Audubon Zoo Announces 2023 Operating Hours and Community Connect Program

Audubon Nature Institute has a new year filled with changes, additions and updates to engage visitors at all of its facilities. The newly transformed Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium will reopen in summer 2023 following temporary closure for construction. Meanwhile, Audubon Zoo invites guests to visit and enjoy the antics of three young black bear cubs exploring their home in the Louisiana Swamp exhibit. Zoo visitors can prepare to be enchanted by new birds inside the newly renovated Tropical Bird House at the Zoo that will feature colorful and unique birds titled “Wings of the World”. This popular Zoo attraction is set to reopen in Spring 2023. 

Audubon Zoo has a new operating schedule for 2023 and Audubon's popular Community Connect Program is returning. 
In January and February 2023, Audubon Zoo will be open six days a week from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and closed only on Tuesdays. From March 4 through September 3, it will be open seven days a week. Starting September 4, 2023, through the end of 2023 the Zoo will be open six days a week, closing on Tuesdays. Visit audubonnatureinstitute.org for holidays and special opening hours. 
 

Both Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium are undergoing major renovations and will reopen to welcome guests for an entirely new experience in summer 2023. Schedules for those facilities will be announced in the spring. 
 

“Audubon has an exciting year ahead as we add new exhibits and experiences to share with our guests and teach them about the animals in our care and their habitats,” said Ron Forman, Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO. “We want to give everyone who visits an understanding that they can take steps in their lives that can have a positive impact on the environment and the animals that depend on us to protect them.” 
 

Audubon Nature Institute is continuing its commitment to engaging and educating the community about the natural world by renewing the Audubon Community Connect program in 2023. This initiative consists of three components to make Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium more accessible for New Orleanians: 

Orleans Parish Appreciation Days: Orleans Parish residents receive free admission to Audubon facilities for themselves and up to four guests when they present a valid government-issued photo ID. On the third Thursday of the month, Orleans Parish residents receive free admission to the Audubon Zoo. Orleans Parish residents can make ticket reservations in advance online. 
Appreciation Days for Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium will be announced once those attractions reopen in summer 2023 following renovations. 

Audubon SNAP Program: Orleans Parish SNAP benefit recipients receive free admission to the Zoo and Aquarium year-round (special events restrictions apply). SNAP participants and up to four guests receive free admission to the Zoo and Aquarium when they present a valid ID that matches their SNAP card. SNAP recipients can make ticket reservations in advance online. Audubon Aquarium will reopen in summer 2023. 

Audubon Museum Culture Pass: Audubon has partnered with New Orleans Public Library to offer Culture Passes for checkout by Orleans Parish library cardholders. Audubon has provided a limited number of passes which can be used every day that Audubon is open. Each pass provides entry for five guests during a two-week period. To reserve a pass, visit https://nolalibrary.org/tag/culture-pass/ , call the New Orleans Public Library at 504-529-7323, or by visiting any Orleans Parish Library location. 
For more information about Audubon Nature Institute’s current community outreach programming, please visit https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/audubon-community-connect.