Slidell was founded back in 1882 during the building of a major railroad from New Orleans, which would eventually run all the way to NYC. Slidell is located on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain in St. Tammany Parish and offers visitors an enticing glimpse of life on the Bayous. Slidell has an award-winning Main Street where you can soak of the atmosphere of the town. For outdoor entertainment you can go walking, cycling for skating along the wonderful (and accessible) 31-mile Tammany Trace, or go on a nature walk in Camp Salmen Nature Park. For a true taste of dining Bayou style you can visit Palmettos on the Bayou.
1. Olde Towne Slidell Main Street
Just about everywhere you go in the US you will find that the original Main Street of the town is the key to unlocking the history of the town. Slidell is no different and Olde Towne Slidell Main Street, filled with historic homes, unique boutiques and restaurants, antique stores and bars, lies at the heart of the town. A few of the highlights of the Main Street include Carey Street Park which hosts small community events and offers visitors a relaxing outdoor place to visit. Other regular events include outdoor Farm to Table dinners and a popular 4-day event called “A Taste of Olde Town, which showcases food and wine.
Olde Towne Slidell Main Street, Slidell, LA 70458
2. Camp Salmen Nature Park
The Salmen Nature Park in Slidell has undergone many reincarnations since it was originally home to a trading post in the early 1800’s. Today visitors come to the 130-acre park to enjoy walking and hiking along a variety of trails which lead you through a habitat which supports a rich collection of natural plants, animals and birds. You can still see the original old trading post (which is undergoing renovations) and there are plans to open a small museum on the site to celebrate its history. One of the highlights of the park is the “Boundless Playground” which offers an exceptional children’s playground suitable for all children including those with special needs.
Camp Salmen Nature Park, 35122 Parish Parkway, Slidell, LA 70460, Phone: 985-867-9490
3. Tammany Trace
Back in the early day in Louisiana, the railway brought life to St. Tammany Parish. Today, a portion of the original Illinois Central Railroad Corridor has been converted into a wonderful recreational facility as part of the Rails to Trails initiative. The Tammany Trace is a 31-mile tarred trail which crisscrosses St. Tammany, including urban, suburban and rural areas. The trail is suitable for walking, cycling, roller-blades, horse-back riding and is fully accessible to wheelchair users and buggies. The trace also links various wildlife areas and wetlands as well as protecting historic landmarks. Along the way you will come across no fewer than 31 bridges which offer excellent views of the bayous, rivers and streams.
Tammany Trace Trailhead, 2289 Hwy.190, Slidell, LA 70460, Phone: 985-781-1229
4. Slidell Little Theatre, Slidell, LA
The Slidell Little Theatre was founded by local volunteers in 1963 and has been entertaining the Slidell community and visitors every since. Locally famous for producing a wonderful variety of theatrical productions and concerts, the Little Theater is a true community project which depends on volunteers offering their services to choreograph performances, build stage sets and design costumes. Today the SLT has its own state-of-the-art home in Nellie Drive, where it presents numerous shows and charity events each year. Residents, including children, are encouraged to audition and to take part in bringing the performing arts to the St. Tammany community.
Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Dr, Slidell, LA 70458, Phone: 985-643-0556
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5. Palmettos on the Bayou, Slidell, Louisiana
Set on the edge of Bayou Bonfouca, close to the historic Roberts Landing, Palmettos on the Bayou is an obvious choice for visitors wishing to experience the essence of the Louisiana Bayou. The restaurant boasts a wonderful outdoor deck where you can enjoy your meal surrounded by the sights and sounds of this very special waterfront eatery. Look forward to feasting on Louisiana specialties like char-grilled oysters, crab cakes, summer corn and crab salad, freshly caught local fish, seafood and steaks. Palmettos is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday and for brunch on Sundays, when you can enjoy live music to enhance your Cajun dining experience.
Palmettos on the Bayou, 1901 Bayou Lane, Slidell, LA 70458, Phone: 985 643 0050
6. Gallagher’s on Front Street
Owner Pat Gallagher of Gallagher’s on Front Street is by no means new to the restaurant business – he opened his first restaurant in Folsom in 1978 and has gone from strength to strength. With over forty years of experience in the restaurant and catering trade, diners can look forward to enjoying wonderful food at any of Pat’s restaurants. The Front Street location is upscale and the food and service receives rave reviews. You can look forward to feasting on delicious local specialties like Louisiana Style Crab Cakes, Seafood Gumbo, a selection of perfectly cooked steaks and wonderful freshly-caught local fish and seafood.
Gallagher’s on Front Street, 2306 Front St, Slidell, LA 70458, Phone: 985-326-8350
7. Things to Do in Slidell,: The Original Italian Pie
The Original Italian Pie restaurant franchise started when the first location opened in New Orleans in 1992. Originally dedicated to serving the best gourmet pizzas in town, the franchise soon branched out and started serving other Italian favorites. When you visit the Slidell branch of Italian Pie you can look forward to choosing Italian favorites from an extensive menu which kicks off with a delicious-sounding list of soups and salads. After this comes a selection of baked sandwiches before you even get to their famous gourmet pizzas. If you are not in the mood for pizza you can choose other Italian classics like Lasagna (three versions), ravioli and several other pasta choices. There are also a variety of wrapped and backed Mediterranean flatbreads.
The Original Italian Pie, 1319 Gause Blvd, Slidell, LA 70458, Phone: 985-661-0240
8. Slidell Museum
The city of Slidell can trace its roots back to the early 1700’s, when a group of around 300 settlers arrived on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans. A visit to the Slidell Museum will reveal a treasure-trove of information about the early days of New Orleans and Slidell, and how the arrival of the Northeastern Railroad in the 1880’s was responsible for the later development of the city. The museum has been established in what was once the historic Slidell Town Hall and visitors are welcome to browse the exhibits at their own pace. Entry is free and the museum is open from noon to 4pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 10am to 2pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Slidell Museum, 2020 First Street, Old Town Slidell, LA 70460, 985 646 4360
9. Honey Island Swamp
The pristine Honey Island Swamp covers almost 70,000 acres on the northeastern edge of the St. Tammany Parish. Here it beckons nature lovers to come and experience nature at her best. A large section of the swamp falls within the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area, which is home to several varied habitats. Visitors can expect to see a wide range of wildlife as they make their way through the swamp on a guided eco-tour; these include gators, turtles, many water birds and other migratory visitors. If you venture into the dryer northern parts of the park you may see black bears, feral pigs and even cougars.
Honey Island Swamp, 41490 Crawford Landing Rd, Slidell, LA 70461
10. Pearl River Wildlife Management Area
Located 5 miles east of Slidell, the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area encompasses a variety of pristine wilderness areas where many species of wildlife are managed. The southern area includes a large section of the Honey Island Swamp which can be explored by boat or kayak, while the northern area is home to a substantial hardwood forest, home to bears, cougars, deer and much more. Hunting is allowed during the official hunting season. Many visitors enjoy hiking, birding, kayaking and canoeing and recreational fishing is also allowed. There is a campsite at Crawford Landing and several boat launches can be found on the banks of the Pearl River.
Pearl River Wildlife Management Area, Slidell, LA 70461, 985 543 4777
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11. Cutting Edge Theater
The Cutting Edge Theater is a little unusual in that it operates as an art gallery and hair studio by day and as an intimate performing arts theater at night. The theater can accommodate around 100 guests in tiered seating, so that everyone has a great view of the stage. Performances are multi-cultural and varied and are usually suitable for all ages. The highlight of their calendar is the annual Rocky Horror Show which is always scheduled to coincide with Halloween. Visitors and Slidell locals are encouraged to visit their website to see what’s on and to book your seats.
Cutting Edge Theater, 767 Robert Blvd, Slidell, LA 70458, 985 649 3727
12. Northshore Harbor Center
The Northshore Harbor Center is a prominent Slidell landmark and event center, perfectly located on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. The center hosts a full calendar of events and exhibitions all year round and there is almost certain to be something interesting on the go during your visit to Slidell. The center offers a large exhibition area which can be tailored to suit any event. Due to the location of the center, visitors can find a wide variety of different accommodation options within a few kilometers. There is also excellent dining close to the center and great shopping in Fremaux Town Center and Old Town Slidell Main Street.
Northshore Harbor Center, 100 Harbor Center Blvd, Slidell, LA 70461, 985 781 3650
The top attractions to visit in Slidell, LA near me today according to local experts:
- 1. Olde Towne Slidell Main Street
- 2. Camp Salmen Nature Park
- 3. Tammany Trace
- 4. Slidell Little Theatre, Slidell, LA
- 5. Palmettos on the Bayou, Slidell, Louisiana
- 6. Gallagher’s on Front Street
- 7. Things to Do in Slidell,: The Original Italian Pie
- 8. Slidell Museum
- 9. Honey Island Swamp
- 10. Pearl River Wildlife Management Area
- 11. Cutting Edge Theater
- 12. Northshore Harbor Center
