ST. TAMMANY PARISH
Parish Offices
21490 Koop Drive
Mandeville 985-898-2700
https://www.stpgov.org
Chamber of Commerce
2220 Carey Street
Slidell 985-892-3216
https://sttammanychamber.org
One of the fastest-growing areas in Louisiana, vibrant St. Tammany Parish is often called the Northshore of the metropolitan New Orleans region. Lake Pontchartrain is the focal point of this affluent region, an increasingly popular choice for those who want to live near but not in New Orleans. Completion of high-speed thoroughfares between St. Tammany and New Orleans accelerated the growth of the parish as a bedroom community. Suburban sprawl began in the eastern part of the parish, but eventually the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway had its effect on western St. Tammany towns. The relocation of major corporations from New Orleans and other parts of the nation to St. Tammany Parish has dramatically accelerated this trend. Today, the Northshore features thriving communities with distinctive personalities nestled between sprawling green space and wildlife preserves.
Services
St. Tammany provides outstanding transportation links in a region where Interstates 10, 12, and 59 as well as U.S. Highways 11, 90, and 190 combine with a strong network of state and local highways. Extending nearly 24 miles north and south, the Causeway across Lake Pontchartrain plays a major role in regional travel. Wherever you live in St. Tammany Parish, you are assured of easy access to some of the most renowned healthcare resources in the world. Nearby New Orleans is home to the nationally ranked and highly distinguished Ochsner Medical Center. Children’s Hospital in New Orleans is another prestigious institution, accepting referrals from across the nation and foreign countries. The all-new University Medical Center in downtown New Orleans is already a model of post-Katrina, catastrophe-resistant architectural wonder. Tulane Medical Center provides an acclaimed research and medical facility that serves as the primary teaching hospital for the Tulane University School of Medicine. “World-class healthcare close to home” is the slogan of St. Tammany Parish Hospital, an award-winning healthcare institution within the parish. This full-service hospital in Covington provides an array of specialized services including Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, a surgery center, outpatient rehab, home health, hospice, an outpatient pavilion, a parenting center, cardiac and pulmonary rehab, wound care, a Women’s Pavilion, sleep center, and a community wellness center. The community of Lacombe adds the Louisiana Heart Hospital for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Access to first-rate educational resources is another hallmark of St. Tammany Parish, beginning with a nationally recognized system of public schools that consistently rate among the highest-performing in Louisiana. Area schools feature attentive, caring learning environments and challenging, relevant curricula enhanced by innovative instruction for state-wide leadership in student achievement. Approximately 20 private and parochial schools are scattered throughout the parish, giving parents a wide variety of educational options for their children. Education is a source of community pride in St. Tammany Parish, where business and civic groups offer internships, mentoring, donations and promotion of school events. Northshore Technical Community College is expanding its presence in the parish and Southeastern Louisiana University maintains a learning center near the parish administrative complex. The region surrounding St. Tammany is home to a long list of highly respected public and private colleges and universities. The capital city of Baton Rouge offers the vibrant campus for Louisiana State University as well as Southern University. The New Orleans area features Strayer, Concordia, Dillard, and Loyola universities; the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Southeastern Louisiana University, Southern University at New Orleans, Tulane University, the University of New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Our Lady of Holy Cross College. This area is also rich in community college and technical college systems that provide career training for real-world application in any number of relevant fields, from technology to health services.
Lifestyle
Yesterday’s sleepy Northshore communities are being transformed into vibrant cities, towns, and suburban havens as growth and development in the Northshore continues to boom. St. Tammany Parish continues to welcome a steady influx of newcomers who are drawn to the exceptional quality of life, fine schools, and economic prosperity that have become the hallmarks of this area. In spite of rapid expansion, residents are committed to preserving the qualities of natural beauty and a rich sense of heritage. Large corporations and mid-sized companies have had no problem relocating their business and employees to the parish, where the climate is mild and amenities are outstanding. Residents enjoy an active lifestyle, taking advantage of resources like the 28-mile Tammany Trace for hiking, biking and jogging or horseback riding along the parallel equestrian trail. Tammany Trace meanders through five communities, linking parks and offering breathtaking views. The Pearl River Wildlife Management Area oversees nearly 35,000 acres including a 250-square mile cypress-tupelo swamp, while the Chevron Boardwalk in Slidell invites you to experience one of Louisiana’s most significant wetland regions. Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge on 13,000 acres features alligators, brown pelicans and bald eagles. The 250-square-mile Honey Island Swamp is an international attraction for the exceptional preservation of a rare natural environment. Anglers will enjoy the vantage point of the St. Tammany Fishing Pier above a manmade reef in the heart of Lake Pontchartrain. The Northshore has the idyllic backdrop for every outdoor activity, from birdwatching, photography and nature study to cycling, golfing, tennis, swimming, sports play, and water recreation. Miles of scenic bayous, streams, creeks and rivers are ideal for boating, kayaking, canoeing, tubing and shoreline camping.
St. Tammany provides many advantages associated with urban centers, from theater and the arts to shopping and nightlife—all within the context of a warm and friendly atmosphere. Each community in the parish claims a distinctive identity, from the resort atmosphere of Mandeville to the historic charm of Covington. Madisonville claims riverfront charm, while small communities like Folsom and Bush preserve their rural and agricultural heritages. The Northshore arts scene is lively and growing, offering eclectic groups that encourage creative expression like Slidell Little Theatre, the Live Poets Society, Slidell Art League, St. Tammany Porcelain Art Club, the Musical Arts Association and the Bayou Jam Concert Series. The Slidell Cultural Center offers a premier art gallery with exhibits in fine arts, history and science. An annual calendar filled with colorful festivals, eclectic shopping from antique to upscale, fabulous restaurants, family attractions, free outdoor concerts, gallery walks, street parties, and entertainment centers fill leisure hours with fun-filled activities and events. Just 45 minutes from New Orleans, St. Tammany Parish is a world apart—and the perfect place to call home.
COMMUNITY PROFILES
Abita Springs
Town Hall
985-892-0711
https://www.townofabitasprings.com
Chamber of Commerce
985-892-3216
https://sttammanychamber.org
Native Americans were the first to discover the abundant wildlife, spring water, and healthy ozone air that continue to draw newcomers to the charming Town of Abita Springs. The modern town actually sprang up around the artesian spring wells that were historically believed to have medicinal properties. Today, Abita Springs is a vibrant, positive and “artsy” small town with a charming downtown district that nestles against Tammany Trace, the popular multi-purpose trail that meanders through five Northshore communities. One of the highlights in this area is the Abita Mystery House, overflowing with odd collections and called “The most intriguing and provocative museum in Louisiana” by John Bullard, Director of the New Orleans Museum of Art. Abita Springs Opry is another popular venue with a concert series that covers country music, bluegrass, gospel, Cajun, and Zydeco. Local residents welcome frequent visitors who are drawn to Abita for its unique appeal and easy access to Tammany Trace. Abita also welcomes throngs of visitors to the Louisiana Bicycle Festival, the Whole-Town Garage Sale, and the wacky, fun Krewe of Push Mow Mardi Gras parade.
Bush, Sun
Parish Offices
985-898-2700
https://www.stpgov.org
Sun Village Offices
Sun 985-886-5500
Chamber of Commerce
985-892-3216
https://sttammanychamber.org
The rural communities of Bush and Sun are nestled in the wooded rural expanse of northeast St. Tammany Parish. Sun is a sparsely populated village with abundant land for sale, located north of Bush—which is unincorporated but more developed. Both Bush and Sun preserve a rural atmosphere where newcomers can enjoy a quiet and peaceful retreat removed from suburban bustle. At the same time, this area is only minutes away from shopping, cultural attractions, entertainment, and healthcare services. Located along Highway 21, Bush is home to Pontchartrain Vineyards and Winery, featuring an Old World tasting room and terrace overlooking the vineyards and hosting a popular concert series each spring and fall. Splendor Farms is another popular destination, providing access to horseback riding trails, riding lessons, a petting zoo, a swimming pool, lawn games, hiking trails, river fishing, canoeing, tubing, and lovely picnic areas. Accommodations include a bed and breakfast at this pet-friendly retreat. Newcomers who are looking for horse property or a pristine rural living environment close to nature will want to explore Bush and Sun.
Covington
City Offices
985-892-1811
https://www.covla.com
Chamber of Commerce
985-892-3216
https://sttammanychamber.org
At the convergence of the Abita, Bogue Falaya and Tchefuncte rivers, the City of Covington brings together art, government, nature and commerce in one of the Northshore’s most vibrant communities. As the seat of St. Tammany Parish government, Covington is also well-known as an artist’s haven with eclectic shopping and charming sidewalk cafes. Fine galleries, antique stores, wonderful cafes, night spots, and specialty boutiques line the oak-shaded historic district. Residents enjoy a calendar filled with exciting events, from art walks and the Three Rivers Art Festival to Mardi Gras parades, the Chef Soiree, and Woofstock. The city has taken care to preserve the charm and beauty of its historic architecture while upgrading and modernizing infrastructure. Local recreational amenities are highly developed, from local parks with playgrounds, picnic areas, and a community swimming pool to activities and sports leagues for all ages. Newcomers will find a rare quality of life in Covington, where residents enjoy a close-knit community atmosphere and a lively arts scene within an easy drive of New Orleans.
Eden Isles
Parish Offices
985-898-2700
https://www.stpgov.org
Chamber of Commerce
985-892-3216
https://sttammanychamber.org
The unincorporated community of Eden Isles is a unique waterfront development along the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain. Each of the canals winding through Eden Isles connects directly to the lake, providing opportunities for water recreation from canal swimming to boating, fishing, and jet-skiing. Residents enjoy a naturally beautiful environment around the four seasons where they can watch a brilliant sunset from their living room, plan an hour or an entire day on the water, or golf at a nearby club. Eden Isles is aptly name for the paradise it offers, although the community is hardly remote. In spite of the truly uncommon peace and privacy of Eden Isles, the neighborhood is located off the first exit on the Interstate that links New Orleans to the Northshore region. Commuters to the “big city” can be halfway across the lake before they have a chance to reach for the cup holder and take the first sip of coffee. The highly developed amenities of Slidell are only minutes from home, from culture and entertainment to shopping and fine dining.
Folsom
Village Offices
985-796-5607
https://www.villageoffolsom.com
Chamber of Commerce
985-892-3216
https://sttammanychamber.org
Well-known as an equestrian paradise, the rural Village of Folsom is home to horse farms and flourishing plant nurseries. Exotic animal farms for emu and ostrich dot the panoramic countryside, giving Folsom the uncommon country charm for which it is so highly regarded. Visitors flock to Folsom for events like the Gallop Around Louisiana horse shows or the annual Northshore Garden Show each spring. Folsom also hosts a popular Cajun Mardi Gras-themed parade and a Village Farmer’s Market. The Global Wildlife Center in Folsom is the largest free-roaming wildlife preserve of its kind in the nation, protecting more than 4,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from around the world. Newcomers will discover an elegant yet rural world in Folsom that blends small-town charm with magnificent country estates, rolling ranches, thoroughbred farms, and quiet riverside retreats. Urban amenities are easily accessible in surrounding cities, while the bright lights of New Orleans remain an easy drive from home.
Lacombe
Parish Offices
985-898-2700
https://www.stpgov.org
Chamber of Commerce
985-892-3216
https://sttammanychamber.org
The unincorporated community of Lacombe is situated near Lake Pontchartrain along Highway 190, well known for the annual Creole observance of All Saints Day when descendants of early residents decorate and light graves during Les Toussaints les Lumieres du Morte. Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, a local museum, and Lacombe’s Heritage Center preserve the area’s rich history. However, many will be more interested in Lacombe’s Crab Cook-Off each June or the delicacies served in local cafes. The crown jewel of local seafood and provencal cuisine is La Provence, a Chef John Besh restaurant of Food Network fame. Kayaking, fishing and crabbing are all popular pastimes in this water-oriented community and Tammany Trace is nearby for miles of cycling adventure. Residents of Lacombe appreciate the charm and serenity of country living just minutes from the bright lights of several cities. They also have several unique amenities including the Louisiana Heart Hospital and an active local arts community that established the first Art District in the parish as well as a fine gallery.
Madisonville
Town Offices
985-845-7311
https://townofmadisonville.org
Chamber of Commerce
985-892-3216
https://sttammanychamber.org
Rich in maritime history, the picturesque Town of Madisonville nestles along the banks of the Tchefuncte River. The residents who enjoy the town’s serene atmosphere are always willing to welcome the throngs of visitors who arrive to celebrate colorful festivals like the Krewe of Tchefuncte Mardi Gras boat parade or the Maritime Museum’s Wooden Boat Festival that draws nautical enthusiasts from across the nation each fall. The latter is hosted by the nationally recognized Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum—in itself a regional treasure. Locals enjoy fishing and crabbing from the local pier or dining on fine seafood in any number of restaurants—some of which feature decks overlooking the river. With eight buildings on the National Historic Register, Madisonville is committed to preserving the charm of its historic past and its unique identify as a river town. Newcomers quickly join long-time residents in a spirit of preservation, restoring many of the town’s original homes and styling new construction to harmonize with the local character.
Mandeville
City Offices
985-626-3144
https://www.cityofmandeville.com
Chamber of Commerce
985-892-3216
https://sttammanychamber.org
Sometimes called “Mandeville on the Lake,” this historic community was one of the first on the Northshore, founded in the 1800s. The area began to flourish as wealthy New Orleans residents built lakeshore resort communities. Today, the host community of Lake Pontchartrain is a progressive small city determined to protect its natural assets through well-managed growth and development. The Mandeville Trailhead serves as a hub of activity, featuring an amphitheater, a local farmer’s market, an oasis for the kids, and a depot museum that showcases the city’s proud history. The lake itself is a focal point of community life, the center of water-oriented recreational activity for anglers and boaters in a variety of crafts. Sailboats and yachts are common sights along the breathtaking lakefront horizon, while the nearby 2,800-acre Fontainebleau State Park features rental cabins, a fishing pier, a sandy beach, the Tammany Trace trail and other attractions. The Mandeville Lakefront is alive with coffee shops and intimate cafes that command lake views. Fine shopping areas, excellent schools, award-winning restaurants, and spectacular scenery make Mandeville a hometown like no other.
Pearl River
Town Offices
985-863-5800
http://pearlriverla.com
Chamber of Commerce
985-892-3216
https://sttammanychamber.org
The small but rapidly growing Town of Pearl River is experiencing a transformation along the Interstate 59 corridor into the community, where construction and business are both booming. Newcomers will find a friendly, welcoming hometown atmosphere with civic leaders who are committed to preserving the quality of life and accommodating growth by upgrading and expanding infrastructure. Residents enjoy the serenity of a country atmosphere in a community that continues to expand with local conveniences. Pearl River offers a selection of lovely residential settings and beautiful homes, including magnificent manors on gracious lots and million-dollar estates on luxurious acreage. The highly developed urban amenities of Slidell are close to home, providing cultural enrichment, healthcare services, shopping, entertainment centers, nightlife, and recreational facilities.
Slidell
City Offices
985-646-4333
https://myslidell.com
Chamber of Commerce
985-892-3216
https://sttammanychamber.org
With a city population nearing 30,000 and a community population of more than 90,000, Slidell is a bustling urban center on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Residents are only 30 minutes from New Orleans and 40 minutes from the Gulf Coast beaches. Quiet, friendly, and small enough to preserve an outstanding quality of life, Slidell attracts newcomers to some of Louisiana’s highest ranking schools, beautiful neighborhoods, cultural festivals, lush community parks, five-star shopping, and fine dining. Residents join regional crowds for Heritage Park’s free symphony concert each spring and the popular Bayou Jam Concert Series. November brings Arts Evening, when the tree-shaded streets of Olde Towne spring to life with music and displays. Slidell is home to the largest library in the parish, the multi-dimensional Slidell Cultural Center, and Slidell Little Theater. Delicious food can be found around every corner including one steakhouse so popular it doesn’t need a sign. At the same time the city is a recreational paradise, from sports leagues in local parks to fishing, hunting, shrimping, crabbing, crawfishing, boating, swimming, and camping. Five-story pines, live oaks laced with Spanish moss, beds of irises, and graceful egrets fill Slidell with postcard images. Ideally situated at the intersection of Interstates 10, 12, and 59, the city is just a short drive from New Orleans and yet preserves a character and appeal of its very own.
