Audubon Park and Zoo
 

I am putting together the itinerary for our trip to New Orleans in a few months and am looking for some input on Audubon Park and the Zoo. My husband is requesting to go to the zoo, so I thought we could spend a day seeing the park and the zoo. Our trip will be the first week in June, so I am expecting fairly warm weather. I figure that spending the morning at the zoo would be a good idea, while it is still a little cool and the animals are more active. Then we could spend the afternoon in the park hanging out and wandering around - maybe have a picnic (any good recommendations for local delis/groceries?). Any recommendations for things to do and see in the park?

I think you would enjoy the zoo in the morning. There is a Whole Foods close by on Magazine Street where you could grab a picnic lunch for the park. Don't forget about the fun shops on Magazine for later that afternoon!!

I'm curious. Is the riverboat running again from the Quarter, near the Aquarium to the Zoo? That may be fun to investigate.

I just looked up the riverboat to the zoo and it is running.

http://www.neworleanssteamboat.com/

Looks like a fun way to get up to the zoo and park. I wanted to go out on the river anyway :)

The Brennan group that owns Commander's Palace, etc., had opened a restaurant in Audubon Park just before the hurricane. I assume that because it took Commander's so long to reopen that the park restaurant is still closed, but it's worth looking into. I've seen your posts about NO, J Correa, and know you're a big fan of it, just as we are :)

I will look up that restaurant and see if it is open.

The first thing I thought of is Franky and Johnny's - it's more of a restaurant, although I'm sure they do to-go food.

It's on Arabella between Magazine and Tchoupitoulas.

SusanCS,

I may be confused but are you thinking of Ralph's on the Park? If so, that's City Park, not Audubon Park. My husband and I ate at the Audubon Park Golf Club Restaurant right before the storm and really enjoyed it. It is open to non-members. We haven't been since the storm.

J Correa, I know that I have given you input before about Louisiana. Have I ever recommended Dick and Jenny's Restaurant to you. It's a local favorite and IMO a must do while visiting. It's on Tchoupitoulas near Napoleon Avenue...no reservations so go early and have a drink in the "garage". The food is outstanding with good pricing in a relaxed atmosphere. You will LOVE it if you haven't already discovered it!

DownSouth - Yes! It was Ralph's and I got the parks wrong. Thanks so much for the clarification!

I have heard of Dick and Jenny's and I will definitely put it on our list :) Franky and Johnny's too.

And thanks for the clarification about Ralph's on the Park. Saves me some time researching a restaurant that is actually across town - LOL.

One more thought about restaurants...if you get by the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), try Cafe Degas on Esplanade. It's another local favorite and would be fun for lunch.