Audubon Zoo551

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Day Camp for Little Kids and Teens, Best Enviro-friendly Place, and Best Place for Family Bonding in New Orleans, the Audubon Zoo is widely considered one of the country's top zoos.

The grounds have a lushness to them that is hard to beat, and the animals live in natural-looking exhibits. The experience is immersive - the Swamp Exhibit has the look and feel of an old Louisiana swamp, while the Tropical Bird House has the look and feel of a South American rainforest.

A kid-centric area in the middle of the zoo features a petting zoo, an "endangered species" carousel ($2/child), a rock climbing wall ($5/person), and the Safari Simulator ride ($5/person). A playground gives kids a chance to do some monkeying around of their own - and parents a chance to take a seat for a moment's rest.

The Swamp Train departs every half-hour from its depots near the carousel and the Louisiana swamp exhibit, taking visitors around most - but not all - of the zoo. (To see the elephants and white tigers, you'll have to hoof it.) Tickets for the train ride are $4 per person. Combo tickets can be purchased for $10, good for one ride on the carousel, one train ticket, and one clamber up the rock wall. Or an all day ride pass can be purchased for $20, allowing for unlimited rides on these three attractions.

Families can rent strollers and wagons for $10-12. Concession stands and restrooms (with changing tables) are located throughout the zoo, and the grounds are fairly well-shaded.

Children's birthday party opportunities range from taking over the carousel to picnicking on the zoo grounds; check the website for more information.

The zoo also hosts camp programs during school breaks and a variety of special events throughout the year - including the annual fall Swamp Fest, which features a weekend full of live zydeco music, tasty food, and vendor booths.

Can't get enough of the animals? The John James Audubon Riverboat takes passengers from the zoo straight to the Aquarium of the Americas. Call 800.365.BOAT for the boat schedule and rates.