Northshore Father’s Day Ideas: Mandeville, Slidell, Lacombe, etc.

A father can mean a lot of things. To me, it means Dad. The same man responsible for my creation is the one I turn to in my time of need. But a father figure may be an older brother, grandfather, or coach. Father’s Day comes off the heels of Memorial Day. What does a father mean to children who lost their biological father in battle? No matter who they are, fathers need more recognition. 

For that special Y Chromosome in your life, Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to give undivided attention, quality of time, and meaning to your relationship. Whether your dad is a sportsman, outdoor enthusiast, culinary connoisseur, or movie buff, it’s time to start planning an incredible Father’s Day weekend.

At Peristyle Beau West, Mandeville’s premier assisted living and memory care community, we enjoy providing local information for the area. That’s why we included our top 2026 Northshore Father’s Day ideas and tips for celebrating that influential man in your life. From Mandeville, Slidell, Covington, and the entire Lake Pontchartrain area, we hope this article inspires you to start planning. 

Have A Relaxing Afternoon at Fontainebleau State Park

If your father is happiest outside, start the day three miles east of downtown Mandeville at Fontainebleau State Park. The 2,800-acre park sits right on Lake Pontchartrain, with a sandy beach, fishing piers, the brick ruins of an 1829 sugar mill, and over 400 species of birds for the dad who travels with binoculars.

Entrance is $3 per person, and free for seniors 63 and older and children 3 and under. The park is open seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. For a father with limited mobility, it is worth knowing the park keeps an all-terrain track wheelchair available for visitor use, so a walk along the lake is still on the table.

A Ride or Stroll on the Tamman Trace

The Tammany Trace is the Northshore’s 31-mile rails-to-trails path, running from downtown Covington through Abita Springs, Mandeville, and Lacombe into Slidell. It is flat, paved, and shaded, built on an old railroad bed, so the grade barely changes the whole way.

That flatness matters. A father who is no longer up for a long hike can still manage an easy quarter-mile out and back, and the Trace is wide enough and smooth enough for a wheelchair or walker, with benches and picnic tables along the route for resting. If everyone is up for more, Brooks’ Bike Shop rents cruisers at its Mandeville and Covington locations. Bring water, June on the Northshore is warm by mid-morning.

Lunch on the Mandeville Lakefront

Father’s Day on the Northshore is built for a long, unhurried lunch with the lake in view. Two Lakeshore Drive institutions do it well:

• Rips on the Lake, 1917 Lakeshore Drive, Mandeville. A Mandeville fixture since 1935 with second-story lake views and a menu Dad will recognize. Open Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Reservations by phone: (985) 727-2829.
• Pat’s Rest Awhile, 2129 Lakeshore Drive, Mandeville. A historic 1880s lakefront hotel turned restaurant, with a porch facing Lake Pontchartrain and a Sunday menu built around Gulf seafood.

Both fill up on holidays, so call or book ahead and ask for a table near the water.

Ax Throwing at Stumpy’s Hatchet House

Take a leisurely drive across Lake Pontchartrain Causeway to the Big Easy for the thrill of hurling a razor-sharp blade at Stumpy’s Hatchet House. Ax throwing has become the new bowling for the thrill-seeker at heart. There’s a good chance the older gentleman in your life has never experienced ax throwing, as this fun activity is relatively new to the scene. What sets ax throwing apart from other recreational activities is its primal allure. There’s something deeply gratifying about wielding a sharp, weighted object and unleashing it with controlled power. Your father will love unleashing his inner lumberjack!

Play A Round of Golf

Your dad taught you to keep your eye on the ball, follow through on your swing, and, most importantly, have fun no matter how well you play. Now’s your chance to return the favor by treating him to a Father’s Day round. Golfing allows you to rediscover that unbreakable father-son bond, and there are plenty of fantastic courses throughout Mandeville, Slidell, Covington, and the entire Northshore. At the end of the day, the score won’t matter. What matters are the memories you made with Dad. 

Skydiving on the Northshore

Is your father a thrill seeker? Is he always looking for the next adventure to get his adrenaline fix? If so, what better way to spend Father’s Day than skydiving over the Northshore? This transcendent experience isn’t just an adrenaline rush but awakens your senses and fills you with a profound sense of aliveness. The breathtaking views, the fresh air caressing your face, and the sheer joy of defying the ordinary will forever etch itself into your Father’s Day memories. There are several fantastic skydiving options on the Northshore. We recommend Gold Coast Skydivers in Abita Springs or Cloud Chasers Skydiving in Slidell.

A Tour and a Pint at Abita Brewing

For the dad who appreciates a cold one and a good story, Abita Brewing Company in Covington is the Northshore original, the oldest craft brewery in the Southeast, brewing on Abita Springs water since 1986. The tap room is open daily, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and both guided and self-guided tours of the brew house are available, with the guided tour including tastings.

The brewery is handicap accessible and family-friendly, which makes it an easy stop for a multi-generation crowd, grandkids included. Closed-toe shoes are required on the brew house floor.

Here is a list of craft breweries in the area.

Discover the Untamed Beauty of Louisiana’s Swamps

There is a good chance your father has already experienced a swamp tour if he is a Louisiana native. If not, there is no better way to spend Father’s Day exploring the vast wetlands comprising a significant portion of the state’s landscape. A swamp tour is not just about education; it’s an immersive experience of mossy cypress trees, murky waters, countless bird species, alligators, and much more. Here is an article by US News on the best swamp tours in Louisiana. 

Celebrating Dad When His Needs Have Changed

Father’s Day looks different when your father needs more support than he used to. Maybe he is living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Maybe the heat wears on him faster now, or a loud restaurant is no longer the right fit. As the adult child navigating a parent’s care, you may already be carrying more than the day itself.

That does not mean the day has to shrink. It means it has to be more intentional. A slow drive down Lakeshore Drive with the windows down and the radio on the station he has always loved. A folding chair at the edge of Fontainebleau where he can watch the water and the boats. Sitting on a porch with a cold drink and letting him tell the fishing story you have heard a hundred timesand letting it be the hundred-and-first.

If your father is in residential care, ask his care team what would make the day special. Caregivers who truly know a resident, his routine, his preferences, the music that still reaches him, will already have ideas. A visit does not have to be long to matter. It has to be real.

At The Peristyle at Beau West, we understand that Father’s Day is personal, and sometimes bittersweet. As the only memory care exclusive assisted living community on the Northshore, and the only one in our market honored with the Dementia Care Specialists’ Distinguished Provider Award, we are built around knowing each resident as an individual, not managing a room number. Our 40 private suites in The Pontchartrain and The Fontainebleau neighborhoods are designed for the dignity and individuality of every senior in our care, at every stage of cognitive decline.

Conclusion 

We hope the Northshore Father’s Day ideas above inspire you to plan an unforgettable weekend for Dad. Father’s Day is a special time to embrace the opportunity to create lasting memories, share laughter, and express your gratitude for his unwavering love and commitment. Sometimes, as Dad ages, it becomes apparent he can no longer perform daily activities that were easy before, such as cooking, cleaning, etc. If you suspect your father needs help staying independent, Peristyle Beau West is here to help. 

For more information on assisted living and memory care in New Orleans, please contact Peristyle Beau West for more details.  You can also check out our Family Resources page. Our team of expert caregivers is background checked, screened, and trained, ensuring the safety and well-being of your elderly loved one. We offer exceptional amenities and services to ensure your senior loved one feels at home and cared for.

We are excited to meet your family!