Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium Ticket

The Audubon Aquarium puts the waters around New Orleans in the foreground, from the Mississippi River to a 450,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico habitat. Your ticket also includes the Insectarium, so you can trade fish tanks for butterflies and bugs without changing buildings.

I like two things in particular: the Shark Discovery Touch Pool gives you a hands-on encounter, and the Butterfly Garden offers a quieter change of pace. The range makes this a useful outing for families and nature fans, not just aquarium regulars.

The main consideration is time and energy. Two to three hours is a reasonable estimate, but there is a lot of walking, and visitors with mobility limits may find some areas hard to reach. If you are driving, keep a close eye on your parking time.

At a glance

• One ticket covers two attractions: Visit both the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium.
• A 30-foot tunnel crosses the Great Maya Reef habitat: Watch sea life move around and above you.
• The Gulf habitat holds 450,000 gallons: It is the aquarium’s largest exhibit.
• The Amazon gallery has more than fish: Expect lush plants, free-flying birds, piranhas, pacus, and an anaconda.
• Plan for a couple of hours on your feet: The visit takes about two to three hours, and the two attractions share a building.
• The ticket costs $42.77 per person: Food, drinks, and the optional $10 virtual reality experience cost extra.

Start with the waters around New Orleans

You make your own way to the aquarium, next to the French Quarter. Inside, the exhibits link local waters with habitats farther afield, including the Caribbean, the Amazon Rainforest, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico. That local focus gives the visit more character than a parade of fish tanks without a sense of place.

The aquarium houses more than 3,600 animals from over 250 species. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and it has placed among USA Today’s top five aquariums in its reader poll. Those credentials give you a useful measure of its standing, though they do not guarantee that every exhibit will suit every taste.

The visit is self-guided, so you set the pace. If your children want to linger at a touch pool or you would rather read every display, you can. The trade-off is that there is no guide included to lead you through the habitats or add commentary.

Touch rays, then walk through the reef

The Shark Discovery Touch Pool is a good first stop if you like learning by doing. You can touch sharks and stingrays, an unusual chance to meet these animals at close range rather than simply watching them through glass. It is also a natural draw for children, so you may want to pause here before moving on.

The Great Maya Reef exhibit gives you a different view. Its 30-foot-long tunnel lets you watch aquatic life swim through the habitat around you. Take your time: the tunnel is short, but its enclosed view makes it easy to focus on the animals’ movement and size.

Some families make the ray pool a favorite, while others find the aquarium smaller than its exterior suggests. That is worth keeping in mind if you are comparing it with a much larger aquarium or expecting a full-day attraction. The best approach is to treat the visit as a focused, half-day outing rather than an all-day animal park.

Meet the Amazon and the Gulf

The Amazon Rainforest gallery shifts the mood from open water to a lush, plant-filled habitat. You can see free-flying birds alongside aquatic species such as piranhas and pacus, as well as an anaconda. The mix of plants, birds, and fish makes this part of the aquarium feel more like a habitat than a row of separate tanks.

That setting may be harder to navigate if you have limited mobility. One visitor with arthritic shoulders and low endurance found the Amazon area especially difficult to manage, and described natural stone flooring as tiring to roll across. If you use a wheelchair or need frequent rests, plan conservatively and check current access arrangements with the aquarium before setting out.

The biggest display is the 450,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico habitat. It gives the visit a strong local anchor: the Gulf is part of the region’s natural world and its way of life. You may find this exhibit more impressive if you connect it to the Mississippi River and coastal waters rather than viewing it as just another large tank.

Make room for the Insectarium

The Insectarium is included in the same ticket, and it is a substantial part of the outing, not an afterthought. Its displays and interactive activities give you another kind of animal encounter, with information and games that can keep children involved as you move through the exhibits.

The Butterfly Garden is a particularly appealing pause. Butterflies bring color and movement to a visit that otherwise asks you to look closely at animals behind glass or in tanks. Several families have found this garden a favorite, and it can be a welcome change of pace after the aquarium galleries.

Some children may also get the chance to try edible insects, an experience that can turn a little squeamishness into a story to tell later. The exact options can vary, so do not build your visit around a promised tasting. If bugs are not your child’s thing, the displays and activities still offer plenty to explore.

Allow enough time for both attractions. Visitors sometimes find themselves too tired to finish the Insectarium after walking through the aquarium, which is a good reason not to rush the first half. If you have only two hours, choose the exhibits that matter most to your group; if you can spare three, the extra time makes it easier to see both without hurrying.

Is $42.77 good value?

At $42.77 per person, this is not a bargain stop, but the ticket includes both the Aquarium and Insectarium, along with taxes and fees. The value is strongest if you plan to see both, enjoy animal exhibits, and use the interactive features. If you only want a quick look at fish, the price may feel high for a visit that some people finish faster than expected.

The aquarium’s range helps justify the cost: you get local Gulf and Mississippi habitats, a large reef exhibit, an Amazon gallery, and touch-pool access. The Insectarium adds a separate set of displays and the Butterfly Garden, which makes the combined ticket a more rounded outing than an aquarium-only visit.

Food and drinks are not included, and the virtual reality experience costs an additional $10 per person. Factor those extras into your budget if they appeal to your group. The ticket is mobile, but one visitor had trouble getting a phone ticket accepted and found that printing it helped; consider having a printed copy available as a backup.

Timing, access, and small practical details

The visit takes about two to three hours. It is booked an average of 15 days ahead, a useful planning clue if you are arranging a New Orleans trip, though it does not mean you need to book exactly that far in advance. Confirmation arrives at booking.

The aquarium is near public transportation, and the aquarium and Insectarium are in the same building. The area also has a mall and ferry within walking distance, which gives you nearby options if you want to extend your day. You make your own way to the entrance, so allow time to arrive and get settled before you begin.

This is a walking-heavy visit, and a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. Service animals are allowed. One visitor reported that manual wheelchairs were available for rent but electric scooters were not; another found some flooring and the Amazon area difficult. If you rely on a mobility device or have limited stamina, contact the venue ahead of time to confirm what is available and decide which areas are realistic for you.

If you drive, read parking signs closely and keep track of your paid time. One family reported a $90 charge to remove a wheel lock after their parking time ran out. That is an unusually costly mistake, and an easy one to avoid with a little attention.

The cancellation terms are straightforward: you can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and the cutoff uses local time.

Who will enjoy this visit most?

Families with children of different ages are well matched to the combination of touch pools, animal habitats, interactive insect displays, and butterflies. It also suits couples or solo visitors who enjoy nature and want an indoor activity near the French Quarter. On a rainy day, it can provide a few sheltered hours, though its value does not depend on bad weather.

It may be less satisfying if you expect a huge aquarium, dislike walking, or want a guided tour with a set route and expert narration. Some people find the animals and displays engaging; others may feel the aquarium is smaller or less impressive than expected. Your enjoyment will depend on whether the mix of habitats, hands-on moments, and insect exhibits matches what you came for.

Should you book the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium?

Book it if you want a flexible, family-friendly visit that combines Gulf and Amazon habitats with a hands-on ray pool and an Insectarium. The Butterfly Garden and the shared admission make the ticket especially worthwhile when you plan to see both attractions.

Think twice if you have limited stamina, expect a very large aquarium, or only have time for a quick stop. For the best value, set aside close to three hours, bring a backup copy of your mobile ticket if convenient, and check mobility arrangements before you go.

FAQ

What does the ticket include?

It includes admission to the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium, plus all fees and taxes.

How long should I allow for the visit?

Plan for about two to three hours. You may need the longer end of that estimate if you want to spend time at both attractions.

How much does the ticket cost?

The listed price is $42.77 per person.

Is the ticket available on my phone?

Yes. The ticket is listed as a mobile ticket. One visitor had trouble getting a phone ticket accepted, so carrying a printed copy as a backup may be helpful.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and beverages are not included. The optional virtual reality experience costs $10 per person.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted.

Is the attraction accessible for wheelchair users?

Service animals are allowed, and one visitor reported that manual wheelchairs were available to rent, but electric scooters were not. Some areas and flooring may be difficult to navigate, so confirm current access options with the aquarium before your visit.