Audubon Aquarium

Aquarium · French Quarter

Audubon Aquarium

Aquarium · French Quarter

2

1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Audubon Aquarium by null
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Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
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Audubon Aquarium by null
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Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
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Audubon Aquarium by null
Audubon Aquarium by null
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Aquarium & insectarium with butterfly garden, sharks  

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1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130 Get directions

audubonnatureinstitute.org

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1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130 Get directions

+1 504 565 3033
audubonnatureinstitute.org
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Aug 17, 2025

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@travelleisure

These Are the 12 Best Aquariums in the U.S.

"Found on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana, this aquarium is home to over 250 animal species, including rare white alligators and southern sea otters." - Travel + Leisure Staff

https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/zoos-aquariums/best-aquariums-in-the-us
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@travelleisure

21 Best Things to Do in the French Quarter of New Orleans

"Visit the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, featuring exhibits on the underwater world of the Caribbean, Amazon, Gulf of Mexico, and the Mississippi." - Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/city-vacations/things-to-do-french-quarter-new-orleans
View Postcard for Audubon Aquarium

Alexander McNiel

Google
Nice aquarium. Definitely pricer (and newer) than the zoo. It can be a little crowded, but overall was a good trip. I would definitely go again. Their variety was really neat and I felt the enclosures for the sea life was top notch.

Heart

Google
This was a great aquarium in my opinion. 2 floors with plenty to see and explore. I was impressed that there were actually large tanks for many of the fish. Many aquariums only have cramped spaces so that was nice to see. The place was clean. A bit pricey compared to some cities but there is a combo ticket for the zoo and insect exhibit.

Carol Keyes

Google
I liked that they didn't just include the aquarium they also added was the butterfly area and information on widespread differences in bugs. There was even a free to explore area to look at the butterflies up close. And two photo stations to take pictures and capture memories. The way they planned the layout of this aquarium was that you went from upstairs to the second floor to the first floor. It was a fun experience. I recommend coming here when you get the time to come to New Orleans.

Tiffany Blair

Google
We visited the aquarium for something to do that was kid friendly while in town. We did appreciate the aesthetics for many of the exhibits, and it was fun seeing the insect portion. Walking through the butterflies was very enjoyable, and you can interact with the stingrays, too. Pricing was quite steep in comparison to other, larger aquariums that we have visited. You are paying for the big, city location more than you are paying for the experience, in my opinion. We walked the whole thing in about 1.5 hours. Overall a fun little place if you need a break from the heat!

Megan Clifton

Google
We had a good time when we visited NOLA. It’s a nice aquarium. Lots of different areas to see. We LOVED the butterfly area. So many beautiful butterflies and they just fly around. We wished there was more animals to see and more variety of insects as it was a lot of beetles. It’s kinda pricey but we enjoyed ourselves.

Kentrell Charles

Google
A fun day. Great location and fun for all. The butterfly exhibit was our highlight. Lots of interactive activities for the little ones while exploring. Disappointed that I needed to pay for a bag after our purchase at the shops. Overall, good say.

Maria Yeahquo

Google
We got the 3 attraction combo tickets. We did the zoo first and then the insectarium and aquarium the next day. The area wasn't very busy, which was nice. It was a Tuesday after about an hour after opening. We went through the insectarium first, then the aquarium. My daughter's loved the butterfly walk-thru. We didn't want to leave the area. We did the aquarium next, and it was very nice and clean. We love seeing different aquariums on our travels, especially the touch tanks. We got to touch the rays and little sharks. Even though we walked slow and stopped for dipping dots, we ended up going through it all in about 2 hrs. Even though we were done in 2 hrs, it definitely didn't feel like it. Lots to look at and plenty of staff to answer any questions you may have.

Joanie Demakeas

Google
The bugs are really cool and I dont like bugs at all. I do wish there were more sharks and alligators(its Louisiana so I guess you can find them everywhere). The butterfly garden was also really cool. And I loved they had little food with bugs in it you could try. Overall it was a really nice thing to do during a really hot summer day to beat the heat
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Jordan S.

Yelp
The aquarium is on the smaller side, but I really enjoyed walking through it and observing the different wildlife. They have a unique insectarium and a butterfly exhibit, where you can walk through an area filled with butterflies flying around you--definitely a cool experience. They also showcase various insects that you don't typically see in aquariums, which was an interesting addition. The actual aquarium itself was enjoyable, with highlights like seeing an owl and alligators up close. My ticket also included access to the zoo, but unfortunately, I didn't have time to visit. Overall, it's a cute little aquarium, though I do wish there were a few more animals to see especially with the cost of the ticket. Still, a fun stop if you're in the area!
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Katelyn L.

Yelp
I found this to be a very disappointing aquarium, especially after hearing there were recommended by USA Today! It's a very small aquarium and cost over 40 dollars. I was actually in disbelief at the end that we had gone through it all. I personally found the fact that every major "section" of the aquarium ends with some food court place very frustrating. If each of those food locations were exhibits, another hour could have been added onto our experience. I would not go again and would be hesitant to recommend unless the prices change / they offer deals during the week!
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Amy S.

Yelp
Very nice insectarium, aquarium, and butterfly exhibits. One butterfly became my friend, hitching a ride on my arm. The fish were mesmerizing to see. I got to touch a stingray, which felt kind of squishy. We came here because the weather was bad and we couldn't walk far. What a really nice few hours to spend.
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Marie L.

Yelp
The smallest aquarium I've ever been to. The "aquarium" is split in two: a huge side with insects and a rather small side with some fish...You could barely see the penguins because the glass was so dirty and bad quality for the cold condensation. The fish here were no very exotic and my favorite part is usually the Jellyfish tanks and they don't even have a great selection of them. But you can have a "fun lunch" because they offer you bugs to eat...
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John D.

Yelp
I'd say the aquarium as a whole isn't bad, they have quite a variety of animals and the style and design is all pleasing. The only reason i feel like it isn't a 5 star is the size for the price. you don't get what you pay for here. It's honeslty really small and you could probably walk through this whole thing in 20 minutes
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Jessica M.

Yelp
Was a cool visit the only draw back is you have to get tickets to both but my kiddo Andes up really liking the big side much to my displeasure.
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Christian G.

Yelp
I finally had the chance to visit the newly renovated Aquarium and Insectarium, and it was definitely a treat! While the renovation brought a fresh look, many of the exhibits and setups felt familiar from the old aquarium. That said, I really enjoyed the Insectarium--especially the interactive section where you could try bug treats! The Cricket King Cake was surprisingly good! My daughter had a great time, and the visit brought back a lot of nostalgia for me. While I would have appreciated a few more completely new updates, it was still a really enjoyable experience overall. Definitely worth a visit!
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Jewelia C.

Yelp
I was on my last day of my 2 week long NOLA trip and decided to spend the day at the aquarium. Stopped by the insectarium first as they had a good package deal and then onto the aquarium! It definitely wasn't the best aquarium I had been to - there was a good amount of displays that were empty and it just felt not as clean as others. It was also highly geared towards children. However, it was interesting seeing some varieties of animals I had not seen at aquariums prior as I had never seen an alligator in real life!
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Beth S.

Yelp
We spent a nice morning visiting the aquarium and insectarium. We enjoy aquariums and have been to many. This one is nice. Small. Clean. Fun. The insectarium was pretty cool. Enjoyable time!
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Christine B.

Yelp
I love our aquarium. A great way to beat the NOLA heat, and so much to explore. There are multiple sections to explore different sea life, a touch pool, a cafe, and more. I also recommend getting the insectarium package if you have time especially to see the butterfly garden at the end. It's a great deal. If you're not a reader, you can walk through both slowly and take about an hour. If you love to read and catch all the shows and feeding, it can be a 3 hour ordeal! The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. I have really enjoyed it since the remodel.
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Nancy V.

Yelp
I don't know about you, but I seldom turn down an opportunity to observe and learn about the complex ecosystems on our planet and to focus on the local aquatic creatures. What was an extra bonus at this aquarium was a fabulous exhibit on insects. The highlight of the exhibit was the butterfly room. The aquarium portion was ok and I really liked the portions that featured regional animals. Got to view alligators up close and personal. It is a relatively smaller aquarium which is not a negative. You can take your time and explore all of exhibits before getting museum fatigue. Glad we came.
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Wanda A.

Yelp
It was my second visit here but when I came it was during the Eras Tour weekend. They went all out in terms of decoration and all. Because of the concert taking place, it was quite busy. Overall it's a nice aquarium and they also have a butterfly exhibit.
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Kim U.

Yelp
We were visiting and staying nearby. The staff was great. Living in Ct I am used to Mystic Aquarium which is larger and has more exhibits as well as hands on areas This aquarium was much smaller but we enjoyed it. The penguins were adorable and very interactive. Along with admission you have access to the insectarium which had a butterfly room you could walk through. Wear light blue and you will have butterflies all over you.
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Klemens T.

Yelp
Came here for the first time with my family. The aquarium admissions comes with the insectarium exhibit so it was definitely worth it. The aquarium was pretty cool. If it was by itself, I'd say it wasn't worth the money, but because of the insectarium, it made it worth it. Our hotel was nearby so we walked. There is a paid parking lot nearby. There are a few homeless people outside so just be careful. All the staff were very friendly.
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Angela K.

Yelp
We bought the $50 ticket that gave us access to all 3 attractions: the aquarium, insectarium, and zoo. Such a great deal in my opinion! This was our first time visiting, so we really took our time going through the exhibits. I don't like or care for insects, but it was neat to see everything such as the honeypot ant and elephant beetle. It was lovely being able to walk through the butterfly garden. The aquarium was definitely my favorite. We started off in the bayou exhibit. Got to see alligators but unfortunately we couldn't see the albino one as it was hiding its face. We saw fish and birds of many kinds. As we transitioned to the next exhibits, we really experienced the ocean vibes- the inside was dark, blue, and cool. We were able to watch the penguin feeding and pet the cow nose rays (so cute). I greatly appreciated every opportunity that was offered for interactions. Overall, our visit was a good one! There wasn't an overwhelming amount of people, the employees were kind, the AC was a plus of course, and the whole place just seemed to be taken care of fairly well! The aquarium was less than a 20 min walk from bourbon st.
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Sarah W.

Yelp
Are the tickets a bit pricy? Sure. But this was a great way to spend the day with kids. Ours were 8 and 10. My 10 yo absolutely loved the ray touch tank exhibit and we probably could've spent a full hour there. I don't really get why the Insectarium and the Aquarium are listed as different places, as you literally can't buy separate tickets. Both are great. This would be a perfect rainy day activity. That said, it does get crowded.
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Margery Z.

Yelp
The Aquarium and Insectarium are in one huge building. The man who sold us our tickets suggested that we walk through the insectarium first. It is an amazing display of insects, some surprisingly large, like the "walking stick". It is approx 6-8 inches long. There were several displays of cockroaches and cockroach related critters. They come in many sizes, including one really huge one, 6 inches long. Spiders and lobsters are distant relatives! Before we moved to the Aquarium, we went into the butterfly room. One has to enter through a double door to guarantee the beautiful creatures do not fly out. There were several feeding dishes, around which the butterflies congregate. They might land on you, but you must not try to catch one. It's a very calm room. Then on to the Aquarium. There were many many individual exhibits, but also one huge central tank with a lot of presumably compatible fish and a couple of turtles. There was a display of alligators. They looked very docile, just lying around. If you are trying to get in your 10,000 steps in a day, it's easily accomplished here.
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Jewels B.

Yelp
When in town visiting, we decided last minute to visit the aquarium. We looked at the time and saw we would only have about 2.5 hours to visit there. We contemplated whether this was sufficient time but we decided to go for it. We were glad we did! This was a good amount of time and especially so since it was very quiet and empty because we went on a Monday afternoon. The insectarium was our favorite part. We have been to a butterfly enclosure in Denver and while it was huge, we liked the Audubon one better because it was smaller so the butterflies were closer and more easily visible. We read that the butterflies like light blue so we put both of our kids in the color. The butterflies landed on them often. They were also able to name and release young butterflies into the room for the first time. That was really special! The worker in the butterfly exhibit was so knowledgeable and friendly. Actually, everyone we encountered was! They do a great job hiring and training an excellent team. The kids loved the massive turtle, too. The penguin enclosure was nice, but one thing our home aquarium offers that our kids love, that this aquarium didn't, was listing the names of each of the penguins. At our home aquarium, they have a chart with a color code for each penguin's name that corresponds to their little arm tag. My kids love knowing each of the penguin's names. This penguin enclosure was really nice and visible though. Overall, we are so glad we made the decision to go! Really fun experience. And my kids both ate a bunch of cricket snacks. lol The only reason for the 4/5 stars is that it was very expensive for how small of an aquarium it is. The cost was greater than our local aquarium but ours at home is triple the size.
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Elle B.

Yelp
Top of our list for touristy things to do, we made our way over to the aquarium right after breakfast on our first day in town. The crowds were manageable for a Friday morning and we were able to move pretty comfortably through the exhibits. Unfortunately, that's in part because there's not actually a whole lot to see. For $50 admission to the aquarium and insectarium, we expected to spend longer than an hour or so exploring. The insects were a rather small portion of the upstairs, which I did expect but I wished there was more. It was fun to try some bug snacks and I hope they expand the offerings (the lady said it used to be a wider variety pre-covid). Moving into the aquarium side was more outwardly disappointing. It's a lot more crowded and there were a lot of empty tanks and use of mirrors to make things seem bigger. Not to mention every 5ft they're trying to sell you an add on or crap to lug around through the rest of the exhibits. That was a huge turnoff, especially made worse by the lack of attractions within. Audubon is a world renowned name so I definitely expected better. It seems like it has a lot of potential and is maybe going through a growth period or tough times? We also wondered if the zoo is the star of the three attractions and driving up the cost of these other two. We do hope to go see the zoo on a future visit, but I'm not sure I would recommend the aquarium/insectarium if you're on a budget or looking for the best activities on a limited visit.
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Frans D.

Yelp
It was a rainy day in New Orleans, so we decided to go to the aquarium. We found out that there is more. The Insectarium is connected, you can buy tickets for each one or a package for both. It was recommended to us, to first visit the Insectarium. There were a lot of very interesting insects. Walking sticks (some really hugh, like 6 inches), ant colonies, and the butterfly room. That is really special. You walk in through a double door area to prevent the butterflies to escape. After that it is amazing. Butterflies in all colors and sizes flying around. Another double door (please check if no butterfly landed on you for a walk out) and on to the aquarium. Plenty of nice species, some in smaller tanks, some together in huge tanks. There was a number of aquariums with jelly fish. When in New Orleans and it rains (which happens a lot, according to our tour guide), this is a wonderful destination.

Laura W.

Yelp
We bought tickets before coming to New Orleans. Not that impressed but it was something to do. Our aquarium in Oregon is much better laid out and you don't feel you are constantly looking for which way to go.
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Misty R.

Yelp
Nice Aquarium, worth a visit. I enjoyed my visit. It is not a huge Aquarium but still nice and clean. The animals appear healthy and well taken care of. It is a bit pricey but worth it. Great place to take the kids as well. Enjoy.
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Mario E.

Yelp
We had an outstanding time. We really enjoyed the Insectarium - lots of live insect, great detail and learned so much. Insect were very lively and moving around. Aquarium part kind of small but the insectarium def made it worth it. We also went on a weekend where mermaids were swimming underneath the water - it was so cute and the children all loved it. They should be an aquarium touring mermaids of the states. The location was very clean.
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William G.

Yelp
Close to Ferry on river front, in New Orleans. We were told of the aquarium by another tourist, I don't entirely recall the ticket price per adult but it was within normal range or I would have remembered an overprice. Of most aquariums we've visited they all tend to have similar set ups and this was same although there was an Insectarium for $32 we did not add. There's the small individual fish tanks along the walk to get to sting Ray open tank where can touch them. Large center tank w sharks, sea turtle, and larger fish. Followed by bird enclosures, swamp animals, and a large indoor rainforest-like portion of the building. These places are always worth visiting once or twice occasionally if you like nature.
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Natalie H.

Yelp
I enjoy this aquarium but felt like there weren't many exhibits as before. It was about $30 to get in and the experience didn't feel worth the price, but, to give back to the community, the price is worth it. We might have come in on an off day. I'd definitely return to try again :)
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Tanja D.

Yelp
I was excited to finally visit the newly remodeled aquarium. In recent years, my daughters and I visited at least three times a year. We absolutely love what they've done with the place! The greatest enhancement is the combination of the aquarium with the Insectarium. I have always heard great things about the Insectarium, but I never visited it. My daughters loved the exhibits, especially the hurricane simulator. The color schemes were perfect and child friendly. I noticed slight changes, but they didn't take away from the overall experience. I'm looking forward to our next visi
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Timothy P.

Yelp
Since the remodel it was even more fun the design makes more sense and it takes you on a journey to different locations of the world of animal mostly of the swimming variety but they have many lad animals as well. This perfect place to take kids and have a great time. They have penguin, sharks, rays and a touching pool where you can touch starfish, rays and other small swimming creatures.
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Amanda N.

Yelp
We were in town for the game so we showed up around 4 (bad planning on my part) HOWEVER; it was just about empty so we really got to see everything without having a massive group or kiddos running around. Felt very private and peaceful. The staff were all super nice! The whole thing was beautiful and well kept. I really came for the butterflies. To be so up close with so many was such a fun experience. One day when we return we'll show up earlier.
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Peyton C.

Yelp
I've been wanting to see the newly remodeled Audobon Aquarium for a while now, and I'm glad that I finally paid a visit! The layout was unique and organized, and I liked the journey through different ecosystem models of our oceans. I loved how they displayed a typical Gulf oil rig reef and all of the wildlife that live in that atmosphere. A great place for kids and adults alike, with knowledgeable and friendly staff members! I think it's a little bit pricey, but definitely worth seeing once! The Animal Crossing Tour was cute, and will be displayed there until September 14th, 2024.
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Hassan W.

Yelp
The aquarium is and will always be a great visit! I grew up visiting for field trips and decades later it is still exciting to visit! One of the best aquariums in the country by far.
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Michele Z.

Yelp
So disappointed. Starting with getting a ticket. No smile. No hello. Customer service is dead here. The aquarium is nice but, for $42+ (with tax), it just wasn't worth it (to me). I did the whole thing in about an hour and a half. And so it was a very quick trip through all the exhibits for a not insubstantial amount. It's a nice way to spend a bit of time if money isn't an issue. If it is, go to the WWII museum instead.
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James S.

Yelp
I have always loved coming to the Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans as there was so much to see. I was really excited to see it again after they remodeled and changed things up. We got there and admission was almost $90 for 2 people. They put the insectisarium in the aquarium now which was nice so you dodnt have to go to 2 different places. They also seem to make the path of travel one way flow so you are always moving in one direction to see everything. The albino alligator didnt look real as you saw his tail was straight laying on top of the water and not in the water. As he was laying on the concrete slab, you never seen him breathing. I have a feeling he passed away and they had a fake one of him out there to make it look like he was sleeping. We got through everything so quick that it seemed like they took some things out. The whole gulf of mexico experience seemed smaller than before. Definitely was disappointed and not worth the money we paid. Will say that they are still renovating so it may be more in the future.
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Jessica O.

Yelp
We had a blast at the aquarium! This was the number one thing that my kids wanted to do while in town. The price was a bit of sticker shock for me but we went ahead since it was so important to them. This is the main reason for 4 rather than 5 stars. The Insectorium had some very interesting things. We wouldn't have done that on its own but I'm glad it was included. My favorite part was the butterfly sanctuary. I happened to wear a bright green shirt and the butterflies loved it! If you want them to land on you, wear something bright. It felt magical! The other favorite parts of the aquarium were the jellyfish, the string ray exhibit, the alligators and the walk through aquatic hallway. It was crowded but not so much that we couldn't enjoy it. We walked there from the French Quarter and while it was very hot, the breeze from the water and the view of the riverboats was nice. It was a lot of fun and I think families would enjoy it. As I said, it was more expensive than I would have liked but I don't regret going. It was really fun and we have some great memories!
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Gabriel N.

Yelp
We go for our kids - they love it. It's hard to beat the magic and wonder of such incredible creatures separated from the visitor by a few millimeters of glass. Highlights for my family are the majestic and large shark tank, the enchanting aquarium tunnel, and of course the sting ray tank where the children and adults can carefully touch one as it glides by. The new renovation that combines the insectarium with the aquarium unfortunately created a level of visitor volume that I find pretty overwhelming (and sadly like this is profit maximizing at the expense of user experience and learning). Viewing area at the glass is now crowded at almost every site. Another downside of the recent renovation is that the really intriguing butterfly experience of the insectarium has now been crammed into a small room toward the river - the variety of butterflies seems much fewer and the room doesn't have the flora of the prior location. The dining area is very much a rapid production, dietary relic of the past. It is nice that there is alcohol for the parents (where else will you find an aquarium like that in the USA? Probably nowhere!). However the food options are really unhealthy - what you'd find in a concession stand or children's birthday party (cheap pizza, chicken nuggets with majority fried breading and little meat). It would be nice if they could embrace some healthy meal options and snacks given that those are in high demand by many families these days. We will go back because of the kids - we'll just plan to eat before or after. Now that we know that the aquarium experience has changed, I guess we are now prepared for a rapid fire, crowded experience.
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Sue B.

Yelp
This is a very nice and educational place to visit. The exhibits are well laid out. We bought our tickets online and only did the aquarium side. You can do both the aquarium and insectarium too. There is a lot of aquatic life to see and a sting ray tank where you can touch the sting rays. A tunnel to walk through is cool with fish and rays swimming above and around you is neat. There is an outside aviary also.
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Lisa V.

Yelp
definitely worth a visit. i seen a few things i havent seen before. the place isnt overly crowded at all which is nice. the price is a but steep, we finished the place in an hour.
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Jerrie A.

Yelp
I had an okay time at the Audubon Aquarium. Luckily for me and my partner, we came on an off day, which meant no crowds and an aquarium venue all to ourselves! Tickets were $30/person, so reasonably price and definitely cheaper than home. However, when I walked through the aquarium, I realized that $30 is all they should and can charge. This aquarium is quite small and doesn't have as many exhibits as other aquariums I've been too (e.g Long Beach Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium), but it did feature some creatures that I normally wouldn't see back home. I thought it was cool we got to see some owls and a friendly ol' alligator in the exhibit. He didn't seem so energetic, but I attribute it to the packing heat and humidity that engulfs much of Louisiana, lol. It was also neat to see some penguins too! There was a little fella that kept hanging around the window to greet people, so that was pretty cute. Anyways, parking was a bit of a drag, however, expected since the aquarium is located near tourists traps haha. We parked in a building connected to the mall and was able to validate our parking to receive a $2.50 discount.
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Chris L.

Yelp
We had a great afternoon at the Audubon Aquarium. The focus on the fish of the Americans was great. The penguin exhibit was fascinating, and we watched them eat. However, the biggest highlight was the bug. I had never visited an insectarium before, but it was super interesting. The butterfly room was excellent and had more butterflies than I have seen in one location. The staff were super helpful and answered all our questions. It was well worth our visit. I would suggest a few hours; this would not fill an entire day with kids.
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Debra S.

Yelp
Very disappointed in the gift shop, I bought a glass shot glass and they had nothing to wrap it in or any bags due to "conservation" Many other zoos and aquariums offer paper bags.... Very disappointing. Otherwise the aquarium was nice it did stink but mainly because BO! Would not recommend going on a weekend way too busy!
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Eugene J.

Yelp
Doing research for a possible out of state visit from my Texas middle school. Aquarium is educationally wonderful and staff very professional. Will begin working on next years visit.

Eric San J.

Yelp
Fun exhibits! The butterfly section was so cool. I've never seen an insectarium before so this was great to check out. The aquarium was easy to navigate and had all the fun parts of a bayou, Gulf creatures, and a standard aquarium touch tank. I wish this place was a bit bigger, but it was overall a great way to kill 2 hours.
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Victoria G.

Yelp
Touring the aquarium was so much fun. It was tropical warmth like a comforting fireplace on a freezing winter day. It was easy to get our discounted tickets online and make our way to the prepaid line for faster entry. I loved seeing the different alligators and learning about life in the bayou with the new interactive displays. Knowing that this recently reopened after a $41 million renovation, I could see all the special touches that made each area even more special. Stop by when you are near the riverfront.
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Isaac E.

Yelp
Between the Aquarium and the Insectarium, the aquarium is hands down the better of the two. It has some great exhibits with a solid variety of wonderful things for kids to see and do while they are visiting and learning the facility. The display are great, informative and the whole place is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.
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Daisy E.

Yelp
Howww has anyone given this less than 5 stars?! As a person whose first job was at an aquarium in Mystic, CT, I can confidently say that THIS aquarium is worth the visit. Yes- it's on the smaller size compared to Seaworld, lol. But the exhibits are excellent and executed with southern flavor (for the local exhibits) and amazing decor for the more foreign exhibits. I love that they had exotic birds flying around, such as toucans, and macaws. They also had a beautiful sloth sleeping in their heavenly bed for you to check out. The one thing that I cannot believe is that they were able to keep a brown shark as well as other various sharks in captivity without them dying. I've never seen a brown shark before! Although I have swam with the other shark species. The decor throughout the entire aquarium was absolutely beautiful. That has always been lacking in every aquarium I have ever been to. ALSO?! They have a tube-tank similar to the one in Jaws! It might not be as long, but it was definitely the first time I've ever seen one before, and was amazing to witness. Photo ops galore! The location is fantastic. Be sure to book a combo as you can see the Insectarium in the same facility and can also book the zoo, which is only a few miles away. Be sure to walk around the Audubon Trail if you end up going to the zoo! This place is 100% worth it. Especially if you have children. I went there with my husband and we had an amazing time! It is located right next to the steam boats and river. It is within walking distance from the church and Jackson Square.
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Lyle S.

Yelp
New remodel in the same location. Seems like it was bigger the last time that I went over twenty years ago but it was probably just because I was smaller. Friendly staff always ready to answer your questions. But tickets online for a discount.
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David G.

Yelp
Post renovation aquarium, there is not a considerable amount of change, but there are some. The insectarium is now within the same building and may be visited at the same time for an additional fee. You will find mostly old familiars and a few new gems. The large pool now has an open viewing area, and the jellyfish viewing area finally got rid of the circulating bags. The rainforest lost the overhead walkthrough. The swamp area has more exhibits. Notably, the entrance into the insectarium is all new, and you can now taste bugs. Overall, I'm not sure that it stands up in comparison with the price and value of other aquariums, but it is a pleasant stroll with a/c in an otherwise hot area. The bathrooms and other areas are always clean.
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Courtney P.

Yelp
I had high hopes and expectations for the aquarium in New Orleans. I was told that it was rated one of the best in the country, so I decided to give it a visit on a recent work trip. I came on a rainy, Saturday afternoon and the place was packed - tons of kids and families trying to escape the rain. I didn't mind the crowd, being a solo 30 something year old. But much of the aquarium was under construction and several of the exhibits were closed. Perhaps my expectations were set to high, but I found the entire experience to be quite average. There was a mermaid exhibit while I was there, which was nice to see the joy on the children's faces as the mermaid swam around in one of the tanks. Best in the country? I'm not so sure. Then again, I might be spoiled living on the West Coast.

Sofia P.

Yelp
Me and my mother were so grateful to experience this magical place. This is a great place to go if you have children and are in NOLA, the aquarium/ insectarium is full of exhibits and interactive learning experiences for kids. The staff member Jeremy was extremely knowledgeable about the bee stand and answered all of our questions about these awesome insects. Another plus is that all the animals seemed extremely happy and well taken care of most notably the stingrays which were in a touch tank that allowed them space to swim , they were all very friendly and kept coming to the edges to allow humans to pet them. This is an amazing place for families or just adults to look around and learn some more! Forgot to mention there is a really cool interactive section to try bug treats which was super fun and informative
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Nina L.

Yelp
Good aquarium and insectarium. We had a meeting in their conference room for a few days and were able to quickly tour the aquarium during breaks. I'll start by saying, I'm spoiled being from the San Francisco Bay Area where our local aquariums include Monterey Bay and the Cal Academy. It's hard to compare smaller aquariums when you live so close to top notch institutions. Really enjoyed the Gulf Coast section. I'm not from the area so it's novel to see alligators and crawfish at an aquarium. The insectarium and butterflies was a pleasant surprise. I didn't have much time to read the exhibits but there was a large diversity of insects exhibited. The sharks in the big tank were my favorite. I was a little confused at the Mayan theme for one section of the aquarium. The touch tank was good, seems like the standard for aquariums. The Amazon section was also good, loved the sloth! My only qualm is that you end your tour with a giant thank you sign to the sponsors who are all oil and gas companies...such a disappointment that this aquarium is part of big oil's greenwashing strategy. What can you do? It's the Gulf South.