Aquarium of the Americas

Aquarium of the Americas Review

Power failures during Katrina resulted in the major loss of the aquarium's collection of more than 7,000 aquatic creatures. In a dramatic gesture of solidarity, aquariums around the country joined together with the Aquarium of the Americas in an effort to repopulate its stock. The museum, now fully reopened, has four major exhibit areas—the Amazon Rain Forest, the Caribbean Reef, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf Coast—all of which have fish and animals native to that environment. A special treat is Parakeet Pointe, where you can get up close to hundreds of parakeets and even feed them by hand. The aquarium's spectacular design allows you to feel part of the watery worlds by providing close-up encounters with the inhabitants. A gift shop and café are on the premises. Woldenberg Riverfront Park, which surrounds the aquarium, is a tranquil spot with a view of the Mississippi. You can combine tickets for the aquarium and the Entergy IMAX Theater ($29), but the best deal is the "Audubon Experience": aquarium, IMAX, Audubon Insectarium, and Audubon Zoo for $44.50 (tickets are good for 14 days).