A weekend exploring St. Tammany Parish presents endless opportunities to explore the magic the northern shores of Lake Pontchartrain has to offer. Regardless of the combinations of dining, shopping, playing, or staying you select, the weekend is calling! Consider this your official Girlfriends’ Getaway Guide - let's go!
DINE
To start off your day, consider brunch at Palmettos on the Bayou. This waterfront spot is on the edge of Bayou Bonfouca and has multiple covered decks to enjoy your meal. On Saturdays they sport a Cajun Brunch menu and Sundays are Jazz Brunch. While it does serve Southern classics like chicken and waffles or shrimp and grits, consider more innovative appetizers like Boudin egg rolls. For lunch, stop at LOLA in downtown Covington. Located in an historic train depot, LOLA’s kitchen is in the train’s caboose and the newly renovated dining train car is perfect for gathering. Chef couple, Nealy and Keith Frentz, have hand crafted a menu of ten gourmet sandwiches (I am drooling over the Hot Mess, a pimento cheese and chisesi ham sandwich or the cheeseburger with truffle fries), homemade soups and salads. This elegant dining experience is perfect for ladies who lunch. Lastly, head to Tchefuncte’s Restaurant for dinner. This formal dining experience has a menu full of prime meats, surf and turf, and fancy first course options - not to mention their long list of indulgent cocktails.
SHOP
Louisiana Northshore does not disappoint when it comes to local shopping. For the art lover, consider visiting The Wild Osprey or Marianne Angeli Rodriguez Gallery. The Wild Osprey in old Mandeville has Southern made art as well as unconventional merchandise. Marianne Angeli Rodriguez Gallery in historic downtown Covington has original art, prints and planters. This shop has other unique items to purchase and a photo-worthy bubblegum pink store front.
Local boutiques have a variety of gifts and treasures. Once in Awhile is located in downtown Covington and is a must stop on your shopping tour. Once in Awhile sells gifts, clothing, wall art, jewelry, and home decor, including their custom jewelry line, Green Eyed Goddess.
Three Divas & a Sugar Daddy has two floors to explore and is full of Louisiana-themed gifts, home décor, bridal items, jewelry, accessories, bath and body items, books, fragrances and apparel. Redoux Home Market has a similar line up of goods and can be found in Mandeville.
PLAY
If you want to do more to explore the Northshore than shop, consider taking the girls to Hammer & Stain. Here, groups can bring their own food and drink to enjoy while each creating their own personal handmade piece! Spend some of your visit enjoying the handful of live music venues St. Tammany Parish has to offer. Chillin’ at the River Concerts is a free concert series featuring local artists. Hosted at the Bogue Falaya River park, this waterfront spot will not disappoint. Olde Towne Slidell Art Market and the Abita Springs Farmers Market are open farmers market with live music, dining options, and local vendors. For a more eclectic experience, Giddy Up Folsom’s 2nd Saturday Market is a coffee house that also serves as a music venue in Folsom, Louisiana. Sway to the sounds at the Jazz’n the Vines concert series at Pontchartrain vineyards in Bush. 
Take in the sights of downtown Covington in style with Royal Carriages, a mule-drawn carriage tour of the city. But, if you want to break a sweat, get your sightseeing fix via bike ride with a rental from one of the three Brooks’ Bike Shop locations for a cruise along the Tammany Trace.
STAY
Your experience on the Louisiana Northshore doesn't have to be for just 24 hours. Why don’t you sit, and stay a while? The Southern Hotel located in Covington has been a historical and elegant spot since 1907. Grab cocktails at the Cypress Bar or enjoy a weekly whiskey tasting and live music. After, head to dinner at the hotel’s upscale Southern bistro, Oxlot 9. Over in Mandeville, stay at bed and breakfast, De la Bleau. Only a block away from Lake Pontchartrain, De la Bleau offers various styles of rooms and is walking distance from restaurants like Pat’s Rest Awhile and scenic spot, the Lakehouse.
Start planning your next Girlfriends’ Getaway today at LouisianaNorthshore.com!