Water, Water Everywhere, and Everything to See

• News
• Monday, May 12, 2008

The beautiful Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is one of the great prides of New Orleans.  Unfortunately, one of its bigger claims to fame is the fact that a great many of its inhabitants had to be rehomed and a few lost their lives during the disaster we remember as Katrina.  Undergoing only minor repairs (and perhaps, a new exhibit or two?), this miraculous, contemporary aquarium is back open and ready to entertain.

Located near the Riverwalk and right off Woldenberg Park, across the streetcar tracks from the One Canal Place mall, parking is ample and the view is quite spectacular.  The shining glass of the aquarium reflects the blue skies and churning waters of the Mississippi River, which it overlooks.  The free ferry stops right there, as well, so visitors from the West Bank have easy access.  Travellers from the East Bank, the main part of New Orleans, can find it easy to while away a day in this neighborhood, and can take that ferry over the river to Algiers, home of Blain Kern’s Mardi Gras World.

This well-planned aquarium boasts many great features, and navigating the different exhibits is easy.  I should know – I lost my cell phone there and had to run through it three times!  It makes the most of the sizeable amount of space it takes up, and each section is attractive, clean, well-maintained, and fairly large.  Most importantly, each room leaves you as awestruck as the one before and after, your mouth remaining agape in wonder throughout your entire visit.

A notable demonstration is the sea otter session, where the adorable trained otters do tricks and feed to the enthusiasm of the viewer.  The penguin exhibit has visitors collapsing in giggles, and the huge tropical fish and shark display will leave the traveller absolutely entranced – something so common, stadium seating has been added to that room.  Huge sea turtles, a massive amount of sharks, and giant stingrays swim alongside enormous fish in a hypnotizing fashion.  An archway near the front of the aquarium gives one a unique perspective as the display wraps around and above you. The jellyfish display is amazing, as different types pinwheel lazily in slow fluorescent circles, and the tiny seahorses of different species are incredible as well.  Of course, a display honoring the tropical fish of the rainforest and the native creatures (including alligators!) of the bayou are present, too.  A children’s zone is present for when the parents need to sit, where kids can safely pet a sandshark or reach into a pool of stingrays, play games, and pose for pictures.

At $17 a ticket, the price is a little steep, so I would recommend that the traveller purchase their aquarium and zoo tickets together for $25.  Both are worth going to and great afternoon outings.  Not only that, but you do not have to go to both attractions consecutively or the next day – you are given an entire month to use the ticket.  If visiting New Orleans with the family, a wise traveller will not bypass the natural wonders the Audubon Institute has to offer.

1 Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

2 Woldenberg Riverfront Park

3 AUDUBON PARK AND ZOO

4 The Shoppes at Canal Place