Blake Walsh

22 Best Things to Do in Slidell, LA

  • Published 2022/10/17

Slidell is part of the Saint Tammany Parish, Louisiana, on the north bank of Lake Pontchartrain.

It is located in the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner metropolitan statistical region.

Confederate envoy to France John Slidell was the inspiration for the name of Slidell, which was approved by the Louisiana State Legislature in 1888 and legally incorporated.

You can reach New Orleans’ French Quarter in 40 minutes, as well as the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s casinos and beaches, from Slidell, which is conveniently located at the crossroads of three major interstate highways.

While Slidell, Louisiana, is a thriving city on the outskirts of St. Tammany Parish, it is also home to the Honey Island Swamp.

Many tourists to Slidell come to see the spooky, pure freshwater marsh between the east and west Pearl rivers.

St. Tammany Pier, a fishing pier located in Slidell, Louisiana, is home to most of Northshore’s charter fishing captains.

Slidell’s Old Towne is a great place to visit as a tourist destination.

Now let’s look at the 22 best things to do in Slidell, Louisiana!

Join the Honey Island Swamp Tours

Tourist on a boat touring the swamp

Frankie WO / shutterstock.com

Honey Island got its name from a neighboring island where honeybees were formerly spotted.

It’s between three and seven miles broad and 15 to 20 miles long.

Honey Island is a large expanse of bottomland wood between the West Pearl and East Pearl rivers.

Scenic View of Honey Island Swamp

Sam Spicer / shutterstock.com

It is only a half-hour drive from New Orleans.

From the luxury of a tour boat, explore some of the river’s most wildlife-rich areas and the Honey Island.

Visitors may witness alligators, red wolves, and deer in their natural habitat.

You may also spot a Florida cougar here.

Bridge along the Honey Island Swamp.

Frankie WO / shutterstock.com

Several exotic bird species also call this marsh home, including a bald eagle nest that has been active since 1910.

Aside from these attractions, local anglers often catch bluegill, largemouth bass, Redear sunfish, and warmouth fish in this swamp.

However, alligator gar, freshwater drum, and buffalo species are also found here.

These waterways also provide tens of thousands of pounds of crawfish every season.

Stroll along the Olde Towne Slidell Main Street

Slidell is best known for its historic Olde Towne neighborhood.

This community’s cultural center has been located in Olde Towne since its origins in 1882.

Every town in the United States has its own unique Main Street, which serves as the key to understanding the community’s past.

Olde Towne and Slidell are indistinguishable.

Slidell The town’s beating center is Main Street, lined with stately mansions, quirky shops and eateries, and old-fashioned saloons and taverns.

Carey Street Park, a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, is a standout feature of Main Street.

The Main Street also hosts Outdoor Farm to Table dinners and “A Taste of Olde Town,” a famous four-day food and wine festival.

Stop By Slidell Vistor’s Center I-10 West

Visit the city’s welcome center if you need a place to stretch your legs after a long trip.

As depicted in this Welcome Center’s architecture, Historic Slidell was once a bustling, thriving city at the end of the 19th century.

It’s been likened to a cross between Victorian and late Creole architecture.

Clean facilities and picnic tables are available in the large resting place.

To learn more about Slidell, you may also speak with a friendly staff member.

Enjoy the Sun at Northshore Beach

On the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, Slidell’s Northshore Beach is a public beach open to the public.

Erosion problems were addressed by the Department of Public Works of the St. Tammany Parish Government.

The crews brought in the sand to solve this issue.

Two shaded pavilions, parking, and picnic tables are available at the beach.

It’s the ideal place to spend a day soaking up the rays.

Go Fishing with Captain Joe’s Angling Adventures

Owner Captain Joe Gaudin is a native of South Louisiana and has spent his whole life fishing.

You may catch Redfish, Speckled Trout, and any other fish that South Louisiana has to offer with Captain Joe’s Angling Adventures!

Ride its 300-horsepower Yamaha Blue Wave 2400 Pure Bay.

Another option is the twin 10′ Power Poles for mooring in shallow water.

Each charter may accommodate as many as five anglers per trip.

Cycle through Tammany Trace

St. Tammany Parish benefited greatly from the railroad’s existence throughout Louisiana’s early days.

Rails to Trails has transformed a stretch of the historic Illinois Central Railroad Corridor into a beautiful recreational area today.

The 31-mile paved route connects urban, suburban, and rural parts of St. Tammany, Louisiana.

Walking, cycling, rollerblading, and horseback riding may all be done on the route, which is completely accessible to wheelchairs and buggies.

In addition to conserving historical monuments, the trail connects wildlife habitats and wetlands.

The bridges along the path provide spectacular vistas of the bayous, rivers, and streams.

Catch a Play at Slidell Little Theatre

Since its inception in 1963 by a group of dedicated locals, the Slidell Little Theatre has provided quality entertainment for its residents and visitors alike.

The Little Theater is a real community effort that relies on volunteers to choreograph shows, create stage sets, and design costumes.

The theater is known locally for providing various theatrical productions and concerts.

Nellie Drive, the SLT’s new home, hosts a variety of exhibitions and charitable activities each year.

The theater offers a Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) program featuring popular children’s plays.

It also has a Senior Actors Theatre (SATS) program for 50+ actors, several fundraiser events, and a summer season focused on educating children from age four to high school seniors in its Young Actors Theatre of Slidell (YATS) program.

Gaze at Unique Artworks at Sambola Gallery

“RedBean,” the crawfish, is Adam Sambola’s mascot and the subject of his funny paintings.

Adam’s works are influenced by blues and jazz, his training in masters and religious art, and his passion for southern seafood.

RedBean takes Sambola’s gallery by storm with a slew of activities that are infamous in the South!

While he’s tailgating with pals before an LSU Tigers game, watch him play some jazz on his saxophone or listen to the rhythmic vibrations as he reclines on a pier in the bayou with his harmonica, just him and the beat.

You may also buy one of the prints available in the gallery to remember your vacation to the South!

See Your Favorite Movie Come to Life at MovieSets

This fascinating location is home to several objects and rooms that have appeared in Louisiana-produced films.

Its collection’s objects are important props from such films and television programs as American Horror Story, Django Unchained, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and The Maze Runner.

Moviesets’ interactive backdrop will have your guests talking for days after your event, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling film props and twelve staged scenarios.

Visit the shop and peruse the assortment of curiosities, take a few Instagram-worthy images, and learn a few interesting tidbits from the personnel.

If you’re searching for an unusual location for a party, check out this place.

They’d love to welcome you and your team for a night of high drama!

Get Competitive at Gulf Coast Paintball

Only at Gulf Coast Paintball in Slidell can you play paintball in a controlled, supervised setting.

Whether it’s with your kids, cousins, coworkers, or just a few pals, there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than on the court.

All Gulf Coast Paintball’s referees have had comprehensive training.

Here, every player receives a thorough safety briefing and specific instructions on utilizing their rental equipment.

It is the responsibility of a Gulf Coast Paintball referee to ensure that all games are properly planned and controlled.

Go Shopping at Fremaux Town Center

Photo of Fremaux Town Center across the road.

Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Are you in the mood for some retail therapy?

Dillard’s, Kohl’s, Best Buy, and Dick’s Sporting Goods are the main stores of Fremaux Town Center, a 350-acre retail and entertainment complex.

It is located in the southwest portion of Slidell.

In addition to 640,000-square-foot commercial and restaurant space, you may expect even more outlets in the future.

You may also find Marriott’s Springhill Suites and a luxurious residential apartment complex.

Enjoy the Lanes at Bowling USA

There are 32 lanes, lockers, a snack bar, and a full-service bar at Bowling USA.

Play bowling and fine-tune your stance and technique.

You can bring the whole family to this alley because it’s kid-friendly.

Parking is readily available for visitors at Bowling USA.

It’s time to dust off your bowling shoes and lace them up again.

In addition to bowling, it has an arcade and may be rented out exclusively for special parties.

Get Your Wheels Rolling at Skater’s Paradise

Retro roller skating is the perfect way to transport yourself back to the 1980s.

An indoor roller skating rink is called Skater’s Paradise.

Skater’s Paradise is a terrific spot to escape the summer heat for a few hours and skate to some of the best music around!

One of the biggest draws is the availability of public roller skating sessions.

In addition to being an excellent workout, skating is also a terrific way to get out of the home.

Get down on the ground and get ready to have a blast.

Roller Speed Skating, a sport that involves a great deal of stamina, skill, and attention, is another option.

The rink and other facilities can be rented exclusively for special occasions, such as birthdays, holidays, and business functions.

Chill and Enjoy the Arcade at Electric Avenue

Play arcade games from the past while sipping on your favorite alcoholic beverages.

Need a drink, but want to see whether your Pacman abilities haven’t worn off?

You can do exactly that at Electric Avenue Bar and Arcade!

Whether it’s a MarioKart tournament, Whiskey Wednesday, or open mic night, they always have something going on.

Every Wednesday night, the 200-inch projector screen shows a classic movie, and on game days, the Saints play on the big screen.

Then, invite your pals along for the ride as Electric Avenue takes you back to your youth!

Grab Some Vintage Items at Olde Towne Slidell Antique Spring Street Fair

A two-day family festival in Olde Towne Slidell, the Slidell Spring Street Fair has been going strong since 1981.

In March, the final weekend is in and around Griffith Park, with activities taking place on First, Second, and Erlanger Streets.

The festival features hundreds of stalls displaying various vintage items and collectibles, along with live entertainment on three stages.

Stained glass, jewelry, pottery, hand-painted porcelain, crystal, collectibles, home décor, vintage apparel, and Saints & LSU products can all be found in the area’s shops and galleries.

The Slidell Museum, which features Civil War relics and stories in the Olde Towne neighborhood, is also available to the public during the festival.

Go Winetasting at The Wine Garden

Every customer at The Wine Garden, a family-owned establishment in the center of Old Town, is treated as a guest with the utmost respect and courtesy.

It’s no wonder why it has been a big hit with the consumers.

It provides a wide range of cuisine, from tapas to whole dinners, but their pages-long cocktail menu is what truly sets them apart.

Get a beer, a fancy cocktail, or a bottle of wine to drink.

Check the calendar on its website to see any upcoming events, like painting evenings or live performances, that you may not have heard of before!

Play with Your Kids at Heritage Park

Night scene at Heritage Park

jahebert 7, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Heritage Park is a scenic area located in Slidell, adjacent to Olde Towne Center.

It boasts several attractions that will make you and your loved ones smile.

There is a large pavilion, Scoggin Station, a children’s playground, a Splash Pad, a paved road, seating, an amphitheater, and a boat launch, at Heritage Park.

The park has seven picnic shelters, perfect for a family outing.

A kid-friendly playground means good times for the whole family.

Heritage Park also holds a free concert.

Every year, the park hosts several different festivals.

The tranquility and camaraderie of Heritage Park make it an ideal place to unwind after a tough week.

Explore the History that Lies at Camp Salmen Nature Park

The waters of Camp Salmen Nature Park

John E. Souter / Shutterstock.com

Camp Salmen Nature Park can find artifacts as old as 200 years.

One of the state’s and the region’s oldest trade stations is also here, despite the site’s extensive renovations in recent years.

Joseph Laurent constructed the first trading station in the 1800s, and it is still standing amp Salmen Nature Park today.

A great time awaits everybody in this 130-acre park, which attracts visitors from all around the city and beyond.

Spot the abundant plant and animal life on the courses.

Multiple hiking and walking routes are available in the park.

Plus, a park is not a park if it does not have a playground.

Children of all abilities, including those with special needs, are welcome to enjoy the “Boundless Playground” at Camp Salmen Nature Park.

Buy Works of Art from Antiques and Art on First

Bringing back souvenirs from your travels is a fun part of every trip.

The Antiques and Art occupies a lovely old building dating back to the late 1800s, lovingly refurbished.

Positioned smack dab in the middle of Old Towne Slidell is where you’ll find this structure.

Five stores run Camp Salmen Nature Park, offering antiques, artwork, original local paintings, MacBee authentic oyster shell crafts, and home furnishings.

You’ll also find literature, tile art by Saja, and collectibles over the mall’s eight different rooms.

One of the most enjoyable things to do in Slidell is shop at Antiques and Art on First.

Grab Fresh Produce from Camellia City Market

Slidell is no different from any other city in that respect; it, too, has its unique market.

Camellia City Market is Slidell’s best farmers market, right next to Griffith Park.

Fresh fish, meats, poultry, eggs, and produce from nearby farms are available at the market.

The store also sells preserved foods like spices, jellies, sauces, and baked delicacies like pizza in a portable brick oven.

Camellia City Market is where you may get unique handmade gifts and spa products handcrafted by local artisans.

Nearly all of the items for sale in the market are grown organically on nearby farms or in nearby backyard gardens.

There are occasionally live musical events available for patrons to enjoy.

Cap Your Night Off Heidelberg’s Bar

Things to do in Heidelberg’s range from pub crawls to discount days.

If you want to meet some locals or get the weekend started, check out Heidelberg’s Bar.

This local bar offers an excellent atmosphere for conversations and cocktails.

On weekends, enjoy a DJ party with drink specials for the ladies.

In addition, everyone is welcome to stop by during Happy Hour to enjoy drink specials.

Final Thoughts

It doesn’t matter if you want to relax indoors or explore outside; Slidell has something for you!

Make plans for your next getaway with our list of the best things to do in Slidell, and get out there to see what this genuine Southern town has to offer!

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