Beyond New Orleans: A Peaceful Escape on Lake Pontchartrain’s Northshore

Just across the lake from the Crescent City, you’ll find St. Tammany Parish, an area locals know simply as the Northshore. It’s a place that’s near and dear to my heart, since I grew up in Slidell, the largest community on the parish’s eastern side.

Recently, I joined four other travel writers for a short trip to Covington and Mandeville to experience a sampling of what a visit to the area can include.

Row of electric bikes parked on grass beneath large oak trees draped with Spanish moss near a waterfront.

Our local guide from Visit the Northshore put it perfectly: the Northshore feels a bit like the Hamptons are to New York City—a relaxed, scenic escape just a short distance from a major urban center. That comparison clicked for me as we moved from Covington’s walkable downtown to Mandeville’s lakefront and quiet park trails, all without ever feeling far from the energy of the Crescent City.

While we packed everything into about 24 hours, I’d recommend taking more time so you can linger at some of the spots. This short stay showed me several places I’d love to revisit—and soon. Good thing it’s only an hour away!

Keep reading for a quick look at what we packed into our Northshore escape, from local bites and brews to history, nature, and plenty of time to relax.

Abita Brewery Company

After checking into our hotel, we began our evening with a tour and tasting at Abita Brewing Company in Abita Springs.

A tour feels more like time with a passionate local than a scripted factory walk‑through. You start in the gift shop or taproom, check in, and can grab a pint or a frosty soda (root beer for this gluten‑free girl) before heading into the brewhouse. Closed‑toe shoes are required, and from there, the focus is on story and sensory experiences.

Collage showing brewing equipment inside Abita Brewery, Abita-branded glasses and beverages, and the exterior of the brewery building.

Your guide begins with Abita’s history and the importance of their spring water, then walks you through each step of the brewing process (grain handling, mashing, lautering, boiling with hops, and fermentation) using easy‑to‑understand comparisons. Along the way, you get to smell different malts, see hop pellets, and learn how spent grain feeds local cows and how steam is recycled to save energy.

Downstairs, you’ll peek at the sugar kettle where Abita’s famous root beer and other sodas are born, the cooling system, and the yeast lab that keeps each batch consistent. The tour also highlights their pilot system for experimental beers, a massive packaging line, and the growing rum and vodka program. Everything wraps up back in the taproom, where adults can enjoy beer or cocktails, kids can sip sodas, and everyone can linger in the beer garden.

This is one of the few places on our lineup that I had already visited. Only, I went in 2019 for a soda tour with my youngest son, my youngest sister, and her family. While it was more focused on soda production, we still got a peek at the spaces used to brew beer. I still remember one of my nephews screwing up his face when he smelled the hops.

Production of rum and vodka started during 2020 when they got a little ‘squirrely’ during the COVID shutdown. We sampled all three spirits. I am not a fan of rum on its own, but the vodka may be one of the best I’ve had. I’m still kicking myself for not buying a bottle on our tour. Thankfully, I’m a short drive away and can pick it up at a later date.

Navigating Mandeville by Bike with O’Wheelies

O’Wheelies is a family‑owned bike shop offering a wide assortment of bikes and skateboards for sale, as well as electric‑assist bikes for getting around town. Anyone who rents receives a wristband and a list of same‑day discounts at participating local businesses.

What really stood out to me is that they go beyond simply selling gear and offer party options (like build‑your‑own‑skateboard events) and camps to help kids—and even nervous adults—learn to ride with confidence.

Collage showing people preparing to ride electric bikes outdoors next to a sign for “The Trace Neighborhood Bar and Grill” and “O’Wheelies.” — *O’Wheelies rents electric-assisted bikes, perfect for exploring downtown Mandeville and the Tammany Trace.*

I was excited about exploring the area by bike, but my knee and a flare‑up of hives made it clear that wasn’t the best idea this time. Others in our group did get to ride, though, and came back talking about how fun it was to feel the fresh air on their faces and how much they enjoyed the extra boost from the electric assist.

Only a short distance from the lakefront, you’ll find the Dew Drop. What looks like a simple, weathered single-room structure soon reveals a surprisingly rich history.

Built in 1895 by the Dew Drop Benevolent Association, the Dew Drop grew out of African American benevolent societies that quietly paid for rent, funerals, food and everyday needs long before formal safety nets existed. New research traces the group back to the 1880s and identifies its founder as Olivia Eunice, a 26-year-old free woman of color and New Orleans teacher whose name was once misread on the worn cornerstone.

Split image showing the exterior and interior of the Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall in Mandeville, Louisiana, including a small wooden building under oak trees and a simple stage with instruments inside.

The building began life as a flexible meeting space for the local Black community rather than a church or music hall. Today it is recognized as the oldest unaltered rural jazz landmark, a place where early jazz greats such as Buddy Petit, Kid Ory and members of the Anderson family once played, with strong oral tradition that Louis Armstrong likely joined in when visiting nearby relatives.

Now owned by the city, the hall is managed by Friends of the Dew Drop, a volunteer-run nonprofit that treats it as a landmark held in the public trust. They present only a dozen shows a year, focused on traditional jazz, blues and New Orleans styles, along with a beloved December gospel concert featuring choirs from the historic Black churches on the street.

Learning this piece of history for a place I never knew existed was a real treat. While we did not experience a performance during our visit, I am hoping to attend one of the concerts later this year.

Fontainebleau State Park

Fontainebleau State Park, just east of Mandeville, offers more than 2,500 acres along Lake Pontchartrain with playgrounds, a small sandy beach, a fishing pier, and miles of nature trails. The park sits on historic plantation land dating back to an 18th‑century farmstead and a later sugar plantation, with old sugar mill ruins and a visitor center that shares both the cultural history and the local flora and fauna.

Collage of waterfront views at a state park, including a sandy shoreline with trees, a rocky shoreline along the water, and large oak trees with hanging moss. — *Elegant live oak trees with moss lead to the waterfront beach area at Fountainbleu State Park in Louisiana.*

Families will find plenty to do. There are shaded playgrounds, a splash pad in season, and a beach area where kids can dig in the sand or wade, while adults enjoy views of the lake and the exposed tree roots on the western side of the shore. The fishing pier is popular with anglers and also offers a great vantage point for photos, including the remaining pier pylons and old lifeguard tower supports.

The park features cabins, full‑hookup RV sites, and primitive campsites, along with access to the paved Tammany Trace trail for biking, walking, and in‑line skating. Admission is $3 per person, and April and October are typically the most pleasant and popular months to visit.

This was the second place that I have visited in the past. However, my single visit to the park was probably 40 years ago when I was in school.

Visitor center’s typically closed Mondays, but we hit the jackpot: the interpretive ranger was wrapping up with a homeschool group. He shared a quick history lesson and pointed out the old pier pylons in the water.

I can’t wait to return, maybe with our RV, for a full family adventure! It could also be a great homeschool family day with a wide variety of activities to enjoy.

The Southern Hotel For an Elegant Stay in Covington

Tucked into the heart of historic Covington, the Southern Hotel caught my eye when driving by a few years ago. Each time I passed it by, I wondered what lay beyond its elegant façade. My stay answered the question and has me longing for a return visit.

This grand 1907 Mission-style property, which later served many roles including as a sanitarium, has been carefully restored into a boutique hotel that feels both timeless and fresh.

Inside, the atmosphere is warm and elegant without feeling fussy. Guest rooms feature thoughtful touches like plantation shutters, an Art Deco–inspired bathroom with gleaming white tile, and a gooseneck kettle instead of the standard single-cup coffee maker. It feels like a true retreat rather than just a place to sleep.

Collage of a hotel exterior with palm trees, a guest room with a bed and lamps, a bathroom with a walk-in shower, and in-room coffee amenities. — *The Southern Hotel combines Southern hospitality with elegant comfort in the heart of Covington.*

Throughout the hotel, locally inspired artwork and well-designed common areas invite you to linger. Cozy seating around the lobby fireplace, a softly lit courtyard with a fountain and string lights, a tranquil outdoor pool, and a small library nook all add to the sense of relaxed sophistication.

For a couple’s getaway or a quieter, more upscale stay on Louisiana’s Northshore, the Southern Hotel offers an inviting mix of history, style, and genuine hospitality. I can envision this being a great overnight getaway spot for my husband and I (or maybe just me!) with so many options in walking distance.

Places to Eat or Get a Drink

As in many places throughout the United States, you can find familiar places to eat. But, where is the fun in traveling only to visit a chain restaurant you recognize?

I far prefer to visit locally owned and operated establishments whenever possible.

During our quick stay, we visited four places for either a meal or drink.

The Gloriette, Inside of the Southern Hotel

The on-site restaurant, The Gloriette, provided an amazing, leisurely dinner experience. The menu rotates with the season, serving French-inspired dishes rooted in local flavors.

From appetizers to dessert, the meal was excellent, and the staff went above and beyond to accommodate my gluten-free needs, clearly explaining what could be ordered safely and making adjustments without hesitation.

Collage featuring a red cocktail, plated appetizer bites topped with diced vegetables and herbs, a dessert with whipped cream and chocolate, and a savory entrée with sauce. — *Several items sampled at The Gloriette in Covington. Everything I ate was gluten-free.*

That Sunday evening, we were treated to live music so good and subdued it was hard to tell it was live.

Haven Coffee & Cocktails in Covington

A short walk from the Southern Hotel, Haven is open from breakfast through the evening. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast with our coffee beverages of choice. I kept it simple with two eggs, sweet potato “home fries,” sausage patties (with a hint of apple, I think), and a thick slice of gluten‑free toast.

Collage showing a breakfast plate with eggs, sausage, toast, and roasted sweet potatoes alongside a latte with heart-shaped foam art. — *Eating gluten-free at Haven Coffee & Cocktails in Covington, LA.*

While the grits were calling to me, the chef recommended I skip them because of their placement in the kitchen. The crock sits below the pass‑through for plated dishes, so there’s a small chance of cross‑contact. His suggestion of the sweet potatoes was spot‑on and made for an amazing way to start the day.

The coffee is roasted on site, and I had a latte with a touch of syrup that felt like perfection in terms of flavor.

I’m already mentally planning a homeschool‑mom‑and‑teen getaway, with Tandem as a must‑stop (followed, of course, by a run to the local bookstores). With several seating areas, Tandem invites guests to linger over their food and drinks while enjoying good company.

The Barley Oak: Old World Draught Haus

Situated across the street from Lake Ponchartrain, The Barley Oak is a local favorite for brews and food. We stopped here for lunch, opting to sit on the balcony to enjoy the gentle breeze coming off the lake.

As a gluten-free gal, I was careful when ordering. The bartender taking our order helped me easily navigate the menu.

Collage showing the exterior sign for The Barley Oak in Mandeville alongside a table filled with pretzels, tacos, sandwiches, chips, and other restaurant dishes.

While I couldn’t sample it, their traditional soft pretzel looked fabulous and a great selection if enjoying one of the available craft beers. They have over 100 craft beers, so the biggest hurdle for someone could be deciding which to try next.

Tandem Coffee & Cocktails in Mandeville

Our visit ended with a quick trip to Tandem in historic Mandeville on a street lined with a variety of antique and boutique stores.

Like Tandem, Haven has you covered from morning until night, with space to linger either inside, surrounded by local art, or outside enjoying fresh air.

Walking inside, I had a frozen coffee drink on my mind. It is a special deal beverage for anyone sporting an O’Wheelies wristband. However, the plan went out the window when the barista told us about their brand-new carrot cake syrup. All of their syrups are made in-house. That one is paired with a cheesecake cold foam (also made in-house).

Collage of a coffee shop interior with staff behind the counter and menu boards overhead, alongside a close-up of an iced coffee drink. — *Coffee, cocktails, and bites are available at Tandem Coffee and Cocktails in old Mandeville.*

Beyond the coffee drinks, craft cocktails, and food, Tandem also hosts several community events each month. Tuesday night is trivia night while other events happen monthly.

I got mine on ice and am now dreaming of my next visit. Unlike the whirlwind tour, I plan to meander up and down the quaint streets to explore the cute shops.

If you’re looking for a low‑pressure getaway that still feels like a real adventure, the Northshore is a great place to start. I left Covington and Mandeville wanting to slow down even more: to linger at the coffee shop a little longer, bike the lakefront a second time, and explore every corner of this welcoming side of Lake Pontchartrain.