.

Visitors who might want to pull themselves away from the delights of downtown Covington should consider the short drive to Abita Brewing Co., one of the largest craft-beer producers in the country. The brewery, located between Covington and Abita Springs, offers daily tours and tastings.

And, of course, awaiting across the lake is the Big Easy. New Orleans cannot be missed, but travelers who make the detour to Covington for a day or two will certainly understand the tradition of the lagniappe.