When you think of the Pelican State, you may envision the excitement and beauty of New Orleans, college football in Baton Rouge, or the swampy tributaries at the convergence of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.
This diversity of artificial and natural areas is home to many aquatic and land animals.
So it’s no wonder Louisiana has a variety of aquariums and zoos for locals and visitors to enjoy, with rotating exhibits and activities for the children.
Luckily, these family-friendly destinations are spread throughout the state, so regardless of where you plan to visit, there’s an animal sanctuary nearby!
Keep reading to learn more about the best zoos and aquariums in Louisiana!
Contents
- 12 Best Zoos and Aquariums in Louisiana
- Twelve: Jubilee Zoo
- Eleven: Zoo of Acadiana
- Ten: Purchase Gardens and Zoo
- Nine: Baton Rouge Zoo
- Eight: National Fish Hatchery
- Seven: Barn Hill Preserve
- Six: Shreveport Aquarium
- Five: Gators and Friends
- Four: Wild Country Safari Park
- Three: Alexandria Zoological Park
- Two: Audubon Aquarium
- One: Audubon Zoo
- 12 Best Zoos and Aquariums in Louisiana – Summary Table
- Louisiana Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
12 Best Zoos and Aquariums in Louisiana
Twelve: Jubilee Zoo
Located in Shreveport, the Jubilee Zoo is a place to create unforgettable memories while learning more about wild animals.
In addition to being a full zoo, Jubilee also offers you a petting farm.
Owned and operated by a family with a passion for animals and bringing a positive influence on others, the Jubilee Zoo gives you a chance to get up close and personal with exotic livestock and friendly farm animals.
Other attractions include a giant slide, mini zip line, picnic tables, a playground area, and bounce houses for the kids.
Eleven: Zoo of Acadiana
Situated in Broussard, the Zoo of Acadiana has offered unique experiences for communities throughout southwest Louisiana for over three decades.
In the early 1990s, when the zoo began as a small group of animals to the accredited zoological park called Zoosiana, the Zoo of Acadiana helped connect guests with the natural world through an interactive, exciting experience with a commitment to conservation and excellence.
Zoosiana is home to over 750 animals across 130 species, several of which are endangered.
The zoo aims to continue the species through breeding and preservation, which has garnered a true sense of pride in the guests and staff alike.
Ten: Purchase Gardens and Zoo
The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo offers a unique range of activities for visitors, such as the train that rides through the park, a zoo oasis that allows you to cool off in the summer with a splash pad, the children’s petting and feeding zoo, and a safari boat.
The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo is a full zoo with bears, tigers, lions, reptiles, gibbons, baboons, elk, bison, zebra, and various other animals from across the globe.
With over 400 animals of 200 species, the zoo boasts 27 acres of landscaped groups for the residents and visitors to enjoy.
Adding to the interest of the zoo are numerous exotic plants and a walkthrough greenhouse!
This park aims to help visitors create a sustainable relationship with all the gems that nature has to offer.
Nine: Baton Rouge Zoo
Situated just 15 minutes north of downtown, the Baton Rouge Zoo is operated and owned by the Recreation and Park Commission of the East Baton Rouge Parish.
The zoo featured over 800 animals from around the globe and was the first accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 1977.
Other activities offered by the zoo include birthday parties, educational experiences, and the beautiful ZooLights during the Christmas season.
Eight: National Fish Hatchery
Located in Natchitoches, the National Fish Hatchery is a warm water station that spawns, hatches, and rears young mussels, turtles, and fish.
The purpose of the incubator is t raise various species to the age and size that gives them the best opportunity to survive in the wild, a critical tool in the mission of species recovery and restoration.
This also helps enhance recreational fishing by repopulating the local waters.
Other initiatives from the hatchery include research projects ranging from improving the culture and spawning techniques to fish feed trails and monitoring and tagging specific species in the wild.
During your visit, you will learn more about these processes and how critical fish are to local environments.
Seven: Barn Hill Preserve
With two locations, one in Louisiana and one in Delaware, the Barn Hill Preserve is a hands-on zoological park emphasizing the animal’s environment and quality of life.
One aspect that sets Barn Hill apart from traditional zoos is there are few observation glass areas and only a small amount of concrete, replaced by grasslands and open fields meant to mimic the natural environments that the residents are used to in their homelands.
Barn Hill Preserve began as a seed of passion for education and animals and has grown into a thriving destination for educational programs, conservation initiatives, and exotic animals.
Six: Shreveport Aquarium
Near the Texas Street Bridge that crosses the Red River is the Shreveport Aquarium, which houses 3,000 animals ranging from snapping turtles and paddlefish to alligators, seahorses, eels, stingrays, and sharks.
When visiting, don’t miss the stingray hand-feedings and touch tanks that contain sea cucumbers, cleaner shrimp, starfish, jellies, and rays.
To add to the fun, mine for fossils, gems, and gold in the indoor mining section.
Additional programs offered by the aquarium include weddings, holiday events, private events, birthday parties, and summer camps.
Five: Gators and Friends
Located on the border of Louisiana and Texas, this adventure park features over 150 American alligators, an extreme zipline over a gator swamp, and an exotic animal zoo.
Those less adventurous pony rides are also available.
Also, given that Gators and Friends is an adventure park, go-karts are also a fun activity while visiting.
Throughout the year, it’s common to have school trips visit the destination for educational activities, and this is an excellent place for children’s parties.
Four: Wild Country Safari Park
In Epps, Wild Country Safari Park will transport you to the African Savannah to view various animals.
With over 30 species ranging from exotic animals like water buffalo, antelopes, and zebras to farm animals like goats and pigs, you will only know what you will find at this safari park.
The best aspect of visiting is getting an authentic safari experience, and you can interact with many animals.
These activities range from feeding and petting to cuddling!
Wild Country Safari Park offers drive-thrus so you can interact with and view the animals comfortably from your vehicle.
Guided tours are also available to learn about the different species dotting the landscape.
The park also offers a play area and a petting zoo for children.
Three: Alexandria Zoological Park
Situated on 33 acres of land, the Alexandria Zoological Park is in the City of Alexandria.
Originally opening in 1926, the Division of Public Works owns and operates the park, managing around 500 animals.
The zoo started with a row of cages; when the Department of Agriculture threatened to close the doors in the 1960s, the city developed a specific committee that has become the Friends of the Alexandria Zoo, which helps support the activities, maintenance, and all operations.
In addition, the zoo partakes in around 20 Species Survival Plans to help with the conservation of specific animals and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Two: Audubon Aquarium
The Audubon Aquarium is across town from the Audubon Zoo and boasts four major habitats.
On the property is the Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi habitats that house local species and highlight exotic water species and fish from across the globe.
Here you will discover smaller exhibitions within these habitats, like Parakeet Pointe, where guests can handle the birds.
The penguin exhibit is the most popular destination at the aquarium, allowing visitors to watch penguins play and enjoy their daily lives.
To increase your experience, book the Backstage Penguin Pass, which offers a behind-the-scenes tour with the chance to interact with penguins.
Another interactive and exciting activity is the Maya Dive Experience, where you can dive into the Mayan reef exhibit and explore local life.
One: Audubon Zoo
Featuring over 2,000 animals, the Audubon Zoo was named after the naturalist and artist John James Audubon.
The zoo first made its mark by becoming the residence of two blue-eyed alligators and one white tiger.
Then, during Hurricane Katrina, the staff took shelter in the reptile house, engineered to withstand intense storms.
Although the zoo was hit with financial setbacks due to the storm, it reopened with a swamp exhibit that included a Hurricane Katrina house home to various local species.
Many visitors to the zoo comment on the large and natural environments that allow the animals to live and thrive.
Best of all, it’s easy to see all the exhibits at the zoo without an overwhelming feeling.
12 Best Zoos and Aquariums in Louisiana – Summary Table
| Zoos and Aquariums | Address |
|---|---|
| Jubilee Zoo | 6402 LA-1, Shreveport, LA 71107, USA |
| Zoo of Acadiana | 5601 Hwy 90 E, Broussard, LA 70518, USA |
| Purchase Gardens and Zoo | 1405 Bernstein Park Rd, Monroe, LA 71202, USA |
| Baton Rouge Zoo | 3601 Thomas Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70807, USA |
| National Fish Hatchery | 615 South Dr, Natchitoches, LA 71457, USA |
| Barn Hill Preserve | 11342 LA-955, Ethel, LA 70730, USA |
| Shreveport Aquarium | 601 Clyde Fant Pkwy, Shreveport, LA 71101, United States |
| Gators and Friends | 11441 US-80, Greenwood, LA 71033, USA |
| Wild Country Safari Park | 8 Hobby Newton Rd, Delhi, LA 71232, USA |
| Alexandria Zoological Park | 3016 Masonic Dr, Alexandria, LA 71301, United States |
| Audubon Aquarium | 1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States |
| Audubon Zoo | 6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States |
Louisiana Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Louisiana Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest zoo in Louisiana?
The Audubon Zoo is home to the greatest number of animals at 2,000.
The zoo features nine areas of exploration: the Asian Domain, African Savannah, World of Primates, Audubon Aviary, Sea Lion Theater, Reptile Encounter, Louisiana Swamp, Jaguar Jungle, and South American Pampas.
How many aquariums are in Louisiana?
The only two aquariums in Louisiana are the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Shreveport Aquarium.
How many zoos are in Louisiana?
The state features 11 zoos in the largest cities and towns.
Which zoo is considered the best in the state?
From a size perspective, the Baton Rouge Zoo is 109 acres, while the Audubon Zoo is 58 acres and double the cost.
However, the Audubon Zoo is significantly nicer and more comprehensive due to the 2,000 animals that call the property home.
Recently, the Baton Rouge Zoo has been going through improvements due to aging over the years.
Depending on where you’re planning to visit, both zoos are a good option for a great day outdoors and to learn more about nature and animal friends.
