Audubon Aquarium

The Audubon Aquarium brings kids face-to-face with over 3,600 aquatic animals in one of the country's top-rated aquariums. Located right on the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans, it features an incredible 30-foot walk-through underwater tunnel where sharks and sea turtles glide overhead, plus interactive touch pools where children can actually feel stingrays and small sharks,creating unforgettable hands-on learning experiences.

• ✓30-foot underwater tunnel with sharks, rays, and sea turtles swimming all around you
• ✓Interactive stingray and shark touch pools with knowledgeable staff
• ✓Playful penguin colony with scheduled feeding demonstrations
• ✓Colorful jellyfish gallery with mesmerizing displays
• ✓Great White Shark exhibit and Caribbean Reef with tropical fish

1. 1.Arrive right when doors open at 10 AM to experience the touch pools before they get crowded,kids will have more one-on-one time with staff and better access to touch the animals.
2. 2.Don't miss the penguin feeding times (check the daily schedule at entrance),kids love watching these playful birds and hearing keeper talks.
3. 3.Park at the Jax Brewery parking garage on Decatur Street (about 3 blocks away) for more affordable rates than the closer lots.
4. 4.Bring a light sweater even in summer,the aquarium is kept quite cool, and younger kids can get chilly after an hour or so.
5. 5.Download the Audubon app before visiting for an interactive scavenger hunt that keeps kids engaged throughout the exhibits.

Weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday) are least crowded. Visit between 10-11 AM to enjoy exhibits before afternoon tour groups arrive. Avoid weekends and school holidays when wait times for touch pools can exceed 20 minutes.

Admission runs around $35 for adults and $27 for kids (2-12), with combo tickets available for multiple Audubon attractions. The aquarium has a café with kid-friendly options like chicken tenders and pizza, plus a gift shop. Strollers are allowed but can be challenging in crowded areas.

The aquarium occasionally closes for private events, so check the calendar before visiting. Summer months (June-August) are busiest with tourists. Holiday-themed events and special exhibits rotate throughout the year, particularly around Christmas with sea-themed decorations.

Walk 2 blocks to Café Du Monde for iconic beignets and hot chocolate that kids adore, or head to the nearby Riverwalk shopping area which has a food court with multiple kid-friendly chain options including Panera and Chick-fil-A.