4 Northshore Activities That Will Get Your Family Out of the Apartment This Week

When the walls start to feel a little too close, the Northshore offers an easy remedy. Even families who love the convenience of apartments in Covington, LA can benefit from a quick shift in scenery, and the region makes that refresh surprisingly accessible. With trails, quirky museums, open parks, and wildlife encounters all within minutes, it is easy to turn an ordinary week into something memorable.

Explore the Tammany Trace

The Tammany Trace remains one of the most inviting outdoor escapes on the Northshore, especially for families who want something active without committing to a full day trip, an easy perk if you’re staying in apartments in Covington, LA. The paved trail runs through tree-lined corridors, quiet neighborhoods, and pockets of wetlands where you can slow down and notice just how green the region really is. Even younger kids can handle short segments, and older ones often turn the route into a mini adventure.

If your family enjoys biking, this is an ideal place to start. You can:

• Begin at a nearby trailhead for a quick ride before dinner
• Stop at small bridges or rest areas where kids can look for turtles and birds
• Turn the outing into a weekend stroll if you prefer an easier pace

The Trace is especially helpful when everyone needs movement, but you do not want the pressure of a full schedule. With multiple access points, you can tailor the experience to your family’s energy that day.

Visit the Abita Mystery House

A visit to the Abita Mystery House can instantly change a family’s mood. Children (and most adults) can’t resist exploring it because it’s playful, bizarre, and full of oddities. You get a labyrinth of themed rooms with handcrafted inventions, oddball sculptures, and animated displays that seem to have been made by someone who never outgrew their imagination, rather than the typical museum experience.

While parents frequently appreciate the humor and nostalgia infused into every nook and cranny, children frequently wander around the room, trying to figure out which button to press next. Because the visit doesn’t last all day, it’s ideal for families looking for a memorable outing that doesn’t turn into a marathon. Additionally, it is weather-friendly, which makes it an excellent option when time spent outside is restricted by rain or the summer heat.

Have a Picnic at Bogue Falaya Park

The trip that everyone remembers is sometimes the most straightforward. The scenery surrounding the river makes even an hour-long visit feel rejuvenating, and Bogue Falaya Park offers enough room and shade to settle in without feeling crowded. Families frequently bring a small cooler and a blanket, and they let their children run between the open grass and the playground.

A picnic here becomes even better when you give it a loose structure:

• Pick up takeout from a local café and treat it as a mini outdoor feast
• Bring balls, bubbles, or sidewalk chalk to keep younger kids engaged
• Sit near the riverbank to watch kayakers glide by

You do not need elaborate planning. The park works because it gives everyone a chance to breathe, stretch, and enjoy time together without distraction.

Take a Trip to the Global Wildlife Center

The Global Wildlife Center is worth the short drive if your family is looking for something a little more immersive on the Northshore. Children adore it because the animals approach the safari wagon directly, and adults value that it feels authentic rather than staged. You may be able to feed giraffes, make fun of an inquisitive camel, or observe herds of deer moving across wide-open spaces.

The feeling of discovery is what makes the center special. Depending on the season and the mood of the animals, each ride is slightly different. The experience becomes a casual learning opportunity without feeling like a lesson because guides frequently tell stories that help children understand how the species live and interact.

A morning or afternoon visit is usually enough time to enjoy the safari, take photos, and grab a cold drink before heading back home. Families frequently depart with the impression that they experienced a little bit of adventure without having to travel very far.

Final Thoughts

Living in apartments in Covington, LA, offers access to one of the most activity-rich corners of the Northshore, and these four destinations make it easy to enjoy that advantage. Whether your family wants movement, creativity, fresh air, or close-up wildlife encounters, each option adds something different to the week. With outings this close and this varied, getting out of the apartment becomes less of a chore and more of a tradition your family will actually look forward to.