The Aquarium of the Americas New Orleans

The Aquarium of the Americas New Orleans, along with the Audubon Zoo, is part of the organization of the Audubon Nature Institute. The Audubon Nature Institute has brought several local attractions to New Orleans to acquaint the locals and tourists with a variety of exotic animals from all over the world. It"s one of the best things to do in New Orleans, especially if you have the kids in tow!

One of the leading aquariums in the U.S., the Aquarium of the Americas New Orleans is located on Canal Street, on the edge of the French Quarter, and is full of exotic creatures that live in and near the water.

You can look at the creatures of the Caribbean from a 30 foot long aquatic tunnel, including sharks, sea turtles and stingrays. You will even see sand tiger sharks, brown sharks and nurse sharks, as well as the largest tarpon in captivity.

The New Orleans Aquarium includes an Amazon exhibit which transports you to the look and feel of a rain forest with parrots, piranhas and anaconda and a Living Water exhibit with clown fish, seahorses and bonnet head sharks. There is also a large collection of warm weather penguins like the African and Rockhopper penguins. You can join in on two penguin feedings daily at the Aquarium of the Americas, an event definitely worth seeing!

The New Orleans Aquarium features Sea Otter feedings and “Spots” the white alligator. This rare species of alligator is one of eight found in the swamps of Louisiana. Spots and his brothers have a rare genetic defect that give them white skin and steely blue eyes, making them a must-see attraction at the New Orleans Aquarium.

The newest attraction at the Aquarium of the Americas New Orleans is the Adventure Island exhibit. Adventure Island, designed for fun and exploration, is an interactive play zone that is great for a day of fun and learning. You can crawl on a pirate ship, climb on a stage and pet the stingrays or sharks! You can also help feed the stingrays during their feeding times at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. The whole family is sure to enjoy this exhibit at the New Orleans Aquarium.

When you are tired from running around the exhibits, take a breather in the Aquarium of the Americas Energy IMAX theatre. Watch the greatest motion picture technology in the world make sharks or the Hurricane on the Bayou come alive in unsurpassed clarity, size and impact. The enhanced 3-D imagery and digital surround sound will give you the thrill of a lifetime.

After you finish with an exciting shark movie, you can find several places to eat at the New Orleans Aquarium. There is even the Treasure Island gift shop with fun toys for the kids, so you can easily spend an entire day here. One of the great New Orleans itineraries could include breakfast in the French market, a day at the Aquarium of the Americas, followed by a cruise down the Mississippi to the Audubon Zoo and finshing off the day with a dinner jazz cruise at night. Plan carefully though, becasue the Aquarium stays closed during some big events like Mardi Gras.

When you are done feeding the penguins, playing on Adventure Island, hanging out with “Spots”, and watching the sharks in the IMAX theatre, take the John James Audubon Riverboat cruise down the Mississippi to Audubon Zoo and check-out the monkeys and other wildlife!

If you need a place to take the whole family, the Aquarium of the Americas is one of the best New Orleans attractions for family fun!