Visited the aquarium with my wife and we enjoyed our visit. It wasn't very busy when we visited. They had a lot of big tanks and big fish, including some sharks and stingrays. You can pet the sting rays. The insectarium was very cool. I saw some insects that I've never heard of before. They had some living individuals that were very large. Our favorite part was the butterfly exhibit. My wife loves butterflies and to be able to walk amongst 1,000 of them was a great experience and another first for us. The staff was very friendly too. read more

Audubon Aquarium - Butterfly exhibit - Aquariums Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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If you like fish, and other aquatic species, and you have some time to kill in NOLA, this may be your place to visit. The way this space works is that you buy your ticket and you enter via the Insectarium. That's not really my cup of tea but the butterfly exhibit, within that space, is great. From there, you go into the Aquarium. What you will find there is tons and tons of fish orientated exhibits. If you've every been to an Aquarium, in any large city, this one is very much the same. You know what to expect. If you want to check out a lot of various versions of fish, this is you place to go. They also have a nice penguin exhibit within the Aquarium. They seem to be very friendly and interactive. There is also a large space housing rescued owls and falcons and the like. Just like in the case of the penguins, personally, I always feel kind of sad for large birds housed in a space like this, as they are basically trapped. The good news is, I guess, is due the fact that they were injured in the wild they can live out their years in safety while being well taken care of. Overall, if your NOLA you may want to check this place out. read more

This aquarium is very expensive and very small. You can see the whole aquarium in an hour. The insect portion in about 45 minutes. The insect area is prob more well done than the aquarium. $50 is not worth it. Do the zoo combo for $60 then we are talking Really cool stingray and jellyfish exhibits though Park on the street and walk over. It's very expensive to park in the lot next to the aquarium. read more

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I just purchased a single ticket for the Aquarium and Insectarium (Adult - $47.50; Senior - $42.50). There's an additional charge for the zoo. After you purchase your ticket, you enter the Insectarium first. Once you exit the insectarium, you enter the aquarium, where they also exhibit other animals. First stop is a large albino alligator. He just hung out in one spot while I was there. They also have turtles, frogs, a rescued owl, ducks, a rescued falcon, parrots, penguins, jelly fish, and fish. The rescued owl and falcon lived in their own enclosures. The penguin enclosure is as expected. It included water and faux ice structures. There were a couple penguins that were interacting with all the visitors. They were swimming in place, bobbing up and down. Everyone who walked by was taking selfies with them. Adorable. This is a perfect place for the entire family. The different areas flowed well. Visitors aren't confused where to walk next. It's educational and rescued birds reside here. read more

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The aquarium was clean and orderly , but it wasn't worth the cost to me . It wasn't that big and could have had more interactive things to do for the kids in my opinion . (Compared to other aquariums we've been to) Also, it was pretty packed a no one was helping with the flow of people traffic so it was pretty congested. read more

Very nice-pretty humid so your hair might be in for a day-but very fun and many floors and exhibits read more

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Great day date for my husband and I when we were visiting. Staff were all friendly and welcoming. This is a great family spot with a lot of different interactions for all ages. We loved all the different biodiversity from the butterfly deck, the insect part of the exhibit, along with the aviary and of course all the fish, penguins, sharks etc . read more

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We bought advanced online tickets for both the aquarium and insectarium for a weekday entry and arrived right at opening (10 am). The aquarium was clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate. My favorite part interactive stingray touch pool exhibit. You can also watch them get fed at 1:30 pm. We spent about 5 hours at the aquarium and insectarium, including a beverage break at Cafe Aqua. They do have some extras like a hurricane simulator and VR chairs. It's a little pricy, but I always like visiting local aquariums and seeing the sea life. read more

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Best Aquarium I've ever been too! The exhibit were amazing! First , I've been to many butterfly gardens and this by far is the best one ever. The butterflies were abundant. You actually see them fluttering around. It was magical! We loved petting the stingrays. Staff were nice. There were penguins bobbing in the water. Too cute! I loved the insects and all the unique little creatures. So fun! read more

Audubon Aquarium - Bugs - Aquariums Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

10/10 aquarium experience! Spent 2.5 hours here. Beautiful animals and they all look happy. read more

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The Aquarium and Insectarium still going strong in New Orleans! A place of wonder for kids without being too overwhelming. Fascinating gulf exhibit (the main tank with an oil rig inside) and swamp animal area with white alligator, red tailed hawk, etc. Plus unforgettable butterfly exhibit and sweet buttery smell of cookie samples (with, uhhh, high protein inside) in insectarium. read more

Love the butterfly room. Amazing to be alongside such beautiful Creatures. Not a large room, but still got the experience. read more

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I love aquariums. This one is definitely on the small side. But the extra added benefit of the insectarium is so cool. Lots of information and lots of insects to see. The butterfly room is especially amazing. The staff was very friendly and answered questions as I walked through the entire aquarium. You also have a chance to touch the rays in their pool. Plan to be there for about an hour. Unless you have kids that really like to sit and watch the big tanks of fish. I definitely recommend this place. read more

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The aquarium is on the smaller side, but I really enjoyed walking through it and observing the different wildlife. They have a unique insectarium and a butterfly exhibit, where you can walk through an area filled with butterflies flying around you--definitely a cool experience. They also showcase various insects that you don't typically see in aquariums, which was an interesting addition. The actual aquarium itself was enjoyable, with highlights like seeing an owl and alligators up close. My ticket also included access to the zoo, but unfortunately, I didn't have time to visit. Overall, it's a cute little aquarium, though I do wish there were a few more animals to see especially with the cost of the ticket. Still, a fun stop if you're in the area! read more

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It's a cute aquarium, no doubt. However, $50 for adults and $45 for kids up to age 12 is too pricey for the size of the aquarium. We went because we had just finished the steamboat ride and it was lightning. We didn't want to risk going to the zoo with that weather so we opted for this. Almost $150 and we saw the insectarium and aquarium in an hour, maybe even less. It wasn't worth the money when you compare the price to other aquariums we've been to that are much bigger. Other aquariums are cheaper and bigger and better. read more

Terrific aquarium. For its size and square footage, really REALLY well done. (And pro tip: when some shitheel like Sharyn gives a one-star review, look at her reviews. THEY'RE ALL ONE STAR REVIEWS. She's just a troll and a See You Next Tuesday. Only on Yelp to shit on businesses.) The petting portion is nicely done, the "insectarium" is a great add and fascinating, the info placards are well done everywhere. I'm an aquarium fan from the John G. Shedd in Chicago to Aquarium of the Bay in Monterey to the Antananarivo Zoo in Madagascar. And for a mid-size place this is lovely and the people are knowledgeable. Go and enjoy! And don't be a Sharyn ... any time. read more

Great aquarium! Plus they now have the insectorium and butterfly aviary attached! And! Discount purchase for zoo tickets if used in four days of the purchase. It is a lovely escape from the heat and a good education regarding what 'The America's' actually entails. read more

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I've been to aquariums in many cities in the US and a handful in Europe. I think this is a great example of an aquarium done well. There's lots to learn about local environments and animals and the insectarium is a great value add. The staff were knowledgeable and friendly, the exhibits are well maintained, and we had no complaints. The penguins, butterflies and sting ray petting pool were the highlights for us. If you're visiting New Orleans with kiddos this is a great way to spend a hot or rainy afternoon inside. read more

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Went back after years of not visiting. They have completely redone the aquarium. Now they have added the insect portion. I loved the butterfly room!! It was so cool to walk through and have butterflies lane on you. The aquarium itself was alright. I feel like some of the changes were good, but I miss some of the old things. I still love the room with floor to ceiling glass with the fish, turtle and sharks. read more

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I don't know about you, but I seldom turn down an opportunity to observe and learn about the complex ecosystems on our planet and to focus on the local aquatic creatures. What was an extra bonus at this aquarium was a fabulous exhibit on insects. The highlight of the exhibit was the butterfly room. The aquarium portion was ok and I really liked the portions that featured regional animals. Got to view alligators up close and personal. It is a relatively smaller aquarium which is not a negative. You can take your time and explore all of exhibits before getting museum fatigue. Glad we came. read more

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I really enjoy this aquarium, it has such a great layout to travel to and from with exotic animals (mostly fish) almost feels like your connecting with their natural homes, moreso with the native species which in themselves are just as glorius as we tend to forget they exist right under our eyes. This place will help elevate your mind to enjoy the nature of the world, so go and see some stunning wildlife before they cease to exist from our blue world. read more

We were visiting and staying nearby. The staff was great. Living in Ct I am used to Mystic Aquarium which is larger and has more exhibits as well as hands on areas This aquarium was much smaller but we enjoyed it. The penguins were adorable and very interactive. Along with admission you have access to the insectarium which had a butterfly room you could walk through. Wear light blue and you will have butterflies all over you. read more

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It's a shell of its former glory from before COVID. Very expensive and cramped with not much seating. Many of the exhibits are not there from before. The beautiful fountain At the entrance is non functioning and not at the entrance anymore. The flow of traffic sucks. Not the same experience at all. Won't be going back. read more

I was on my last day of my 2 week long NOLA trip and decided to spend the day at the aquarium. Stopped by the insectarium first as they had a good package deal and then onto the aquarium! It definitely wasn't the best aquarium I had been to - there was a good amount of displays that were empty and it just felt not as clean as others. It was also highly geared towards children. However, it was interesting seeing some varieties of animals I had not seen at aquariums prior as I had never seen an alligator in real life! read more

Audubon Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Was a cool visit the only draw back is you have to get tickets to both but my kiddo Andes up really liking the big side much to my displeasure. read more

Audubon Aquarium - Jelly fish - Aquariums Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

We spent a nice morning visiting the aquarium and insectarium. We enjoy aquariums and have been to many. This one is nice. Small. Clean. Fun. The insectarium was pretty cool. Enjoyable time! read more

Audubon Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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a must must see and do. perfect for all ages particularly wonderful for my 3 year old grandson. 'chomp the white alligater was a massive hit. everything at this aquarium was delightul dont miss the insectarium as well. we spent the entire day there but, of course, you could do it in less time. much heart and soul was put into this set up read more

I love our aquarium. A great way to beat the NOLA heat, and so much to explore. There are multiple sections to explore different sea life, a touch pool, a cafe, and more. I also recommend getting the insectarium package if you have time especially to see the butterfly garden at the end. It's a great deal. If you're not a reader, you can walk through both slowly and take about an hour. If you love to read and catch all the shows and feeding, it can be a 3 hour ordeal! The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. I have really enjoyed it since the remodel. read more

Audubon Aquarium - Photo op! - Aquariums Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

It was my second visit here but when I came it was during the Eras Tour weekend. They went all out in terms of decoration and all. Because of the concert taking place, it was quite busy. Overall it's a nice aquarium and they also have a butterfly exhibit. read more

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I found this to be a very disappointing aquarium, especially after hearing there were recommended by USA Today! It's a very small aquarium and cost over 40 dollars. I was actually in disbelief at the end that we had gone through it all. I personally found the fact that every major "section" of the aquarium ends with some food court place very frustrating. If each of those food locations were exhibits, another hour could have been added onto our experience. I would not go again and would be hesitant to recommend unless the prices change / they offer deals during the week! read more

Very nice insectarium, aquarium, and butterfly exhibits. One butterfly became my friend, hitching a ride on my arm. The fish were mesmerizing to see. I got to touch a stingray, which felt kind of squishy. We came here because the weather was bad and we couldn't walk far. What a really nice few hours to spend. read more

Came here for the first time with my family. The aquarium admissions comes with the insectarium exhibit so it was definitely worth it. The aquarium was pretty cool. If it was by itself, I'd say it wasn't worth the money, but because of the insectarium, it made it worth it. Our hotel was nearby so we walked. There is a paid parking lot nearby. There are a few homeless people outside so just be careful. All the staff were very friendly. read more

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We bought the $50 ticket that gave us access to all 3 attractions: the aquarium, insectarium, and zoo. Such a great deal in my opinion! This was our first time visiting, so we really took our time going through the exhibits. I don't like or care for insects, but it was neat to see everything such as the honeypot ant and elephant beetle. It was lovely being able to walk through the butterfly garden. The aquarium was definitely my favorite. We started off in the bayou exhibit. Got to see alligators but unfortunately we couldn't see the albino one as it was hiding its face. We saw fish and birds of many kinds. As we transitioned to the next exhibits, we really experienced the ocean vibes- the inside was dark, blue, and cool. We were able to watch the penguin feeding and pet the cow nose rays (so cute). I greatly appreciated every opportunity that was offered for interactions. Overall, our visit was a good one! There wasn't an overwhelming amount of people, the employees were kind, the AC was a plus of course, and the whole place just seemed to be taken care of fairly well! The aquarium was less than a 20 min walk from bourbon st. read more

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I visited the aquarium for the first time today. I enjoyed myself. I am not into bugs so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the insectarium. The aquarium section was nice too but it did feel a bit smaller than I expected. There was a butterfly room with pretty butterflies. There was also a food section where you could eat bugs if that's something that peaks your interest. I personally did not eat any bugs. Overall, I thought the price was a bit high for what was offered especially considering the cost of nearby parking. read more

I finally had the chance to visit the newly renovated Aquarium and Insectarium, and it was definitely a treat! While the renovation brought a fresh look, many of the exhibits and setups felt familiar from the old aquarium. That said, I really enjoyed the Insectarium--especially the interactive section where you could try bug treats! The Cricket King Cake was surprisingly good! My daughter had a great time, and the visit brought back a lot of nostalgia for me. While I would have appreciated a few more completely new updates, it was still a really enjoyable experience overall. Definitely worth a visit! read more

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Top of our list for touristy things to do, we made our way over to the aquarium right after breakfast on our first day in town. The crowds were manageable for a Friday morning and we were able to move pretty comfortably through the exhibits. Unfortunately, that's in part because there's not actually a whole lot to see. For $50 admission to the aquarium and insectarium, we expected to spend longer than an hour or so exploring. The insects were a rather small portion of the upstairs, which I did expect but I wished there was more. It was fun to try some bug snacks and I hope they expand the offerings (the lady said it used to be a wider variety pre-covid). Moving into the aquarium side was more outwardly disappointing. It's a lot more crowded and there were a lot of empty tanks and use of mirrors to make things seem bigger. Not to mention every 5ft they're trying to sell you an add on or crap to lug around through the rest of the exhibits. That was a huge turnoff, especially made worse by the lack of attractions within. Audubon is a world renowned name so I definitely expected better. It seems like it has a lot of potential and is maybe going through a growth period or tough times? We also wondered if the zoo is the star of the three attractions and driving up the cost of these other two. We do hope to go see the zoo on a future visit, but I'm not sure I would recommend the aquarium/insectarium if you're on a budget or looking for the best activities on a limited visit. read more

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Are the tickets a bit pricy? Sure. But this was a great way to spend the day with kids. Ours were 8 and 10. My 10 yo absolutely loved the ray touch tank exhibit and we probably could've spent a full hour there. I don't really get why the Insectarium and the Aquarium are listed as different places, as you literally can't buy separate tickets. Both are great. This would be a perfect rainy day activity. That said, it does get crowded. read more

Close to Ferry on river front, in New Orleans. We were told of the aquarium by another tourist, I don't entirely recall the ticket price per adult but it was within normal range or I would have remembered an overprice. Of most aquariums we've visited they all tend to have similar set ups and this was same although there was an Insectarium for $32 we did not add. There's the small individual fish tanks along the walk to get to sting Ray open tank where can touch them. Large center tank w sharks, sea turtle, and larger fish. Followed by bird enclosures, swamp animals, and a large indoor rainforest-like portion of the building. These places are always worth visiting once or twice occasionally if you like nature. read more

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The Aquarium and Insectarium are in one huge building. The man who sold us our tickets suggested that we walk through the insectarium first. It is an amazing display of insects, some surprisingly large, like the "walking stick". It is approx 6-8 inches long. There were several displays of cockroaches and cockroach related critters. They come in many sizes, including one really huge one, 6 inches long. Spiders and lobsters are distant relatives! Before we moved to the Aquarium, we went into the butterfly room. One has to enter through a double door to guarantee the beautiful creatures do not fly out. There were several feeding dishes, around which the butterflies congregate. They might land on you, but you must not try to catch one. It's a very calm room. Then on to the Aquarium. There were many many individual exhibits, but also one huge central tank with a lot of presumably compatible fish and a couple of turtles. There was a display of alligators. They looked very docile, just lying around. If you are trying to get in your 10,000 steps in a day, it's easily accomplished here. read more

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When in town visiting, we decided last minute to visit the aquarium. We looked at the time and saw we would only have about 2.5 hours to visit there. We contemplated whether this was sufficient time but we decided to go for it. We were glad we did! This was a good amount of time and especially so since it was very quiet and empty because we went on a Monday afternoon. The insectarium was our favorite part. We have been to a butterfly enclosure in Denver and while it was huge, we liked the Audubon one better because it was smaller so the butterflies were closer and more easily visible. We read that the butterflies like light blue so we put both of our kids in the color. The butterflies landed on them often. They were also able to name and release young butterflies into the room for the first time. That was really special! The worker in the butterfly exhibit was so knowledgeable and friendly. Actually, everyone we encountered was! They do a great job hiring and training an excellent team. The kids loved the massive turtle, too. The penguin enclosure was nice, but one thing our home aquarium offers that our kids love, that this aquarium didn't, was listing the names of each of the penguins. At our home aquarium, they have a chart with a color code for each penguin's name that corresponds to their little arm tag. My kids love knowing each of the penguin's names. This penguin enclosure was really nice and visible though. Overall, we are so glad we made the decision to go! Really fun experience. And my kids both ate a bunch of cricket snacks. lol The only reason for the 4/5 stars is that it was very expensive for how small of an aquarium it is. The cost was greater than our local aquarium but ours at home is triple the size. read more

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