I spent last weekend in New Orleans at a wedding event. As is often the case in New Orleans, we spent most of the weekend eating and drinking. I often find that most (if not all) of my New Orleans recommendations are food and drink related. However, there is so much more to New Orleans than food and alcohol. So, this week, I am focusing on a different type of New Orleans treasure -- the Audubon Institute and the great attractions it runs in New Orleans. The Audubon Institute (named after naturalist John James Audubon) is focused on conversation and education and it really is a fantastic organization.
The most famous Audubon attraction is the Audubon Zoo in the Garden District. This is consistently rated one of the best zoos in the United States and you can see why as soon as you step in. The Zoo is huge! Even adults get tired trying to walk around the entire area. There is a little train that runs through it now, though they definitely did not have that when I was a kid! There are tons of different types of animals and each one lives in its own specialized habitat. The Zoo itself is separated into different areas based on habitat, which is a really great teaching tool. Speaking of teaching tools, there are always great learning opportunities for kids scattered throughout the Zoo. I remember riding elephants and camels there when I was a kid! Some of the highlights include the Asian elephant exhibit, Monkey Hill (which rumor has it is the highest point in low-hanging New Orleans), the Louisiana Swamp exhibit and the Dinosaur Adventure. All of this is situated in the middle of the beautiful Garden District, a far cry from the hustle of the French Quarter.
However, if you are in the French Quarter and need a break from eating and drinking, I would highly recommend a visit to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. The Aquarium is also run by the Audubon Institute and it is also fantastic. It is a huge aquarium with different rooms for the various climates represented. Like the Zoo, there are different interactive exhibits scattered throughout the Aquarium. Some of the highlights include the African penguin exhibit, animal feedings, and the Gulf of Mexico exhibit. There is even an IMAX Theatre located next door. I remember seeing a Rolling Stones concert there, though I think it it usually focused on nature-type movies. It is definitely a great place to go to escape a hot summer day!
In 2009, the Audubon Institute opened the Audubon Insectarium, which is America's largest museum devoted to insects and its relatives. It celebrates the world of bugs with 13 gallery rooms containing more than 70 live animal enclosures, 30 mounted specimen cases and a multisensory immersive theater experience. You can experience live insect encounters, discover cultural aspects of insects, sample exotic insect cuisine, shrink in size to see the world from a bug’s perspective, and enjoy the tranquility of a Japanese garden with hundreds of butterflies!It has gotten amazing reviews, but I am honestly too creeped out by the insects to go. But, if it is anything like the rest of the Audubon attractions, I would highly recommend it!
TIP: There are many different combo packages you can buy to help conserve money. The best package is
the Audubon Experience Ticket which includes one visit to each facility; ticket expires five days after first use, excluding Mondays when all facilities are closed.
So when visiting New Orleans, either with kids or without, I would take time to visit one of the Audubon Institutes's attractions in order to see a different side of the city!
Audubon Zoo
6500 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
(800) 774-7394 or (504) 581-4629
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Canal Street at the River
#1 Canal Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(800) 774-7394 or (504) 581-4629
Audubon Insectarium
423 Canal Street
U.S. Custom House
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(800) 774-7394 or (504) 581-4629
www.auduboninstitute.org
