Outdoor Recreation Culinary Scene Upcoming Events
The Northshore Visitor Guide

Student Adventures begin on the Northshore

St. Tammany Parish is a top field trip destination for adventure in the outdoors with unique educational and performance opportunities for students. Check out all The Northshore has to offer and let us help you begin planning the perfect itinerary!


We can help you meet those educational benchmarks and tackle those important subjects while having some serious fun.

Art

Painting with a Twist:

Founded in St. Tammany Parish, this company is now nation-wide. Students will be given hands-on instruction as they paint an original work of art to take home as a souvenir. Locations include Mandeville and Slidell.

Lola’s Art Experience:

Groups can get creative as they select a memento to personalize from their trip on the Northshore. This flexible space offers ceramics, canvas and even glass pieces to pick from.

Lori's Art Depot & Community Center

Enjoy classes taught by area artists in painting, drawing, crafting, beading, jewelry-making, and fiber arts, as well as lessons in Ukulele, Guitar and Piano. 

Painting with Pappion Gallery

Culinary

Culinary Kids:

Students will sharpen their math, science and creative skills as they learn cooking techniques while creating delicious cuisine.

Passionate Platter:

Tour the grounds of this urban garden as you learn about medicinal and edible herbs. Then head inside to watch or participate in incorporating these herbs into recipes that will satisfy even the most selective eaters.

Kids Cooking

History

Bayou Lacombe Museum:

Discover the vast collection of artifacts that tell the story of Lacombe from the history of the Choctaw and the influence of European settlers, John Davis Lumber Industry and its influence on the area, rural life in the early 20th century in Lacombe; and the Hall of Heroes, that honors local residents for their military service.

Brooks' Bike Shops:

Pedal along the shoreline in Mandeville, the streets in downtown Covington or in Olde Towne Slidell as you receive a guided history tour by local bicycle guides. Learn about our connection to the railroad, steamships, jazz music and the French Market.

Greenwood Cemetery:

Take a guided walking tour through this historic cemetery as you learn about our colorful residents and their past.

Maritime Museum Louisiana:

From canoes to steamboats, Louisiana’s unique maritime history and culture has it all. Native Americans, European explorers, and early settlers depended upon Louisiana’s extensive bayous, rivers, and lakes as their pathways of survival. Enjoy stopping at the different kiosks to bring this history to life. For a more hands-on approach, nautical knot-tying and period-dressed storytelling can be added to your tour.

Otis House Museum:

Groups will step back in time as they take a guided tour through this 1800’s Queen Anne-style Victorian home. Students learn about Mr. Otis, a wealthy lumber baron, and his life as they travel through each room. Tours available by request only.

 

Science:
Botany, Biology, Astronomy

Slidell Things to Do - Honey island swamp tour
Honey Island Swamp Tours:

Enjoy a guided tour through the pristine ecosystem as you learn about the history and native animals and plants that make this area unique.

Splendor Farms:

Take your class on a trail ride and enjoy learning how to care for horses. Advanced equine science experiences include grooming, saddling and western horsemanship. Riding lessons are also available.

Global Wildlife Center:

Feed a giraffe or wiggle a camel’s hump at one of the largest wildlife preserves in the United States. Visit with over 3,000 animals as you take a guided tour through 900 acres of preserve and learn through touch.

Get eye to eye with the animals at Global Wildlife Center

Wilderness Overnight Skills Package:

Groups ranging from 20-60 students will embark on an overnight excursion in our Fontainebleau State Park. Master naturalists will host hikes, teach plant & wildlife identification, canoeing, team building and astronomy. Day trips can also be arranged including group canoeing, team building, nature hikes and plant identification.

Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery:

Students can "Hold’em, Touch’em & Hatch’em" as they tour this working alligator ranch. Learn about the American Alligator’s life cycle on this 1 ½ hour tour. For an even more memorable experience, visit during mid-August through September and help hatch baby gators!

Visitors at Insta-Gator Ranch

Music

Abita Opry:

Located in Abita Springs, the Opry offers 6 concerts a year with a mission of preserving and presenting “Louisiana Roots Music.” Country bluegrass and traditional southern gospel are traditionally played; however, Zydeco, Cajun and Irish music are sometimes played to reflect our diverse culture. 

Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall:

The oldest unaltered rural jazz hall in the United States is located in the heart of Old Mandeville.This 100+ year old building is rumored to have staged Kid Ory and Louis Armstrong. Jazz concerts are held throughout the fall and spring.