Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana

A conglomeration of a variety of nature-oriented attractions, the Audubon Nature Institute includes nine different museums and parks. Functioning as a way not only to preserve important environmental resources but also as a vehicle for providing a wealth of education about animals, plants, and more, the Audubon Nature Institute makes it their mission to “Celebrate the Wonders of Nature”.

The Audubon family of attractions began with the establishment of Audubon Park in 1896 and is fully supported by admissions fees, facilities rentals, and donations from the general public and business entities. Aside from Audubon Park, the complex now includes Audubon Zoo, Woldenburg Riverfront Park, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Entergy IMAX® Theatre, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Audubon Wilderness Park, Audubon Insectarium, and Audubon Nature Institute Foundation.

The zoo, located in the Uptown section of New Orleans, features mostly exotic animals from other parts of the world but also includes local animals, such as a fascinating exhibit called The Louisiana Swamp. Housed in habitats that resemble their natural homes, the animals here are a delight to watch, especially the Audubon Zoo’s two largest family members, a pair of Asian elephants named Panya and Jean. In addition, the zoo offers a carousel, a safari simulator ride, and a fun dinosaur adventure.

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas profiles marine life from all over the world and boasts an especially impressive collection of sharks. Guests can visit a Caribbean reef and watch a diver interact with the fish, journey down the Mississippi River and view local inhabitants, laugh at the sea otters and penguins, and feed and touch stingrays and other specimens at Adventure Island. 

The Insectarium, which is located at the U.S. Customs House on Canal Street, presents a world of bugs through live and preserved specimens. Visitors can touch a bug, shop at the “flea market” (a.k.a. gift shop), or eat at the Termite Café. It’s a fun attraction for guests of all ages and CNN has dubbed it a “top family attraction.”

The IMAX Theater is open daily and is located next to the aquarium. It offers a changing menu of educational flicks designed especially to fit the theater’s five-and-a-half story screen.

The parks that belong to the Audubon Society include Audubon Park in Uptown New Orleans, which features an 18-hole par-62 golf course, clubhouse dining, riding stables, tennis courts, a labyrinth and shelter rentals; and 16-acre Woldenburg Riverfront Park, which stretches from the river to The French Quarter and offers lots of room to stretch out and enjoy the grass and sunshine.

All the attractions at the Audubon Nature Institute periodically offer special events that are open to the community and also provide rental spaces for those who wish to hold social or business events at one of the venues.

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