Northshore

Around Northshore

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Metro area · Louisiana · 277k people

Northshore

Slidell · Mandeville · Covington

Lake breezes, piney woods, and good food.

Pine Forest GreenLake Pontchartrain Blue

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Welcome to the Northshore, where the lake breezes and piney woods set the pace. Whether you're here for the seafood, the trails, or the laid-back vibe, you'll find your people. Come for the sunset on the lake, stay for the slow living.

Clubs for Northshore

No clubs for Northshore yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Northshore. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Northshore. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Longest bridge over water, connects Mandeville to New Orleans
  • Fontainebleau State Park State park with trails, beach, and historic sugar mill ruins
  • Tammany Trace Paved rail trail for biking and walking, from Slidell to Covington
  • Mandeville Lakefront Lakefront park with pier, playground, and sunset views
  • Covington Trailhead Park and trailhead for the Tammany Trace
  • Abita Springs Park Historic park with artesian well and pavilion
  • Outdoors Fishing on Lake Pontchartrain
  • Outdoors Biking the Tammany Trace
  • With kids Play at the Mandeville Lakefront playground
  • With kids Bike the Tammany Trace
  • Evenings Daiquiri shop hopping
  • Evenings Live music at the Covington Trailhead
  • Locals love fishing camps
  • Locals love marinas

Through the year

  • Abita Springs Strawberry Festival April Strawberry-themed food, music, and family fun
  • Mandeville Seafood Festival July Fresh seafood, live music, and lakefront views
  • Covington Three Rivers Art Festival November Fine art and crafts along the Bogue Falaya
  • Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival October Classic wooden boats on the Tchefuncte River
  • Abita Springs Music and Arts Festival May Live music and local art in the park

Humid subtropical with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. The best time to be out is spring and fall, when the weather is just right. Best: Spring and fall are perfect for being outside – mild temps and low humidity.

Talk like a local

“Northshore”
The region itself, used by locals to distinguish from New Orleans
“Daiquiri”
A frozen, blended alcoholic drink, often from a drive-through shop
“Tchefuncte”
The Tchefuncte River, pronounced locally as 'cha-funk-ta'
“Bogue Falaya”
The Bogue Falaya River, pronounced 'bog-fuh-lie-uh'

Getaways

Local flavour

Rooting for New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Pelicans, LSU Tigers

Eat and drink

  • Po'boys A classic Louisiana sandwich, often filled with fried seafood or roast beef.
  • Crawfish boils Seasonal gatherings where crawfish are boiled with potatoes, corn, and spices.
  • Gumbo A rich stew with meat or seafood, served over rice.
  • Beignets Fried dough dusted with powdered sugar, a New Orleans tradition.
  • Abita beer Craft beer brewed in Abita Springs, a local favorite.

Where people go

  • fishing camps Rustic cabins along the lake and bayous for weekend fishing.
  • marinas Boat launches and docks for recreational boating and fishing.
  • swamp boardwalks Elevated walkways through cypress swamps for nature viewing.
  • po'boy shops Casual eateries specializing in the iconic Louisiana sandwich.
  • daiquiri shops Drive‑through frozen drink stands, a Louisiana staple.
  • lakefront parks Green spaces along Lake Pontchartrain for picnics and sunset views.

Heritage and traditions

The Northshore is proud of its small-town charm, deep ties to the outdoors, and a relaxed pace of life just across the lake from New Orleans.

This time of year in Northshore

  • Fall festivals October Wooden Boat Festival and Parish Fair.
  • Leaf peeping Autumn Fall colors in the pine forests.
  • Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival October Honors the area's boat-building heritage with wooden boat displays.
  • St. Tammany Parish Fair October Agricultural fair with livestock, rides, and food.

Say it like a local: “Dressed” — A sandwich, often a po'boy.

Festivals

  • Abita Springs Strawberry Festival April Celebrates local strawberries with food, music, and arts.
  • Mandeville Seafood Festival July Showcases Gulf seafood with live music and carnival rides.
  • Covington Three Rivers Art Festival November Juried art show with artists from across the country.
  • Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival October Honors the area's boat-building heritage with wooden boat displays.
  • Abita Springs Music and Arts Festival Spring Local musicians and artists gather in the park.
  • St. Tammany Parish Fair October Agricultural fair with livestock, rides, and food.

Landmarks with a story

  • Fort Pike State Historic Site 19th-century fort guarding the Rigolets Pass.
  • Olde Towne Slidell Historic district with early 20th-century architecture.
  • Covington Historic District Antebellum homes and oak-lined streets.
  • Madisonville Historic District Riverfront town with historic buildings.
  • Abita Springs Historic District Known for its artesian springs and historic hotel.
  • Lacombe Historic District Creole heritage with historic homes.

Food traditions

  • Crawfish boils Springtime gatherings with boiled crawfish, corn, and potatoes.
  • Po'boys Sandwiches on French bread, often dressed with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
  • Gumbo Hearty soup with roux, okra, and meat or seafood.
  • Beignets Fried dough dusted with powdered sugar, a Louisiana classic.
  • King cake Mardi Gras season treat with a hidden baby.

Music and arts

  • Zydeco music Cajun and Creole music with accordion and washboard.
  • Jazz New Orleans jazz influences local musicians.
  • Folk art Local artists create whimsical and colorful pieces.
  • Mardi Gras Indians Northshore has its own Mardi Gras Indian traditions.

A little history

  • 1880s Founded as a railroad town
  • 1810 St. Tammany Parish was created
  • 1956 Lake Pontchartrain Causeway opened
  • 1800s Honey Island Swamp named for wild bees
  • 1800s Abita Springs became a health resort
  • Game day Friday night lights
  • Game day Fishing tournaments
  • Outdoors Fishing on Lake Pontchartrain
  • Outdoors Biking the Tammany Trace
  • With kids Feeding ducks at Abita Springs Park
  • With kids Riding the Tammany Trace

Locals speak with a Southern Louisiana accent, influenced by Cajun and New Orleans English. They drop 'g's in -ing words and use French-derived terms like 'cher' (dear) and 'mais' (but). The word 'New Orleans' is often pronounced 'N'awlins'.

Only here

  • The Causeway is the longest bridge over water in the world.
  • Honey Island Swamp is home to the Honey Island Swamp Monster.
  • Abita Springs has a natural artesian spring with mineral water.
  • The Tammany Trace is a 31-mile rail trail.
New here? A few tips
  • Learn to love humidity; summers are hot and sticky.
  • Try a crawfish boil in spring; it's a social event.
  • Call the lake 'Pontchartrain' and the bridge 'the Causeway'.
  • Use the Tammany Trace for biking; it's a local gem.
  • Beware of afternoon thunderstorms in summer.

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Part of New Orleans area

Nearby

Every area
PicayuneMississippiWhere the pines meet the PearlNew OrleansLouisianaWhere life moves to a jazz beatBogalusaLouisianaWhere the piney woods whisper Louisiana stories.Gulfport–BiloxiMississippiWhere the water meets the welcomeHammondLouisianaSmall‑town charm, big strawberry flavor.ColumbiaMississippiWhere the pines whisper and the Pearl flows.Houma–ThibodauxLouisianaCajun soul on the bayouMcCombMississippiWhere the pines meet southern hospitality

Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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