I especially like the mix of big and hands-on—the Shark Discovery Touch Pool and the long Great Maya Reef tunnel are the kind of stuff you remember later. I also like that you’re not just looking at fish behind glass: the Gulf of Mexico habitat is huge (450,000 gallons), and the Amazon Rainforest gallery adds birds and animals beyond the usual aquarium lineup.

One real consideration: it’s a lot of walking on varied surfaces. If you have limited endurance or mobility, plan for breaks, and keep in mind some areas can be tough to reach comfortably.

Key highlights at a glance

• Hands-on time with sharks and stingrays at the Shark Discovery Touch Pool
• A 30-foot tunnel through the Great Maya Reef habitat
• A major Gulf exhibit: 450,000 gallons for Mississippi River and Gulf vibes
• Amazon Rainforest gallery with free-flying birds and animals like piranhas, pacus, and an anaconda
• Family-friendly insect fun plus a Butterfly Garden that many people make the day’s favorite stop
• VR costs extra if you want the tech add-on ($10 per person)

Price and what $42.77 buys you at Audubon

At about $42.77 per person, this ticket is a straightforward value play because it includes admission to both the Aquarium and the Insectarium, plus all fees and taxes. In practical terms, it’s easier to justify than buying separate attraction tickets, especially if you’re visiting with kids or you want a weather-proof indoor plan.

The time window also helps your value math. Plan on 2–3 hours, and you’ll likely have enough energy to see the core aquarium highlights and at least the major insect/butterfly areas. If you love animal encounters and interactive exhibits, you can stretch it a bit by slowing down in the galleries.

One cost note: the Virtual Reality experience is not included and costs $10 per person. If you think you might try it, decide ahead of time so it doesn’t turn into an unplanned add-on.

Location: close enough to pair with a French Quarter day

Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium sits adjacent to the French Quarter, which makes this a good “wrap around” stop. You can do a morning of New Orleans wandering, come in when the sun (or rain) hits hard, then head back out without losing the day.

It’s also near public transportation, which matters in a city where parking can be a time sponge. If you’re driving, give yourself extra buffer for parking and entry timing—one of the most common visitor frustrations here isn’t the aquarium itself, it’s getting from vehicle to tickets to the correct entrance route.

And yes, there’s a simple comfort factor: it’s all indoors. When the weather turns, you’re not stuck deciding whether to soldier on—you just shift into aquarium mode.

Step inside: how the aquarium route feels in real life

The aquarium experience is designed like a series of themed worlds. You’ll move through areas covering the Caribbean, Amazon Rainforest, and waters that connect to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico—so your visit never feels like one long hallway of the same thing.

The “reimagined” setup leans into modern exhibit design and clear wayfinding once you’re inside. The flow works best if you go with the big anchors first—touch pool, tunnel, then the rainforest gallery—rather than bouncing randomly.

Also, if you’re the type who likes details, this place has them. Expect labeled habitats and species placements that help you understand what you’re seeing, not just admire it. That’s part of why people come away feeling they learned something, not only that they had fun.

Stop 1: The Shark Discovery Touch Pool and the 30-foot tunnel

If you want one reason to build your day around this ticket, it’s the Shark Discovery Touch Pool. Touch pools aren’t just gimmicks when they’re done well—they create a moment of real connection. You’re up close with sharks and stingrays, which is a rare kind of interaction for an aquarium.

Then there’s the Great Maya Reef—a 30-foot-long tunnel where you can watch aquatic creatures swim through the corridor like you’re standing inside their world. This is the kind of exhibit that’s great even if you’ve been to other aquariums before, because it changes the viewing angle completely.

Practical tip: if you have limited time, prioritize these two features early. Once you’ve done them, the rest of the aquarium galleries become more flexible. And if the touch pool has a line, you can keep moving through nearby displays while you wait.

The Gulf of Mexico habitat: the biggest wow-factor on the ticket

One of the aquarium’s star exhibits is the 450,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico habitat. That number tells you you’re not dealing with a small tank and a few fish. You’re walking into a major space built for the scale of Gulf life.

Why it matters: big habitats help you see behavior, not just silhouettes. Even when you’re looking from multiple angles, the exhibit design makes it easier to track how animals move through open water rather than circling in a tight visual box.

If you’re a photographer, this is usually the best place to slow down. The views are wide and the lighting feels made for “look longer than you planned” moments. If you’re visiting with kids, this is also where you can point out differences in animal movement and behavior—usually without needing a formal explanation.

Amazon Rainforest gallery: birds, piranhas, pacus, and an anaconda

The Amazon Rainforest area is where the aquarium starts to feel more like a living ecosystem than a fish show. Expect lush plant life and free-flying birds, which adds motion and sound to the experience.

You’ll also encounter species that don’t belong in most people’s mental list of aquarium animals. The gallery includes piranhas and pacus, plus an anaconda snake. It’s a mix that keeps the visit from turning into a one-note routine.

My advice: don’t rush this section. The rainforest theme works because it has layers—plants, birds, and then animals that you might need to search for a second time to really see clearly. If you’re with kids, give them a simple mission like spotting the birds first, then checking for the less-common species afterward. Everyone stays engaged longer.

Insectarium and Butterfly Garden: the part kids light up over

This ticket isn’t only about ocean animals. The Insectarium leans into interaction and active learning, which is a big reason families tend to rate it highly. Depending on what’s on during your visit, you may see bug-focused activities designed to get kids comfortable with insects rather than afraid of them.

One area that repeatedly earns affection is the Butterfly Garden. People often describe it as a favorite because it’s beautiful and slower-paced compared to the aquarium’s big tanks. It’s the place where you can reset after a lot of walking and still feel like you saw something special.

If you like hands-on learning yourself, the insect portion offers a different kind of curiosity—less about scale, more about behavior. And when kids get the chance to experience insects up close, it changes the whole tone of the visit.

VR add-on: worth it only if you really want it

There is a Virtual Reality experience on-site, but it’s not included. It costs $10 per person, so treat it like a nice extra, not the backbone of the day.

I’d skip it if you’re already packed with motion and excitement. But if you’re someone who enjoys tech add-ons and you’ll have the time to fit it in without rushing the rest, it can add variety to the visit.

Either way, the real value of this ticket is the animal-based exhibits. VR should feel like seasoning, not the main meal.

Timing: how to pace 2–3 hours without missing the best parts

Two to three hours is enough for a strong visit, but it’s also long enough to get tired if you keep moving nonstop. I suggest you think in chunks: do the big aquarium anchors first, then plan your insect and butterfly time like a cooldown.

Here’s a pacing approach that works for most people:

• Start with the Shark Discovery Touch Pool and Great Maya Reef tunnel
• Move into the Gulf habitat and the main aquarium galleries
• Save the Amazon Rainforest for when you’re ready to slow down
• Finish with the Insectarium and Butterfly Garden when energy is low but curiosity remains

This order helps because the most physically demanding moments (touch pool lines, tunnel crowds, longer exhibit viewing) happen early while you’re freshest.

Accessibility and walking surfaces: plan for real-world movement

This isn’t a “sit and watch TV” kind of outing. You’ll be on your feet for much of the visit, with areas that can feel uneven. The information for the ticket notes moderate physical fitness is recommended.

If you use a wheelchair, it helps to go in with realistic expectations. Some floors can include natural stone, which can be harder to roll across smoothly than flat indoor surfaces. Also, electric scooter rentals are not part of the setup here, so manual mobility support is the common expectation.

If you need support reaching specific areas, I’d keep flexibility in your schedule. In at least one case, staff support included helping someone reach the Butterfly Garden when other parts of the route weren’t feasible. That tells me the staff approach can be practical when you communicate what you can manage.

Bottom line: bring patience, plan breaks, and pick your must-sees.

Reviews score: what the 4.2 rating really suggests

This experience averages a 4.2 rating based on 62 reviews. That mix usually points to a place that hits the mark for most people, while a minority have frustrations—often related to access, time spent, or ticket scanning at entry.

The strongest praise consistently centers on two themes: the aquarium’s big exhibit design and the insect/butterfly portion for families. Most positive comments focus on how much there is to see under one roof and how interactive the experience can feel.

The negative experiences tend to be about friction—entrance issues caused by construction detours, or entry machines being picky about mobile tickets. You can reduce that friction with one simple habit: have a backup plan for your ticket.

Practical tips I’d use before you go

1. Bring a backup for your mobile ticket. If your phone battery dips or a scanner misreads a screen, you don’t want your day to stall. Keep a screenshot ready, and if you’re the cautious type, print as well.
2. Go for the hands-on first. Touch experiences and tunnels are the most likely to get crowded. Doing them early keeps your day calm.
3. Give the rainforest time. It’s one of the more interesting galleries because it blends birds, plants, and less-common species. Rushing makes it feel smaller.
4. Plan your insect time like dessert. The Insectarium and Butterfly Garden often land well at the end of a trip when you want something engaging but less intense than big aquarium tanks.
5. Don’t forget the kids angle. Bug activities and butterfly viewing can turn a normal outing into a memory—especially if your group likes hands-on moments.

Should you book Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium tickets?

Yes, I think you should book if you want a weather-proof New Orleans plan that covers both ocean life and insect curiosity in one stop. The ticket is a good value because it includes two attractions together, and the exhibit lineup has real anchor moments like the Shark Discovery Touch Pool and the 30-foot tunnel.

I would reconsider only if you know you can’t handle long indoor walks or uneven surfaces. In that case, you can still enjoy parts like the Butterfly Garden, but you’ll want to go in with a flexible plan and extra time for accessibility needs.

If your idea of a great day includes animal encounters, interactive exhibits, and a calm-but-cool way to learn, this is one of those tickets you can feel good about buying.

FAQ

How long does the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium visit take?

The experience is listed as about 2 to 3 hours.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium admission, plus all fees and taxes.

Is the Virtual Reality experience included?

No. The Virtual Reality experience is not included and costs $10 per person.

Where is Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium located?

It’s in New Orleans, and it’s adjacent to the French Quarter.

Is a mobile ticket used?

Yes. The ticket is mobile.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes. It’s noted as near public transportation.

What kind of physical fitness level is recommended?

A moderate physical fitness level is recommended.

What are some aquarium highlights included with admission?

You can visit the Shark Discovery Touch Pool, see the 30-foot-long Great Maya Reef tunnel, and explore the Amazon Rainforest and large Gulf of Mexico habitat.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. Cancellation is free if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

When should I book for best timing?

On average, this is booked about 15 days in advance.

Two things I really like: the 30-foot clear viewing tunnel through the Great Maya Reef habitat, and the chance to interact in the 60-foot Shark Discovery Touch Pool. One drawback to plan for: getting in can be smooth with skip-the-line tickets, but a small handful of past bookings reported barcode scanning issues that still required a brief line check, so give yourself a few extra minutes.

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• 3,600+ animals across 250+ species makes this feel like a real collection, not just a few tanks
• 30-foot clear tunnel gives you a walking view of the Great Maya Reef habitat
• 60-foot touch pool lets you interact with sharks and stingrays
• Amazon Rainforest gallery includes free-flying birds and species like piranhas, pacus, and an anaconda snake
• Combo upgrades can add Audubon Zoo and/or the Insectarium and Butterfly Garden for better value

Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans: What You’re Really Paying For

For $63 per person, you’re not buying a generic aquarium ticket. You’re buying time savings plus a lot of physical experiences: seeing animals at scale, learning through exhibits, and getting at least one genuinely hands-on moment.

This is a state-of-the-art, AZA-accredited aquarium, and it’s been recognized in a major national reader poll. That matters because the vibe isn’t just “look at fish.” The exhibits are built to help you slow down, track what you’re seeing, and understand how different habitats work. If you like attractions that feel designed for real viewing (not just quick photo stops), you’ll appreciate it.

Also, your ticket is valid for 5 days. That’s handy because you can match your visit to your energy level and the weather. If you start with a long day in the French Quarter, you can come back later without feeling trapped by a tight schedule.

Planning Your 5-Day Visit: Best Order for Aquarium and Insectarium

You’re free to make your own route, but your start point matters.

If you’re entering the aquarium or insectarium first, you go to the Audubon Aquarium building from the riverfront side. The key move: use your barcoded ticket to skip ticket-line purchase, then go upstairs and choose whether you’re doing the aquarium or insectarium first.

If you’re doing the zoo first, you start at 6500 Magazine Street at the main entrance for the same skip-the-line flow.

Here’s a practical way to plan the order based on how the space works:

• Start with the aquarium galleries first while you’re fresh. There’s a lot to take in, from marine habitats to the big tunnel.
• If you’re adding the insectarium and Butterfly Garden, go after that. Insect areas can feel more “close and detailed,” and you’ll usually appreciate that once you’re done with the wider marine sections.

If you’re traveling with kids, this approach keeps the day from becoming one long loop. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, it helps you avoid “I saw everything but I didn’t remember anything.”

Great Maya Reef Tunnel and the 450,000-Gallon Gulf Habitat

The Great Maya Reef is where the aquarium flexes its design. Instead of only watching fish from the side, you walk through a 30-foot clear viewing tunnel. That means your perspective changes without you moving much. You can literally watch different swimmers cross paths as you go—slow, curious, and surprisingly calming when the rest of New Orleans gets loud.

Then there’s the aquarium’s largest exhibit: the 450,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico habitat. Big habitats do two jobs. First, they give you more stable “real animal” behavior, because bigger tanks can support more natural movement. Second, they give your visit a sense of scale. It’s harder to feel like you’re rushing when one stop is genuinely large.

In this part of the route, look for the endangered species information and any habitat context you see posted. The aquarium is arranged so that you can connect what you’re seeing to where the animals come from—Caribbean and Amazon galleries feed into Mississippi River and Gulf-of-Mexico settings.

Shark Discovery Touch Pool: The Hands-On Moment That Changes the Day

If you only do one interactive thing, make it the Shark Discovery Touch Pool. You’re stepping into a 60-foot hands-on area where you can interact with sharks and stingrays.

This is the kind of experience that works for adults, too, because it flips the aquarium from “watching” to “feeling the reality.” There’s a huge difference between seeing a stingray gliding behind glass and having one respond to touch nearby. It turns the aquarium into a memory you can’t blur together with other attractions.

One practical note: even with a scheduled rhythm, hands-on areas can draw crowd attention. If your goal is max interaction time, plan to aim for the touch pool earlier in your visit or when you see things moving smoothly.

Also remember the basic rules: no food and drinks and no smoking. That keeps the area cleaner and safer, especially when you’re close enough to touch.

Amazon Rainforest Gallery: Birds Overhead and Predators Up Close

The Amazon Rainforest section shifts the tone. Instead of focusing only on “blue water,” it emphasizes plants, overhead motion, and layered habitats.

You’ll see lush plant life and free-flying birds. Then the aquatic side becomes very real: you may come across piranhas and pacus, and you’ll also see an anaconda snake as part of the gallery’s animal mix.

This gallery is useful because it reminds you that “aquarium life” isn’t only ocean animals. The Amazon galleries help you connect freshwater environments with predators, prey, and the way different species share (or compete within) the same system.

A key detail if you’re traveling with a service animal: certified service animals are allowed in the aquarium generally, but not in the Amazon Encounters and Amazon Rainforest areas. If that applies to you, it’s worth planning your route around where those areas begin.

Penguin Exhibit and Rare White Alligators: The Keeps-Coming-Back Highlights

Not every good exhibit is the largest. Some are the ones people point to after the fact—the parts that feel special and a little surprising.

Here, two crowd items are the penguin exhibit and rare white alligators. Penguins usually bring instant attention because they’re active and visually clear, and white alligators pull people in because they’re unusual. Both help break up the marine-heavy flow and add variety to the day.

I like using these as “anchors.” After you’ve done tunnels and hands-on tanks, these stops give you a mental reset. You finish the visit feeling like you covered a wide range, not just one theme.

Insectarium and Butterfly Garden: Where Detail Gets Serious

The insect experience is often the part that makes the day feel different from every other aquarium stop. The Insectarium and Butterfly Garden option gives you a separate building-style experience within the same overall complex timing.

Here’s what I’d expect you to get from it: a lot more than a quick look at insects. The insect areas are known for tight attention to design and animal detail, and the Butterfly Garden adds a lighter mood to balance out the marine sections.

You’ll also find interactive moments tied to the overall programming. For example, there can be stingray-related hands-on activity at intervals (think roughly every hour), and the butterfly exhibits often create a strong “kids are engaged without being restless” rhythm.

If your group includes adults who like observation or kids who learn by doing, the insectarium is the section that makes that happen.

Audubon Zoo Combo Upgrades: When the Extra Ticket Makes Sense

The combo upgrades are where you can make your money feel smarter—if you actually plan to use the extra time.

The aquarium ticket can be upgraded with the Audubon Zoo, which is in spacious grounds in uptown. There’s also an option to include both Audubon Zoo and the Audubon Insectarium and Butterfly Garden (and that insectarium/butterfly garden is in the same building as the aquarium). The offer is designed so you can save compared with buying each entry by itself.

So when should you add the zoo?

• If you want a full day outdoors after your aquarium time
• If your group is big on animal variety (aquarium + land animals)
• If you’re in New Orleans for multiple days and can split your visits across the calendar

If you only want one attraction and you’re short on time, the basic aquarium ticket is already packed. The zoo upgrade is best viewed as an add-on plan, not a “might as well” extra.

Practical Logistics: Hours, Strollers, and Getting In Smoothly

Hours are 10 AM to 5 PM, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. That means you don’t want to show up late, especially if you want to take your time in the tunnel and touch pool zones.

Ticket entry is built to be fast. Your barcoded ticket is meant for skip-the-line admission. Still, I’d plan a small buffer in case your barcode needs a quick manual check at the door. One past booking reported scanning trouble that led to standing in line longer than expected.

A few other real-life details:

• Strollers can’t be bigger than 29 inches wide and 52 inches long.
• Wagons, wagon strollers, push cars, and ride-ons aren’t allowed inside the aquarium to keep walkways clear.
• Wheelchair access is available, and there’s a limited number of wheelchairs for rent on a first-come basis.
• Parking can be challenging near the Quarter, so build in time even if your entry goes smoothly.

One more tip: pack a mindset for self-paced wandering. One adult-adored aspect from the experience is that you can enjoy it as a calm, choose-your-path visit rather than feeling herded.

Who This Ticket Fits Best

This works especially well if you want a blend of:

• Hands-on animal interaction (sharks and stingrays)
• High-design exhibits (that clear Maya Reef tunnel)
• Different habitat themes in one location (marine, rainforest, freshwater connections)
• A second attraction option (insectarium and butterfly garden, plus zoo combos)

It’s also a good fit for mixed-age groups. Kids get interaction and close-up attention, while adults get strong exhibit design, clear habitat context, and plenty of time to move at your own pace. Even teens often appreciate the self-guided feel, especially when there are clear “go see this” moments like penguins and alligators.

If you hate walking, this won’t be your ideal day. You’ll cover enough ground to make it worth wearing good shoes.

Should You Book This Aquarium & Insectarium Ticket?

I’d book it if you’re in New Orleans and want one attraction that gives you both spectacle and participation. The touch pool and Maya Reef tunnel are the two pillars that make the ticket feel worth the price, and the insectarium option adds variety without turning the day into a chaotic mashup.

Skip the upgrade ideas only if you’re certain you don’t want the zoo or insect/butterfly areas at all. But if you’re open to a full, animal-heavy day with a smart break between ocean and insects, this is a strong pick.

FAQ

How many animals and species can I see?

You’ll see more than 3,600 animals from 250+ species.

Is there a hands-on experience included?

Yes. The ticket includes the Shark Discovery Touch Pool, where you can interact with sharks and stingrays in a 60-foot hands-on area.

How long is the clear viewing tunnel?

The Great Maya Reef viewing tunnel is 30 feet long.

What can I expect in the Amazon Rainforest gallery?

The Amazon Rainforest gallery includes lush plant life, free-flying birds, and aquatic species such as piranhas and pacus, plus an anaconda snake.

Does this ticket let me skip the ticket line?

Yes. It includes Audubon Aquarium skip-the-ticket-line entry.

Where do I enter if I go to the aquarium first?

Enter the Audubon Aquarium building from the riverfront side, use your barcoded ticket to go in, then proceed upstairs to enter.

Where do I enter if I go to the zoo first?

Go to the main entrance at 6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70118 and use your barcoded ticket to skip the line.

Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The aquarium is wheelchair accessible, and there are a limited number of wheelchairs available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis.