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Slidell, Louisiana: Where Fun & Adventure Meet – The Best Things To Do and Places To Visit!

Slidell runs on the swamp. The Honey Island Swamp covers 70,000 acres and the guided tours run year-round, with a nighttime option if you want the swamp at its least reassuring. Mardi Gras takes over in late winter, with parades and parties. Summer is for Griffith Park’s splash pad and the fishing charters. The Historic Slidell Jail, built in 1907, is open whatever the weather is doing.

Welcome to Slidell, Louisiana, where the list does not run out. Nature lover, adventure seeker, anyone who takes food seriously or a culture enthusiast, Slidell covers all four. The city sits just across the water from New Orleans and is known for its landscape and wildlife, its activities, its arts and culture scene and its food and drink.

History readers do well working through Slidell’s past. Founded in 1882, the city carries a history running from pirates and smugglers to Civil War battles. Take a stroll through Slidell’s Old Towne, where the historic buildings, shops and restaurants are. The Slidell Cultural Center is the other stop, hosting events and exhibitions through the year.

The landscape and the wildlife are the biggest draw in Slidell. Set on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain and near the Honey Island Swamp, the city rewards anyone who wants time outdoors. Take a swamp tour for the alligators, turtles and the rest of it, or a fishing trip for some of the finest fishing around. For something more thrilling, a zip line or ax throwing.

Key Takeaways

• Slidell, Louisiana offers a wide range of activities for nature lovers, adventure seekers, foodies, and culture enthusiasts.
• Slidell’s rich history can be explored through its charming Old Towne and the Slidell Cultural Center.
• Outdoor enthusiasts will love Slidell’s stunning nature and wildlife, including the Honey Island Swamp and Lake Pontchartrain.

A Glimpse of Slidell’s History

Slidell, Louisiana carries a long history and a personality of its own. This is the short version of its past.

Slidell was named after John Slidell, a politician and diplomat from Louisiana who served as a United States senator and later as a Confederate diplomat during the Civil War. He was known for his fiery speeches and his colorful personality. Locals still call him the “firebrand of the South.”

Slidell, Louisiana sits in St. Tammany Parish, which was established in 1810 and named after a Delaware Indian Chief. The city was founded in the 1880s and quickly became a hub for the timber industry. Today Slidell holds a population of over 27,000 residents.

The historic antique district in Olde Towne is the part of Slidell people remember. Walk the streets and look at the architecture of the old buildings. There are plenty of antique shops, art galleries and restaurants along it. It handles an afternoon or an evening with friends and family.

Beyond the antique district, Slidell carries plenty else. Outdoor activities, water sports or shopping, all three are covered. Come down to Slidell, Louisiana and see the place for yourself.

Exploring the Nature and Wildlife

Louisiana is known for its landscape and its wildlife, and Slidell is part of that. There are plenty of ways to get outdoors here. These are the places to visit and the things to do for the nature and wildlife in Slidell.

Honey Island Swamp Adventure

For an adventure, the Honey Island Swamp. The 70,000-acre swampland holds alligators, birds and the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster. Take a guided tour with Honey Island Swamp Tours or Cajun Encounters to get close to what lives in there. For something braver, the nighttime tour, which shows the swamp in a different light entirely.

Camp Salmen Nature Park Excursion

For a slower nature day, head to Camp Salmen Nature Park. The 130-acre park runs trails for hiking and biking, picnic tables and a boat launch for fishing and kayaking. The native plants and wildlife are the other reason to go, American alligators and a range of birds among them. Check the park’s John Slidell Museum for the history of the area.

Biloxi Marsh Expedition

Fishing people should not miss the Biloxi Marsh Expedition. The guided tour takes you through the Biloxi Marsh, where you catch redfish and other local species. The marsh’s wildlife comes with it, alligators and birds included. The tour includes all the necessary fishing equipment, so you bring yourself and nothing else.

Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge Trek

For a proper nature day, head to the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge. The 36,000-acre refuge runs trails for hiking and birdwatching, along with areas for fishing and hunting. The swamplands hold alligators, birds and the occasional deer. Bring the camera.

An adventure or a slow day outdoors, Slidell covers both. Grab the hiking boots, the fishing rod or the camera and head out.

Thrilling Activities Around Town

For something with more adrenaline in it, Slidell has the options. These are the ones to try:

Gulf Coast Paintball Fun

For friendly competition, head over to Gulf Coast Paintball Fun and battle it out with friends and family. With multiple fields to choose from, you can play Capture the Flag, King of the Hill and more. No equipment needed; they provide the markers, masks and paintballs. Gear up and go.

Skater’s Paradise Roller Skating

For a different way to get the heart going, check out Skater’s Paradise Roller Skating. The indoor rink is where to show off whatever moves you have with friends and family. Skater’s Paradise also runs mobile party services, so the fun comes to you. A birthday, a graduation or any other occasion, they handle it.

Angling Adventures Fishing

For a more laid-back thrill, go fishing with Angling Adventures. Captain Mike Gallo and his crew run light tackle fishing trips for beginners and experienced anglers alike. With over 30 years of experience, Captain Mike knows where the redfish and speckled trout are. Grab the gear and take a day on the water.

Whatever kind of thrill you are after, Slidell has it. Paintball, roller skating or fishing, all three are here. Get out there.

Dining and Drinking in Slidell

For somewhere to eat, you are in luck. Slidell carries a range of restaurants and bars worth the time. These are our top picks for dining and drinking in Slidell:

Seafood Delights at Kenney Seafood

Seafood people should find Kenney Seafood. Crab through to shrimp, the menu runs fresh seafood across the board. Try the gumbo, which is the local favorite. The room is casual and the staff are friendly, which makes it work for a laid-back dinner with friends or family.

Steak Night at Gallagher’s on Front Street

For a hearty meal, head to Gallagher’s on Front Street for their famous steak night. Owned by Pat Gallagher, a local legend, the restaurant runs a range of steak options that hold up. Pair one with a cold beer and the evening is sorted. The room is cozy and there is live music, which makes it work for a date night or an evening with friends.

Brunch at Palmettos on the Bayou

Brunch is always a good idea, and Palmettos on the Bayou is where to have it. The restaurant sits on the water with the view to match and runs a strong brunch menu. Oysters through to shrimp and grits, the range covers most tastes. Try the famous Bloody Mary, which is the local favorite. The room is relaxed and the staff are friendly, which makes it the place for a Sunday Funday.

Head to these restaurants and bars for a proper meal and a good afternoon.

Slidell reads as a New Orleans suburb across the water. It is not. Olde Towne is the historic district, with the antique shops, the galleries and the murals on the buildings, and Front Street holds the boutiques and the gift shops. The Honey Island Swamp is north and east, and the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge sits beyond it. Lake Pontchartrain is south of all of it. Camp Salmen Nature Park, Griffith Park and John Slidell Park all sit in between the two.

The Vibrant Arts and Culture Scene

Slidell, Louisiana is more than a city with views over Lake Pontchartrain. It also carries a real arts and culture scene, one that will hold even a discerning traveler. These are the highlights:

Slidell Little Theatre Experience

Theater people should not miss the Slidell Little Theatre. The community theater has been running for over 50 years and shows no sign of slowing. With a range of shows through the year, something new is always on. Check the concession area for something to eat at intermission.

Local Art at Olde Towne

Olde Towne Slidell is a historic district home to a range of art galleries and local artists. Take a stroll through the streets and look at the colorful murals on the buildings. Stop into one of the galleries for the work of local artists. You might find the piece to take home.

Mardi Gras Celebrations

Mardi Gras is a big deal in Slidell and the city commits to it. Parades through to parties, something is always running during the season. Check the Slidell Museum for the history of Mardi Gras in the area.

Theater, art or a good party, Slidell’s arts and culture scene covers all three. Plan a trip to this Louisiana city and see it.

Shopping in Slidell

For a shopping trip as unusual as Slidell itself, you have come to the right place. Antique shops through to gift shops, this city covers the range. These are the two areas to work through:

Antique Shopping at Olde Towne

Vintage people should head to Olde Towne Slidell. The main street is lined with antique shops and boutiques, each carrying its own stock. Vintage clothing, antique furniture and rare collectibles are all in there. What turns up changes every visit.

Boutique Finds on Front St.

For more modern shopping, head to Front St. The street is home to trendy boutiques and gift shops, each with its own style. An outfit for a night out or a one-of-a-kind gift, both are findable here. With that many options, you may come away with a new favorite store.

Wherever you shop in Slidell, something will catch your eye. Grab the wallet and go. Happy shopping.

Parks and Recreation in Slidell

For families, Slidell carries plenty of parks and recreational areas. These are the two to know:

Play Time at Griffith Park

Griffith Park is where to take children for an afternoon. The park has a large playground area covering every age, with slides, swings and climbing structures. There is a splash pad for the hot days. Picnic tables and pavilions handle lunch or a family gathering.

Relaxation at John Slidell Park

For somewhere quieter, John Slidell Park. The park sits in a wooded area and holds a lake where you can rent kayaks and canoes. There are several pavilions for a picnic or a barbecue. Baseball fields and an amphitheater cover the rest, if there is a game or a concert on.

Slidell carries plenty of parks and recreational areas covering a broad range of activities. Something active or something slow, both are here. Grab the family and head out.

Unique Experiences in Slidell

For something genuinely out of the ordinary in Slidell, these are the two to find:

Hunting for the Honey Island Swamp Monster

The Honey Island Swamp Monster is a legendary creature said to live in the swamps around Slidell. Described as a humanoid with gray hair and yellow eyes, it has been the subject of sightings and stories for years.

To go looking for the Honey Island Swamp Monster, book a guided swamp tour and keep your eyes open. You might be the one who comes back with a photograph.

Visiting the Historic Slidell Jail

The Historic Slidell Jail is open to the public for tours. It was built in 1907 and housed prisoners until 2017.

The tour shows what life was like for prisoners in the early 20th century. You see the cramped cells, the exercise yard, and the hanging scaffold where six men were executed. There is also a “Jail House Bed and Breakfast” program, which lets visitors spend the night in one of the cells.

A monster hunt or Slidell’s darker history, these are the unusual experiences here. Bring a sense of humor and a flashlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to explore old town Slidell?

A walk is the answer. Take a stroll down the streets of Olde Towne Slidell and look at the historic architecture. Stop into the shops and restaurants for a sense of the place. And for something more adventurous, rent a bike and go further. Watch out for the ghosts of Slidell’s past while you are at it.

What are some of the best events happening in Slidell right now?

Slidell keeps busy, so there is rarely a dull moment. Check the festivals and events running through the year, the Arts Evening and Bayou Jam Concert Series among them. And for something more festive, the annual Slidell Mardi Gras parade. Bring the dancing shoes and an appetite for king cake.

Frequently asked questions about Slidell, Louisiana

How big is the Honey Island Swamp near Slidell in Louisiana?

70,000 acres of it, running north and east of the city itself. Alligators, birds and, if you believe the stories, the Honey Island Swamp Monster itself. Honey Island Swamp Tours and Cajun Encounters both run guided trips, including a nighttime one that changes the place entirely.

Can you really stay overnight in the Historic Slidell Jail?

Yes. The jail was built in 1907 and held prisoners until 2017, and the tour takes in the cramped cells, the exercise yard and the scaffold where six men were executed. The Jail House Bed and Breakfast program lets you spend a night in a cell.

What is there to do at Camp Salmen Nature Park in Slidell?

130 acres. Trails for hiking and biking, picnic tables, and a boat launch for fishing and kayaking. The John Slidell Museum inside the park covers the history of the area, and there are American alligators in there. Watch your step.

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