Slidell was founded in 1882 during the construction of a major new railroad from New Orleans to New York City via Meridian, Mississippi and Cincinnati, Ohio. The New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad Company (N.O. N.E.) established a building camp on high ground north of Lake Pontchartrain, which eventually grew into a town. Baron Frederick Emile d’Erlanger, head of the banking syndicate that financed the railway, named the town in honor of his father-in-law, John Slidell, who had been a prominent state, national, and confederate political figure. Slidell was chartered as a town in 1888 by the Louisiana legislature. Visitors to Slidell today have a wide array of fun and interesting activities to choose from. The tree-lined streets of Olde Towne have been acclaimed by Southern Living Magazine for their beauty and charm, and they are filled with vendors from throughout the south during the Antique District Street Fair each spring and autumn.
One of the area’s largest cultural festivals – Arts Evening – is also hosted here each November; it features the works of over 100 artists and a variety of live entertainment. The community gathers together in Heritage Park every spring to enjoy a free symphony concert, and they also enjoy the Bayou Jam Concert Series here in both the spring and the fall. Regional mall North Shore Square invites shoppers to browse through five anchor stores and a variety of specialty shops – you will find just what you were looking for! Restaurants welcome guests to enjoy scrumptious, fresh seafood and local Louisiana cuisine – diners are greeted with warm Southern hospitality! Swamp tours promise adventure and fantastic sightseeing, with alligators, turtles, birds, and lovely cypress trees all in view. There are a number of different outfitters who can take you and your group on an exciting tour of the swamps. Charter fishing is also available. Embrace all there is to do in historic Slidell! Hotels allow you to stay conveniently close to where you want to be. When you stay at Choice Hotels, you enjoy affordable rates, many amenities, and friendly service. We look forward to hosting soon! Reserve your room today!