Blake Walsh

21 Best Things to Do in Mandeville, LA

  • Published 2022/10/19

You’ve probably wondered, “What are the best things to do in Mandeville, Louisiana?”

Something’s charming about smaller cities like this.

In Mandeville, no matter how long you plan to stay, you’ll fall in love with the city in no time at all.

There are so many activities to do and sights to see that you may not want to leave!

There is a natural and urban fusion in Mandeville. The Marigny de Mandeville family of New Orleans founded it in 1834, and it quickly became a popular summer destination for the city’s rich residents.

Some of the city’s most important historic properties may be seen on Lakeshore Drive, which can be seen in the city’s oldest neighborhoods.

The Causeway, the world’s longest bridge, connected Mandeville to Lake Pontchartrain’s southern coast in the 1950s.

Mandeville has a complete set of luxury facilities with its established forested neighborhoods.

After seeing New Orleans, they include upscale eating places, boutiques, and day spas.

Fontainebleau State Park, located on the outskirts of Mandeville, provides cottages and campsites for nature enthusiasts.

In addition, it links to the Tammany Trace, a 31-mile bike path that cyclists find energizing.

Find out what to do in Mandeville, Louisiana, with the help of our comprehensive list.

Try Different Outdoor Activities at Fontainebleau State Park

View of  Fontainebleau State Park

Nathan Peachman / Shutterstock.com

Located on Lake Pontchartrain’s northern side, Fontainebleau State Park provides a wide range of outdoor recreation.

In the 1800s, it served as a sugar field with a mill called the Bayou Cane and Bayou Castine that encircle the park offers some of the best canoeing and kayaking in the world.

View of  Fontainebleau State Park

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Meanwhile, its visitor center features displays about the historic plantation and seasonal water play area for kids.

Other attractions in the park include 27 miles of a path for mountain biking, horseback riding, or hiking.

View of  Fontainebleau State Park

Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com

See the Interesting Exhibits at the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany

St. Tammany Parish’s Children’s Museum of St. Tammany (CMST) aims to cultivate a community that encourages play and develops creativity and where learning can be a joy.

It is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Admission for adults over the age of 12 months is $8 per person.

Those that want to join can do so. CMST offers a wide range of exhibits and activities for children and families of all ages, from newborns to children as old as ten.

Chug a Mug of Cold Beer at Chafunkta Brewing Company

Craft beers and brews are produced by Chafunkta Brewing Company, a family-owned and operated microbrewery that uses the best, locally sourced ingredients.

In the tasting room on Skybrook Road, the brewery offers a wide variety of craft beers, including Imperial IPA and American cream ale and American IPA, Porter, and an Irish red.

The brewery’s name comes from a Choctaw term for a species of oak tree that originally bordered the banks of the Tchefuncte River.

Aside from brew tours and dog-friendly Sunday activities, the brewery’s owners Josh and Jamie Erickson also offer bike tours and dog-friendly events on Saturdays.

Explore Mandeville Trailhead

View of Mandeville Trailhead

Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nearby Tammany Trace Headquarters, the Mandeville Trailhead is located 4.38 miles to the south.

The city acquired a whole block of land to build a Cultural Interpretative Center next to the trail.

These amenities are located at the park’s amphitheater and picnic areas.

View of Mandeville Trailhead

Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A new splash fountain-sprinkler system has been installed at a rebuilt railway station, making it even more exciting for youngsters.

Among the various outdoor activities available all year round are a free concert on Friday nights and a Saturday morning market in Mandeville.

Tour Baptiste Lang Creole House Museum

The Jean Baptiste Lang House Museum in Old Mandeville, Louisiana, is an exceptional example of antebellum homes erected by the rich in the mid-1800s in the Anglo-Creole style.

Tongue and groove flooring, mortise, tenon detailing diagonal beams, faux bois wood finishes, and other architectural details are found throughout the home built by Belgian tobacco dealer Jean Baptiste Lang in 1850.

There were slave quarters, a cellar, cistern, and stables in the original house.

These features underlined the riches of the owner. Old Mandeville Historic Association manages the Jean Baptiste Lang House Museum and offers free guided tours.

Visit Different Shops Along Louisiana Northshore, St. Tammany Parish

The Northshore of Louisiana is a popular destination for New Orleans residents who want to enjoy the great outdoors.

Enjoy fine restaurants, festivals, and free concerts, outdoor activities, a bustling arts scene, and one-of-a-kind attractions while exploring the city.

The St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission has its headquarters in the Visitor Center in Mandeville, Louisiana, approximately north of Interstate 12.

There’s a covered boardwalk where you may take a break from your sightseeing, play, and lodging plans in St. Tammany Parish and around Louisiana.

Explore the Northshore, our award-winning tourist guide, has in-depth essays about what to do when you come, profiles of local chefs and store owners, and breathtaking scenery taking you out on the lake, into the trails, and into the culinary and music festivals.

Louisiana Northshore’s Visitor Center is a unique raised facility built in and amongst native swamp vegetation, offering you a taste of what lies in store for you in the 80,000 acres of green space and gorgeous rivers.

Explore Lake Pontchartrain with Delaune Sailing Charters

View of Lake Pontchartrain

EchoFree / Shutterstock.com

Were you aware that you might learn to sail while on vacation?

Delaune Sailing Charters of Mandeville, Louisiana, provides private sailing charters booked seven days a week for six guests.

On Lake Pontchartrain, Captain Rick Delaune will only take you and five of your closest friends or family members out for 2.5-hour sailing trips for a Midday or Sunset Sail.

View of Lake Pontchartrain

ClearlyKatePhotography / Shutterstock.com

There are plenty of places to relax and enjoy the scenery on board the 42-foot-long Windward Passage yacht, a Hunter Passage yacht.

Stainless steel tubing enables guests to stroll securely from the cockpit to the aft area under a parasol that is a step above a Bimini top.

Bring your beverages and snacks if you’d like!

Delaune also provides sailing courses, with a top-notch sailing curriculum, in addition to private charters.

View of Lake Pontchartrain

RyanThomasParker / Shutterstock.com

Have a Fun Day at Kids Konnection Playground

Abita is 4.39 miles from the Tammany Trailhead Headquarters, where a green caboose serves as a ranger station and an information center.

Kids Konnection, a playground for children with and without special needs, may be found in this location.

Please join us the first two weekends of December to celebrate the Christmas season and the Holiday of Lights.

Restrooms, drinking fountains, picnic tables, and parking are also available at this location.

Private parties or celebrations are not allowed to use the pavilion inside the Kids Konnection Playground.

Only the general public is permitted to use this place for picnics.

Do take note that each family is permitted one picnic table only.

Cycle Along Tammany Trace

This 31-mile-long paved route attracts walkers, bikers, and inline skaters from all across the United States.

In addition to the Mandeville Community Trailhead, you may access the path from any location in Mandeville.

Covington to Heritage Park is a 95-foot elevation climb that stretches from northwest Mandeville to southeast Mandeville.

Apart from the Tammany Trace website, there are other maps available.

Also, take note that Tammany Trace is a no-pets zone.

Check Out Seven Sisters Live Oak

View of Seven Sisters Live Oak

Williamguion98, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It is the largest southern live oak in Louisiana, found in Mandeville, Louisiana.

The Live Oak Society No. 200 formerly referred to this tree as “Doby’s Seven Sisters” since it was located on land belonging to a Doby family member, and Mrs. Doby was one of seven sisters.

Since then, it has been rechristened “Seven Sisters Oak” and is now officially listed as member number 697 of the Live Oak Society.

The largest live oak recognized by the Live Oak Society, Seven Sisters Oak, now holds the position of president of the organization.

The perimeter of the Seven Sisters Oak measured 12.08 m (39.6 ft) in 2016.

The entire height of the tree is 17.4 m (57 ft), and its limb spans more than 153 feet as of 2018.

According to the most recent estimates, the Seven Sisters Oak is around 500 to 1,500 years old.

Bring Your Family to Mandeville Trailhead and Cultural Interpretive Center

View of Mandeville Trailhead and Cultural Interpretive Center

Malachi Jacobs / Shutterstock.com

The Tammany Trace Trailhead in Old Mandeville has an interactive fountain with a splash pad available from March to October, an observation tower, and an amphitheater with seasonal community activities, such as free concerts every Friday spring, and every Saturday in the fall.

Museum exhibits include short films, touch screens, and dioramas at the Cultural Interpretive Center.

Located at the Mandeville Trailhead Community Market, the market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month.

Enjoy Jazz Music at Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall

As far as jazz music goes, there’s no better spot than Dew Drop Jazz and Social Hall! People like Bunk Johnson and Kid Ory have played at this ragtime joint.

It has even welcomed Louis Armstrong!

They provide cocktails to go with their famed hot and tasty soul cuisine cooking at Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall!

Dancing shoes and a beautiful outfit are all you need to have a great time with your loved ones!

Stay at Marvilla Guest House

Looking for a headquarter in Mandeville?

Make MarVilla Guest House your home away from home when visiting Mandeville, Louisiana.

Air conditioning and complimentary WiFi is available in the rooms at MarVilla to help you relax and stay connected.

Additionally, visitors may park for free at the hotel.

Restaurants around MarVilla include LaLou for breakfast and Novolari’s, Rip’s, and Lake House for dinner, all of which are within walking distance of the inn.

The best part about Maravilla is that it makes it simple to visit some of Mandeville’s most famous sites, such as the Seven Sisters Live Oak, a well-known historic landmark.

Marvilla Guest House aims to make your time in Mandeville as enjoyable as possible.

Get Closer with Local Wildlife at Northlake Nature Center

View of Northlake Nature Center

John E. Souter / Shutterstock.com

This nature park spanning 400 acres at Bayou Castine features a wide range of habitats, from old cypress and pine swamps to hardwood woods.

For the preservation, research, and protection of southeastern Louisiana’s natural environments, the center contains a boardwalk that winds through the forest and bayou, various nature-oriented activities, and educational programs for children.

The Great Louisiana Birdfest is held each year in the natural park, home to various birds.

Have Fun Making Your Artwork at Painting With A Twist – Mandeville

A night out with your friends while making a masterpiece is the perfect way to spend the evening.

This facility will guide you through the process of painting your masterpiece as you sip on your favorite beverage of choice!

Its local artist will teach you step-by-step how to paint your favorite bottle of wine or beverage, so bring your friends and join in the fun!

Upon completion, you will leave with a unique piece of art and a new skill that you’ll be eager to explore.

You may also book a private party and pick from over 6000 works of art.

You can celebrate any occasion here, from birthdays and bachelorette parties to dating evenings and team-building events.

Bring Home a Piece of Mandeville from Mandeville Trailhead Community Market

There is a wide selection of foods to choose from at Mandeville Trailhead Community Market.

You may go to the public market to buy food and crafts such as handbags, chairs, and other outdoor decor.

You’ll be able to mingle with the residents and enjoy the entertainment at the market, which is part of the Mandeville Trailhead.

Watch Live Entertainment by 30 by Ninety

Since its establishment in 2014, 30 by Ninety has been offering top-notch live entertainment on the Northshore.

This non-profit theater, based in Mandeville, Louisiana, primarily concentrates on and serves the local community.

Their goal is to inspire, educate, and amuse audiences by delivering a unique theatrical experience using a common medium.

There are several ways for the neighborhood to become involved in 30 by Ninety.

They provide public auditions for all of their productions, volunteer opportunities on and off stage, and collaborate with nearby eateries and establishments.

Spend a Weekend Playing at Paintball Command

Paintball Command, a complete-service paintball venue and pro shop situated on 40 acres in Mandeville, Louisiana, has been operating since 2001.

They offer four different playing areas, with their flagship scenario field featuring more than three miles of paths, many two-story bunkers, crossings, a castle, and other features.

Their other fields include an expansive, mirrored, hyper-ball field that will provide visitors with lots of high-paced action and a smaller, quicker action forest idea field with a tiny stream flowing through the center.

Every one of your paintball essentials, along with nearly all of your repair components, are available at their pro shop.

For the newbie to open play, Paintball Command also hosts speedball competitions.

Additionally, this gives local tournament competitors a venue to display their talents and claim rewards.

Drop by Planet Beach of Mandeville

A creative and dynamic business, Planet Beach is always changing to better serve its customers.

Their objective is to become a global one-stop local shop that assists clients in feeling and looking their best.

The automated operations and high-quality products that Planet Beach of Mandeville offers help you reach your wellness, athletic, and aesthetic objectives.

The spas offer all you need for the best outcomes, whether you desire a whole-body makeover or more focused results.

Discover why Planet Beach is the world’s biggest and fastest-booming automated spa business by experiencing the greatest spray & spa treatments and first-class customer care.

Feel Artistic at Lola’s Art Experience

Given that both the two sisters are enthusiastic animal lovers, they came up with the idea of Lola’s Art Experience for the family’s poodle Lola when they first sought a name for the store.

The studio has a vibrant, artistic appearance and includes a mural created by a local artist.

They strive to provide customers with as many opportunities as possible to express their creativity, from a wider selection of bisque, glass, and exciting new items to paint to workshops and special occasions.

Classes in pottery, watercolor, acrylic, and glass painting are available for adults and children.

Lola’s Art Experience collaborates with neighborhood companies to host special events.

For a genuine art experience, stop by Lola’s Art Experience, a paint-your-own pottery facility!

Gather with Friends or Family and Dine at Bistro Byronz

The wonderful Bistro Byronz is where individuals and families of all types come for socializing or business.

It embodies a Louisiana restaurant: a casual neighborhood eatery where folks gather morning and evening to unwind, converse, and eat well at a fair cost.

From their full meal menu to their bistro-casual lunch selection, they have the ideal recipe blending superb French flavor with their unique Louisiana Spice!

Several of their customer favorites meals adhere to their “Homemade is Good” guiding principle.

Taste their home-fried potato chips, Byronz bread, Big Byronz sandwich, Corn and Crab soup, and Byronz Chef salad.

Final Thoughts

There is so much to see and do in Mandeville that you won’t be disappointed.

Mandeville is like a film that combines all different genres into one.

Come here, and you will come home with a smile on your face!

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