The Louisiana Northshore, St. Tammany Parish
Download the complete Louisiana: Possibilities Made-To-Order group itinerary featuring Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and St. Tammany, Louisiana. Contact Tanya Leader, VP of Sales with the St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission for complimentary planning assistance and assistance in group rates for overnight stays in Slidell and Covington.
Global Wildlife Center - Feel the woolly fur of bison, get eye to eye with a giraffe or one of more than 4,000 exotic or endangered animals from around the world. Take an exciting, 75-minute, guided safari wagon tour. Feed and touch the animals in a free-roaming, 900-acre wildlife preserve. 2 hours
Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour - See the Honey Island Swamp - Louisiana's 1st nature conservancy area. Venture into untouched bayous with a native tour guide and see nesting grounds for wild animals like alligators, wild boar and more! 2 hours
Pro Tip: Groups with a flexible schedule may have an authentic seafood boil or cochon de lait at the onsite Cajun pavilion. 1½ hour
Passionate Platter - Stroll through this urban herb garden as you learn about medicinal remedies and gardening tips. Then head inside the quaint cottage to treat yourself to delicious "Garden to Table" fare. Chef and owner Linda Franzo will provide cooking demonstrations with seasonal produce, new cooking techniques, and scrumptious recipes. 2½ hours
Sightseeing Carriage Tours of Covington by Royal Carriages - America's oldest sightseeing carriage company, Royal Carriages, has expanded from New Orleans into St. Tammany Parish, bringing their generations-long New Orleans carriage tour to the Northshore. Sightseeing historical tours of charming Covington take visitors through Old Covington with an expert guide to narrate the area's history. 1 hour
Optional Add-ons:
Downtown Covington - Browse the boutique and antique shops and galleries on Lee Lane and Columbia Street. Have a spot of tea at The English Tea Room. Step back in time at the H.J. Smith's Son General Store & Museum. Or take in a flight of homemade ice creams at Hoodoo Ice Cream parlor. 1½ hour
Historic Mandeville Marker Tour - Drive, stroll, or cycle as you learn about the rich history of Mandeville through this QR code tour. From historic homes and hotels to a jazz club and benevolent society, this tour includes 41 marker sites. 1½ hour
Middendorf's Slidell - The original Middendorf's is a longstanding seafood restaurant in Manchac, LA, best known for its "World Famous Original Thin Fried Catfish®." Now owned by Karen & Horst Pfeifer, the restaurant is still using the same mouthwatering recipe that Josie Middendorf introduced back in 1934. In 2019, its 85th anniversary, the restaurant opened its second location in Slidell. While catfish is the star of the menu, entrees include whole grilled or fried fish; shrimp served a dozen different ways, soft-shell, or stuffed crab. Venture outside, and you'll find an open-air porch overlooking an inviting sand/play area for the kids with fountains, palm trees, and tiki huts. 2 hours