Louisiana: Lesser Known Landscape

Nicknamed the Northshore, St. Tammany Parish is a trove of nature and small towns on the opposite side of Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans. Here you can hike or bike the 31-mile rails-to-trails corridor called Tammany Trace, look for gators in Honey Island Swamp, visit an 1829 sugar mill in Fontainebleau State Park, check out the galleries and shops in Covington (including the general store run by the Smith family since 1876), and sip the latest vintages at Pontchartrain Vineyards. This quietly beautiful region was featured in the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

•LOGISTICS: Northshore is a 45-minute drive north of New Orleans.

Lodging: Blue Willow Bed and Breakfast, Covington. Three suites in downtown historic district, from $125; www.bluewillowbandb.com

Dining: La Provence, Lacombe. Fine French cuisine; www.laprovencerestaurant.com.

Best link: www.louisiananorthshore.com.

Published in the May/June 2009 issue of National Geographic Traveler.