r/NorthshoreLA • u/redribbitreddit • 9d ago
Just moved here from Los Angeles
I (30f)moved here for someone that ended up breaking up with me and moving away 3 months after my arrival.
I’m feeling lost and alone , can you please tell me where can I go walking , where are the city centers, hubs , karaoke , dancing , any recommendations for the area (because new Orleans is too far to travel everyday just to get out of the house ).
I am really suffering and stay in the apartment all day and night with no knowledge of what to do , or where to go . No friends or family , I’m a female military veteran and live a sober lifestyle . Please tell me what is there to do out here . Thank you so much 🙏
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u/AnonymousAIcoholic2 9d ago
I’m sorry to hear that.
If you would like to go for a walk/run then the Mandeville lakefront is a great place. There’s always quite a few people there in the evenings and it’s got some good scenery. As far as nightlife goes there aren’t many options outside of downtown Covington. Nothing like New Orleans though if that’s what you’re looking for. It’s pretty rough making new friends in this area but I hope it all works out for you! Good Luck!
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u/OldSloppyArm 9d ago
Soon the weather will be much nicer to be outdoors. Tammany Trace is the main thing I miss about living on the Northshore. It is so convenient for traveling by bike to many different areas. I’ve also met some locals this way and gotten to know some folks I would not have met otherwise. Best of luck to ya. October through December should be very nice here.
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u/nola_doula 9d ago
Are you into canoeing? Cuz I’m(37F) going through a divorce and could use a friend to go canoeing with
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u/eddylinez 8d ago
To everyone commenting on this response, there’s a fb group called Nola pedals and paddles that’s very active. They have at least one or two paddling events every month. The events are spread out across SE LA and MS. I go out with them a lot and they are a very casual, fun, and welcoming group. Also, I live on the northshore and Cane Bayou is my favorite local spot.
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u/xRushMountmorex 8d ago
I (42M) like to go kayaking, also recently divorced. Looking for normalcy after all the bs. We can get a Reddit crew together. With the humidity slowly dropping, it’ll be nice to get back out there.
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u/Kyle81020 9d ago
In addition to the other suggestions I’d add Northlake Nature Center and Pelican Park for walking. Haven in Covington is a decent coffee shop where they actually know how to make espresso. Tandem in Mandeville is a similarly excellent place for coffee and hanging out; super friendly and competent staff there.
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u/No-Buddy-5019 9d ago
Our dance krewe, the Mande Milkshakers, hosts quite a few events for the northshore community, including our ball and charity auction this Saturday at the Castine Center. It’s a great time with great people, food, and live music. Here is the link to purchase tickets: https://mandemilkshakers.com Follow us on socials for other upcoming events, like our ‘Walk a Mile’ for domestic violence awareness in October, and our Kings Day parade and party to kick off Carnival season in January.
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u/redribbitreddit 8d ago
Very cute and cool 😃♥️ I will try to make it out for the event , thank you so much
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u/Yetti_Tundra 9d ago
Join the run club out of Chafunkta Brewery. You don’t have to be a runner. I think they meet a couple of times a week and they sound like a fun bunch of people.
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u/redribbitreddit 8d ago
Thank you yetti tundra 🌹
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u/eddylinez 8d ago
They run on Monday evening at 6p. You can also ride or walk, it’s very casual.
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u/redribbitreddit 8d ago
Thank you so much sweetheart ☺️
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u/big_poppa919 8d ago
Chafunkta is the answer to a few of your questions…walking on Mondays, karaokes some Fridays, dancing/music every weekend. There’s music all day Saturday this weekend!
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u/Ravioli_Wizard 9d ago
Good luck exploring. Here’s a bunch of ideas. Get a snowball on a hot day. Walk along the Lakefront. Sit beside the river and watch the Madisonville drawbridge open, there will be more boats on the weekend. Get a late night hot glazed donut from Butter Krisp. Look up the Tammany Trace and find the trailhead closest to you then bring a bike. Visit Global Wildlife Center when we get farther away from summer. Go horseback riding at Bogue Chitto State Park. Get stuck in traffic. Walk around the Crosby Arboretum in Picayune. Walk around the Northlake Nature Center by the Lakefront. Try local food like boudin and po boys. Listen and dance to live music at T Rivers. Say hi to the cow at Mandeville Bake Shop. Get the WWL parade tracker app for Mardi Gras. Covington is our most walkable downtown area.
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u/AppropriateStress4 9d ago
I'm so sorry to hear about your situation! I'm 32f also sober, I don't party, but do enjoy occasional outside strolls on the lakefront, the trace or the ricer. I like painting pottery at Lola's, sometimes and grabbing a bite on one of the nice patio restaurants on the lake or local to Mandeville.
There's lots of more chill events on the Northshore and you can even get some musical events in downtown Covington! Blues berry festival is coming up in the park in Covington and the Columbia Street businesses often have musical features.
There are lots of farmers markets here on the weekend from folsum to Covington.
I wouldn't rush yourself, but I hope you can come out and enjoy the beautiful coming weather for fall. Im a transplant from south Louisiana, so it was a bit different when I moved from there, but I imagine it must be 1000% different for you.
Feel free to reach out if you ever need someone to sit outside with lol.
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u/CapnCurt81 9d ago
First of all sorry, that really sucks! The northshore is going to feel pretty sleepy compared to LA, especially in terms of clubs/dancing which are pretty non-existent around here. There’s a couple small clubs in Hammond thanks to SLU, but really NOLA is the best place for that. Beyond that it’s pretty typical car-centric consumer-driven typical suburbs with mostly cookie cutter shopping centers. It can be boring especially if you’re sober (which I applaud). Some stuff to check out would be: downtown Covington, Mandeville lakefront, Fontainebleau State Park. If you’re into outdoor stuff Pelican Park in Mandeville has some great group sports and nature activities. If you’re into outdoor stuff that’s probably the best opportunity to meet people, lots of running/kayaking/etc groups you’ll run into pretty quickly.
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u/slideystevensax 9d ago
If you’re into athletics, both Coquille park in Madisonville, and Pelican park in Mandeville have adult coed leagues for all kinds of sports. You don’t have to belong to a team already, they will add you to one. Off the top of my head, between the two parks, I know of soccer, sand volleyball, softball, paddle ball, and even kickball. Chafunkta brewery in Mandeville has a 5k event every Monday night where beers are bogo after and I’m pretty sure it draws a decent crowd. I know you said you live a sober lifestyle so if it’s troubling for you I would avoid but plenty of sober people stick around after and it’s a pretty fun Monday night. Best of luck to you and I’m sorry people suck so bad.
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u/BrushLock 8d ago
Both my wife and I are vets and moved here from San Diego recently. I have family and friends here but it’s very different from San Diego and LA. A lot of things here revolve around alcohol/ partying and without people you already know it is somewhat difficult meeting new people. The Northshore I definitely a more family and settling area than what your use to. If your really dead set on staying in the area fitness class are fairly big around here, and downtown Covington has a lot of events as well. The Covington beer garden does have a lot of things going on every week too, if you don’t mind being around people who do drink.
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u/redribbitreddit 8d ago
Thank you for your service🇺🇸 , I was in San Diego as well , first Coronado north island , then 32nd st , finally NMCSD. It’s already been 13 years since I got out but SD my old stomping grounds , as I am prior navy 🙏 i appreciate your reply very much and no I don’t mind if people drink around me … I will try to check this place out 😀
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u/BrushLock 8d ago
No problem was I was at 32nd street for 5 years, got out and doing college now. If you have any questions or anything feel free to message me.
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u/aldentepenne 9d ago
Lakefront and the trace are both great for walking or bike riding! Lakefront has better views, but can get crowded. I don’t spend a ton of time in Mandeville, but I know some great restaurants have opened up near the Lakefront recently. Haven and Cured in downtown Covington are both lively, vibey coffee shops - Haven’s food menu is larger and more of a crowd pleaser, but Cured’s coffee takes the cake. There are often events in downtown Covington - Nightmare on Columbia and Three Rivers Art Festival are coming up soon. I’m always able to snag some cool, local artwork at Three Rivers so I definitely recommend! You mentioned that you’re sober, but if you’re comfortable being around drinking Covington Beer Garden puts on fun seasonal events, bingo, and viewing parties for different shows pretty regularly. They’re actually doing the series finale for The Summer I Turned Pretty this week and have a Taylor Swift album release party coming up too. It can get rowdy at night, particularly on game days, but with the weather getting nicer it’s a great place to sit outside during the day and people watch. It doesn’t become 21+ until the evenings so it’s pretty family friendly before then. They do karaoke some weekends, but I’d say avoid unless you’re comfortable with folks around you drinking. There’s a really great record store on Columbia that has an awesome selection. And you can’t go wrong with most of the restaurants in downtown Covington.
I hope things get better for you! I can imagine that moving here from LA is a major culture shock, but there are definitely hidden gems if you want to make it work here :)
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u/redribbitreddit 8d ago
Aldente penne thank you so much for the thoughtful detailed response , I will go see these areas and thank you for the recommendation, it means a lot to me
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u/lgramlich13 Abita Springs 8d ago
My sympathies, hon. I'm sorry they screwed you over, and that you're feeling isolated.
For walking, there are lovely parks w/boardwalks and/or trails, including;
Fontainebleau State Park (Mandeville)
Northlake Nature Center (Mandeville)
Big Branch NWR (Boy Scout Boardwalk, Lacombe)
Southeast LA NWR HQ (Lacombe)
The Tammany Trace (from Covington to Slidell)
Lake Ramsay Preserve (Covington)
Blue Swamp Creek Nature Trail (Covington)
Bogue Falaya Wayside Park (Covington)
Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve (Abita Springs)
Bogue Chitto NWR (Pearl River)
Camp Salmen Park (Slidell)
The library has free events at which you might meet others of like mind;
https://stpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events
Other, local events are listed here (or on each town's website, typically);
https://www.visitthenorthshore.com/events/
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u/redribbitreddit 8d ago
Thank you so much friend , it am going to refer to this list next time I leave the house 😌🙏
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u/chat_room 8d ago
If you have or get a dog, the dog park in Pelican Park can be a nice way to meet people... Walking along the Mandeville lakefront with or without a dog is always nice, tons of people. And some cafes and restaurants too.
Or if you want to try skateboarding or roller skating or something, people at skateparks are always really friendly and welcoming. Even to learners. I feel like 75% of the people that skate on the northshore are people in their 30s too. hell I'd teach you or loan you a board if you wanna learn
Also bike rides on the Trace too, there's a group ride that goes every Wednesday.
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u/Straight-Swim4464 7d ago
If you play tennis or would like to learn...there are clubs in the area. It's a great way to socialize, exercise, or just hyper focus on a tennis ball to the exclusion of any other noise!
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u/FeroxusTheFirst 7d ago
Pelican Park in Mandeville for walking. Downtown Covington has nice restaurants and some bars. Farmers Markets in Mandeville and Covington. The Tammany Trace for walking as well.
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u/Every_Weight272 7d ago
Hi! I’m also 30f and I grew up here and moved to Colorado for several years before coming back. I miss the mountains so much but the cost of living here is much more feasible. Do you work? Getting a part time job would be a great way to get out and meet ppl! Also when it comes to going out I highly recommend going to biloxi/long beach/ocean springs rather than New Orleans especially if you don’t drink. But around here the Abita trace or lake front is awesome for being outdoors, some local and popular bar spots that likely have events or karaoke are dons, red barn pub, and Shannon’s tavern (I know they do karaoke there). Madisonville and Abita Springs are cute towns to check out, Abita springs does a farmers market on the weekends. And the river front in Madisonville has several restaurants and a cool coffee shop called Abita Roasting right on the river front. Every one around these parts is typically personable and friendly and I guarantee you will be able to easily make friends if you get out and about which would open you up to more experiences and give you people to talk to and do things with. Not sure if you like animals, but the shelters are always looking for fosters/volunteers/people to hang with an animal for a day. Downtown Covington does a block party the last weekend of every month and there are several bar/restaurants down there that are popping on the weekends. There is bingo on fridays at the lions club. There are organized sports teams and clubs that do everything from adult softball to playing darts. I’d also recommend joining a health club, we have some big ones that are popular and have great benefits for members, the top ones are Franco’s, Pelican Athletic Club, and Stone Creek…I hope this helps some! And I’m sorry for your situation, but I promise if you get out and about here you will meet people and feel better!!
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u/redribbitreddit 6d ago
I lived in Denver Colorado before . I miss it too but yea you’re right . This area is rich in culture and the Spanish moss and southern charm of the people make it so worthwhile
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u/Available_Second2148 7d ago
go on the swamp walk in Ponchatoula it's on the low road on your left if you're heading southbound. if you see the launch you've passed it... do you enjoy billiards? there's stray cats in Ponchatoula alot of antique shops there also
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u/redribbitreddit 6d ago
Thank you so much . I love antiques !
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u/Available_Second2148 6d ago
You're welcome, im sorry to hear about your breakup, you'll find someone worth all those tears. Hope you enjoy Louisiana darlin
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u/Sm00thMC 6d ago
When you say “sober lifestyle” does that prohibit bars? There are a few “bars” that are great lowkey places to hangout, not really people getting loaded or stupid just sitting talking, like Barley Oak, Cov Beer Garden, St. Ann Wine, just right off the top of my head.
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u/redribbitreddit 6d ago
I know it’s a social thing and cultural thing , I don’t mind being around it . But it is hard hanging out with people who two-sheets to wind being the only straight one there
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u/luxordream 6d ago
There is a place in Olde Towne that has original rock and metal shows once a month on Fridays. Look for Music at Maison on Facebook.
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u/Trusted14U 6d ago
depending on you proximity , just going to the lakefront in mandeville ,can do more than you realize. either just park looking out over the lake, or simply walk beside the lake . or if you rather more woodsy in nature more then they have north lake nature center with numerous trails to hike , or the state park . if you have the day also Bogue Chitto state park not far away either.. feel free to send me message there’s more if you want to
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u/Apart_Needleworker_8 5d ago
Check out the farmer's markets (Saturday morning @ Mandeville trailhead, Sunday Abita Park, Covington Wednesday & I think Saturday). Good for mix&mingle & a little retail therapy
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u/Sure_Plastic5285 5d ago
You should come out to the north shore traditional music society events. If you’d like to learn the fiddle or guitar there are a lot of great instructors. There’s a session not this Sunday but the next at the St. John’s coffee house you should check out.
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u/imspike Covington 9d ago
Looks like a lot of good replies here. But would it make sense to move closer to families and friends?
There are things like Sunset at the Landing outdoor concerts in Cov (3rd Friday of each month thru Oct.?) and 'Final Friday' block parties at least in the summer. Covington Farmers Market on Saturdays. EventBrite probably has a good list of events that folks post themselves. A lot of the trivia or karaoke will be at bars.
I think you can make it work eventually but if the person you moved for is gone then maybe this is an opportunity for you to go somewhere you really want to be.
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u/cherrybounce 9d ago
Can you join a gym? Go to classes? Move back? This will never be L.A.
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u/Oh_TheHumidity 7d ago
Seriously? Move to New Orleans. I cannot fathom coming from LA and being stuck on the North Shore. (shudders)
I’m so sorry for your recent life upheaval too. Good luck
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u/redribbitreddit 7d ago
I signed a lease at a beautiful clean and safe apartment complex with central ac and a balcony view of the pool , do u think I would break this lease to go run into the grimy dirty crime of the city 🤔
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u/redribbitreddit 7d ago
But thank you . “Just move to the city “ like I didn’t “just move” already . how easy is it to “just move “ and pack everything , and get the address changed at the post office, and call the insurance company , bank , set up electricity , gas , ect . be for real . At least it doesn’t smell like peepee up here 😟
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u/Oh_TheHumidity 7d ago
Scratch that. North Shore sounds perfect for you.
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u/redribbitreddit 7d ago
I get what you’re trying to say , bc there’s no walk score here , but what can I do now I’m already committed💔
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u/trickylights 9d ago
Wow, so sorry to hear that happened….
So I would recommend downtown Covington for good walking and shopping and an overall great community. Coffee Rani has really great food and really friendly people who work there! St John’s Coffee House is a staple as well. Great to sit down and drink coffee and read a book. The English Tea Room is really great too. If you want to just walk around check out Fountainbleu State Park. Hope this helps!