The Audubon Aquarium In Louisiana Just Reopened And It’s Amazing

The Audubon Aquarium originally opened in 1990 and has been one of the top tourist attractions in New Orleans ever since. In November of 2022, it underwent a massive renovation, and as of June 2023, it has officially reopened with new exhibits, new animals, and even a brand new insectarium that moved from its previous spot. If you haven’t checked out the new aquarium, here’s what you need to know:

One major change you’ll notice is the exterior.

A new entrance on the river side with a bird-safe glass curtain wall greets visitors and a massive 2,500-square-foot lobby is waiting inside.

Animal experiences are always part of the fun, and no matter your age, you’ll absolutely love the penguin encounter.

There’s also a 60-foot-long hands-on touch pool with sharks and stingrays with daily animal presentations so you can learn all about your favorite aquatic animal.

One of the most highly-anticipated exhibits to the aquarium is the 450,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico exhibit.

It’s the largest exhibit in the aquarium and you could easily lose track of time watching all the fish swim around.

As you wander around, you'll find some familiar pieces, like the tunnel.

Fish, turtles, and sharks swim right over your head!

If you’re a bird lover like me, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the Amazon gallery where you’ll be surrounded by 60 free-flying birds as colorful as a Michalopoulos painting.

As you walk through the exhibit, you’ll have the opportunity for Amazon Encounters where you can get up close to armadillos, tortoises, or the newest member of the family, a Linnaeus’ two-toed sloth.

Sloths make everything better, don’t they?

Be sure to give yourself enough time to see the insectarium on the second floor.

20 different species of butterflies float freely around the Butterfly Garden, a must for all ages. And the views of the Mississippi River are just dreamy!

Check the Audubon Aquarium website for more information, and be sure to follow the Audubon Nature Institute on Facebook so you can stay up to date on all the adorable animals both at the aquarium and the zoo. If you're looking for a place to stay, you can't go wrong with the Hotel Monteleone. It's close to the aquarium and is home to one of the only carousels in the world where you have to be 21+ to ride.