Local Area Information

Hillcrest Lake Villas Resort is also centrally located between Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast. New Orleans is 45 miles (approximately one hour), the capitol of Baton Rouge is 71 miles   (approximately an hour and fifteen minutes), and Biloxi, MS is 82 miles (approximately an hour and a half) of a drive.

The attractions and events of our area are not limited to those listed in our website! Please take the time to check out the link to the St Tammany Northshore Tourist Information Center for calendars of events and even more attractions.

Abita Springs, Louisiana

Our resort is situated near historic downtown Abita Springs, an area canopied by ancient oaks and colored by Acadian shotgun houses.
Through its center tracks the Tammany Trace, a paved bike trail that has been lain over the old railway there. At the trail head, by the Pavillion, special events with live music are a regular occurrence. This includes Sunday afternoon jam sessions there on the porch of the Abita Museum.

At the Town Hall--three in the spring and three in the fall--are the Abita Springs Oprys with live music from some of the best local talent. Every month offers a night of Cajun dancing to any willing participants. Check out our quaint town at www.townofabitasprings.com

Covington, Louisiana

For unique shops, art galleries, and restaurants, try downtown Covington. On N. Columbia you'll find H.J. Smith and Sons General Store--one of Covington's original businesses. In it is a free museum of the area with antiques donated from local residents. There are glasswork studios and canvas galleries, fine restaurants and local favorites. Early spring through fall,  is the Downtown Block Party. The shops stay open late, antique cars are parked along the streets for viewing, and there is live music.

www.covla.com

Mandeville, Louisiana

Take a stroll along the Castine Nature Trail or along the Mandeville Lake Front with its lovely plantation-style lake houses beneath an abundance of oaks. Look closely, some of those lovely homes are restaurants. You'll find Rip's on the Lake Restaurant among others. There is a bike trail, recreational equipment for the younger members of the travelling party and more!

Folsom, Louisiana

The quaint village of Folsom may seem small, but it boasts the Global Wildlife Center. It is "the largest totally free-roaming wildlife preserve of its kind in the country! The Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, Louisiana is home to over 4,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from all over the world".

Also located in Folsom are farms such as Red Bluff Farms, where you can "learn about the history and future of several different agriccultrual industries in this 47-acre open-air classroom" or the Mizell Farms with their "herb and hummingbird gardens and plant sales" (Explore the Northshore).

Madisonville, Louisiana

A small town that is split by the Tchefuncte River. Beautiful boats can be seen traversing the river through this appealing little town. It also hosts The Wooden Boat Festival every October and is the home of The Maritime Museum. Enjoy a wonderful meal at Friend's on the riverfront or at Morton's Seafood, be sure to try their onion rings, marinaded in Abita Beer, they'll melt in your mouth!

Slidell, Louisiana

The city of Slidell is the home of Honey Island Swamp, an "impressive swamp of land . . . over 250 square miles, including some 70,000 acres of protected wildlife area. In fact, Honey Island Swamp is Louisiana�s very first Nature Preserve as designated by the Nature Conservancy." The swamp boasts an "incredible range of wildlife and . . . even the rumors of a Bigfoot sighting" (destination360.com).

Olde Town Slidell is worth a visit as well. In it you'll find antique shops, galleries, and restaurants. Off of I-10 in Slidell, you'll find The Bayou Country Store, an excellent place for Louisiana souvenirs and food. Definitely try their mouth-watering pralines, original recipe or expand your horizons with one of their special creations, such as their Turtle Praline--MmmMmm!

Visit the Slidell Heritage Park for a picnic or for play, and maybe a festival with the many events that are staged there--from firework shows to concerts and festivals--Heritage Park is a hotspot in the city of Slidell. But we can't forget about the Slidell Museum, located in the old town jail, or the Slidell Cultural Center, "the city's premier art gallery".

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Crescent City, The City That Care Fogot, The Big Easy; Whatever you call it, New Orleans is the major destination point in Louisiana! We are less than an hour away via the worlds longest bridge, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.

The French Quarter, also known as the Vieux Carr�, the oldest neighborhood in the city of New Orleans and is packed with architectural gems, fine restaurants, museums and more. Home to Mardi Gras, The Jazz Fest, the Superdome and more New Orleans has something to offer to everyone young and old.