Audubon Insectarium

The Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans occupies the same building as the Audubon Aquarium at 1 Canal Street on the riverfront — a fact that makes the Audubon combo ticket one of the best family values in the city. Two compelling experiences in one location for a combined price that beats paying separately.

The Insectarium celebrates insects in ways that are genuinely engaging for kids rather than just educational-but-boring. The anchor moment that every family talks about afterward is the Bug Appetit café, where adventurous visitors can sample actual edible insects — chocolate-covered crickets, wax worm cookies, and similar creations. Staff make this a fun, low-pressure experience where kids work up peer-pressure courage and then have a story to tell for years.

No one is forced; the squeamish can watch and mock the brave ones.

The Asian Bee Garden features live honeybee colonies visible behind observation windows. For kids who've only seen bees as threatening, watching thousands of them work in structured harmony is a reframing experience. Butterfly gardens elsewhere in the museum let kids stand among living butterflies that may land on them.

The handling stations with large walking stick insects and hissing Madagascar cockroaches consistently produce the most noise from visiting children — a mix of genuine fear and irresistible curiosity that teachers and parents find equally hilarious and educational.

The museum is entirely indoors and climate-controlled, making it a genuinely good choice for New Orleans' frequent rain and oppressive summer heat. The 4.6-star rating with over 3,000 reviews reflects consistent quality. If you're already visiting the Aquarium, add the Insectarium with a combo ticket — the marginal cost is very reasonable for the additional content.