Audubon Louisiana Nature Center
Family of 4
Admission varies; typically $8-15 per person.
Duration
1.5-2.5 hours
Best Ages
Best for ages 3-12
About
The Audubon Louisiana Nature Center in New Orleans East is a genuine swamp and wetland nature experience — not a recreated habitat, but actual Louisiana bayou that kids walk through on elevated boardwalks. For families who want to understand why southern Louisiana is ecologically unlike anywhere else in North America, this is the place that makes it tangible.
The boardwalk system takes visitors through different wetland habitat types, with opportunities to spot alligators basking, herons standing motionless in shallow water, turtles sunning on logs, and countless species of Louisiana birds in their actual environment. These encounters are unscripted — you might see a 6-foot alligator two feet from the boardwalk or you might see nothing. The unpredictability is actually a feature, not a bug, because it teaches kids that real nature doesn't perform on demand.
The indoor facilities include nocturnal animal exhibits that showcase wildlife that's impossible to observe in daylight settings, adding a second dimension to the experience. Interpretive displays explain the Louisiana wetlands ecosystem in ways that are accessible to kids and adults alike.
Practical notes: the center is closed Monday AND Tuesday, which trips up visitors who don't check carefully. The location in New Orleans East makes it more appropriate for families staying in that area rather than as a destination that warrants a 45-minute drive from the French Quarter. Bug spray is genuinely necessary for the outdoor sections — Louisiana wetlands have mosquitoes.
Bring water and a packed lunch since there are no dining options on site.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Limited
Nursing / Changing
Limited
Kid Meals
Not Available
Setting
Indoor & Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Morning visits Tuesday-Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday
Wait Times
Minimal — not a high-traffic venue
Nearby Food
No food on site. Pack a picnic lunch. Limited options in the Read Boulevard East commercial area — plan ahead.
Why Kids Love It
The Louisiana Nature Center puts kids directly in genuine southern Louisiana wetland habitat — boardwalks over actual swamps where alligators, herons, and turtles appear naturally rather than in fenced exhibits. Kids who walk quietly enough spot wildlife on every visit, creating the excitement of unpredictable discovery that curated zoo experiences can't replicate. The nocturnal animal exhibits let kids see animals that are typically invisible during daytime zoo visits, which creates genuine wonder for the 'I've never seen that before' reaction.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Closed Monday AND Tuesday — check hours carefully before visiting
- Located in New Orleans East, away from tourist areas — best for families staying in that part of the city
- Bug spray is highly recommended for outdoor boardwalk sections
- Wild animal encounters (gators, birds, turtles) are common and unscripted — real nature education
- Hours are 8:30am-3:30pm — earlier in the day is better for wildlife activity
What to Bring
- Bug spray (essential)
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes for boardwalks
- Water and packed lunch (no dining on site)
- Binoculars for birding
- Camera
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
Admission varies; typically $8-15 per person.
Family of 4: ~$35-55.
Pack food since there are no dining options on site.
Tips to Save
- Audubon Nature Institute combo tickets bundle multiple venues.
- Louisiana residents get discounted rates.
- Closed Monday and Tuesday — plan carefully to avoid a wasted trip.
