Slidell is a lakeside city surrounded by wildlife-rich swamps and bayous. Discover local history in the walkable downtown district and enjoy warm Louisiana hospitality. Swamp tours are a crowd-pleasing activity and get you up close with alligators, eagles and other wildlife.
Things to do in Slidell
Swamp tours take you deep into the Pearl River wetlands and Honey Island Swamp. From the safety of a boat, you’ll see enormous alligators basking in the shallows. You’ll be amazed by the maze-like bayous lined with cypress trees. The area offers some of the best swamp birding in the South, with the chance to spot eagles, ospreys and swallowtail kites. If you’re lucky, you might see the elusive Florida panther.
Step back in time and stroll around the Olde Towne. The walkable district features tree-lined streets and handsome brick buildings. Shop for treasures at antique shops and discover new talent at independent galleries. American-style diners and soda shops recall the nostalgia of yesteryear.
Like the rest of Louisiana, Slidell is rich in Creole and Cajun cultures. Sit down at a family-run kitchen for hearty dishes like “gumbo” seafood soup, “jambalaya” chicken and rice, shrimp in a rich tomato-based sauce and boiled crawfish.
Proximity to New Orleans makes Slidell a great base for events like Mardi Gras and the Jazz & Heritage Festival. The city is also popular during sporting events like the Sugar Bowl American college football game and the Zurich Classic golf tournament. Fans flock to Slidell on game days to cheer on the New Orleans Saints football team and the Pelicans basketball squad. Head to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to check out the sandy beaches and neon-lit casinos.
Getting around Slidell
Downtown Slidell and the Olde Towne are pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. Slidell is in a region of Louisiana known as the Northshore, a 40-minute drive from New Orleans and 1.5 hours from Baton Rouge. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is a 45-minute drive away.