Slidell, located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, is only 32.8 miles (52.8 km) from New Orleans. This has reportedly made Slidell one of the fastest growing suburbs in the metropolitan area. Slidell is full of countless activities for both tourists and locals alike! Visit nature parks and wildlife refuges, or take a boat out for a little fishing adventure! Sit back and relax in one of the countless cafes, enjoying classic Cajun favorites such as dusted beignets or spicy gumbo. Stay comfortably in one of the best Airbnb vacation rentals in Slidell and there are also houseboats for rent in Louisiana if you want a unique holiday stay. Take the family to work as a team in an escape room, or challenge the siblings in a game of paintball! So keep reading for even more things to do in Slidell, Louisiana!
1. Go fishing with Angling Adventures
What to do in Slidell? Jump aboard a boat with your guide and spend a whole day fishing in the Biloxi Marsh in Lake Pontchartrain. The waters are full of flounders, redfish, and speckled trout, so you are sure to catch some. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and native plants and wildlife as your boats sway in the water while you wait for a bite on your line. Listen to your guide’s fishing tales and learn from his expertise. From beginners to experts, this adventure is sure to be the perfect way to spend the day, and who knows – maybe you’ll come home with dinner!
Angling Adventures of Louisiana
Address: 53105 LA-433, Slidell, LA 70461
Website: Angling Adventures of Louisiana
Opening hours: Varies
Price: 425 - 875 USD
2. Experience native wildlife at Bogue Chitto
At Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge, you will be able to experience one of the most untouched swamplands in the country. Adapted to the regular flooding, which occurs periodically throughout the park, the plants and animals native to the area are truly unique. Keep your eyes on the sky to see a swallow-tailed kite, watch the shorelines for the ringed-sawback turtle, and be aware of the American alligator, especially during the summer months when they will bask in the sunshine on the shore. This is one experience you will want to make sure includes your camera!
Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
Address: Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex, 61389 Highway 434, Lacombe, LA 70445
Website: Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
Opening hours: Varies
3. Get a strike at Bowling USA
Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? Take on the family with a little game of bowling at Bowling USA! This bowling alley has 32 lanes, a snack bar, a full-service bar, and shoe rental services. They have made sure that you’re well equipped to spend an evening trying to get the most strikes in a row!
Bowling USA
Address: 685 Brownswitch Rd, Slidell, LA 70458
Website: Bowling USA
Opening hours: Mon: 6pm - 10pm; Tue: 3pm - 10pm; Wed: 12pm - 10pm; Thu: 3pm - 10pm; Fri: 12am - 12pm; Sat: 11am - 12am; Sun: 12:30pm - 6:30pm
Price: Varies
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4. Order a yummy brunch at Cafe Luke
A dinner theatre in the evenings, but a classic New Orleans-style restaurant in the mornings, Cafe Luke is an ideal place to stop by for a relaxing brunch. Customers love the “Lost Bread” on the menu, which is Cafe Luke’s version of french toast, drizzled in warm maple syrup and baked to golden perfection (6 USD). At incredible prices with lots of options for add-ons, you’re sure to find a hidden gem at Cafe Luke.
Cafe Luke
Address: 153 Robert St, Slidell, LA 70458
Website: Cafe Luke
Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 11am - 2pm; Sat - Sun: 7am - 2pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: Varies
5. Visit the beautifully preserved Slidell at Camp Salmen
Take a walk through Camp Salmen Nature Park, originally a Boy Scout summer camp, and marvel at the natural beauties being preserved. Pick from one of the three trails to see a variety of plants and animals! The Camp Ridge Trail is known for its flowering gardens of indigenous plants, as well as the plethora of butterflies and birds, which makes it one of the best among Slidell attractions. At the Goldfish Bayou Basin Trail, you’ll be able to travel through a swamp ecosystem! Or gaze across the open meadows on the Old Fields Plateau Trail for some truly picturesque views.
Camp Salmen Nature Park
Address: 35122 Parish Pkwy, Slidell, LA 70460
Website: Camp Salmen Nature Park
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 9am - 7pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
6. Challenge the gamer in you at Electric Avenue Bar & Arcade
Needing a little drink but want to test your skills on some Pacman to see if you have still got it? At Electric Avenue Bar and Arcade you can do just that! They always have some kind of event happening, whether its a MarioKart competition, an open mic night, or Whiskey Wednesday with drinks for 2 USD. Come in for a trip back to your childhood and bring your friends, too!
Electric Avenue Bar & Arcade
Address: 205 Cousin St, Slidell, LA 70458
Website: Electric Avenue Bar & Arcade
Opening hours: 2pm - 2am (daily)
Price: Varies
7. Enjoy a drink at Heidelberg's Bar
Heidelberg’s is the perfect place to stop in after work for a beer or to party it up on a Friday night. From bar crawls to discount days, there is always something going on at Heidelberg’s. For you ladies looking for a girl’s night venue, come in for a DJ party every Saturday from 8 pm to midnight for discounted drinks. And all are invited to drop by during Happy Hour for half-off on your drinks! Be sure to check the website’s event calendar for all the bar’s goings-on!
Heidelberg's Bar
Address: 147 Cousin St, Slidell, LA 70458
Website: Heidelberg’s Bar
Opening hours: 2am - 2pm (daily)
Price: Varies
8. Go crazy at Gulf Coast Paintball
Unconventionally wild and insanely fun, paintball might just become your new favorite weekend activity. Get together the kids, the cousins, your coworkers, or just a group of friends and hit the court for a game unlike any you’ve experienced before. The referees are all extremely helpful in making sure everyone understands the rules of the game, from how to use the guns to maneuvering the course. No need to have any equipment, for it’s all ready to rent there! Just show up prepared to get a little dirty!
Gulf Coast Paintball
Address: 1437, 54262 Apple Pie Ridge Rd, Slidell, LA 70461
Website: Gulf Coast Paintball
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed Mon - Fri)
Price: 25 - 39 USD
9. Escape into the virtual world of Holotech
Need a break from reality? Holotech Virtual Reality Arcade has you covered with its completely immersive games. Secure your head-mounted display and drop out of this world into another. Wander through digital worlds, combat zombies, and fly through outer space without leaving the room. Guests love the quality customer service offered here to help you navigate through the games and become a master at the virtual world!
Holotech Virtual Reality Arcade
Address: 710 Brownswitch Rd Suite 5, Slidell, LA 70458
Website: Holotech Virtual Reality Arcade
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 2pm - 10pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: 34.99 USD/ hour; 19.99 USD/ half hour; 9.99 USD/ten minutes
10. Feel like a star at MovieSets
This unique place is the home of various props and rooms which have debuted in some of the films produced in Louisiana itself. Come in and browse through the oddities, snap a couple of Insta-worthy photos, and listen to the employees tell you some fun facts about the props. And if you’re looking for an unconventional place for a party, keep this one in mind! They’re more than happy to host you and your crew for a truly dramatic evening!
MovieSets
Address: 400 Garrett Rd, Slidell, LA 70458
Website: MovieSets
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 9:30am - 5:30pm; Wed: 9am - 5:30pm; Thu - Fri: 9:30am - 5:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: Varies
11. Get a tan at the Northshore Beach
Beachgoers love the Northshore Beach for its crystal waters and gleaming white sands. Located in the Fontainebleau State Park, right on Lake Pontchartrain, guests can spend the day out in the sun or float in the shallow waters. It’s also a perfect place for families with little ones since the waters only rise to about 1 - 2 feet (0.3 - 0.6 meters) offshore. Bring your kayaks and canoes, pack a picnic lunch, and relax in the peace that the lakeshore has to offer!
Northshore Beach
Address: 267 Debbie Dr, Slidell, LA 70458
Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)
Price: 3 USD
12. Shop till you drop at Slidell Antique Fair
Just like any old town, Slidell is no stranger to antique shops bearing the history of hundreds of years stocked on their shelves and piled across the floors. Some of these shops keep their doors open year round, but for the real antiquing enthusiast, twice a year you’ll be able to attend the Olde Towne Slidell Antique Fairs (held in March and October) where 200 plus dealers and vendors display their wares along the streets. Browse their selections of jewelry, furniture, clothes, and knick-knacks and then listen to live music while enjoying some local street food after a full day of shopping!
Olde Towne Slidell Antique Street Fair
Address: First, Second, and Erlanger Streets
13. Admire the artwork at Sambola Gallery
Louisiana’s own local artist Adam Sambola is known for his whimsical paintings of his character “RedBean” the crawfish. RedBean dances through Sambola’s gallery in various activities notorious to Southern culture! See him tailgating with friends before an LSU Tigers game; watch him jamming to some jazz on his saxophone; catch those rhythmic vibes as he reclines on a dock in the bayou, just him and his harmonica. And if you can’t part ways with the charming crustacean, take him home on one of the many prints on sale in the gallery so you can always remember your trip to the deep South!
Sambola Gallery LLC
Address: 2170 Gause Blvd W, Slidell, LA 70460
Website: Sambola Gallery LLC
14. Escape the heat at Skater's Paradise
Take a trip back to the ‘80s with some retro roller skating! Not only is this a great exercise, but it’s great fun for the whole family or a cute idea for an unconventional date night! Always playing great music to skate to, as well as keeping their prices low, Skater’s Paradise is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours out of the summer humidity! And for the skating fanatic, be sure to check out their lock-in nights on the first Friday of the month for an all-night skating extravaganza (15 USD)!
Skater's Paradise
Address: 1421 Gause Blvd W, Slidell, LA 70460
Website: Skater’s Paradise
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 1pm - 4pm; Wed: 1pm - 4pm, 7pm - 9pm; Thu: 1pm - 4pm; Fri: 1pm - 4pm, 7pm - 11pm; Sat: 10am - 12pm, 1pm - 4pm, 7pm - 11pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm, 7pm - 9pm
Price: 5-7 USD (depends on time of day); skate rentals 1 USD
15. Jump out of an airplane with Skydive Nawlins
Editor’s note: establishment is permanently closed
Feeling a little dangerous? How about spending your afternoon jumping out of a plane? Well then, book your reservations with Skydive Nawlins because these folks (all professionally trained, don’t worry) are more than willing to push you out of that airplane! Get harnessed to your coach for your tandem ride and get ready to fall at a thrilling speed of 120 mph (193 kph) before you glide peacefully to the ground via your parachute! Due to the liability of this activity, no one under 18 years old is permitted.
Skydive Nawlins
Address: 62512 Airport Rd, Slidell, LA 70460
Website: Skydive Nawlins
Opening hours: 9am - 8pm (daily)
Price: 190 USD
16. Support local actors at Slidell Little Theatre
Nothing says small town like a little bit of community theatre! Pop into the Slidell Little Theatre, where the arts are encouraged for all ages, from child to adult casts. Many of the performers are Slidell locals, so your attendance will support local artists! The theatre puts on six musicals and plays every season, from Shakespeare to Disney, running for weeks at a time, so there’s plenty of variety for audiences! Be sure to check the schedule online as they are constantly rotating.
Slidell Little Theatre
Address: 2024 Nellie Dr, Slidell, LA 70458
Website: Slidell Little Theatre
Opening hours: Varies (check performance schedules)
Price: Musicals: 28 USD Adult, 17.50 USD Student/Child; Plays: 18 USD Adult, 10 USD Student/Child
17. Visit the Slidell Rocks Climbing Gym
Editor’s note: establishment is permanently closed
Looking for something a little more active? Test your upper body strength with some indoor rock climbing! Equipped with 17 different climbing stations, there is a course at this gym for the newest of beginners to the most advanced of climbers. Challenge a friend on the racing wall in the Top Rope room, test your strength with one of the courses on the ceiling, or test your stamina with the Ultimate Pegwall and its 148 peg holes!
Slidell Rocks Climbing Gym
Address: 39543 US Hwy 190 E, Slidell, LA 70461
Website: Slidell Rocks Climbing Gym
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 12pm - 9pm; Sat: 11am - 9pm; Sun: 1 - 6pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 14 USD (daily climbing pass without equipment rentals)
18. Sip and sway at The Wine Garden
The Wine Garden, located right in the heart of Old Town, is a family-owned business with the goal of making every guest who comes in the front door feel like they’re right at home, both in terms of hospitality and comfort. This is something customers have definitely noticed and loved! The Wine Garden offers a variety of dishes in many different sizes, from tapas to large meals, but what truly makes them memorable is their pages-long drink menu! Order beers from 3 USD to glamorous cocktails averaging at 8 USD as well as wines by the glass or bottle (prices vary). Certain activities are offered regularly (i.e. trivia on Thursdays at 7 pm), but always be sure to check the schedule for different activities like painting nights or live performances!
The Wine Garden
Address: 300 Robert St, Slidell, LA 70458
Website: The Wine Garden
Opening hours: Wed: 3pm - 11pm; Thu - Sat: 3pm - 12am; Sun: 10am - 2pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: Varies
19. Enjoy delicious food at the Maple Room in Restaurant Coté
Located in Olde Towne Slidell, this Cajun and Creole restaurant and bar offers its guests a chance to come in and enjoy delicious food at reasonable prices in a low-key environment. It is the perfect joint for relaxing after a long day, especially if you’re looking for a daily Happy Hour (12 pm - 6 pm). Stop in for Trivia Tuesdays every week at 7 pm, and on Saturdays enjoy your cocktail with some live music in the background, during the evenings.
The Maple Room at Restaurant Coté
Address: 2219 Carey St, Slidell, LA 70458
Website: The Maple Room at Restaurant Coté
Opening hours: Mon: 11am - 9pm; Tue - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 12am (closed on Sun)
Price: Varies
20. Escape The Trap House
Editor’s note: establishment is permanently closed
The lock clicks, the lights dim, your time starts now! Escape rooms have become one of the most favorite Slidell activities, with its totally thrilling experience of locking parties in a room with 60 minutes on the clock and a handful of puzzles and clues as the only way to escape. So tap into your inner Sherlock Holmes and try to break out of one of the rooms at the Trap House! Be sure to check the website before you go because their selection of rooms are constantly changing!
The Trap House Escape Room
Address: 720 Brownswitch Rd suite 2, Slidell, LA 70458
Website: The Trap House Escape Room
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 9pm; Fri: 5pm - 10pm; Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm (closed on Thu & Fri)
Price: 28 USD
Countless options for limitless fun
Indoors or outdoors, entertainment or exploration, Slidell has it all! So what are you waiting for? Book your next activity and get out there to experience the treasures of this truly Southern town!