Audubon Nature Institute (Zoo, Aquarium & Insectarium)

The Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana, operates three distinct wildlife and nature facilities: Audubon Zoo in Uptown New Orleans, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas at the riverfront near the French Quarter, and the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium also at the riverfront. Together they form one of the most comprehensive urban nature campuses in the southern United States. Audubon Zoo, located at 6500 Magazine Street adjacent to Audubon Park in the Uptown neighborhood, houses more than 2,000 animals representing over 350 species. The 58-acre zoo is widely regarded as one of the best in the country. Highlights include the Louisiana Swamp exhibit — a naturalistic recreation of a Louisiana bayou environment with white alligators, river otters, nutria, and cypress trees — as well as an extensive African Savanna section, a South American pampas area, and a white tiger habitat. The award-winning swamp exhibit alone justifies a visit for visitors interested in regional wildlife. The Aquarium of the Americas, at 1 Canal Street near the Mississippi River, is known for its Gulf of Mexico tank, Amazon rainforest habitat, Caribbean reef, and a significant penguin exhibit. The walk-through tunnel beneath the Gulf of Mexico tank — offering a fish-eye view of sharks, rays, and sea turtles overhead — is the most photographed spot in the facility. The Insectarium, adjacent to the aquarium, features live butterfly flight exhibits and interactive insect galleries. Combination tickets covering multiple facilities represent the best value for families planning to visit more than one site. A full day is required to do justice to the zoo and one additional facility; most visitors choose either the aquarium or the zoo for a single visit. Weekday mornings in cooler months (October through March) offer the most comfortable outdoor conditions at the zoo.