Slidell Louisiana sits on the northeastern shores of Lake Pontchartrain, not far from the Mississippi state border. It is connected to New Orleans by the Highway 10 and Highway 11 bridges, and it is about equidistant from the New Orleans casinos and the Mississippi casinos. Since these bridges and the 23-mile-long Crosslake Causeway were completed, all the little towns on Pontchartrain’s North Shore have become more popular as places to live as well as for day trips and tours from New Orleans.

One of the most popular things to do in Slidell and the other towns such as Covingtons is shopping. There number of art galleries and antique shops rival those found on Canal Street and Magazine Street in the French Quarter, and some of the attractions in Slidell include factory outlet stores.

The North Shore area and Slidell Louisiana are also centers for bird watching, wildlife viewing, and hunting. The Honey Island Swamp (home of alligators, red wolf, deer, bald eagles, herons, and even the rare Florida cougar) is only about a mile out of town. Some claim that Big Foot prowls this pristine marshland. Nearby is the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area where deer, bobcat, turkey, and other wildfowl can be hunted. Just about every city near Lake Pontchartrain is an angler’s paradise, and fishing is one of the things to do in Slidell that attracts angler’s from around the country. There are several charter operators and fishing guides who will help you find trophy-sized trout and redfish, among other species. In particular, the lagoons and marshes around Howze Beach and North Shore Beach are prime fishing spots. Canoeing and kayaking are also quite popular.

New Orleans Map

There are numerous Slidell Louisiana bed and breakfasts that offer charm and country hospitality, but still place you within 30 minutes of the Big Easy. Many of these are part of the history of the region, set in lovely Victorian homes and mansions. The Woodridge is a Georgian building and was converted from an exclusive private school into a bed and breakfast inn during the 1990s. The Garden Guest House is a beautiful 1905 home set on ten acres of lush grounds.

As in New Orleans, one of the attractions in Slidell is the annual February Carnival and Mardi Gras. The town has several parade krewes and floats in the larger French Quarter parade as well as two very popular boat parades. Other things to do in Slidell that occur during special events include the Antique District Street Fair that is held both in the spring and autumn on the streets of the historic Old Towne; the Fourth of July Heritage Festival with great music, fireworks, and Cajun dining; and the November Arts Evening, one of the largest cultural events on the North Shore with arts, dance, and music performances.

Other attractions in Slidell include its dining spots. Look for great barbecue places that use native pecan wood to smoke the meats and great fish and seafood. You might also look for the Slidell Museum, with collections revealing the town’s history and the Civil War in Louisiana. There are several golf courses in the North Shore area, as well as a number of pubs and alehouses celebrating the region’s microbreweries.