Cool Zoo and Lazy River Open Saturday, April 7 for 2018 Season
Water Park open weekends only through May 20; Open daily beginning May 26
Cool Zoo and the Gator Run lazy river, Audubon Zoo's popular water attractions, will open for the 2018 season on a weekends-only schedule beginning Saturday, April 7 through Sunday, May 20.
The water park will open daily for the 2018 summer season beginning Saturday, May 26 and continuing through Sunday, August 12, before returning to weekends only from August 18 through Labor Day, September 4, when the water park will close for the 2018 season.
Cool Zoo returns with all its favorite features: the alligator water slide, the spider monkey soaker, water-spitting snakes and shady spots for grown ups. Back for its fourth year, the lazy river offers Zoo visitors the option to cool down by floating atop an inner tube along a course that measures 750 linear feet in length. Three feet deep and 10 feet wide, the lazy river features two sand beaches and water cannons that can shower visitors as they float by.
Gator Run includes showers, restrooms, lockers, outdoor seating, a private area for nursing mothers and "Gator Bites,'' serving a menu of pizza and other food and beverage items.
Rafts are included in the admission price for Gator Run. Anyone under 48 inches will need a life jacket supplied by Audubon Zoo.
Outside food and drinks are welcomed in Cool Zoo and Gator Run, but the size of coolers and ice chests cannot exceed 28 quarts. Glass containers, disposable straws and lids are not permitted for the safety of our animals. Audubon reserves the right to search coolers.
Regular admission to Cool Zoo, including Gator Run, is $10 for Audubon Nature Institute members and $12 for non-members, plus Audubon Zoo admission.
Non-members can take advantage of a discount. The Zoo + Cool Zoo Combo ticket is $29.95 for adults (13-64), $24.95 for children (2-12) and $26.95 for seniors (65+).
Visitors can bring their own towels or purchase them at the Cool Shop.
For more details, click here.
2018 Cool Zoo/Gator Run Operating Schedule:
April 7- May 20 (Open weekends only)
May 26 - August 12 (Open daily)
August 18 - September 3 (Open weekends only)
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Audubon Nature Institute operates a family of museums, parks and research facilities dedicated to celebrating the wonders of nature. Through innovative live animal exhibits, education programs, and scientific discovery, Audubon makes a meaningful contribution to preserving wildlife for the future. Audubon Nature Institute flagships include Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy Giant Screen Theater, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and Audubon Wilderness Park. Ron Forman is President and CEO of Audubon Nature Institute.