A trip to New Orleans can include much more than music and historic streets. Audubon Zoo gives visitors a chance to see animals from around the world, explore Louisiana wildlife, and spend time outdoors beneath large oak trees. Located Uptown, it offers a different side of the city from the busy downtown sights. If you are planning a family trip and choosing a hotel in New Orleans, set aside a day for the zoo, with time for animal watching, lunch, and breaks along the way.
Where Is Audubon Zoo?
Audubon Zoo is at 6500 Magazine Street, near Audubon Park. It is separate from Audubon Aquarium, which is downtown beside the Mississippi River. From a downtown resort in New Orleans, you can reach the zoo by car, taxi, rideshare, or public transit. Free parking is available in the main zoo lot. The St. Charles Avenue streetcar stops near Audubon Park, but you still need to walk through the park to reach the entrance. Check your full route before choosing transportation, especially with young children.
Animals and Exhibits to Put on Your List
Start with the Louisiana Swamp, where alligators, bobcats, and other local animals help introduce the state’s wetlands. Then explore Jaguar Jungle, which combines animals such as jaguars and macaws with recreated Maya ruins. Other areas include the African Savanna, home to giraffes, lions, and rhinos, and the Asia region, where you can see animals such as orangutans and elephants. Use the zoo map to pick your main stops before setting off. Animal viewing can vary, so take your time at each habitat and ask staff about any areas that are closed during your visit.
Tickets, Prices, and Booking Your Visit
The zoo currently lists zoo admission at $30–$40 for adults and $25–$35 for children and seniors. Children under two enter free and do not need a ticket. Check the Audubon Zoo ticket information for the price that applies to your visit. Tickets are available online and in person. When setting your budget, leave room for meals, transport, and any extra activities your group wants to try. Special animal encounters require a separate booking, so read what is included before making a purchase.
Opening Hours and How Much Time to Allow
The zoo currently opens daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last ticket sold at 4 p.m. Check the current zoo hours before leaving our NOLA hotel, since weather, holidays, and special events can affect the schedule. For a first visit, allow at least three to four hours as a starting plan. You may want longer if your group enjoys stopping at every habitat. Arriving near opening gives you more room in the day for lunch, rest stops, and a slower walk back toward the exit.
What to Bring and Where to Eat
Before leaving your hotel in New Orleans, pack comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle. Refill stations are available around the zoo. Guests may bring outside food, which can help families plan lunch around their tastes and needs. Glass containers are not allowed, and cooler size limits apply. Special events may have different rules, so check before packing a cooler. If you prefer to buy lunch there, the zoo has dining options, including vegetarian choices. Ask dining staff about specific food allergies before ordering.
Planning for Children and Accessibility Needs
Families can mix animal viewing with play stops such as Monkey Hill. Cool Zoo, the seasonal waterpark, offers another activity when it is open, but check its schedule and ticket requirements before promising a splash stop. Bring swimwear and a change of clothes if it is part of your plan. The zoo also provides accessibility services, including wheelchair and stroller rentals, accessible restrooms, and sensory bags. Review the accessibility information before arriving if anyone in your group needs support. Build breaks into your route so the day stays comfortable for everyone.
Leave Room for a Relaxed Evening
After several hours outdoors, keep the rest of your day flexible. Returning to your New Orleans resort gives everyone time to rest before dinner or another outing. There is no need to fit every attraction into the same day, especially when traveling with children. You can save the French Quarter, museums, and riverfront for another part of your trip. Browse our things to do in New Orleans to plan a mix of outdoor visits and shorter downtown activities.
Plan Your Stay at Plaza Suite Resort
A zoo day is easier to enjoy when you have space to settle in afterward. Plaza Suite Resort offers suites with equipped kitchens and comfortable living areas in the Warehouse District. Prepare breakfast before heading Uptown, then return for a break after exploring the animal habitats. Our resort in New Orleans also places you near downtown attractions for the rest of your stay. Contact us to check suite availability and choose accommodations that suit your group and travel plans.