Audubon Zoo, New Orleans (must see)

Named after the world-famous naturalist, John James Audubon, the Audubon Zoo is a 58-acre zoological garden located in Uptown New Orleans on the Mississippi River side of Magazine Street. It opened in 1914 and is part of the Audubon Nature Institute.

Thousands of animals make the zoo their home. There are 2,000 animals and 350 species that visitors can enjoy. Gorillas, bears, monkeys, orangutans, elk, white tigers, and rare white alligators are just some of the things you will see when you visit. In addition, a swamp exhibit features animals native to Louisiana and an Embraceable Zoo allows children to play and interact with domestic animals. Other exhibits one can enjoy are the Sea Lions, the World of Primates, Jaguar Jungle, the White Tigers, the Rhinos, the Dragon's Lair, and Monkey Hill.

Children and adults alike will enjoy the Zoofari Cafe, the Swamp Train, the rock climbing wall, the Safari Simulator Ride, the animal-themed water park, and the Endangered Species Carousel. In addition, a gift store sells an assortment of zoo-themed items.

Why You Should Visit:
Reasonable-sized zoo in a very nice setting; grounds are beautiful with big trees and winding pathways through different sections.
The theming for several of the areas, most notably the Louisiana Swamp, Asia, and South America, is immersive, and there are multiple stations with special activities for kids to participate in.
There are also plenty of spots along the way that provide the opportunity to purchase refreshments.

Tip:
You can take public transportation to the zoo very easily. If you take the streetcar, there is a zoo shuttle that will pick you up near the stop and take you to the front gate. Without this shuttle, it is quite a hike from the streetcar to the zoo.

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10am-4pm; Sat-Sun: 10am-5pm