Why you should experience Cool Zoo Waterpark in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Cool Zoo Waterpark is a family-friendly water attraction where Audubon Park's wildlife, interactive recreation, imaginative design, and summer adventure create one of New Orleans' most enjoyable outdoor experiences.
Set within Audubon Zoo near Swamp Train and just steps from Louisiana Swamp Exhibit, this energetic seasonal water park combines lively splash zones, a winding lazy river, themed water slides, shaded relaxation areas, and animal-inspired play features into an immersive extension of the zoo experience. Tropical landscaping, colorful interactive elements, and refreshing aquatic attractions provide a welcome escape from New Orleans' summer heat while complementing the zoo's celebrated wildlife exhibits. Every attraction blends recreation with the adventurous spirit of Audubon Zoo. The result is an experience defined by family fun, creativity, and one of Louisiana's premier zoo water attractions.
What you should know about Cool Zoo Waterpark.
Cool Zoo Waterpark is best known for opening in 2011 as a major expansion of Audubon Zoo, transforming the visitor experience by integrating a fully themed seasonal water park into one of America's leading zoological institutions. Designed around the animals and ecosystems represented throughout the zoo, the attraction features a 750-foot Gator Run lazy river, a towering 28-foot alligator water slide, the interactive Spider Monkey Soaker, giant water-spitting snakes, zero-depth splash areas, sandy beaches, and multiple aquatic play zones designed for guests of different ages. Developed with custom animal-themed aquatic features, the project expanded less than a year after its debut in response to its immediate popularity, reinforcing its role as one of the zoo's signature family attractions. Located within the 58-acre Audubon Zoo, Cool Zoo encourages visitors to combine wildlife exploration with aquatic recreation through integrated admission options that allow families to move freely between animal exhibits and the water park during the same visit. Operated by the Audubon Nature Institute, the facility continues evolving through upgraded guest amenities including cabanas, expanded shaded seating, family facilities, and flexible all-day admission while remaining carefully integrated into the zoo's broader conservation and educational mission. Together, imaginative themed design, innovative recreation, thoughtful family programming, and seamless integration with one of the nation's premier zoological parks establish Cool Zoo Waterpark as one of New Orleans' most distinctive seasonal attractions.
The attraction continues demonstrating how educational institutions can broaden visitor experiences by combining wildlife appreciation with thoughtfully designed recreation that encourages longer visits and deeper family engagement. Animal-inspired aquatic features, continual operational improvements, exceptional family amenities, and close connections to Audubon Zoo's acclaimed exhibits reinforce Cool Zoo Waterpark's standing among the Gulf Coast's most distinctive seasonal water attractions.
How to fold Cool Zoo Waterpark into your trip.
Cool Zoo Waterpark works as part of a full day exploring Audubon Zoo's signature attractions.
Begin at Louisiana Swamp Exhibit, where native wildlife introduces the ecosystems that inspire many of Cool Zoo Waterpark's lively aquatic features before cooling off in the water park. Continue to Swamp Train, where a narrated journey across the zoo provides a relaxing perspective on the surrounding animal habitats. Conclude at Sea Lion Pool at Audubon Zoo, where energetic marine mammals provide a memorable finale celebrating the remarkable diversity of experiences that define Audubon Zoo. The progression moves naturally from Louisiana's native wildlife to refreshing aquatic recreation before concluding with one of the zoo's most beloved animal exhibits, revealing why Cool Zoo Waterpark has become an essential part of the Audubon Zoo experience.
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