Before You Go

Coordinates 30.4755° N, 90.1009° W
Baton Rouge to Northshore 66.5 miles
Driving Time 1 hour, 20 minutes

Why Northshore?

St. Tammany Parish boasts several jewels of small towns like Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, and Abita Springs. Classic main streets, lush and verdant trails, and constant cultural events make this part of Louisiana a hidden treasure. Delicious restaurants can be found in each town as well as family-friendly activities to make great memories. Hop in the car with those you love and explore the Northshore!

Where to Eat

The English Tea Room & Eatery  |  734 East Rutland Street  |  Covington, LA 70433
Have you ever enjoyed a proper English tea? Here’s your chance! Bring along your princes and princesses to The English Tea Room & Eatery for delicious scones, crumpets, and Nutella sandwiches. The eatery offers one of the largest selections of teas in the south, and the English décor is a must-see. ■ englishtearoom.com

Sweet Daddy’s BBQ & Catering  |  420 S. Tyler Street  |  Covington, LA 70433
In Louisiana, we know great BBQ, and the grillmasters at Sweet Daddy’s BBQ & Catering have been cooking up BBQ favorites for over 15 years. If you’re looking for something savory and sweet, this is where you will want to be, but don’t leave without trying one of the homemade desserts. ■ sweetdaddysbarbq.com

Old Town Slidell Soda Shop  |  301 Cousin Street  |  Slidell, LA 70458
Cool off after a busy day with a float, shake, malt, sundae, or an ice cream sandwich at Old Town Slidell Soda Shop. Choose from a variety of delicious sweet treats or sink your teeth into something more savory such as a muffuletta, Frito pie, or chili cheese fries. ■ slidellsodashop.com

On the Way

Stop in Satsuma and take an Instagram-worthy photo with the F-4 Phantom fighter jet on display at the Satsuma exit of Interstate 12. No filter will be needed for this stellar shot!

What to Do

On your way to the Northshore, take a meaningful detour to Global Wildlife Center. Discover over 4,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from all over the world. This is not a normal zoo. The animals roam free, and you can take a tour encountering them all. ■ globalwildlife.com

Another great stop along the way is the Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center. It is the perfect place for families to learn and explore together in a safe, fun hands-on environment. The open and interactive area is filled with unique, entertaining, and educational areas to explore. ■ lcdcofhammond.org

Feel the teeth and claws of a baby American Alligator at the Insta-Gator Ranch & Hatchery. This working alligator ranch is home to more than 2,000 gators and is open all year round–rain or shine. Take a tour and see for yourself what life is like for a gator in the Louisiana Alligator Industry. ■ insta-gatorranch.com

Experience a night of jazz like never before. The Dew Drop Jazz and Social Hall is one of only a handful of buildings of its kind still in its original condition. The Dew Drop in Mandeville is on the National Register of Historic Places and is regarded as the oldest surviving rural jazz dance hall in the world. ■ dewdropjazzhall.com

The Mandeville Trailhead is a renovated train station that now serves as additional fun, complete with a splash fountain-sprinkler system that children can enjoy. There’s also pavilions, an amphitheater, a tower, and picnic facilities. Experience free Friday and Saturday evening concerts in March, and the Saturday morning Mandeville Community Market throughout the year. ■ cityofmandeville.com

See wild hogs, alligators, and native flora and fauna while on a leisurely tour of the swamp. Climb aboard a swamp boat at Honey Island Swamp in Slidell to see lush nature in harmony and abundant wildlife. ■ louisiananorthshore.com

Grab your significant other and enjoy a tour through Pontchartrain Vineyards. Pontchartrain Vineyards has been crafting Louisiana’s wine since 1991. And every spring and fall, they host the famed Jazz’n the Vines concert series, featuring the best in local music set among the vines. ■ ponchartrainvineyards.com