Information
Landmark: Audubon Aquarium of the AmericasCity: New Orleans
Country: USA Louisiana
Continent: North America
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans, USA Louisiana, North America
Overview
Right on the Mississippi Riverfront in New Orleans, next to the French Quarter, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas draws visitors with dazzling displays of sea life.Founded in 1990 as part of the Audubon Nature Institute, the aquarium brings the aquatic wonders of the Americas to life, from darting neon tetras to gliding stingrays, while championing conservation, sparking curiosity, and creating experiences you can step right into.From its spot by the river, you can take in sweeping views of the Mississippi’s wide, glinting waters, and it’s just a short, easy walk from the city’s cultural and historic districts.The aquarium’s layout flows through themed exhibits, each recreating the sights and textures of freshwater streams or the open sea.The facility stretches across several levels, where broad walkways lead into glass tunnels and quiet viewing spots let visitors stand just inches from shimmering schools of fish.The design pulls you in, so you feel like you’re standing in the middle of the shimmering, blue-lit world beneath the waves.Wide windows, sweeping acrylic tunnels, and hands-on displays invite visitors to watch sea life glide past while learning its story.The aquarium is home to more than 10,000 animals, from shimmering Caribbean reef fish to Amazon river turtles, representing hundreds of species from the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River, and other ecosystems across the Americas.Highlights include the Mississippi River Gallery, where you can watch alligators glide through the water alongside catfish, paddlefish, and turtles, offering a close-up look at the river’s vital role in the ecosystem.In the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico exhibits, you’ll spot bright coral reef fish darting between rocks, sleek sharks, graceful stingrays, and sea turtles gliding through water designed to feel just like home.The Amazon Rainforest Gallery showcases freshwater wonders-piranhas flashing silver in the light, massive arapaimas, and coiled anacondas-set among lush plants and the rich story of South America’s rivers and wetlands.Shark and Ray Tunnel: One of the aquarium’s highlights, this clear acrylic passage lets you stroll under sleek sharks and gliding stingrays, surrounding you with a full-circle view of the shifting blue world above and around you.Education and Conservation: The aquarium focuses on teaching visitors about marine life and protecting it, from guiding kids past a glowing jellyfish tank to supporting ocean preservation projects.Visitors can run their hands over the rough shell of a starfish in the touch tanks, watch fish dart in during a feeding demo, and explore displays that explain aquatic ecology, sustainable fishing, habitat preservation, and why biodiversity matters.The Audubon Nature Institute takes part in research and conservation work, from protecting endangered species to restoring Louisiana’s coastal marshes and winding riverbanks-and even habitats far beyond the state.The aquarium invites families to explore at their own pace, with wide, easy-to-navigate paths, colorful signs that share fascinating facts, and hands-on exhibits where kids can press buttons and watch tiny fish dart through coral.Seasonal events-think rare animal meet-and-greets, cozy overnight stays, and festive holiday fun-bring the visitor experience to life.Sitting right on the riverfront, it offers sweeping water views, cafés just steps away, and quick walks to cultural spots like the French Quarter and the Mississippi Riverwalk.More than just a place to watch sea life glide past the glass, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas plays a vital role in teaching visitors and protecting fragile marine ecosystems.It connects local streams and distant oceans to everyday people, sparking awareness of the threats these waters face, from plastic bottles snagged in reeds to coral reefs fading in the sun.The exhibits showcase the rich ecological variety of the Americas and encourage visitors to engage with aquatic life responsibly, like watching a school of silver fish flash past without disturbing them.At the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, you can wander through glowing jellyfish tunnels, try hands-on activities, and learn how their conservation work protects marine life-all woven into one rich, engaging experience.With its home in the heart of New Orleans and its deep focus on the rivers, coasts, and oceans of the Americas, it’s become a hub where culture, learning, and the scent of saltwater meet.
