Known as “America’s Antique City” and the “Strawberry Capital of the World,” Ponchatoula offers the opportunity to browse antique shops and find unique handmade items and art pieces. The city is known for its wholesome atmosphere and activities that are perfect for the whole family. Visit in the spring so that you won’t miss the Strawberry Festival!
1. Watch some great shows at Swamplight Theater
Swamplight Theater is a performing arts theater that aims to inspire actors and future actors by bringing out the best of their own during performances. It regularly holds stage plays and shows that are sure to entertain any visitor that stops by. Some of their old productions even include movies like Matilda and Frozen.
Not to mention, they also hold auditions for these shows which is a great opportunity for any aspiring actor. For those who feel like they have much to learn, the theater also offers classes and private lessons in acting.
Swamplight Theater
Address: 950 SW Railroad Ave, Ponchatoula, LA 70454, United States
Website: Swamplight Theater
2. Go for a walk around Ponchatoula Area Recreation District 1
Ponchatoula Area Recreation District 1 is a recreational facility that offers a plethora of outdoor and indoor activities for visitors to enjoy. It has an indoor walking track and a nature trail where visitors can go for a relaxing walk or jog. The large gym offers a place for visitors to exercise while also offering fitness classes like line dancing and Zumba.
There is also a basketball court and football court available for athletes and sports enthusiasts. Pete’s Lake is a great place for families to simply sit down and have a nice picnic or play some outdoor games like frisbee throwing.
Ponchatoula Area Recreation District 1
Address: 19030 Ponchatoula Parks Dr, Ponchatoula, LA 70454, United States
Website: Ponchatoula Area Recreation District 1
Opening hours: 6:30am - 6:30pm (daily)
3. Go rollerblading at Ponchatoula Roller Rink
If you’re in the mood for some rollerblading, Ponchatoula Roller Rink has you covered. This family-friendly facility strives to create a safe and fun environment for families to simply put on their rollerblades and bond over skating. You can bring your own set of rollerblades or rent them out from the rink itself.
To those who aren’t so good with skating, there’s also a skate assist option available. Other than that, you can also rent the rink for private and public events.
Ponchatoula Roller Rink
Address: 22024 LA-22, Ponchatoula, LA 70454, United States
Website: Ponchatoula Roller Rink
Opening hours: Thu: 6pm - 9:30pm; Fri: 6pm - 10pm; Sat: 11am - 3:30pm, 5pm - 10pm (closed from Sun - Wed)
4. Have a nice meal at Roux & Brew Seafood and Steak House
Fresh fish and other seafood await you at Roux & Brew Seafood and Steak House. This family-owned seafood restaurant takes pride in serving some of the freshest seafood and steaks in Louisiana.
From its name, the restaurant’s menu is composed of a variety of seafood dishes and steak as well as salads, soups, and burgers. There is also a gluten-friendly menu. Some of the dishes served here are Caesar salad, spinach dip, farmer burger, trout almondine, catfish Leroux, fried shrimp, and ribeye steak.
Roux & Brew Seafood and Steak House
Address: 135 SW Railroad Ave, Ponchatoula, LA 70454, United States
Website: Roux & Brew Seafood and Steak House
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 4:30pm - 9:30pm; Sat: 10am - 9:30pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
5. Meet the wildlife at Joyce Wildlife Management Area
Joyce Wildlife Management Area is a 34,520-acre (13,969-hectare) wetland protected area with a dense marshland that includes a 500-acre (202-hectare) freshwater marsh. It has a boardwalk that crosses through the marsh and leads to the swamp on the northwest corner of the wetland.
With the area having abundant wildlife, nature lovers, fishermen, and birdwatchers are in for a treat as it offers a plethora of nature-related activities like fishing, boating, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing. Even hunters can join in on the fun as the protected area allows deer hunting during certain seasons.
Joyce Wildlife Management Area
Address: Ponchatoula, LA 70454, United States
Website: Joyce Wildlife Management Area
6. Visit the Strawberry Festival in the spring
Even though it’s just a small town in Louisiana, Ponchatoula is famous for its Strawberry Festival. Held over one weekend every April, the festival combines entertainment, food, and fun and draws people from all over the states. Like any small town festival, there are carnival rides, game booths, and the opportunity to win prizes and raffles. On the Saturday of the festival, there is a parade, concert, and a contest for the “Best of the Best” ribbon-winning strawberries. Then, on Sunday, the festival wraps up with the “Strawberry Strut” (a 5k and 10K run), a worship service, and more games, rides, and classic festival fun like potato sack races.
Buy homemade products and taste the strawberry jams, pies, and pastries. Try more adventurous strawberry themed delights like fried strawberries and a homemade strawberry daiquiri. Handmade items sold by local merchants might include strawberry themed crafts and jewelry. Oh, and if you spot an alligator, don’t be surprised - it’s the town’s mascot.
Overall, the Strawberry Festival is a classic small town experience that you won’t want to miss - unless you’re allergic to strawberries.
Strawberry Festival
Address: 301 N 6th St, Ponchatoula, LA 70454
Website: Strawberry Festival
7. Buy crafts or collectibles at the Poncatoula Country Market
The Ponchatoula Country Market draws visitors from miles around to see the handmade crafts and collectibles that can’t be found anywhere else. Started in 1973, it has been a staple in the area, for decades.
The market is located in the historic train depot downtown and is set up similarly to a farmer’s market. Vendors rent booths and sell their wares - whether it be jewelry, art, candles, or other handmade items. Each time you come to the market, you’ll likely find something new and different. Browse homemade pickles, jellies, jams, clothes, holiday decorations, dolls, hats, scarves, wood carvings, quilts, and much, much more.
Open seven days a week, the market hours are Mondays through Saturdays, 10 AM to 5 PM and Sundays 12 PM to 5 PM, so it’s easy to stop by and browse. If you just want to window shop, it’s also a free attraction!
The Ponchatoula Country Market
Address: 10 East Pine Street, Ponchatoula, LA 70454
Website: Ponchatoula Country Market
8. Chug on over to the Electric Train Depot
The Electric Train Depot is the largest full-service train store in Louisiana. The store offers over 4,000 square feet (371.6 square meters) of new and used electric trains, accessories, and supplies. The store also offers repair services, so if you need to get an electric train fixed, bring it on over.
Even if you aren’t a fan of electric trains, the Electric Train Depot is a sight to see, with trains of all sizes and colors chugging around the store. Kids love the opportunity to interact with the elaborate tracks set up for the trains. The displays are changed often, so there’s always something new to see. Best of all, the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, so whether you’re just stopping by to admire the trains or you’re in the market for a whole new set of tracks, they’ll be able to guide you to what you need.
Open 10 AM to 4 PM from Monday to Saturday, don’t forget to ring the bell on the door on your way out if you had a good visit!
The Electric Train Depot
Address: 1111 Southwest Railroad Avenue, Ponchatoula, LA 70454
Website: The Electric Train Depot
9. Take a driving tour through the Louisiana Northshore Quilt Trail
The Louisiana Northshore Quilt Trail is made up of a passionate community of quilters. There are trails located throughout Louisiana, but the one closest to Ponchatoula will take you through the city’s famous strawberry fields to the Tangipahoa line and south to Manchac, where you’ll be able to appreciate the beauty of the Louisiana swamplands.
The trail will take you by fifty beautiful quilt-like patterns, designed by different local artists and businesses. It’s a great way to enjoy these creations as well as the scenery of Ponchatoula, so if you want to get out and see the city, be sure to take the trail.
The trail starts with the piece “A Colorful Life,” a beautiful, bright piece with a swirling pattern that you can’t miss, located at 234 SWRR Ave, in Ponchatoula. As you continue along the trail, you’ll notice patterns on either side of the road, and you’ll eventually end at “Classic Clay”, a pattern in earth tones, located at 140 West Oak St. For a full list of locations, visit the Ponchatoula Quilt Trail’s website. This is a free attraction and takes about thirty to forty minutes to complete.
Louisiana Northshore Quilt Trail
Address: 234 SWRR Ave, Ponchatoula
Website: Louisiana Northshore Quilt Trail
10. Visit the Collinswood Museum
The Collinswood School Museum is a free attraction, located right within Ponchatoula. Built as a one-room schoolhouse in 1876, a local businessman constructed the school on his property, hired a teacher, and opened the school to the public. It was used as a school until 1908, serving grades one through six.
In 1975, the building was restored as a museum. Operated by volunteers, the staff is always friendly and helpful to chat about the history of the schoolhouse, the man who built it, and the artifacts that are housed in the museum. It is open on Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM and sometimes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so be sure to call ahead at +1 (985) 386-2221, to determine the hours.
Collinswood School Museum
Address: Ponchatoula, Louisiana 70454
Website: Collinswood School Museum
There's no place like Ponchatoula
Driving through the strawberry fields of Ponchatoula, you’ll certainly realize there’s no place like this. Friendly, southern hospitality characterizes the town, and you’ll be able to browse antiques, collectibles, and handmade items that can’t be found anywhere else in the country. Don’t miss the opportunity to stop in and experience the local attractions, while you’re in Ponchatoula.