Folsom is home to the Global Wildlife Center (globalwildlife.com). According to the Global Wildlife Foundation, more than 4,000 threatened and endangered animals from around the globe make a home in the nature preserve. Open seven days a week, the center offers tours, including a Safari Tour over hundreds of acres of the preserve where visitors can view giraffes, zebras and other exotic species in a free-roaming habitat. According to the Saint Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission, the community of Folsom plays host to the Gallop Around Louisiana equestrian events, a popular draw.
The parish seat of Saint Tammany, the city of Covington is located between Folsom and the northern shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Covington advertises year-round festivals, along with many Mardi Gras events. The Tammany Trace, a paved trail for bikers and hikers, offers outdoor enthusiasts a recreational treat. Music lovers can enjoy free concerts at the Columbia Street Landing along the Bogue Falaya River.
Slidell, south of Folsom, is located on the northeast shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Slidell holds a number of festivals centered around culture and the arts. The city is also home to the Bayou Jam Concert Series. Each spring and fall the section of the city known as Olde Towne is the site of the Antique District Street Fair, where vendors from around the South gather to sell their wares. Photo opportunities are abundant in this picturesque city. For outdoor recreation, tour the Honey Island Swamp.
Abita Springs, a short drive southeast of Folsom, is home to the Abita Mystery House (ucmmuseum.com), formerly known as the UCM Museum. The Abita Mystery House claims to be the state's most eccentric attraction featuring exhibits created from recycled materials. Abita Springs is also home to the Louisiana Bicycle Festival (labicyclefestival.com), an informal affair held each June, where cyclists gather to buy, sell and trade bicycles, parts and memorabilia, as well as ride around town.
Madisonville, south of Folsom on the Tchefuncte River, is home to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum. Mandeville, on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain is home to Ruby's Roadhouse, one of the best in the nation, according to "Rolling Stone Magazine." Opportunities to fish and crab abound around the Folsom area. For example, the Lake Road near the village of Lacombe is a popular spot.
