Slidell

Getting there

Two Amtrak trains a day pass through. Your other alternative is automobile. Shuttle services that run between the New Orleans airport and hotels on the Mississippi gulf coast may also be available.

Getting around

You'll pretty much need a car. There are several unreliable cab services in town, the worst of which is Camelia Cab.

Do

Find a swamp tour in the nearby Honey Island swamp. It will change how you view Louisiana

Mardi Gras. Slidell's season celebrations are smaller than the mega-celebrations in New Orleans, but still fun and much less visited by tourists. The main parades don't even interfere with the biggest New Orleans parades; several are 2 weekends before Mardi Gras. The Krewe of Selene parades the Friday evening before Mardi Gras. Offbeat early parades include the "Krewe of Bilge", a boat parade on local waterways, and "Mona Lisa & Moon Pie", known for its silly humor and creative hand made non-motorized floats. 1 Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou Ln, ☏ +1 985 646-4371. Daily 6AM-10PM. A place where you can relax and appreciate the Spanish moss blowing in the breeze along Bayou Bonfouca. (updated Dec 2021) 2 Camp Salmen Nature Park, 35122 Parish Pkwy, ☏ +1 985 502-2693. Offers a good sample of marsh/thicket biome, with boardwalks. (Temporarily closed as of Dec 2021 due to Hurricane Ida repairs). (updated Dec 2021) 3 North Shore Beach, 267 Debbie Dr. For the beach lovers who don't mind a little bit of whatever washes up in Lake Pontchartrain waters. (updated Dec 2021)

Eat

Assunta's, 2631 U.S. Hwy 190, ☏ +1 985 649-9768. Tu-Sa 5PM-9PM, Su 4PM-8PM. Fine Italian. (updated Dec 2021)

Sleep

1 Euro Inn, 58494 Tyler St. Located just 25 miles outside of New Orleans. Global Wildlife Center is 20 miles from Euro Inn. (updated Nov 2021)

Go next

Central New Orleans is about a 30 mile drive west on I-10. Mandeville is some 20 miles west on I-12; with Covington and Abita Springs a few miles further to the north. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is some 25 miles east on I-10