Slidell

Slidell is a small city in St. Tammany Parish, one of the Florida Parishes of Louisiana. Named after the statesman, John Slidell, this town is a growing suburb of the New Orleans area. Since Hurricane Katrina, Slidell and its surrounding areas have seen a tremendous population surge. == Get in == 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. == Get around == You'll pretty much need a car. There are several unreliable cab services in town, the worst of which is Camelia Cab. == See == == 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) == Buy == == Eat == Assunta's, 2631 U.S. Hwy 190, ☏ +1 985 649-9768. Tu-Sa 5PM-9PM, Su 4PM-8PM. Fine Italian. (updated Dec 2021) == Drink == Olde Town - hopping bar scene == 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