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Northshore
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Explore Northshore Louisiana for lakefront towns, bayous, pine forests, historic communities, local food and outdoor adventures near New Orleans.

Northshore is a broad destination on the north side of Lake Pontchartrain, where southeastern Louisiana’s wetlands, pine forests, rivers and small historic towns meet. It is not a separate administrative unit, but a travel region centred on St Tammany Parish and extending through Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. The landscape changes noticeably across its breadth: the lakefront has marinas, cypress-lined waterways and long views across open water, while inland districts rise into gently rolling pine country and fertile farmland.
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The principal communities each have a different character. Slidell, near the eastern end of the lake, is a practical gateway with strong connections to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Mandeville and Madisonville combine lakefront recreation with old neighbourhoods and maritime history, while Covington has a walkable historic centre, galleries and a growing food scene. Abita Springs is associated with springs, local folklore and the quirky Abita Mystery House. Farther north, Hammond provides a lively university-town centre and access to the agricultural landscapes of Tangipahoa Parish, while Franklinton and other Washington Parish communities offer quiet roads, forests and river country.
Water shapes the region’s identity. Lake Pontchartrain supports boating, fishing, birdwatching and sunset walks, and the Tchefuncte, Bogue Falaya, Tangipahoa and Pearl river systems create habitats of cypress, marsh and bottomland forest. The Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge protects an important wetland environment near Lacombe, while the Northshore’s inland roads lead towards the Tunica Hills and other wooded areas in Washington Parish. Conditions can be hot and humid in summer, with sudden storms, but spring and autumn are often comfortable for exploring outdoors.
Northshore history is visible in more than preserved buildings. Indigenous settlement, French and Spanish colonial influence, river commerce, timber, seafood, railways and twentieth-century suburban growth have all shaped the region. Historic homes and churches stand alongside boat launches, farm stands, art studios and contemporary restaurants. Local food reflects Louisiana’s wider traditions while drawing on lake and river fisheries, Gulf seafood, rice and vegetable farming, Cajun and Creole influences, and the social importance of the neighbourhood and country pub.
The region works well as a collection of linked day trips rather than a single compact resort. Lakefront towns suit walking, paddling and maritime history; Covington and Abita Springs reward visitors interested in art, local stories and independent shops; Hammond and the surrounding countryside add agricultural and cultural depth; and Washington Parish is best approached with more time and a car. A varied itinerary reveals a Northshore that is neither simply an extension of New Orleans nor merely a rural hinterland, but a destination with its own relationship to water, woodland and small-town Louisiana.

Getting to and around Northshore

How to get there

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is outside Northshore, in Kenner, but is the principal international gateway for the region; allow additional driving time to cross the metropolitan area and reach the north side of Lake Pontchartrain. Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport in Mississippi can be a useful alternative for eastern Northshore destinations, although it is also outside Louisiana and requires a cross-state drive. Interstate 10 serves Slidell and the eastern approaches, Interstate 12 runs across St Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes, and the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway links the Mandeville area with Metairie on the south shore. Amtrak service is available in nearby Hammond, while New Orleans is the region’s major rail and long-distance transport hub.

Transportation

A private or hired car is generally the most convenient option because Northshore attractions are spread across three parishes and rural roads can have limited public transport. Local buses and demand-responsive services operate in parts of St Tammany and other population centres, but they are not designed for a comprehensive sightseeing itinerary. Cycling and walking are enjoyable in selected town centres, lakefront areas and dedicated trail sections, yet distances between communities are too great for most visitors to travel solely this way. Taxis and app-based rides may be available in larger towns, though availability can be limited in rural districts and outside busy periods.

Top city travel guides in Northshore

The cities of Northshore, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Northshore

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Northshore

Northshore’s attractions range from lakefront recreation to forested nature areas and small-town cultural sites. Along Lake Pontchartrain, Mandeville’s lakefront and Madisonville’s maritime setting provide opportunities for walking, boating and birdwatching, while the Tchefuncte River connects the area to Louisiana’s working-waterfront history. The Bayou Lacombe Museum and the nearby Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge introduce visitors to local communities and wetland ecology. In Abita Springs, the Abita Mystery House presents an eccentric folk-art interpretation of regional life, while Covington offers galleries, historic streets and cultural venues. Hammond combines university-town energy with access to the agricultural landscapes of Tangipahoa Parish and the Tangipahoa Wildlife Management Area. Farther north, Washington Parish brings pine forests, rivers and the unusual sandstone formations of the Tunica Hills, best explored with suitable footwear and careful attention to weather. Farm stands, paddling routes, fishing locations and seasonal community events add a more local dimension to the formal attractions, making the region especially rewarding for visitors who divide their time between water, woodland, heritage and food.

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Best landmarks in Northshore

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is Northshore’s most recognisable modern landmark, stretching from the Mandeville area across the lake to the south shore and defining the region’s connection with greater New Orleans. Along the water, the Mandeville lakefront and the Tchefuncte River waterfront at Madisonville express the area’s maritime geography, while the historic centre of Covington preserves streetscapes and buildings associated with nineteenth-century commerce and civic development. The St Tammany Parish courthouse complex is a prominent feature of Covington’s civic landscape, and the Abita Springs Museum and surrounding historic community preserve memories of the town’s springs, rail connections and local folklore. In the north, the Tunica Hills’ sandstone bluffs and ravines form a natural landmark unlike the flatter lake and marsh country farther south. Big Branch Marsh and the Pearl River wetlands are less architectural but equally significant: their cypress, marsh and open-water habitats embody the ecological character that has long shaped settlement, work and recreation across Northshore.

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Explore Northshore on the map

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Best restaurants in Northshore

Northshore dining draws on Louisiana’s wider culinary traditions while reflecting its own lake, river and farming environments. Seafood is prominent, including crawfish, shrimp, oysters and locally sourced fish when available, while menus also feature gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, boudin and other dishes shared across southern Louisiana. Around Mandeville, Madisonville and Slidell, restaurants often emphasise seafood and waterfront settings; Covington has a varied collection of independent cafés, casual restaurants and more polished dining rooms; and Hammond combines student-friendly food with regional cooking and produce from Tangipahoa’s agricultural hinterland. Rural inns, barbecue restaurants, bakeries and family-run cafés provide a different atmosphere from the lake towns. Farmers’ markets and roadside stands are useful for seasonal vegetables, fruit, baked goods and prepared foods, while local breweries and other small producers add contemporary touches. Visitors should distinguish Northshore produce and seafood from dishes marketed simply as generic Louisiana cuisine, as the region’s appeal lies in that blend of shared traditions and local supply.

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Best bars in Northshore

Evening life on Northshore is generally social and relaxed rather than dominated by large nightclubs. Covington, Mandeville, Slidell and Hammond have the broadest choice of bars, restaurants, breweries, live-music settings and late-evening cafés, with Hammond’s university population contributing a more youthful atmosphere in parts of the town. Historic-style pubs and neighbourhood bars are common places to meet, while lakefront communities offer restaurants and drinks near the water rather than a continuous seafront party district. Abita Springs is associated with local beer culture and community events, although arrangements vary and should be checked for the date of travel. In smaller rural communities, evenings tend to centre on family restaurants, informal bars, music and community gatherings. Nightlife is therefore best approached as a series of local scenes connected by driving, with a designated driver or other safe transport arranged in advance.

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Best nightclubs in Northshore

Evening life on Northshore is generally social and relaxed rather than dominated by large nightclubs. Covington, Mandeville, Slidell and Hammond have the broadest choice of bars, restaurants, breweries, live-music settings and late-evening cafés, with Hammond’s university population contributing a more youthful atmosphere in parts of the town. Historic-style pubs and neighbourhood bars are common places to meet, while lakefront communities offer restaurants and drinks near the water rather than a continuous seafront party district. Abita Springs is associated with local beer culture and community events, although arrangements vary and should be checked for the date of travel. In smaller rural communities, evenings tend to centre on family restaurants, informal bars, music and community gatherings. Nightlife is therefore best approached as a series of local scenes connected by driving, with a designated driver or other safe transport arranged in advance.

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Best shops in Northshore

Shopping on Northshore is concentrated in independent town centres, suburban retail areas, markets and specialist food outlets rather than one dominant shopping district. Covington is the strongest base for galleries, antiques, books, homewares and independent boutiques, with a historic setting that makes browsing part of a town visit. Mandeville and Abita Springs offer smaller collections of craft, art and gift shops, while Slidell and Hammond provide larger everyday retail choices and practical shopping. Farmers’ markets and roadside stands are worthwhile for Louisiana produce, preserves, baked goods, seafood products and locally made foods, although selection varies by season and day. Regional souvenirs may include pottery, paintings, handmade objects, Louisiana cookbooks, locally produced beer and foodstuffs rather than mass-produced symbols alone. Visitors interested in antiques or art should allow time for several shops and check individual opening arrangements, especially in smaller communities. Large national retailers are available around the region, but Northshore’s more distinctive purchases usually come from artists, makers, growers and independent sellers.

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Northshore essentials

Currency and Payment
Northshore uses the United States dollar, USD, like the rest of Louisiana. Credit and debit cards, including contactless payments, are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions, although smaller markets, roadside stands, boat launches and rural businesses may be more convenient with some cash. Automated teller machines are common in larger communities, but visitors should not assume one will be close by in wooded or sparsely settled areas. Tipping is customary in American table-service restaurants, bars and for several service occupations; the final amount should be checked carefully when a service charge has already been added.
Safety
Normal urban and travel precautions apply: secure valuables in vehicles, stay aware around parking areas and avoid walking unfamiliar roads after dark. Outdoor visitors should prepare for heat, humidity, mosquitoes, slippery banks and uneven ground, particularly in marshes, forests and river environments. Do not enter floodwater or drive through a road closure. Lake Pontchartrain and local waterways can become hazardous during storms or strong winds, and swimming is not appropriate everywhere because conditions, currents and water quality vary. During hurricane season, monitor official weather information and be prepared for changes to roads, bridges and accommodation plans.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 anywhere in Louisiana for police, fire or ambulance assistance; the number is a national United States emergency service rather than a Northshore-specific arrangement. Give the dispatcher a precise address, road name, park entrance, trail location or nearby landmark, since rural and wetland areas can be difficult to identify. For boating incidents, contact emergency services and follow local water-safety procedures; the United States Coast Guard is responsible for maritime assistance in relevant waters. In severe weather, use official alerts from the National Weather Service and local authorities, and follow evacuation or shelter instructions promptly.
Do's and Don'ts
Do allow extra time for bridge traffic, greet service staff courteously and follow posted rules at wildlife refuges, boat launches and historic properties. Do ask before photographing people, private homes or community events, and keep noise low in residential and rural areas. Do not pick plants, disturb wildlife or leave litter in marshes and forests. When visiting churches, cemeteries or cultural sites, dress and behave respectfully. Louisiana’s hospitality is informal, but restaurant tipping, queueing, road rules and restrictions on drinking and driving follow wider United States practice rather than a special Northshore code.
Local Tips
Plan by corridor rather than trying to cover the whole region in one day: the lakefront, Covington and Abita Springs form one practical cluster, while Hammond, Washington Parish and the eastern wetlands need separate routes. Check individual attraction arrangements before setting out, since smaller museums, historic properties and nature facilities may have limited or seasonal access. Start outdoor activities early in hot weather, and keep a flexible plan during thunderstorm season. Local seafood, produce and craft beverages are best explored through a mixture of restaurants, farmers’ markets and small producers rather than a single central food district.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloBonjour[Bohn-zhoor]
GoodbyeAu revoir[Oh ruh-vwahr]
YesOui[Wee]
NoNon[Nohn]
Please/You’re welcomeS'il vous plaît[Seel voo pleh]
Thank youMerci[Mehr-see]
Excuse me/SorryPardon[Par-dohn]
How are you?Comment ça va?[Koh-mohn sah vah]
Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?[Byehn. Eh voo?]
Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?[Par-lay voo ahn-glay?]
I don't understandJe ne comprends pas[Zhuh nuh kom-prahn pah]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I’d like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir le menu, s'il vous plaît[Zhuh voo-dray vwar luh meh-nu, seel voo pleh]
I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande[Zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vyahnd]
Cheers!À votre santé![Ah vah-truh sahn-tay!]
I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît[Zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo pleh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Au secours![Oh suh-koor!]
Go away!Allez-vous-en![Ah-lay voo-zahn!]
Call the Police!Appelez la police![Ah-peh-lay lah poh-lees!]
Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin![Ah-peh-lay uhn may-deh-sahn!]
I’m lostJe suis perdu[Zhuh swee pair-doo]
I’m illJe suis malade[Zhuh swee mah-lahd]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I’d like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...[Zhuh voo-dray ah-she-tay...]
I’m just lookingJe regarde juste[Zhuh ruh-gard zhoost]
How much is it?C'est combien?[Say kohm-byen?]
That’s too expensiveC'est trop cher[Say troh shair]
Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?[Poo-vay voo beh-say luh pree?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?[Kel uhr eh-teel?]
It’s one o'clockIl est une heure[Il eht oon uhr]
Half past (10)Dix heures et demie[Deeze uhr eh duh-mee]
MorningMatin[Mah-tahn]
AfternoonAprès-midi[Ah-pray mee-dee]
EveningSoir[Swahr]
YesterdayHier[Ee-air]
TodayAujourd'hui[Oh-zhoor-dwee]
TomorrowDemain[Duh-mahn]
1Un[Uhn]
2Deux[Duh]
3Trois[Trwah]
4Quatre[Kah-truh]
5Cinq[Sank]
6Six[Sees]
7Sept[Seht]
8Huit[Wheet]
9Neuf[Nuhf]
10Dix[Dee]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Où est un/une...?[Oo eh uhn/eun...?]
What’s the address?Quelle est l'adresse?[Kel eh l'ah-dress?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?[Poo-vay voo muh mohn-tray (sur lah kart)?]
When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?[Kahn eh luh pro-shen (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour....)[Uhn bee-yay (poor....)]

History of Northshore

Indigenous Homelands and Waterways

Long before European settlement, the lake, rivers and forests of the Northshore supported Indigenous communities whose lives were closely connected to fishing, hunting, gathering and movement along waterways. The region lies within the historic homelands and travel networks of peoples including the Acolapissa, Bayogoula, Choctaw and other Indigenous communities associated with southeastern Louisiana. Archaeological evidence across the wider area records longstanding occupation, while place names and surviving cultural knowledge preserve traces of this earlier landscape. Lake Pontchartrain and its tributaries were not barriers but routes through a complex wetland environment.

French and Spanish Colonial Louisiana

European influence expanded around Lake Pontchartrain during the eighteenth century as French Louisiana developed small settlements, plantations, trading links and religious institutions. Spain governed Louisiana for periods during the late eighteenth century, adding another layer to the region’s political and cultural history. Settlement remained dispersed because wetlands, streams and dense forests made movement difficult. The Tchefuncte and other waterways connected inland communities to the lake and to the larger Mississippi Valley, while the area’s population and traditions were shaped by Indigenous, African, French, Spanish and later Anglo-American influences.

American Statehood and Parish Development

Louisiana entered the United States through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and became a state in 1812. During the nineteenth century, the Northshore developed through the creation and reorganisation of parishes, plantation and small-farm agriculture, timber work, fishing and river commerce. Covington, Madisonville, Slidell and other settlements grew as local service and trading centres. The region’s old houses, churches, cemeteries and town grids reflect this period, although the surviving built record is only one part of a history also shaped by enslaved labour, free communities of colour, migration and changing land ownership.

Timber, Railways and Industrial Change

Forestry became especially important in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as railways and improved roads opened the pine lands and river corridors to larger-scale timber extraction. Rail connections helped towns such as Hammond and Covington exchange agricultural and forest products with New Orleans and other markets. Sawmills, turpentine production, farming and related trades contributed to local economies, while rail travel altered the pattern of settlement. The region’s present mixture of wooded countryside, market towns and transport corridors owes much to these industrial and agricultural transformations.

Lake Pontchartrain Crossings and Suburban Growth

The opening of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in 1956, followed by the completion of the second parallel span in 1969, transformed travel between the Northshore and the New Orleans metropolitan area. Communities such as Mandeville, Covington and Slidell experienced substantial residential and commercial growth as commuting became easier. This brought new infrastructure and population, but also increased pressure on wetlands, roads and historic centres. The causeway remains both a major transport link and one of the defining structures of the regional landscape.

Hurricane Katrina and Regional Recovery

Hurricane Katrina struck southeastern Louisiana in August 2005, causing severe flooding, wind damage and displacement across the Northshore, particularly in low-lying communities near Lake Pontchartrain and the Pearl River. Recovery affected homes, businesses, public facilities, wetlands and historic buildings for years afterwards. The disaster also highlighted the region’s dependence on bridges, drainage systems and coastal ecosystems. Rebuilding and resilience efforts have since formed an important part of contemporary Northshore life, alongside continued debate about wetland protection, storm risk and development.

Conservation, Heritage and Contemporary Culture

In recent decades, Northshore communities have increasingly promoted their waterways, wildlife habitats, historic districts, arts organisations, food producers and independent businesses as interconnected regional assets. Protection of places such as Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge reflects growing recognition of the ecological value of wetlands, while historic preservation and cultural programming have strengthened town centres in communities including Covington and Abita Springs. The modern Northshore therefore combines suburban links to New Orleans with a renewed emphasis on local landscapes, small-town identity and outdoor recreation.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Northshore, Louisiana

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  • Comprehensive guide to attractions, landmarks, and restaurants in Northshore
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Welcome to Northshore, Louisiana, a captivating destination brimming with southern charm and natural beauty. With Evendo, your trip to Northshore becomes an unforgettable journey. Whether you're marveling at the stunning landscapes of Fontainebleau State Park or indulging in the culinary delights at the renowned Hambone Restaurant, Evendo is your go-to travel companion.

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