Day-Trip Itinerary: Slidell

Many visitors to Slidell come for the swamp tours of this haunting, pristine freshwater swamp nestled between the west and east Pearl Rivers. Slidell is also home to most of the Northshore’s charter fishing captains and the St. Tammany Fishing Pier (currently closed for construction). Olde Towne Slidell is a walkable district of restaurants, shops, galleries and history museums.

Breakfast Options

Big Easy Diner

The 1950s-style Big Easy Diner (complete with neon signs and lunch counter) serves up tasty comfort food, plus a variety of Louisiana-centric Creole dishes like New Orleans fried catfish filet and the giant country-fried steak.

Camellia Café

Camellia Café has been in operation for over 15 years, gaining a reputation along the way for outstanding service and outstanding meals. Enjoy the French Quarter-style atmosphere of this restaurant, and don’t miss the expansive breakfast buffet.

Morning Activities and Attractions

Honey Island Swamp Tours 

Climb aboard a flat bottom boat and traverse through swamps and around cypress knees as you go deep into the Honey Island Swamp ecosystem, courtesy of Dr. Wagner's Honey Island Swamp Tours or Cajun Encounters. On your tour, your knowledgeable captain will tell you all about the flora and fauna of Louisiana, throw in a little culture and history, and introduce you to resident alligators of the Honey Island Swamp. Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary Honey Island Swamp monster!

Lori's Art Depot

If you're feeling creative, check out Lori's Art Depot. Local artist Lori Gomez offers art projects and classes of all sorts, for visitors of all ages. Original art, prints, supplies, jewelry and more are also available for retail.

Slidell Museum

Experience Slidell's history through the Slidell Museum. The building, which housed a former jail, firehouse and mayor's office, has plenty of stories to tell. Phonographs that play wax spheres instead of records, period costumes, an early dictation machine — invented by Thomas Edison — called the Ediphone and a Super 8 video camera and projector are only a few of the antiquities on display. The second floor of the museum, once the mayor’s office, now houses the Slidell Mardi Gras Museum, featuring numerous artifacts, photographs and costumes.

Lunch Options

Old Town Slidell Soda Shop

Old Town Slidell Soda Shop is a family-friendly destination for those with a sweet tooth, located in Slidell’s historic Olde Towne district. Lunch options include po'boys, muffulettas, soups and more. Then for a sweet snack, order up old-fashioned ice cream sodas, root beer floats, shakes, malts, sundaes, banana splits, snowballs and cones.  

Southside Cafe

A Slidell tradition since 1991, the Southside Cafe serves Louisiana comfort food favorites in a colorful, relaxed atmosphere. Start with the Southside remoulade, a homemade white remoulade sauce paired with fresh seafood (yellowfin tuna, fresh fried Gulf oysters, grilled salmon or mahi mahi), then savor an Irish Channel gumbo — seafood gumbo and chicken and sausage gumbo, separated by a thick scoop of homemade potato salad.

Kenney Seafood

Kenney Seafood is a large seafood market with seasonal fresh and boiled seafood. Their restaurant serves traditional po'boys, classic Louisiana-style sides and daily specials. They also ship seafood, so you can get your fix of fresh Louisiana seafood even after your trip ends!

Afternoon Activities and Attractions

Shopping in Olde Towne Slidell

In Olde Towne Slidell, check out Cafe du Bone Dog Bakery & Boutique and grab something for your furry friends. At Meme's Beads and Things, you'll find jewelry made by local artists, and can even get custom pieces. If you're looking to get extra creative, look into one of their jewelry-making classes.  Spend the afternoon strolling Slidell's Historic Antique District and you'll find antiques, clothing and home décor shops, restaurants and gift shops.

Brooks' Bike Shop Slidell

At Brooks' Bike Shop, a variety of bicycles are available to rent. You’ll find excellent paths close by at Heritage Park and the Tammany Trace. The facility also rents kayaks, paddleboards and canoes for you to paddle a nearby river or bayou.

Dinner Options

Gallagher’s on Front Street

Gallagher’s on Front Street serves up steaks and seafood by award-winning chef Pat Gallagher (who also operates Gallagher's Grill in Covington and Pat Gallagher's 527 in Mandeville). Snack on bacon-wrapped scallops and fried calamari, then indulge in a filet, ribeye or New York strip (Chef Pat’s favorite).

Times Grill

Times Grill offers casual family dining located inside the historic Slidell Train Depot, and serves up great burgers, sandwiches, wings, fries and thick, handmade milkshakes.

Palmettos on the Bayou

Palmettos on the Bayou is a charming and elegant Acadian-style restaurant, set on the Bayou Bonfouca at the historic site of Roberts Landing. The dinner menu includes crab-boiled peel-and-eat Gulf shrimp, double-cut porch chops and slow-roasted rotisserie half chicken.

Discover additional trip ideas in St. Tammany Parish or attractions in the surrounding area.