The Aquarium of the Americas is located on Canal Street in New Orleans, and it is home to sharks, penguins and sea otters. The kids will enjoy the interactive play zone at Adventure Island. They can touch and feed the rays and get the full experience of being adventurers and pirates while the parents relax. At Parakeet Pointe, the whole family can interact with hundreds of parakeets in an 800-square foot outdoor area. During the summer, the aquarium is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The best time to visit the aquarium is during the afternoon when there is the least number of visitors.
Blue Bayou Water Park/Dixie Landin' Amusement Park is located in Baton Rouge. Blue Bayou features 20 water attractions, including Racers, the tallest and fastest waterslide in the world, according to the park's website. Children will enjoy the wave pool or sliding down the Ragin' Cajun, a twin speed slide that stands eight stories tall. Dixie Landin' has 26 rides in all. Dixie Landin' features a kiddie section with a carousel and the Delta Crop Dusters, which are planes that the children can control. A main attraction is the Ragin' Cajun, a steel roller coaster with a 14-story drop. The parks are open from May to September. The hours vary depending on the month and day.
Located in New Orleans, the Louisiana Children's Museum is 30,000 square feet of exhibits and fun for the whole family. There is a mini Winn Dixie grocery store where children can grab a cart, shop for items and go through the checkout. There are spaces where kids can stand in a huge bubble and trap their shadows. The family will enjoy a visit to Mr. Roger's Neighborhood on the second level. There is also a special play area for babies and toddlers where they can safely climb and crawl. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Alexandria Zoological Park is home to more than 500 animals. The African Experience is one of the most popular exhibits, known for housing the zoo's two African lions, Big Al the tortoise and African snakes. The Louisiana Habitat mirrors the natural habitat of Louisiana on 3.5 acres filled with the architecture, flora and culture of the state. Native animals of Louisiana, such as the otter, cougar and black bear are featured in natural habitat exhibits. The zoo is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a gift shop for souvenirs and a cafe and vending machines for meals and snacks.
