Louisiana family acitivities: Tammany Trace bike trail

Photo: Chris Granger

Where to Start

The best spot is at the Mandeville Trailhead, near the middle of the rail-to-trail path that cuts across Lake Pontchartrain’s Northshore from Slidell to Covington.

For maps and other info, visit tammanytrace.org. You can bring your own bike or pick up a cruiser at the Kickstand Bike Rental in Mandeville.

kickstand.bz or call 985/626-9300

Louisiana family acitivities: Mandeville Trailhead

Photo: Chris Granger

Where to Ride for a Morning:

Beginning at the Mandeville Trailhead (pictured), near the Old Mandeville Café, ride southeast 2 miles to Fontainebleau State Park. The 2,800-acre park features a new visitors center, as well as the brick ruins of a sugar mill that Bernard de Marigny de Mandeville, the founder of Mandeville, built in 1829. His major residence was in New Orleans, but Bernard liked to spend most of his time up on the Northshore, cooled by the Lake Pontchartrain breezes. The park makes the ideal spot for a picnic overlooking the lake and the surrounding countryside.

crt.state.la.us/parks or 985/624-4443

Louisiana family acitivities: Abita Brewery

Photo: Chris Granger

Where to Ride for a Day:

Head north from the Mandeville Trailhead for about 41⁄2 miles to the Tammany Trace Headquarters. Housed in a green caboose, the headquarters serves as an information center and park ranger station (985/867-9490). Then follow the trail foranother 31⁄2 miles across the Abita River into downtown Abita Springs.

A couple of miles west of Abita Springs, you’ll find the Abita Brewery (pictured) on Barbee Road. You can take a brewery tour (if you’re 21 or older) and sample a few of Abita’s brews in the brewery Tasting Room.

abita.com or 985/893-3143

Louisiana family acitivities: Abita Brew Pub

Photo: Chris Granger

Where to Eat:

You can’t beat the muffulettas (pictured) at the Abita Brew Pub in downtown Abita Springs. Made with airy, fresh bread, the sandwiches are stuffed with salami, cheese, and olives ($8.95) and taste great paired with a rich, malty Abita Amber. Relax at a table by the window, and watch as other riders pass by.

985/892-5837

Louisiana family acitivities: Fontainebleau State Park

Photo: Chris Granger

Where to Stay:

Book one of the dozen waterfront cottages at Fontainebleau State Park (pictured). Styled like the fishing camp cabins that once dotted the lakeshore, the cottages are on raised platforms with kitchens and porches (request a screened one).

877/226-7652

Louisiana Family Bike Ride

Where to Start

Where to Ride for a Morning:

Where to Ride for a Day:

Where to Eat:

Where to Stay: