http://www.auduboninstitute.org/aquarium
504-581-4629 or 800-774-7394
1 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Walk beneath the vivid Caribbean Reef, marvel at the lush beauty of the Amazon Rainforest and journey down the Mississippi River at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, where penguins, sting rays, sharks and other deep sea creatures await your visit. Visit new animals and old favorites, too - including our beloved sea otters, Buck and Emma!

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/insectarium
504-581-4629 or 800-774-7394
423 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

The Audubon Insectarium showcases the largest group of animals on the planet: insects! Since prehistoric times, insects have played invaluable roles pollinating crops, decomposing waste and adding intrigue, color, texture and majesty to our world. Located in the historic U.S. Custom House on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans, the Insectarium will delight you with 'up close and personal' live insect encounters, the indelible story of the Crescent City and insects, and 'Life Underground,' where you'll be shrunk down to insect size. Discover global insect customs, sample exotic insect cuisine, learn about the history of termites and the latest technologies used in pest control management. Take in a fun, animated insect film at our immersion theater, traipse through the Louisiana swamp, enjoy the tranquility of our Japanese butterfly garden and watch hundreds of winged beauties as they flit about.

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/zoo
504-581-4629 or 800-774-7394
6500 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70118

One of the country's top-ranked zoos, Audubon Zoo offers an exotic mix of animals from around the globe, engaging natural habitats, lush gardens and resting spots, the mystical Louisiana swamp and hands-on animal encounters. With innovative natural habitat exhibits and an animal collection ranging from the unique white alligators to the extraordinary white tigers, Audubon Zoo has become one of the Gulf South's favorite family gathering spots. In addition to the amazing animals, exhibits, live animal presentations and encounters, you can ride the Endangered Species carousel, simulator and Swamp Train. You can also shop in our fabulous Audubon Marketplace gift shop!

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/imax
504-581-4629 or 800-774-7394
Located right next to the Aquarium

The wonders of nature are magnified at Entergy IMAX Theatre, where larger-than-life adventures explode with the help of the world's most advanced motion picture technology. Located next to Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, it is one of only six in the world with its spectacular flat screen, IMAX 3D and high-definition capabilities. The silver screen in the theatre is five-and-a-half stories tall. The film used in IMAX is the largest in the world. All of this makes for an in-your-face entertainment extravaganza at the IMAX Theatre.

504-522-3240
862 Tchoupitoulas Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Chez Clay is known as a very family-friendly, personal service kind of place, so try it out and bring the kids along for a great after-school afternoon. It's housed in an old warehouse, so the environment is very New Orleans, and there's no studio fee, so it won't break the bank. They also have a great selection of pottery to paint. The owners and employees are knowledgeable and love to help, but are also more than happy to leave you with your own creativity.

http://neworleanscitypark.com/carousel_gardens
504-482-4888
1 Palm Drive
New Orleans, LA 70124

Since 1906, little kids and children at heart have enjoyed the "flying horses" of City Park's antique carousel, one of only 100 antique wooden carousels in the country and the last one in Louisiana. The carousel, featuring the masterwork of famed carousel carvers Looff and Carmel, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and its renovation garnered national attention and praise from the National Historic Preservation Society. Other rides to keep you twisting, turning, whirling and twirling within the live oaks of the Hines Carousel Gardens include the Rockin' Tug, bumper cars, Red Baron mini-plane, the Scrambler, the Tilt-A-Whirl, a 40-foot fun slide, umbrella cars, and the beloved Live Oak Ladybug rollercoaster. A new larger ferris wheel just opened in 2008, providing a birds-eye view of the entire park.

http://neworleanscitypark.com/storyland_kids
504-482-4888
1 Palm Drive
New Orleans, LA 70124

Climb aboard Captain Hook's pirate ship; journey with Pinocchio into the mouth of a whale or scamper up Jack & Jill's hill in City Park's Storyland, a charming fairytale playground adjacent to City Park's Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and the New Orleans Botanical Gardens. Brimming with more than 25 larger-than-life storybook exhibits, this storybook fantasy play area is inhabited by sculpted characters created by New Orleans' finest Mardi Gras float makers. Storyland is a great place to spend a day with your children, and the perfect setting for a fairytale birthday party.

http://www.lcm.org
504-523-1357
420 Julia Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Find something new and fun to do each time you visit the Louisiana Children's Museum. Explore and experience 30,000 square feet of hands-on fun, engaging exhibits and exciting programs - all designed with curious kids (and grown-ups!) in mind. Pilot a towboat down the Mighty Mississippi. Shop until you drop in a pint-sized grocery store. Dine in a five-star, role-play cafe. Ride a bike with Mr. Bones. Life 500 pounds. Hoist yourself up a wall. Trap your shadow. Stand inside a gigantic bubble. Create a masterful work of art and much more! Even little ones have a special place to climb, crawl, hide and explore. Learning has never been more fun!

http://www.noma.org
504-658-4100
1 Collins C. Diboll Circle
City Park
New Orleans, LA 70124

The New Orleans Museum of Art is not just for grown-ups. The Education Division at NOMA is dedicated to awakening the imaginations of children (and adults) through the visual arts. The Museum provides memorable art experiences which lead to greater awareness, curiosity and sensitivity. Through a variety of ongoing educational programs, NOMA has established itself as one of the greatest resources for art educators in the Greater New Orleans area and throughout Louisiana. NOMA also has a special exhibit especially for children, where they can create and explore colors, textures and what making art means. The museum also offers a variety of programs designed especially for students and educators, including guided tours, workshops and art classes.

http://www.poshpaintpub.com
504-835-4155
701 Metairie Road
Metairie, LA 70005

Posh Paint Pub is a place the whole family can take pleasure in! From 2 - 102 men, women, boys and girls can all enjoy painting pottery at The Posh. Come paint, enjoy, create fellowship, build bonds, relax, bring snacks or order pizza. It's painting pottery made fun! Personalize great gifts for Mom, Dad, Grandma, Uncle Ray, wedding gifts, birthday gifts, baby prints and more! First, you'll pick your piece, and we have hundreds to choose from. Then you'll select your paint color from over 50 underglazes - we even have specialty underglazes for a one-of-a-kind look. Then, you'll paint your masterpiece! There is no time limit on painting, either. Just come and plan on having fun! We also offer reasonably priced field trips and birthday parties!