Blake Walsh

15 Free Things to Do in Mandeville, LA

  • Published 2023/02/08

If you’re looking for a place where nature meets the modern world, then Mandeville, Louisiana, is the place to go.

You won’t be beholden to just hopping around shops and entertainment centers—not when the view is worth the trip’s price.

Aside from that, there are many opportunities to volunteer and help the local communities achieve their goals.

You’ll always have something to do in this city in St. Tammany Parish.

Here are a few free things to do in Mandeville, Louisiana:

Admire the View from the Mandeville Lakefront

Bench overlooking the lake at Lakefront

Joyce Lee Williams / Shutterstock.com

The Mandeville Lakefront is home to one of the most beautiful sights in the entire city, and the place should be at the top of your list if you ever visit.

With its green grass and towering trees, it’s impossible not to fall in love with the gentle ambiance, like the warm embrace of a caring friend.

The view of the lake’s clear waters and the blue sky above will take your breath away.

View of the waters from Lakefront

Kelsy Rivet / Shutterstock.com

The place is a perfect spot for families looking for something new and fun without much hassle.

All you have to do is sit back, admire the view from the Lakefront, and fall in love with the city along the way.

Jogging at Lakefront

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

Go Skateboarding at Pelican Skate Park

Not everyone can skateboard, but the Pelican Skate Park allows everyone to try.

The place is recommended for skaters of all ages, whether at the beginner or intermediate level.

All you need is your skateboard and an adventurous spirit.

Take your family and friends with you and make an entire afternoon out of it.

Show off your tricks at the Pelican Skate Park, or use the time to find your balance and start your journey to becoming a skating star.

Go Sailing from the Mandeville Boat Launch

There is no better way to explore a lake than sailing on a boat.

Head to the Mandeville Boat Launch and see a great view of the city that most people cannot see.

The launch is free, but make sure that you have appropriate training to do it.

Go wild on the water and see where your heart takes you.

There is no better starting point than the Mandeville Boat Launch.

Listen to Amazing Music at Mandeville Live!

Mandeville Live! is an annual concert for music lovers in the city.

You can usually catch the concert at the Trailhead during autumn and spring.

The concert hosts many notable artists, local and national, who will perform all night.

Jam to the beat and dance with your friends, family, and other attendees.

Have fun at Mandeville Live!

Make as many new memories as possible.

Visit the Paul R. Spitzfaden Mandeville Community Center

Visiting the Paul R. Spitzfaden Mandeville Community Center is a great way to find new and exciting activities that won’t break the bank.

Their community center first opened in January of 1996, and it’s provided a host of services to its visitors since then.

The place has a lounge containing a reading center, making it the perfect place to go if you want peace.

Catch up with your favorite novel or pick a new book to read and lose yourself in unique and exciting worlds you haven’t been to before.

There’s also a television and card tables if you’re looking for other entertainment or different ways to pass the time.

Undoubtedly, the best part of any community center is getting to know other people and making new friends.

Make sure to chat with other people while you’re there.

Take the Historic Mandeville Tour

Mandeville is a unique and exciting place that stands as a beautiful testament to this city’s long and fascinating journey over the decades.

Taking the Historic Mandeville Tour is probably one of the best ways to get to know the city.

There are over 41 sites you can explore, each with its tale, so make sure to come prepared to hear as many as possible.

From historic houses to the oldest churches in the city, you should get a wide variety of destinations on your itinerary from this alone.

The best part is that each site has its unique QR code that visitors can scan to get an overview of the story of each place.

It’s a great and convenient way to explore the city while learning about the things that built it along the way.

The entire family can participate and learn in their own time, too.

There’s no need to rush from one destination to the next while you’re still trying to absorb the new information you’ve learned.

You’re free to take your time on your historical tour of the city without anyone or anything interrupting you.

Your interest truly is the only limit at the Historic Mandeville Tour.

Explore the Tammany Trace

Bicycle ride along Tammany Trace

Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com

The Tammany Trace is a long, winding path connecting five communities and going on for miles and miles.

It’s an excellent visit for bikers, hikers, and people looking to get to know the area.

Whether you’re into outdoor activities or looking for a lovely place to walk, this place has you covered.

There are also various points of interest along the path, but it’s a long way, so make sure to plan if you’re looking to find something specific.

There’s a lot to see in Tammany Trace, so prepare to spend an entire day admiring the view and losing yourself in the area’s natural beauty.

Check Out the Northlake Nature Center

Swamp at Northlake Nature Center

John E. Souter / Shutterstock.com

The Northlake Nature Center is a nonprofit that studies, preserves, and exhibits the natural wonders of the Florida Parishes in southeast Louisiana.

There’s no better place to see the wonders of the natural world than this center.

The center offers three distinct ecosystems: a hardwood forest, a pine-hardwood forest, and a swamp.

Follow the trails and see the magical environment at the Northlake Nature Center.

Visit the center where you can see the wonders of nature.

See the Seven Sisters Oak

One of the most iconic sites of Mandeville is the Seven Sisters Oak.

It’s a sizeable sprawling oak tree with branches stretching in many directions.

Located on Fountain Street, it’s hard not to marvel at the beautiful sight of nature growing so freely and wildly in the middle of a residential area.

It’s a remnant of a bygone age, carrying not just leaves but the memories of multiple generations of children playing around its trunk and among its branches.

Stop by the Seven Sisters Oak and snap pictures with your family.

It’s a sight you won’t find anywhere else.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Pay a Visit to the Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center

The Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center is a delightful destination for anyone willing to take a short 15-minute trip outside Mandeville.

They have a fantastic interactive exhibit that’ll show you the many different kinds of wildlife in the area.

This is an excellent resource if you want to know more about the ecosystem of the place you’re visiting.

You won’t just learn more about the different aspects of the natural world, but you can also use this as an opportunity to prepare for your other destinations.

Remember that knowing what you’re getting into is the first step to avoiding accidents.

The Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center will have all the information you need to plan a safe hike in Lacombe, Louisiana, 15 minutes from Mandeville.

Join the Covington Three Rivers Art Festival

Covington, Louisiana, hosts the annual Three Rivers Art Festival, which will delight any art lover.

Admission and parking are free, so all you need to do is get there.

Once you’re there, you’ll be in the presence of artists from all over the country.

Check out their works and have a little fun along the way.

This is the perfect place to know your favorite artists, their craft, and their works.

If you spot them, start a conversation and see where it leads.

The magic is in the air, and all artists and art lovers are bound to love the atmosphere.

There’s even a demonstration area where you can watch potters and painters as they create their masterpieces.

Aside from being a delightful experience, you’re bound to learn much from it.

So, make your plans, clear your schedules, and ensure the Covington Three Rivers Art Festival is in your itinerary.

Covington is 17 minutes from Mandeville.

Go Boating at the End of Lake Road

At the end of Lake Road, you’ll find a free public boat launch.

It’s a popular destination for fishing and crabbing, so that you can try those activities out with your family.

Otherwise, you can admire the water alongside your loved ones; the view is beautiful.

You’ll see the lake’s beautiful vista and shoreline, so take some pictures to preserve the memories and the views.

There are always multiple ways to explore a new place.

The shore at the end of Lake Road is filled with possibilities just waiting to be discovered.

Lake Road is 16 minutes from Mandeville.

Visit the H.J Smith & Sons General Store and Museum

Located in downtown Covington, the H.J Smith & Sons General Store and Museum will take you to a bygone age.

The place is the home of hundreds of items from the 1870s to the early 1900s, different kinds of knick-knacks, tools, and so much more.

Likewise, the museum side is truly the best part, filled with various oddities you’re not going to find anywhere else.

This place will find a way to surprise you, whether by finding antique farmers’ tools or a petrified rat.

If you want to see historical items and oddities, go to the H.J Smith & Sons General Store and Museum, 16 minutes from Mandeville.

Explore the Bayou Lacombe Center Grounds and Trail

You’ll find the Bayou Lacombe Center Grounds and Trail next to the visitor center.

It is a great starting point for people who want to try new outdoor experiences.

Several trails and walkways meander and wind through the area, so you can pick which path you want to take.

Choose the one you’re comfortable walking along.

Then, pick something outside your comfort zone to test your skills.

If you time your visit, you’ll see blooming camellias and azaleas.

Head to the Bayou Lacomb Center Grounds and Trail, pick up a trail guide and explore to your heart’s content.

Hike along the Boy Scout Road Trail Interpretive Site

The Boy Scout Trail Interpretative Site is one of the best hiking trails in Lacombe, especially if you’re a beginner or an easygoing hiker.

It’s a short, looping boardwalk trail that’s not too tricky.

Instead, you can focus on your surroundings: the incredible view, the sights and sounds, and the companionship of your friends and family.

Take advantage of the opportunity while it lasts.

Some hikes are meant to be adventures, but a walk along the Boy Scout Road Trail Interpretive Site resembles more of a reprieve.

Anyone on vacation will most likely appreciate it.

Final Thoughts

Not every day can you find a place where you can help in so many ways, so seize the opportunity while you’re there.

Take your friends and family with you as you find new and inventive ways to volunteer your skills for the greater good.

Enjoy the free things to do in Mandeville, Louisiana.

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