Northshore Summer Guide: Quick Getaway Unpacked

NORTHSHORE, La. (press release) – Visit the Northshore shares that the Northshore is known as Louisiana’s easy escape. Just 40 minutes north of New Orleans, halfway between Baton Rouge and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it is a quick escape.

And once there, visitors can find activities on the water and off, along downtown streets or state park trails.

Northshore Summer Guide

Visit the Northshore shares the following activities and tips to optimize a quick summer getaway to the Northshore. 

Taking It Easy

• Covington: 

Enjoy a Wednesday morning farmers market stroll and a beverage at Haven Coffee and Cocktails (534 North New Hampshire St.). 

• Mandeville:

Listen to a Saturday night performance at the historic Dew Drop Jazz and Social Hall (430 Lamarque St.).

• Abita Springs:

Explore the brews at Abita Brew Pub (72011 Holly St.) in the center of Abita Springs.

• Madisonville:

Take in the sunset views and exquisite cuisine at Tchefuncte’s (407 St. Tammany St.) on the Tchefuncte River.

Lake Excursions

A sunset sail on Lake Pontchartrain is a favorite activity for many. 

• Mandeville:

Set sail with Delaune Sailing Charters (1298 Madison St.)

• Madisonville:

Or, down the road from Mandeville, check out Bayou Sailing Adventures (100 Covington St.)

River Outings

• Madisonville:

For a fun river outing, Tchefuncte River Charters (100 Burkhardt Ln.) offers pontoon boat cruises on Madisonville’s scenic Tchefuncte River. Organizers share that custom cruise packages are available to meet any group’s desires. 

• Slidell

Honey Island Swamp Tours (41490 Crawford Landing Rd.) takes visitors into the heart of the beautiful cypress swamp. Amid the natural beauty of this pristine wilderness, native wildlife is the star of the show, and the professional crew loves to share their knowledge of the flora and fauna. 

• Covington 

Canoe and Trail Adventures Tours & Rentals (19130 West Front St.) offers canoe and kayak swamp tours on the Bogue Falaya River in Covington and Cane Bayou in Mandeville.

Land Adventures

• Tammany Trace

To experience The Northshore’s unique character on land, the 31-mile Tammany Trace is a favorite both for serious cyclists and those who just want to get out on the trail for a couple of hours. This Hall of Fame Rails-to-Trails route connects Northshore communities and allows visitors to take a path from downtown Covington through Abita Springs, Mandeville and Lacombe, ending in Slidell.

Bike rentals are available from Brooks’ Bikes/Trikes & Beyond (128 Girod St.) in Mandeville.

• Fontainebleau State Park

Those who want to explore the popular Fontainebleau State Park (62883 Hwy. 1089, Mandeville, La., 70448) will find trails, lakefront beaches and much more. 

Enjoy the park through Canoe and Trail Adventures Tours & Rentals (19130 West Front St., Covington, La.), which offers bike rentals and self-serve paddling rentals (24380 Ronald Reagan Hwy., Lacombe, La.) at kiosks provided by Bayou Adventure.

Cultural Experiences

For a little local culture, the following spots tell many local stories and are gathering spots for community activities:

• Covington’s Tammany Trace Trailhead (419 North New Hampshire St.)
• Mandeville Trailhead and Cultural Interpretive Center (675 Lafitte St.)
• Abita Springs Trailhead and Museum (22049 Main St.)

Of course, a walk through the downtown streets is the perfect way to experience the personality of these communities. 

• Madisonville:

The Madisonville community is centered on the water and is home to the Maritime Museum of Louisiana (133 Mabel Dr). Here, the river culture comes to life through exhibits, interpretive displays, boat models and educational programs. 

• Covington:

Downtown Covington is known for eclectic shops and fine art galleries. The variety includes the colorful abstract paintings at Marianne Angeli Rodriguez Gallery (323 North Columbia St.) and the unique, chic and antique finds at the Copper Rooster Antiques and Gifts (222 Lee Ln.).

• Slidell:

In Old Towne Slidell, more than a dozen murals display the neighborhood’s creative and whimsical character while specialty stores like the Old Town Slidell Soda Shop (301 Cousin St.), where ice cream cones, shakes and root beer floats are favorites, provide options for shoppers. 

• Abita Springs:

The eclectic Abita Mystery House (22275 Hwy. 36) adds weird and wonder to Abita Springs’ small downtown. This unique roadside attraction is filled with the works of owner and artist John Preble, whose folk art collection includes scenes of Southern life, unique creatures and inventions made from found objects. 

• Mandeville:

Majestic oaks and shaded benches are a favorite place for visitors to relax after indulging in the sweets from the nearby nostalgic Candy Bank (201 Carroll St.) or taking in the art and antiques at Mae Antiques (420 Girod St.).

Dining

The variety of restaurants on The Northshore offers specialties to appeal to any palate.

• Seafood:

For casual seafood, both Pat’s Rest Awhile (2129 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, La.) and Pearl’s Seafood Market and Restaurant (502 Gause Blvd., Slidell, La.) have mouth-watering temptations not to be missed. 

• International 

Flavors are the fare at Sal and Judy’s (27491 Hwy. 190, Lacombe, La.), with its generations-old Italian recipes, and Valencia Restaurant (315 North Vermont St., Covington, La.), where the menu pays homage to the traditional dishes of Spain. 

• Fine Dining

For fine dining, there are a host of options that combine innovative menus and a warm, comfortable atmosphere. Among the favorites are:

1. Dakota Restaurant (310 East Boston St., Covington, La.) with contemporary Louisiana cuisine.
2. Palmettos on the Bayou (1901 Bayou Ln., Slidell, La.), where seasonal menus are focused on locally sourced ingredients
3. Del Porto Ristorante (501 East Boston St., Covington, La.), which offers a seasonal, farm-inspired menu.

Where to stay

Throughout the Northshore, there are unique bed & breakfasts, guest houses and vacation rentals with personality and amenities to meet any need. There are also well-known hotel chains offering familiar amenities along with excellent service.

• The Southern Hotel (428 East Boston St., Covington, La.), originally opened in 1907, is a stately property once again filled with life. Guests can relax in beautifully appointed luxurious rooms and enjoy the lobby and courtyard, considered the living room of Covington. 
• One-of-a-kind finds like the Abita Springs Hotel (22088 Ann O’Brien Ln., Abita Springs, La.), a cabin on the water or a campsite at Fontainebleau State Park (62883 Hwy 1089, Mandeville, La.) round out the lodging options.