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Order a Guide |
West St. Tammany Recipe Diversions – and dining, too – are eclectic on the western side of St. Tammany Parish. History, natural beauty, good eating and good times are all waiting for you. Here’s a suggestion for the way to spend one day …
Sunrise walk Stroll along the seawall and lakefront park in old Mandeville where Lakeshore Drive provides a lovely view of the sun rising over Lake Pontchartrain. The air is crisp, the light glorious – and the experience energizing. Let’s eat Feast on fluffy omelets, specialty waffles and great Louisiana coffee at the charming Broken Egg Café, housed in a charming old cottage, just blocks from the lakefront. Aye, Madisonville Spend the morning cruising through the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum, dedicated to the Northshore’s maritime heritage, and learn about shipbuilding, sailing and efforts to save the 1837 lighthouse. You can explore another facet of the area’s history at the Otis House Museum on the grounds of nearby Fairview-Riverside State Park. Take a guided tour of the late 19th-century Queen Anne–style home of a lumber baron. Dine on the river Lunchtime yet? Get a great view of the Tchefuncte riverfront from the decks of Friends Coastal Restaurant or head a few blocks west to locals’ favorite Coffee’s Boilin’ Pot for whatever’s boiled, spicy and seasonal and other Louisiana specialties.
Get wild Time to head to Folsom and the amazing Global Wildlife Center, a 900-acre free-roaming wildlife park. Take a ride on one of the large trams or opt to tour in a Pinzgauer military vehicle for really upclose encounters with friendly critters like Aladdin the camel, giraffes, llamas, Watusi cattle, many species of deer and more. Rest before dinner After feeding all those Global animals – some of which drool happily on you – you might want to freshen up, so head back to your hotel before dinner. Ersters, anyone? Experience happiness on the half-shell at Acme Oyster House or Buster’s, both in Covington and both offering great Louisiana oysters, gumbo, poboys and other regional specialties in a fun, casual setting. Nighttime is the right time If you’re in the mood for a little live music and a drink, catch both at the Columbia Street Tap Room, a lively spot in downtown Covington. If you go… Broken Egg Café, 985-626-3388 Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum, 985-845-9200, www.lpbmaritimemuseum.org Otis House Museum, 985-792-4652 Friends Coastal Restaurant, 985-845-7303, www.friendscoastal.com Coffee’s Boilin’ Pot, 985-845-2348, www.coffeesboilinpot.com Global Wildlife Center, 985-796-3585, www.globalwildlife.com Acme Oyster House, 985-246-6155 Buster’s Restaurant, 985-898-0667 Columbia Street Tap Room, 985-898-0899 Hungry for more vacation "recipes?" To see them all, click here.
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