Louisiana boasts some amazing places for families to learn, explore and play. Here are a few of the best spots in Louisiana to spend a day with the kids.
Audubon Aquarium
The Audubon Aquarium is conveniently located on the Mississippi River, adjacent to the French Quarter. Walk through a watery tunnel where you’ll be surrounded by the eye-popping colors of a Caribbean reef. Elsewhere in the aquarium, you can feed the stingrays and get an up close view of sharks, sea otters, penguins and other sea life.
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Rates: $14 for children ages 2-14, $21 for adults, $17 for seniors. If you’re also visiting the Audubon Zoo, Entergy IMAX Theater, or Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, consider the Audubon Experience Package for $35 for adults and $19 for children and seniors.
Website:http://www.auduboninstitute.org/visit/aquarium
Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center
Sci-Port teaches kids about math, science and astronomy through entertaining and interactive exhibits that fill the center’s 92,000 square foot space. A visit to Sci-Port might include a film in the IMAX Dome Theater, a virtual trip through space in the Sawyer Space Dome Planetarium or lunch at the Counter Culture cafe. With over 290 exhibits in nine galleries, you can fill an entire day with learning and fun.
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Rates: General admission $13, children 3-12 and seniors/military $10
Website:http://www.sciport.org/
Vermilionville
The Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park gives visitors a realistic peek at what life was like for Acadian, Creole and Native American cultures in the area during the period spanning 1765 to 1890. The 23-acre park houses a village filled with artisans in period dress, original and reproduction buildings and homes, live Cajun and Creole music, and authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine.
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Rates: Free for children under 6, $6 for students ages 6-18, $10 for adults, $8 for seniors
Website: http://www.bayouvermilion.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=3
Alligator Park
At Alligator Park, it’s all about the gators — watching them, feeding them, even eating them. View these powerful creatures from the safety of protective walkways, and then get a front row seat for one of the exciting alligator shows. If you’re brave enough, you can even have a photo taken while holding one of the gators. Stop off at the Gator Bites Snack Shop for an alligator kabob and some swamp water (fruit punch).
Location: Just outside Natchitoches, Louisiana
Rates: Free for children under 3, $6 for children ages 3–12, $8 for adults
Website:http://www.alligatorpark.net/
Louisiana Children’s Museum
The 30,000-square-foot Louisiana Children’s Museum is a creative environment for children and their families to learn through interactive play. Exhibits feature a climbing wall, simple machines, an art studio, and even a play cafe and grocery store where kids can get serious about play.
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Rates: Free for babies under the age of 1, $8 for children and adults
Website:http://lcm.org/
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