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Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
87 reviews for Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
87 reviews in English
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Review from May W.
Metairie, LA
5/9/2012
Great place to go to escape the New Orleans heat and see something educational and fun. Always loved the Aquarium and I'm glad that it's almost back to its former pre-K glory. Wish there were more sharks and sea lions. And more stuff I'm the touch pool besides sting rays. Gimme some turtles and starfish!! The sea horse and jellyfish exhibits are awesome and makes up for the rather lame touching areas now. And the petting area is really only for kids now. Boo!
Couldn't find the parakeet show then when I left, I heard it was in the cafeteria. Tricky, tricky!
But overall, the Aquarium is something you don't want to miss when you're in New Orleans- either as a first-timer or a local being a tourist in your hometown. -
Review from Tanaz P.
Eugene, OR
2/17/2012 2 photos
::disclaimer::
I used a groupon for admission so I only paid $9.
This was a really nice aquarium. The tunnel of sharks was wonderful way to watch those critters scoot around. The variety of native and exotic fish was lovely, interesting and informative. I thoroughly enjoyed the penguins, and the sea otters were fun and engaging. The frozen treats they give the otters are worth sticking around for. It's amazing what how they get their goodies out.
One of my favorite parts of the aquarium was the parakeet aviary they've set up. For $1 you buy a bird seed on a stick and the little buggers flock to you. It's really fun.
If I had paid full admission ($20) I may not have been as impressed, but for what I paid it was wonderful. -
Review from John G.
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
I may be spoiled living in Baltimore, because I was pretty let down! We only did the Aquarium ticket, so we could have missed something, but I just felt like when we got done, there had to be something we missed, but we looked at the map again, and that was not the case! Didnt seem like there was a lot of information or identification of all the displays.
I assume its good for kids, because they were EVERYWHERE!!!!! -
Review from Julia D.
Erie, PA
5/24/2012
The aquarium, although kind of small, is quite an attraction. If you take your time, look at all the exhibits, and read the information, it will take you some time to get through it. The best exhibit by far is the Gulf of Mexico and if you can stay for a feeding time, I highly recommend you do! My girlfriend and I had an amazing time.
The only drawback is that the tickets are kind of expensive.
I would recommend if you are a student (with an ID) that you purchase the Audubon Experience Pass. For $19, you can visit the zoo, aquarium, insectarium, and see an imax film. and you dont have to do all the attractions on one day. you have 45 consecutive days to visit each attraction once. my girlfriend and i went with this option and every dollar as worth seeing all four attractions! -
Review from Eboni F.
3/30/2012 3 photos
I took my mother yesterday cause we didn't have anything better to do. I wish we had just stuck with our original destination [which we still visited, NOAAM]. This place is highly overpriced and NOT very big. I'm sure if I were 12 again it would've been the most awesome experience ever but alas that was NOT the case. The best part was the 10:30a dive show with the stingrays when you immediately enter on the right, other than that I wasn't to impressed but then again I am used to the Camden aquarium in NJ which is twice as big!
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Review from Bill T.
"When's it my turn?
Wouldn't I love, love to explore that world up above?
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world"- Ariel, Disney's Little Mermaid
You are WRONG Ariel, dead wrong! Have you seen the global economy? Have you noticed the Arab spring is turning to winter? If I were Trident* I'd make you go be part of that world and see how much you like it, you selfish, selfish mermaid.
Why do I mention Ariel, you ask? It's because the sea (and other) life at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas looked like they were enjoying things so much, I couldn't imagine them NOT wanting to live in the sea.
This isn't a huge aquarium and it's not exhaustive, but for people with kids (or adults with short attention spans) it's just right. Lots of fish, great information about the ecosystem in Louisiana and it's fairly interactive with exhibits as well as a great parakeet room. I liked the sharks, penguins and otters a lot.
Some of the displays were a little worn and dated but I think this is a great way to kill a couple of hours and learn a little while you're at it.
In closing, it's not all fireworks and Prince Eric, Ariel, but life out of the sea does have some good moments.
_________________________
*Trident is Ariel's dad, not the chewing gum. How weird would that be if gum could make you leave your oceanic home and live on land? -
Review from Faby P.
3/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
We ended up here due to torrential downpours which ruined my plans to visit a brewery - so maybe I wasn't in the best spirits while in here. Seems like a good place to bring little ones, actually, this is probably the only place is NOLA where I would ever take a kid. The jellyfish were pretty cool and the otters were funny. We saw a movie at the IMAX also, which was nice. Once you've been to an aquarium you've been to them all.
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Review from Mindy U.
Belle Chasse, LA
11/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
My daughter kept telling me this aquarium was boring and I kept brushing off her opinion as that of a teen that is hard to impress. Well, she was right. It is kind of boring. They do have cute otters, stingrays to pet, a massive gift shop and some nice exhibits. But, you can easily see everything in under an hour. I still take visiting nieces and nephews there if I get good deals on tickets, but otherwise I don't feel it is a great bang for your buck on a full priced ticket.
Maybe I am just spoiled by the aquariums of other cities I have lived in... Boston, Monterrey, Corpus Christi. -
Review from Dennis G.
9/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I'm a supporter of the Audubon Nature Institue and that includes the Aquarium of the Americas. I picked up a membership for myself and my girlfriend to attend the Audubon family which is worth every penny. The Aquarium may not be as big as others I've been too (the Georgia Aquarium is HUGE) but it's still filled with great exhibits.
My two favorites are the penguins and the otters, Buck and Emma. I love the penguins and their dapper little tuxedo styled feathers. I can spend hours watching them play and swim. Plus one of the rock penguins is named Dennis! The otters are equally fun to watch. Catch them during feeding if you can. Buck and Emma are quite active most days and genuinely love their environment and their enrichment program.
Other great sights include the white alligator and the sharks, plus the touching tanks where you can pet a starfish or ray. Throw in an IMAX right next door and it's a fun afternoon in the air conditioning (a must during the brutal New Orleans summers).
Is the price too much for what you get? I don't think so but I can understand if others do. Best thing you can do is get a combo ticket for the Audubon Zoo and the Aquarium and save. Or get a membership like I did. Just three trips to the Zoo/Aquarium in a year and it pays for itself. -
Review from Dan G.
6/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's amazing to think that they basically had to restock this entire Aquarium after the tragedy of Katrina.
Five stars hardly do it justice. It's one of my favorite aquariums. They start you off with a bang where you walk right through the fish and ray tank. You're part of the exhibit right out of the gate. Other highlights include the sea horses, the huuuuuuuuuge shark tank (why thank you) , the penguins and the Mississippi river exhibit. That last one has a white alligator, a place where the heal up birds of prey (red tailed hawk and horned owl currently) and has a big window overlooking Old Blue (You're my boy Blue!) It's a great place for kids and families too.
Note: If you are going to visit the other Audubon attractions like the Zoo, Insectarium or IMAX, you should get the discounted tickets to all of them which are good for five days after your first entry.Listed in: NOLA!, Where the wild things are
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Review from Nico A.
Missoula, MT
7/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a great way to beat the heat. We spent a couple of hours getting our $20 worth. My favorite exhibit by far was the 'Gulf of Mexico' with the sharks, fish and turtle swimming together in harmony. On a tangent, I like how this exhibit was sponsored by big oll companies (BP included). Oh, the irony.
They even have a sting ray feeding time at 2:30pm I think where you can buy food from the gift shop and feed rays in the shallow pool. The aquarium on the whole wasn't too crowded so you can really get around and see everything. They have a large collection of inhabitants from sea horses to tiny frogs so there's a lot to see here and most importantly beat the heat! -
Review from Pam T.
Terrytown, LA
1/12/2012
It's nice to bring the kids to
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Review from Jeffrey C.
Houston, TX
5/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
The sea otters, Buck & Emma, alone make this aquarium worth the price of admission.
One of the best aquariums in the world. You'll be amazed at the initial tank, the frog exhibit, the minute sea horses, the replica environments, the massive shark (and other large dudes) tank. And yes, you'll love the sea otters. Trust me. -
Review from Jon S.
Dearborn, MI
1/23/2012
This aquarium houses an exhibit, sponsored by several oil companies, that whitewashes the environmental effects of oil rigs on marine life in the Gulf of Mexico. An aquarium employee abjectly misleads an assembled group of children several times a day. (I got an employee to admit to me that the oil companies exercise editorial control over the content of the talk.) For this to be going on after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, with absolutely no mention of environmental risk or harm, is unconscionable, and overshadows everything else. Don't let the easily bought, morally bankrupt operators of this aquarium propagandize your children. Certainly don't pay them for it. Go somewhere else until they shape up.
Also, since I'm writing something, the tanks are pretty poorly labeled. Many had no examples of the animals shown on attached signs, and many housed animals that weren't shown on any nearby signs. -
Review from Jennifer C.
Queens, NY
12/4/2011
Not one of the most memorable aquariums that I have been to. It's kind of expensive, considering how small it is. Don't expect to spend more than 2 hours here. When we got back to the entrance (place leads you in a circle), we were like, "that's it???" It seriously took us only an hour to go through the place, and we're the type to actually stop, read the info, and enjoy the animals. I won't undermine the good things they had to offer though. The albino croc/alligator/whatever was fat and lazy, but that was hilarious in itself. I loved him! The jellyfish are worth a look- esp the upside down jellyfish. Finally, the giant viewing tank at the end was awesome. There was a nurse shark (I believe) that gave me the creeps. It was pretty ferocious looking with those jagged teeth. Overall, the aquarium is worth a visit, but don't plan your day around it.
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Review from Brian D.
1/23/2011 1 photo
We've been Audubon members for three years and its such a good deal to join/get the annual membership.
As far as the Aquarium goes, its very well done, flows fairly easily, and has some amazing exhibits. There's an IMAX theater and feeding of the various animals throughout the day. There's also an indoor play area near the sting ray tank. Around the Mississippi River exhibits, look up and around for the hawk, owl, and other live birds perched over head.
Tickets for single visits can be a little high, but it is one of the best kid-friendly activities in the downtown along with the New Orleans Children's Museum. Certainly worth the trip and has loads of photo ops for the family on vacation here. -
Review from Kaleelah T.
Austin, TX
11/19/2010
(Caveat: As a biologist who's worked in zoos as well as the commercial/retail fish trade, this review may be wayyyy more picky than you'd care to discover. Read on at own risk.)
I visited this site on an off-season Friday afternoon, so crowds were minimal.
THE GOOD:
--Architecture: They must have the same architect as the Dallas World Aquarium, the layout is really nice. You enter through an impressive arch underneath a Caribbean/Gulf Flower Mound faux reef tank, which swirls with the color and activity...then moves on to a several-stories tall atrium of Amazon exhibits. From there it flows to a more standard aquarium layout utilizing multiple stories. All in all, a reasonably large facility that can continue to grow in its current footprint.
--Interactive displays: A good balance of educational, hands-on displays aimed at children but interesting to adults as well (the display on color spectrum shift due to water depth was clever, don't think I've seen it elsewhere) and the stingray touch tank was nice (and well-supervised, thank goodness...no children mauling the animals). Other reviewers complain about the number of child-friendly displays; I think they could stand to even more.
--Cleanliness: Do you have any idea how difficult it is to keep glass smudge- and handprint-free when hordes of children (adults too) press their noses against the glass? And yet the glass was remarkably clean, even at the end of the day--I'm impressed! Tank sides and backs appeared recently scraped and algae-free.
--Live corals: They don't have them. This is good; they know their limits. Kudos to them for not attempting such and killing off already highly-threatened resources in the name of 'education'.
--Plants: Indoor and terrarium plants are thriving; a tiny orchid in a Dendrobatid paludarium was in bloom. Very nice.
--Volunteer staff: Despite dealing with shrieking, overcaffeinated and undersupervised children all day (and adults who are not much better), the 3 volunteers I met were gracious and helpful. Most are college students/bio majors; all were very open to questions.
THE BAD:
--Scope and design: What is the focus of this aquarium?!? From its title, one might guess it was marine/freshwater flora/fauna of the Americas, but instead the aim seems scattered. Pacific faux reef tanks are mixed beside Caribbean tanks, with no signage differentiating them...a room of marine tanks will have a fresh- or brackish tank mixed in (again, no signage). I could reconcile myself to these peculiarities if there were some sort of story, narrative arc, flow to the facility (no pun intended), but try as I might none could be discerned; instead it often seemed a mixed jumble of displays. And while I realize that the conservation message must be diluted in large doses of entertainment to be palatable, there are many MANY missed opportunities to promote such (labels of 'Endangered' and 'Threatened' were often the sole conservation notice).
--Signage?!?: many scientific names are misspelled, most tanks are un- or mislabeled. An Alligator gar sign on the marine oil rig megatank display...really?!? An arowana/arapaima tank with neither? None--this means 0%--of the tanks listed all species inhabiting them, and my questions could not be answered because...
--Staffing: Where are they? I've never seen a zoo/aquarium so invisibly staffed...saw only two official employees once past the ticket booth (both inaccessible in penguin exhibit). Children (and adults, sigh) rapped on glass and tried to startle animals and there was no one supervising 98% of this facility...much less leading tours or otherwise interacting with the public.
--Amazon aviary zone: This was the defining point where my "ooohs" turned to "wha?" This multi-story area could be stunning but seems underutilized and its tanks were disappointing; every species is commonly available in retail pet stores and not displayed at their best. The mix of domestic discus need a blackwater tank, and don't even get me started on all the blood parrot cichlids...what the hell are man-made hybrids doing here?!?! A volunteer confirmed that pre-Katrina, this area was a free-flight aviary but it's currently bird-free.
--Health of animals: All animals appeared well-fed, but why are so many marine fish blind or missing eyes? Why do both barracuda in the hammerhead tank have raw beaks and skull deformities? Why so many fish in the seahorse tanks? Illnesses, accidents, and deaths occur in the best of facilities but AAqA, you can do better.
--Noise: Pleeeeeeease turn it down. Blaring 'soothing' music is NOT necessary.
CONCLUSION:
-I'm guessing this facility is highly understaffed, in which case they're doing the best they can...but with a more refined scope, more staff, IMPROVED SIGNAGE, and better use of a lovely facility this place could be world-class for even overly picky biogeeks like me. In the meantime, for the average visitor, great place to spend a half-day. -
Review from Marielle S.
New Orleans, LA
1/19/2011
Another New Orleans classic, I can remember when this place first opened.
I went to the Aquarium a few months ago for the 10 year anniversary celebration. I hadn't been in a really long time, and I somehow remembered it being bigger. No bother. It was a lot of fun.
I think my favorite was probably the HUGE tank full of sharks and the big school of fish swimming around and around. There are a lot of fun attractions for kids and they have a really cute gift shop, if you want to buy yourself a memory. -
Review from Jeremy S.
3/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really love to go to this place on weekday afternoon when it's not busy and you can set your own pace without being shuffled or herded. It's got some wonderful exhibits for both children and adults, but as a local, I don't like to fight big crowds in order to do things, so I prefer to go when it isn't too busy.
All in all it's an hour to an hour and a half worth of time and you'll enjoy it. Look for the owls in the ceiling near the end! -
Review from Mark M.
Astoria, NY
11/22/2010
This is kind of a lame aquarium. You can blow through the whole thing in under an hour. Even if you took your time you'd be hard pressed to spend more than 90 minutes here. As others have mentioned, there were a lot of spelling errors on the signs, as well as fish that seemed kind of out of place for the habitat that the aquarium was claiming they belonged to (but don't in actuality). I also found the corporate sponsorship more than a tad unsettling. On the walls beside the large tank are plaques for Shell, Exxon, BP, etc.
There was also a film and audio loop near the entrance...not really loud enough to be an actual presentation...almost purposefully subliminal...that I didn't even pick up on until I overheard it saying something along the lines of offshore drilling being great for the environment because the coral and marine life flock to the base of the rigs "and it gives them a home in an otherwise barren deep sea environment". Ninja, puh-leez! Not only is this a scientifically unsound, factually inaccurate crock of industry-funded propaganda b.s., but given how much BP & Halliburton just essentially ruined the entire gulf region, I found it to be incredibly tasteless as well. -
Review from Thomas H.
Albuquerque, NM
1/12/2011
I can't add much to what others have said, except that this was a great place to spend a few hours on a very chilly, windy day in New Orleans. The aquarium shows its age in a couple of places, but the exhibits are a lot of fun even for us adults. My wife and I lucked out and caught the 1pm feeding show, complete with commentary by a volunteer who described the various fish, how they're fed, their traits, etc.
This is not the absolute best aquarium I've ever been to (that honor goes to the Nordsømuseet aquarium in Denmark), but it was a very enjoyable and educational experience! -
Review from Godwin C.
New Orleans, LA
CUTENESS OVERLOAD! If you're looking to go through your weekly quota of "awws" in one day, this aquarium is a good place to do it. The sea otter feedings alone could be enough, but throw in penguin feedings too? So so sugary sweet.
THE GOOD
Feedings: The absolute best part of the Audubon Aquarium. During my last visit we watched stingrays, penguins, and otters get fed and it was both enjoyable and informative. Nothing is more fun than watching what animals will do for food. To make things easy for all guests, the aquarium provides feedings times on all their maps so you know when you should start heading toward a particular tank.
Diversity: Audubon has a good variety of non-fish animals in addition to their fishes, especially considering that they were pretty much starting from scratch post-Katrina, which is what I'm thinking happened based on other Yelp posts. I never expected to see owls at an aquarium, and I heard that they're adding a parakeet exhibit soon as well. Should be interesting.
Gulf of Mexico Tank: Massive tank with a plethora of fish, sharks, and a giant sea turtle! Plus there is an educational mini-lecture that they give everyday. A nice place to relax and take a breather if you've had a long day of touring/exploring.
THE BAD
Cleanliness: Specifically the bigger tanks, there was a lot of fog and mildew and dirt buildup along the glass, making it difficult to see several of the animals and fish. For an aquarium, that's pretty unacceptable, considering it is more than possible to keep those tanks clean and crystal clear based on other aquariums I've been to.
Poor/Incorrect Signage: I don't know how much control they have over this, since exhibits may change too quickly for them to change signs, but oftentimes the educational material and the labels on the tanks did not match up with what we were actually looking at. There would be a cool fun fact about a particular fish, but that fish was not present in the tank. It was frustrating at times too, when there were labels for a particular fish or animal but none to be found actually swimming around.
Food Court: It's been mentioned before but it bears repeating: this food court is terrible. Eat before you get here or wait until you leave.
PURGATORY
Too Kid-Friendly?: This is stupid, of course it has to be kid friendly to some degree. I just wish there were some things geared toward an older sea-life lover, more akin to the sea-life wing of the Natural History Museum in DC. I know, it's nitpicky...
Cost: Not ridiculously overpriced, but still too expensive to be more than a once-every-blue-moon excursion for locals, which is too bad.
OVERALL
While there are some lowlights to the experience, hopefully with continued good business and patronage their funds will increase to the point where they can better address those issues. Even so, the Aquarium is a great stop for a relaxing, educational, CUTE diversion from typical New Orleans life. -
Review from Jennifer B.
New Orleans, LA
2/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
We got the Individual Plus One Audubon membership (kids under 2 are free anyway!)
It's such a great deal. The Aquarium can be especially expensive for individual admission, so the membership pays for itself.
As for the Aquarium as a family outing, it's fantastic! They have a little bit of everything, and people of all ages can enjoy it. My daughter, at 10 months old, enjoyed strolling around and just looking at the bright colored fish... even though she likely had no idea what was going on. Now, a few months later, she gets a kick out of yelling "fish fish" and "biiiiiird" (penguin) and pointing at everything. Older kids/adults will enjoy the educational aspect of it too.
The gift shop has some adorable shirts, stuffed animals, and other various souveniers, at your typical gift shop prices. We'll definitely be back, multiple times. Typically we go to the Zoo during the spring/fall when the temperatures are reasonable, and then save the Aquarium for the winter/summer when we would rather be in a climate controlled environment.
Bonus points for being located right by the Algiers Ferry, so we can park for free in Algiers Point and walk to the Aquarium!Listed in: Family Activities in NOLA
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Review from Naomi P.
New Orleans, LA
I love aquariums!! this one's kinda small, but it's still worth a visit. I like that the animals are all swimming or scuttling around and not hiding out in the back of the tanks or in the crevices of their habitats looking glum or deathly ill. The penguins especially were very sociable and curious. The disappointments were the gift shops, they were very child-oriented with colorful plushies and were kind of lacking in the more grown-up gifts, and the dead zone food court. They could definitely fix up the food court and improve the dining options or take it out all together and add more animal exhibits.
Lastly, the setup is kind of weird, this aquarium is confused as to what it wants to be; fun and child-friendly or informative and intellectually stimulating? Or both at the same time? I get that it's a family place and it needs to cater to various age-groups but at certain points the efforts to please all ages felt kind of forced and jumbled. -
Review from Cody R.
Austin, TX
2/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
This aquarium is cool, but it's not worth the price. 20 bucks to look at what seemed like the same exhibit over and over. This was mainly small fish and fish from the Mississippi River. If you're looking for large sharks, whales, dolphins, etc, you won't find those here.
If you're planning a trip to New Orleans save the 20 dollar admission and walk across the street to the Casino... you'll have more fun. -
Review from Jessica R.
New Orleans, LA
9/3/2010
As far as I can tell, the Audubon Aquarium is pretty standard as far as aquariums go. They've got some great stuff--the penguins are adorable, the Mississippi River exhibit with the albino alligator (at least, I think that's where I saw him) is terrifying, the cuttlefish and blowfish and seahorses are adorable.
It's definitely an awesome thing to do when it's eleventy billion degrees outside and/or pouring down rain, so this goes on the "beat the heat" activities list (that I have yet to create). For me, though, the aquarium is also pretty expensive (as is the Zoo), so it's not something I do very often. That said, I'm glad it's here.
Side note: speaking of penguins, I remember being at the aquarium not long after the K word, and at that point they still had a board over the hole that had been cut in the ceiling of the penguin habitat in order to rescue them in the aftermath of the storm. What happened at the aquarium after the K word is an incredibly sad story; thank you to the people who did everything they could to save the animals, and to the people who helped us pick up the pieces and put the aquarium back together after the storm. -
Review from Anthony K.
Jacksonville, NC
11/27/2011
Nice aquarium.
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Review from Marie F.
8/21/2010
Not bad... you'll spend a lot of your time trying to find the aquatic life if they are small - they are masters of hiding spaces.
The seahorse, otter and penguin exhibits were my favorite. You get to pet Manta Rays and a baby shark. Makes me nervous because kids aren't to be trusted with such delicate skinned creatures.
It's very child oriented. They even have a play area for kids.
Recommended for families with young children. Just watch them to make sure they don't do any harm.
CLOSED ON MONDAYS -
Review from Veronica R.
Los Angeles, CA
12/27/2008
I must admit, when the suggestion was brought up to hit the New Orleans aquarium, I hesitated a little. I mean, I LOVE aquariums. A lot. I might be a bit of an aquarium snob. I love me those fishies and I don't mean just to eat.
But New Orleans? What the heck is in the Gulf of Mexico? Will it be all alligators and crawfish? Are freshwater fish even pretty?
Okay, obviously I need to get out more - mainly, away from the Pacific Ocean.
When someone mentioned that Audubon had been compared to the Monterey aquarium in Cali (aka - the "Grand Poobah" of all things involving water and tanks) I figured this must be worth an investigation. Turns out Audubon can be described in many words, and one of them rhymes with "schmancy".
From penguins to otters to alligators to even anacondas, this ain't your standard fish tank. Props to the numerous interactive exhibits that keep your eyes from glazing over after you've heard "fins" or "gills" for the 300th time.
Okay I'll admit, I didn't really READ any of the signage cause I was too busy chasing down the penguins for a photo op...But considering there's an "insectarium" which could be potentially disgusting and terrifying, and potentially kick ass at the same time, I'll most likely be back.Listed in: Travelocity, New Orleans Nosh
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Review from Jeff H.
1/20/2010 1 photo
This aquarium was nice, but in my opinion, nothing special. It is very small, but the exhibits were nice and kids would have a blast. The aquarium is one of the few family oriented spots it seems in New Orleans, and definitely worth checking out.
Look for Brandon who talks about "the largest aquarium exhibit in America..." -
Review from Thompson L.
New York, NY
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a good local attraction and for those who haven't visited an aquarium in a while. They have a nice shark tank, some well themed exhibits (ie: a misty Amazon rainforest) and even a sting ray touch pool. I felt the exhibits were not as informative as they could have been and serve more as an introductory experience for young children. You may be disappointed if you have been to any of the bigger aquariums like the Georgia Aquarium.
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Review from John L. H.
New Orleans, LA
The Aquarium is another wonderful attraction for kids and adults.
Located on the riverfront next to the Canal Street Ferry and Woldenburg Park, there are several parking lots close by.
There is an Imax theater attached to the Aquarium. There is a delegate charge for the theater.
Once you enter the Aquarium you will see a grand waterfall fountain where kids can toss coins to make a wish. You will then proceed under an aquarium arch filled with colorful fish. This is a popular spot, and Aquarium employees will offer to take your photo (not free).
There are exhibits containing nearly every type of fish. My favorite areas are the Amazon (piranhas), the penguins (everyone's favorite) and the Gulf of Mexico exhibit.
The gulf exhibit contains a simulated drilling platform and is a great example of the creatures off of our shores. Sharks, tuna, tarpon, etc. all live in this tank. It is huge and awe inspiring.
There is an area where brave kids can pet sting rays and sharks. The jellyfish exhibit is also a big hit.
Plan on spending several hours at The Aquarium. Even the gift shop is great. Thy also have the machine to crush pennies into souvenirs.
The one criticism I have involves their food area. This is New Orleans. Our attractions should have world class food. The Aquarium has a food court that is no better than fast food. Come on Aquarium, bring in John Besh or the Brennans. J -
Review from Christy L.
New Orleans, LA
7/5/2009 4 photos
The aquarium is quite possibly the perfect summer activity. Icy cold air conditioning and feeling like you are underwater beats walking around in the sweltering summer heat any day!
There is a nice variety of animals, including the real stars of the show, the penguins, otters, and sharks. It's hard not to love a penguin and almost all of them have name tags, which is kind of fun to identify all of them. Millicent was my favorite. The seahorse and seadragons are magical, mythical little creatures as well as the jellyfish. For an additional $2 you can feed a stingray. The big draws aer obviously the amazon rainforest, with various fish, an anaconda, and macaws. The Louisiana exhibit is fun and was strategically placed to over look the river. There is the expected lot of scaly things as well as a white alligator and two birds of prey. The grand finale takes you to the big tank, where a replica of an oil rig stands with sharks, sea turtles, rays, and a huge school of fish swimming about.
My only complaints are the food court and gift shop. The food court is mainly empty, save for a hamburger joint and a mini Papa John's. The gift shop almost exclusively caters to kids. I just wish they had a better selection of grownup things to purchase, like art prints or books on sea life.Listed in: Be a non-tourist
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Review from Steph C.
9/5/2009
We visited this aquarium on my brother's twelfth birthday and he loved it. As far as aquariums go, it wasn't the most impressive I've ever seen, but it was a lot of fun. Clearer tanks would've been nice, but otherwise, no real complaints. The displays all came with handy dandy notes and interesting facts, and the final Gulf of Mexico exhibit was pretty astonishing, complete with an enormous awesome wrinkly sea turtle. Also, the otters and penguins were adorable.
Interactive attractions included hand-to-hide contact with stingrays and tiny sharks. I embarrassed myself by shrieking when a VERY MALICIOUS STINGRAY tried to eat me when all I wanted to do was pet it, but my brothers were able to touch without issue, as were all of the other small children in line.Listed in: Living Large in Louisiana
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Review from Natalia J.
New York, NY
3/31/2008 1 photo
Small aquarium. Has an albino alligator.
There were a lot of large empty spaces due to the loss of marine animals during Katrina. It seems like the aquarium is trying to get back on track. They're in the process of installing a new seahorse exhibit. Price for one adult is $17.
Also has combo tickets for the zoo but "the zoo is 7.5 miles away and you have to provide your own mode of transportation". -
Review from John O.
3/7/2009
This is a very nice aquarium. It is sectioned off into about six different exhibits concentrating on those regions of the world. I think the most popular areas are the rain forest and the Louisiana Swamp area. Well, those were at least my favorite.
The cost is about $18 for an adult. It is best to get the IMAX combo for $23. The aquarium is not really that big. I think it is average in comparison to some of the others I have been to. They do seem to have a lot of little gift shops and fast food areas. maybe just a little too much?
They also have an area for kids to play and touch the Sting Rays.
If you come out to New Orleans, it is worth a little walk down by the river and take in a relaxing and informative tour of this place...and no, you can not bring in your beer! -
Review from Chris L.
6/20/2009
What a let down. I've been hearing for years how great this aquarium is. How it's so much better than the one in Dallas. HA! Ha, I tell you.
I was highly disappointed.
1) It was super crowded--that was expected (it is a tourist attraction after all), however the layout is not conducive for effective traffic control.
2) A lot of the exhibits were dirty...filthy dirty with cloudy glass. Come on.
3) It was a lot smaller than I expected.
The good: the huge tank at the end was very impressive; the Mississippi exhibit was awesome (white gators rule) and my kids loved the jellyfish.Listed in: The Big Easy
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Review from Scotty J.
10/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
This attraction absolutely lives up to its name: you're cast into different environments from around the Western hemisphere. This is more than an aquarium -- it's a museum of habitats.
I was impressed with the breadth and depth of the exhibits -- they were entertaining, informative, and designed for all ages. It wasn't just, let's look at the cute penguins (though there's a a nice tank for this), but focuses on learning about places like the Amazon and the local Bayou.
While admission is pricey (and tourism coupons are not accepted on Aquarium + IMAX bundles), it's worth the price for a long afternoon spent in a beautiful facility that deserves the support it receives from customers.
The IMAX is a must-see, particularly the Hurricane on the Bayou movie. I'll write a separate review just for the IMAX, which is right next door. -
Review from Deborah R.
Ferndale, MI
5/23/2011
I loved this place! It came as a total shock that it was as great as it was. (I had just assumed it was over-hyped as a touristy type place) There was such a variety of exhibits to see and the array of animals and fish they have contains a handful that I (a person who loves seeing different aquariums) hadn't ever seen in person before. I especially loved the large tank that has a huge, adorable sea turtle and at least a dozen sharks of different types. There was a shark swimming repeatedly past the people opening and closing it's jaws looking fierce(very cool). If I have time on my next visit to NOLA I am making it a point to come here again. And to make sure it's at a good time to catch one of the Imax films too!
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Review from Spenser K.
New Orleans, LA
7/8/2011
I've been here several times, and every time I enjoy it. All of the sections are really well done, and I particularly like the high ceilings in several parts that make this seem more like a cross between a zoo and an aquarium than just a giant fish habitat. If you can make it to the Parakeet Point exhibit, definitely go and buy one of the little sugar sticks, it was a great experience to have dozens of little birds flying around and flocking to you in order to have a nibble.
