Audubon Zoo is a 58-acre zoo in Uptown New Orleans, home to more than 2,000 animals within historic Audubon Park. Two of its best-known exhibits, Wings of the World and the Reptile Encounter, are currently closed while the zoo builds a new dinosaur exhibit in their place, with reopening expected in early 2027 — many older guides still list them as highlights. You can book your admission ticket in advance through Viator.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 |
| Hours | Open daily, 10am–5pm; last ticket sold 4pm |
| Adult admission | $30–$40 (demand-based pricing) |
| Child (2–12) / Senior (65+) admission | $25–$35 (demand-based pricing) |
| Children under 2 | Free |
| Nearest transport | St. Charles Avenue Streetcar, then a walk through Audubon Park |
| Typical visit duration | 3–4 hours |
Why book Audubon Zoo tickets?
- 🏛️ Louisiana Swamp Exhibit: The world’s only urban swamp exhibit, home to a rare white alligator, black bears, and bobcats.
- 🎟️ New dinosaur exhibit on the way: Wings of the World and the Reptile Encounter are closed for construction, reopening in early 2027.
- 🌿 Monkey Hill: A 1930s WPA-built mound topped with a five-level treehouse, at what locals call the highest point in New Orleans.
- 📜 Combine all three Audubon attractions: A combo ticket covers the Zoo, Aquarium, and Insectarium in one visit.
- 💰 Free for under-2s: Children under two visit at no charge and don’t need a ticket.
Audubon Zoo opening hours
Audubon Zoo is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with the last ticket sold at 4pm. The official site notes that hours are subject to change, so it’s worth confirming before you travel, especially around holidays.
Audubon Zoo ticket prices
Like many American zoos, such as Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, Massachusetts and Dallas Zoo in Dallas, Texas, Audubon uses demand-based pricing. The exact cost depends on the date you visit.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $30–$40 |
| Child (2–12) / Senior (65+) | $25–$35 |
| Children under 2 | Free |
| Audubon Combo (Zoo + Aquarium + Insectarium), adult | $60 flat |
| Audubon Combo (Zoo + Aquarium + Insectarium), child/senior | $55 flat |
Seniors also receive an additional $5 off standard Zoo admission at checkout. Orleans Parish residents on SNAP/EBT pay just $3 per ticket for up to five people with valid ID, and Orleans Parish residents more broadly get free admission on certain days each month with ID. The official site doesn’t state whether ticket prices include tax. Book in advance through Viator to lock in your rate ahead of your visit.
How to get to Audubon Zoo
By streetcar, take the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar to the “St Charles at Tulane/Loyola” stop, then walk through Audubon Park to the zoo entrance at 6500 Magazine Street. Note that the zoo’s shuttle from the streetcar stop is not currently running, so budget time for the walk. By bus, RTA routes #11 Magazine and #32 Leonidas-Tricou both serve the area. By car, the zoo sits on Magazine Street in Uptown New Orleans, with its own parking lot on-site.
5 great experiences in New Orleans to book today
- 🎷 Steamboat Natchez jazz cruise – Go for a jazz cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez.
- 🍤 French Quarter food tour – Take a French Quarter food tour and discover Louisiana’s distinctive Cajun and Creole cuisine.
- 🐊 Swamp and bayou boat tour – Enjoy a swamp and bayou boat tour with a quieter boat for better wildlife sightings.
- 👻 New Orleans’ dark side – On a tour of New Orleans’ dark side, uncover ghosts, vampires, crime and voodoo.
- 🏛️ Whitney Plantation tour – Hear the true stories of slavery on a Whitney Plantation tour with transport from New Orleans.
Parking at Audubon Zoo
Free parking is available in the zoo’s own main lot, with accessible spaces designated near the entrance.
How long to spend at Audubon Zoo
Most visitors spend three to four hours exploring the zoo’s 58 acres, longer if you add the Swamp Train ride or a stop at the Cool Zoo waterpark.
Accessibility at Audubon Zoo
Audubon Zoo’s grounds — including pathways, exhibits, restrooms, restaurants, and water fountains — are ADA-compliant. Manual and electronic wheelchairs, along with strollers, are available to rent for free at the Guest Services Information Booth. A designated ADA guest drop-off area sits near the main entrance, and accessible parking spaces are available near the entrance for vehicles with valid ADA placards or plates.
What to see at Audubon Zoo
The Louisiana Swamp Exhibit, described by the zoo as the world’s only urban swamp, recreates the state’s wetlands with a rare white alligator, black bears, bobcats, and foxes.
Jaguar Jungle transports visitors to Central America, with a jaguar, spider monkeys, ocelots, an archaeological dig, and the “Criaturas de la Noche” bat house.
Monkey Hill, built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration from spoil dirt, now holds a five-level treehouse at what locals call the city’s highest point.
Watoto Farm lets younger visitors interact with sheep and goats while learning about farming.
The historic Sea Lion Theater, built in 1928 with Neoclassical columns, remains one of the zoo’s most photogenic spots.
Note that Wings of the World, the zoo’s aviary, and the Reptile Encounter are both temporarily closed for construction of a new dinosaur exhibit, expected to reopen in early 2027.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Expect demand-based pricing | Adult tickets range from $30 to $40 depending on the date you visit. |
| Skip the closed exhibits in your planning | Wings of the World and the Reptile Encounter are shut until early 2027. |
| Bring your own snacks | Outside food and drink are allowed, though not glass bottles or alcohol. |
| Don’t rely on the old shuttle | The zoo’s shuttle from the streetcar stop isn’t currently running; plan to walk. |
| Rent a free wheelchair or stroller | Available at the Guest Services Information Booth if needed. |
Audubon Zoo FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are Audubon Zoo’s opening hours? | Daily, 10am to 5pm, with the last ticket sold at 4pm; hours can change, so check before visiting. |
| How much does admission cost? | Adult tickets range $30–$40 and child/senior $25–$35, based on demand; a combo ticket covering all three Audubon attractions is a flat $60 adult / $55 child-senior. |
| Is Audubon Zoo wheelchair accessible? | Yes, the entire zoo grounds are ADA-compliant, and free wheelchairs and strollers are available to rent. |
| Is parking free? | Yes, free parking is available in the zoo’s own main lot. |
| Are Wings of the World and the Reptile Encounter open? | No, both are closed for construction of a new dinosaur exhibit, expected to reopen in early 2027. |
Things to do near Audubon Zoo
Audubon Park, surrounding the zoo itself, offers jogging paths, lagoons, and century-old oak trees for a stroll before or after your visit.
Tulane and Loyola Universities, right across St. Charles Avenue from the park, are worth a walk through for their historic campus architecture.
Magazine Street, running the length of Uptown New Orleans, is lined with boutiques, antique shops, and local restaurants.
The Garden District, a short streetcar ride away, is known for its 19th-century mansions and above-ground cemeteries.
The St. Charles Avenue Streetcar line itself, one of the oldest continuously operating streetcar lines in the world, doubles as a scenic way to see Uptown New Orleans.
What to visit tomorrow
Baton Rouge Zoo, about an hour to an hour and a half away, is Louisiana’s largest urban zoo, with a Realm of the Tiger exhibit and over 800 animals.
The Global Wildlife Center, in Folsom on the Northshore, roughly an hour to an hour and a half away, is a 900-acre free-roaming preserve visited by open-air safari wagon.
Hattiesburg Zoo, in Mississippi, about 1 hour 45 minutes away, is a smaller community zoo worth combining with a wider Gulf South road trip.
Barn Hill Preserve, near Baton Rouge, offers a more intimate, guided animal-encounter experience with exotic and rescued species as a change of pace from a large zoo.
More New Orleans travel
Other New Orleans travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Embrace local food and drink culture at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum.
- Planning your trip to the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
- See the costumes and floats in progress at Mardi Gras World.
- Learn about Louisiana’s history at The Cabildo.
- Plan your visit to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans.
