Best Outdoor Family Fun Adventures on the Northshore

BY SEBASTIAN PASTOR

When it comes to fun outdoor family-friendly adventures, the Northshore is jam-packed with options. So even if you can’t invest in a big vacation this year, there’s no reason your family can’t have a fantastic spring break or summer right here at home.

One of the best things about the Northshore is its proximity to outdoor recreational areas. With access to hiking and biking trails, lakes and rivers, and even swamps, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventures to be had. Below is a list of just a few incredible outdoor adventures the Northshore offers.

Hiking

Yes, you are correct; the Northshore has ZERO hills. However, this does not mean we don’t have any hiking trails (Even though hiking may be a strong word).

For example, you can visit the beautiful Fontainebleau State Park, only five minutes from PAC. They have the PERFECT trail inside the park, suitable for the entire family. Named Cane Bayou Track, the trial is a total of 4.4 miles out and back. The path is considered an easy route and takes an average of 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete. This area is a trendy area for birding, fishing, and hiking. The trail is open yearround and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.

Biking

Walk or bike the Tammany Trace, a 31-mile paved path from Covington to Slidell. Tammany Trace is the only rails-to-trails conversion in Louisiana, offering plenty of green spaces and bridges over bayous and waterways. You can rent bikes from Brook’s Bike Shop (in Covington or Mandeville) or Bayou Adventure (Lacombe). An easy, convenient, and gorgeous section of Tammany Trace is Covington to Abita Springs (only 3.5 miles), including this crossing of the Bogue Falaya River.

Global Wildlife

The famous Global Wildlife is located in Folsom, La (about 30 minutes from PAC). This majestic place sits on 900 acres of beautiful Louisiana countryside, with 12 ponds and a lake. During your tour, you’ll face free-roaming bison, giraffes, zebras, camel, elands, and much more! The wildlife preserve is home to over 3,500 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from all over the world.

Kayaking The Bogue Falaya

If you want to get on the water this summer, we have the place for you! Passing through the heart of our parish is the Bogue Falaya river. If you visit Chimes restaurant in Covington, you can rent a kayak and explore the beautiful river with many spots to pull over, enjoy a drink, or relax.

Mandeville Trailhead Farmers Market

If you have not visited the Mandeville Trail heads farmers market, you are truly missing out. The farmers market takes place every Saturday from 9 am – 2 pm. You can get everything from breakfast, lunch, and every gift you can think of. My top three choices from the Market are the $3 breakfast tacos, Morris Macarons, and lunch from the Southern Soul food vendor (Willies Taste of Soul). You can also enjoy some live music while you are there.

Koop Drive Playground

Do you need to get some energy out of the children? I have the perfect place. The Kids Konnection Playground, located off Hwy 59 on Koop Drive, is a fantastic playground accessible to kids of all abilities. The playground includes a play area for the younger kiddos and those a little older, along with a sand play area, water play area, and even a real-life (retired) fire truck. The playground is entirely fenced-in as well. There is also no cost to attend this park.