The Northshore: Play and Getaway
St. Tammany Parish, aka The Northshore, sprawls along Lake Pontchartrain, a mere 40-minute drive from New Orleans. Cross the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (the longest bridge over water in the world!) and you’ll see why for centuries the Northshore has been where New Orleans comes to play and get away.
Back in the early 19th century, affluent New Orleanians summered in St. Tammany to soak up the sunshine, breathe the fresh air of the “ozone belt,” and drink the artesian waters of Abita Springs. Schooners, steamboats, and trains brought visitors to ‘l’autre cote du lac’ (‘the other side of the lake’) for a resort lifestyle and to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Naturally Northshore
Visitors are still traveling to St. Tammany today, lured by the healing and exhilarating nature that still abounds on the Northshore. More than 80,000 acres of wildlife refuge are easily explored by boardwalks, hiking trails, or kayak. Motorized boats take guests on eco-tours of the pristine Honey Island Swamp, where they will likely spot raccoons, alligators, herons, egrets, and more.
Birding enthusiasts love to explore the Northlake Nature Center, the Boy Scout Boardwalk through Big Branch Marsh, Camp Salmen, and Fontainebleau State Park. They’ll likely check numerous species off their list, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (or any of eight other species that live in St. Tammany).
Deep, Delicious Culinary Scene
Nourish your soul in St. Tammany with the dynamic Tammany Taste culinary scene. Talented Northshore chefs showcase the best local and seasonal ingredients on menus inspired by Louisiana’s bounty. Elegant dining rooms, exquisite food – and exciting culinary experiences await even the most discerning foodies. The area is also rich with family-run restaurants where soulful, and real, food reflects tradition, heritage, and hearty appetites. Find happiness in spicy boiled crawfish, a mountain of perfectly fried shrimp, or an overstuffed po-boy. Enjoy al fresco dining with welcoming patios and waterfront views that serve up ice-cold water for your four-legged friends, too. Taste brews from local breweries including Abita Brewery, Louisiana’s largest and oldest craft-brewery and two micro-breweries. The Northshore features two wineries, too.
Rest Your Head
The Northshore is home to two waterfront state parks, Fontainebleau in Mandeville (the state’s most visited), and Fairview-Riverside in Madisonville. Both offer camping accommodations in idyllic settings with hundred-year-old oaks dripping with Spanish moss. Located along Lake Pontchartrain, Fontainebleau also has a sandy beach and shallow swimming area, as well as over-water cabins with full kitchens available for rent. Take camping to the next level at Fontainebleau with glamping tent sites that come preset with a canvas tent, Adirondack chairs and comfortable mattress.
For a home away from home, there are many B&Bs in St. Tammany. In the heart of Old Mandeville, the Blue Heron, de la Bleau, About Trace, and Guest House on Girod are a few welcoming properties located within walking distance of the Lake Pontchartrain seawall and walking paths. Historic downtown Covington also has several, and they are just a short walk away from scores of shops and restaurants. The charming Abita Springs Hotel with lush gardens is located in the heart of Abita Springs, right next to the Tammany Trace, a 31-mile rails-to-trails hike and bike path that connects five Northshore towns.
There are familiar, comfortable and convenient hotels throughout the Northshore. There’s also the elegant Southern Hotel, one of the original hotels frequented by New Orleanians in the early 1900’s. It’s been restored and is a boutique hotel located in historic downtown Covington. Murals inside its Cypress Bar and courtyard feature replicas of hand-tinted postcards from back in the day, and historic photographs along the halls welcome guests.
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