Spring-Summer 2024 Visitor Guide

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10 Things to Do on a St. Tammany Girlfriends' Getaway

Just 40 minutes north of New Orleans' French Quarter and a world away, the Northshore is the premier destination for a day excursion or a jam-packed weekend escape. From outdoor activities, boutique shopping, to divine cuisine, St. Tammany offers everything you and your girlfriends need for the ultimate getaway.

Shopping in Mandeville

1. Ready, Set, Shop

Hunt for unique treasures to take home at boutiques, original art galleries, gift shops, and home furnishing stores. An artist’s haven, historic downtown Covington is brimming with galleries for the ladies to explore. The fun and vibrant Marianne Angeli Rodriguez Gallery in Covington needs to be on your list to visit. In Slidell, check out Three Divas and a Sugardaddy. This two-story gift and apparel shop has Louisiana-themed gifts, home décor, bridal items and so much more. Das Schulerhaus Gift Gallery & Christmas Boutique in Mandeville has everything your group needs to "deck the halls" all year long. You won't want to miss annual shopping festivals such as the Slidell Antique Street Fair, which occurs in the spring and fall, or Three Rivers Art Festival held in Covington during the second weekend in November.

LOLA dining Laura Grier

2. Dine al Fresco

Enjoy the blue skies and sunshine by dining outside in St. Tammany Parish. With daily lunch specials and craft cocktails, LOLA Restaurant in Covington is the perfect afternoon stop on a ladies day out. Sit on their deck and save room for dessert because you won't want to miss LOLA's Hummingbird Cake. Get a view of the Tchefuncte River at The Anchor in Madisonville. This open-air restaurant features Gulf-inspired cuisine, hot wings, burgers and more. Visit The Chimes in Covington to enjoy chargrilled oysters and alligator bites before walking down the boardwalk to the Bogue Falaya River. An evening on the Mandeville Lakefront at The Barley Oak is the perfect setting to enjoy the sunset with the girls while drinking brews and eating brats or burgers.

Crafters at Hammer and Stain Covington

3. Crafting and Cocktails

Get your creative juices flowing with a few glasses of wine at Painting with a Twist or Impastato’s Art Gallery in Mandeville. Hammer & Stain in Covington offers the group a chance to transform unfinished wood into personalized works of art. Relax and unwind with a paintbrush or power tool in one hand and a handcrafted cocktail from a local restaurant, like Hambone, in the other. Hambone's Mason jar cocktails and seasonal concoctions, such as Satsuma Whiskey Smash and Watermelon Jalapeno Tequila, are sure to delight your taste buds during your project. Or, pick up a specialty daiquiri from Pyre Provisions in Covington to sip on while you work.

Southern Hotel

4. Southern Hospitality

Treat yourself to a luxe weekend at the boutique Southern Hotel. Located in the heart of historic downtown Covington, the Southern Hotel is steps away from shopping, things to do, and places to eat. You and your friends don't even have to leave the hotel to have a night out on the town. Make reservations at the downstairs, award-winning restaurant, Oxlot 9. Over in Abita Springs, the Abita Springs Hotel is steps away from the Abita Brew Pub, which features great local brews, mouthwatering burgers and live music on the weekends. Stay at de la Bleau B&B and walk the short distance to dine with a great view at Pat's Rest Awhile which offers an array of traditional Louisiana dishes made with local Gulf seafood.

Sunset at the Landing Concert by Bobby Gilboy

5. Market Melodies

Grab the girls and get jiggy with it while exploring local Farmers Markets in Slidell, Covington, Abita Springs, Mandeville, Madisonville and Folsom. Each features local performers to listen to while you shop. The seasonal Olde Towne Slidell Art Market is a great place to listen to some jams, as is the Covington Art Market, on first Saturdays of the month. If you'd like to sit, relax and listen, check out Covington's Rockin' the Rails concert series on Thursdays in April and October, the Mandeville Live! Free Friday Concerts each spring and fall, or Creole Tomateaux's Food Truck Nights in Mandeville. Take a look at our Events Calendar for more live music going on in St. Tammany Parish.

Tentrr Fontainebleau State Park Glamping Campsite

6. Glamping with the Gals

Plan to "rough it" with your gal pals by booking a Tentrr glamping site at Fontainbleau State Park. These primitive glamping sites offer the luxuries of home and an element of adventure. Each site features a queen-sized memory foam mattress, a propane heater, fire pit with a grill, solar shower and a portable camp loo. If your girl gang is in need of more space, book one of Fontainbleau's lakefront cabins that sleep up to 8 people. While staying at Fontainbleau, plan to explore nature, too.

Palmettos Brunch

7. One Word: Brunch

No girls' weekend is complete without brunch! Palmettos on the Bayou in Slidell features a jazz brunch on their scenic large deck, which backs up to beautiful Bayou Bonfouca. Swing by Liz's Where Y'at Diner where you can enjoy your delicious brunch with specialty daiquiris that are beyond amazing. The mimosa flights and Bloody Mary's made at Abita Roasting Company in Covington and Madisonville are a great way to start your day. If your group can't get together on a Sunday, check out Daisy Dukes in Mandeville. They serve brunch six days a week and have an awesome Bloody Mary bar. Or, visit Mattina Bella in Covington. This quaint brunch spot is open seven days a week and offers local favorites such as the Blue Crab Benedict and the Jumbo Lump Crab Omelette.

Brandy & Jada at Cane Bayou Kayak Launch

8. Nature and Natural Beauty

If your group is up for experiencing the natural beauty in St. Tammany, go hiking at Northlake Nature Center or Fairview-Riverside State Park. Both have boardwalk trails through the wetlands, which are perfect for taking Instagram selfies. Make sure to #LANorthshore to have your girls' getaway photos featured on our Instagram Stories during your visit. If the ladies are feeling more adventurous, try kayaking the Bogue Falaya River or Cane Bayou with Canoe and Trail Adventures. The Bogue Falaya River runs through Covington and is an easy paddle with lots of sandbars to take breaks on along the way. Or, paddle through the Honey Island Swamp with Cajun Encounters. Stay away from the water and explore the Tammany Trace, a 31-mile rail-to-trail conversion, with a bike from one of the three Brooks' Bike Shop locations (Covington, Mandeville or Slidell).

Cutting Edge Theater Grease 2021 Production

9. Theater, Darling

Catch a play at Playmakers Theater, 30 by Ninety Theatre, Cutting Edge Theater or the Slidell Little Theatre. Talented local performers present a broad spectrum of theater, from well-loved classics to avant-garde productions. Our Events Calendar features upcoming shows that are perfect for planning a girls' night out to dinner and the theater. 

 

Tchefuncte's Restaurant ladies dining Michael Gottlieb

10. Cheers to Friendship

Toast to your friendship and a memorable Louisiana Northshore getaway with the girls during dinner at Tchefuncte's in Madisonville or visit Eight60 Wine, Whiskey and Bites in Slidell to sit waterside with a glass in hand. Head to Bush for wine tastings at Wild Bush Farm & Vineyard and LA Serendipity Vineyards because everyone knows what happens at the winery stays at the winery. If beer is the drink you share with friends, raise your glass at Abita Brewing Company or Chafunkta Brewing Company.

 

Start planning your next escape to The Northshore with a copy of our inspiration guide!

Plan to celebrate year-round at culinary and cultural festivities on Louisiana Northshore.

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