Why you should experience Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Audubon Zoo is a renowned zoological park where Uptown's riverfront setting, wildlife conservation, botanical beauty, and family discovery create one of America's premier zoo experiences.
Set along Magazine Street near Walnut Street and just steps from Audubon Park, this expansive zoological destination welcomes visitors through lush subtropical gardens, immersive natural habitats, majestic live oaks, winding lagoons, and thoughtfully designed exhibits that showcase hundreds of animal species from across the globe. Carefully landscaped pathways, shaded canopies, interactive exhibits, award-winning habitats, and extensive botanical collections create an environment where wildlife conservation and Louisiana's distinctive natural landscape exist in remarkable harmony. Every exhibit encourages a deeper appreciation for biodiversity while celebrating the rich ecological character of the Gulf South. The result is a zoological park defined by conservation leadership, immersive habitat design, and one of New Orleans' most beloved family destinations.
What you should know about Audubon Zoo.
Audubon Zoo is best known for opening in its modern form in 1972 after a comprehensive transformation led by the Audubon Commission converted the deteriorating nineteenth-century municipal zoo into a nationally recognized conservation institution, earning widespread acclaim for immersive naturalistic habitats including the award-winning Louisiana Swamp, introduced in 1988, which recreated the ecosystems of the Gulf Coast through native wildlife, authentic Cajun architecture, and living cypress wetlands. Originally established in 1914 within Audubon Park on land once occupied by the 1884 World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition, the zoo has expanded into a 58-acre campus housing more than 2,000 animals representing over 350 species while participating in dozens of Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan breeding programs supporting endangered wildlife including whooping cranes, orangutans, jaguars, Amur leopards, and other threatened species. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Audubon Zoo continues advancing wildlife conservation, veterinary medicine, scientific research, environmental education, and international field conservation while remaining one of the flagship institutions operated by Audubon Nature Institute.
Visitors journey from African savannas and Asian forests to South American rainforests and the distinctive wetlands of coastal Louisiana through habitats designed to prioritize animal welfare, education, and authentic environmental storytelling. Botanical landscapes, historic live oaks, interactive exhibits, and carefully integrated conservation messaging reinforce the zoo's mission of protecting wildlife both locally and globally. Every habitat demonstrates how Audubon Zoo continues inspiring future generations through exceptional animal care, scientific stewardship, and meaningful connections between people and the natural world.
How to fold Audubon Zoo into your trip.
Audubon Zoo is best experienced as the centerpiece of a day exploring Uptown's celebrated green spaces, riverfront landscapes, and cultural attractions.
Begin at Audubon Park, where centuries-old live oaks, scenic lagoons, and beautifully landscaped grounds establish one of New Orleans' most treasured public spaces before entering Audubon Zoo for an unforgettable wildlife experience. Continue to Tree of Life, whose sprawling oak canopy provides one of the city's most photographed natural landmarks and a fitting continuation of the park's extraordinary landscape. Conclude at The Fly, where sweeping views across the Mississippi River offer a memorable finale celebrating the remarkable relationship between nature, recreation, and the river that shaped New Orleans. The progression moves naturally from historic parkland to immersive zoological experiences before concluding along the riverfront that defines Uptown's enduring character.
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