48 Hours in St. Tammany Parish

Discover all there is to do in the Louisiana Northshore

Words by Archie Shelton

On the banks of Lake Pontchartrain, amongst the piney woods and idyllic waters, sits the collection of communities known as the Louisiana Northshore. Just 40 minutes north of New Orleans, the area is home to over 80,000 acres of national wildlife refuge, making it a must-visit for outdoor adventurers and nature enthusiasts—but there's even more to explore! The Northshore is packed with inspirational art, delicious food, and historic culture. Pack your bags—we’re spending 48 hours in Louisiana Northshore!

Friday

11 am: Arrive in Covington just in time for lunch at Pyre BBQ. With mouthwatering options like Brisket Debris Fries and Pimento & Ham Grilled Cheese, it’s a great way to kick off your trip!

1 pm: Head to Insta-Gator Ranch & Hatchery to watch, meet, hold, and feed some of the 2000+ gators that call the ranch home. Make sure to book your tour in advance! 

3pm: Check into your hotel in Covington, and get ready for the rest of the day. 

4pm: Take a guided tour of the nearby Abita Brewing Company. The tour is family-friendly, and guests over age 21 get to enjoy 4oz tastings of the brews. Hang out in the courtyard with your favorite Abita beer after the tour!

6pm: Grab a delicious dinner at Half Shell Oyster House to enjoy oysters in every way you can imagine—fresh, charbroiled, Oysters Rockefeller, and Oysters Bienville. 

8pm: End the night with the famous beignets from Café du Monde. 

Saturday

8:30am: Wake up early and hit the road to Madisonville.

9:00am: Go straight to Abita Roasting Company for coffee and breakfast on the Tchefuncte River waterfront. For something savory, you can’t go wrong with the Eggs Cochon. Have a sweet tooth? Try the Cinnamon “French Toast” Crunch!

10:00am: Take a walk by the river on the Fairview-Riverside State Park nature trail, then take a tour of the historic Otis House.

12:00pm: Refuel at Tchefuncte’s Restaurant for lunch. The scenic view is just as good as the food!

2:00pm: Take a river cruise on a pontoon boat and check out the local plants and animals.

5:00pm: Drive to Mandeville to enjoy a French-Creole dinner at Cafe Lynn, owned by a Louisiana Northshore native chef who was classically trained in France! 

7:00pm: End the night enjoy local brews at the Chafunkta Brewing Company taproom. 

Sunday:

8:00am: Check out of your hotel and stop for breakfast before heading to Slidell.

9:30am: Take a Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour of the Honey Island Swamp—Louisiana's first nature conservancy area. 

11:30am: Get one last lunch and munch on an overstuffed oyster, shrimp, soft-shell crab, or crawfish poboy.