Audubon Zoo

Audubon Park was laid out in the late 1800s on former plantation land along the river, and its zoo grew gradually from a small collection of animals into a full zoological park over the early decades of the 1900s. The land itself hosted the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition in the 1880s, an event that helped shape the grounds visitors enjoy today.

The park and zoo carry the name of John James Audubon, whose detailed paintings of North American birds remain landmarks of natural-history art, and who worked in Louisiana in the early 1820s. The great live oaks that shade the grounds, some of them centuries old, give the zoo an atmosphere unlike almost any other in the country.

The zoo's most celebrated exhibit is its Louisiana Swamp, a lush and detailed recreation of a Cajun bayou landscape. Boardwalks and paths lead past dark water, cypress trees, and a rustic trapper's camp, immersing visitors in the sights and sounds of the wetlands that define so much of the state.

The swamp is home to American alligators and, most famously, to rare white alligators, pale creatures whose unusual coloring makes them one of the zoo's best-known residents. The exhibit weaves together the natural swamp and the Cajun culture that grew up within it, teaching visitors about a landscape central to Louisiana's identity.

Beyond the swamp, Audubon Zoo houses animals from around the world across themed habitats, often including big cats, elephants, primates, reptiles, and a wide range of birds. Winding paths under the oak canopy connect the exhibits, giving the whole zoo a shaded, garden-like feel even on hot days.

As part of the Audubon Nature Institute, the zoo is deeply involved in conservation and animal care, and it partners with sister facilities across the city, including a riverfront aquarium and an insectarium. The institute's work reaches from local wetland protection to species-survival programs for endangered animals.

The zoo anchors the river end of Audubon Park, a beloved green space that stretches up to St. Charles Avenue and its historic streetcar line. Joggers, cyclists, and families fill the park's oak-lined paths and lagoons, and the whole area is one of the loveliest parts of Uptown New Orleans.

A visit pairs naturally with a ride on the St. Charles streetcar, one of the oldest continuously operating streetcar lines in the world, which rolls past the mansions and universities of Uptown between downtown and the park. Together the streetcar, the park, and the zoo make an unhurried, quintessentially New Orleans day.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Audubon Zoo, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a beloved and highly regarded zoo, home to a wonderful variety of animals in lush, beautiful habitats, celebrated especially for its Louisiana swamp exhibit. Set within a gorgeous park shaded by ancient live oaks, the zoo houses animals from around the world, from elephants and big cats to primates and reptiles, and it is famous for its immersive Louisiana Swamp exhibit featuring alligators, including rare white alligators, and the culture of the bayou. Its lovely setting and excellent animals make it a delightful family destination. A superb and family-friendly zoo, it delights visitors. With its animals, the Audubon Zoo offers a compelling destination in Louisiana.

You can see a wonderful variety of animals from around the world, including elephants, big cats, primates, and reptiles, in lush habitats shaded by ancient live oaks, and explore the famous Louisiana Swamp exhibit with alligators, including rare white alligators, and bayou culture. The diverse animals, the beautiful oak-shaded setting, and the Louisiana Swamp exhibit are the draws, making it a superb visit for all ages. The swamp exhibit and the white alligators are highlights. With its animals, the Audubon Zoo offers a rewarding experience in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Yes, the Audubon Zoo is wonderful for families, with a great variety of animals, the immersive Louisiana Swamp exhibit, alligators, and a beautiful setting that delight children and adults alike. The animals and the swamp exhibit especially engage kids, making it a favorite family destination, and the shaded park setting is pleasant. Its variety offers a full outing. Its family appeal makes the Audubon Zoo a delightful destination in Louisiana.

The milder months of fall through spring are the most comfortable for the outdoor zoo in New Orleans' subtropical climate, avoiding the intense summer heat and humidity, though the shaded live oaks and any indoor exhibits offer some relief in the warm season. Because hours and events can vary, checking current information before you go is wise, and bringing water and sun protection helps. For the most comfortable weather, aim for fall through spring at the Audubon Zoo in Louisiana.

The Audubon Zoo is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Audubon Park, within reach of the Garden District and the streetcar, the National WWII Museum, the French Quarter, and the other attractions of New Orleans. That makes the Audubon Zoo a compelling stop to combine with the other attractions of New Orleans on a visit to Louisiana.