Alexandria Zoological Park
3016 Masonic Dr
Alexandria, Louisiana 71301
Phone: (318) 473-1143
The Alexandria Zoological Park was founded in 1926, encompasses 33 shady acres and is home to more than 600 animals.

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo
3601 Thomas Road
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807
Phone: (225) 775-3877
Over 1,400 animals await you in the beautifully landscaped Zoo. You'll enjoy L'aquarium de Louisiane, featuring the fish, reptiles and amphibians of Louisiana. Take a stroll through Parrot Paradise where you'll see rare and colorful birds from the tropics. Youngsters of all ages love the KidsZoo, complete with a playground and hands-on animal encounters with farm animals! Your visit is not complete without a scenic ride on the Cypress Bayou Railroad or a narrated tour of the Zoo on the sidewalk White Tiger Tram.

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
1 Canal St
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Phone: (800) 774-7394
With 10,000 animals representing 530 species, come see some of the all-time favorite exhibits including the Mississippi River gallery featuring catfish, paddlefish and alligators; the Caribbean Reef exhibit featuring a clear, 30-foot-long tunnel surrounded by aquatic creatures; and the Gulf of Mexico exhibit featuring sharks, sea turtles and stingrays.

Audubon Zoo
6500 Magazine Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
Phone: (866) ITS-AZOO
One of the country’s top-ranked zoos, Audubon Zoo blends the exotic excitement of animals from around the globe with the serenity of its lush gardens. With innovative natural habitat exhibits and an animal collection ranging from the unique and extraordinary white alligators to the majestic Bengal Tigers, Audubon Zoo has become one of the Gulf South’s favorite family gathering spots.

National Parks

Poverty Point National Monument
Epps, Louisiana
Phone: (888) 926-5492
Located in northeastern Louisiana, this park commemorates a culture that thrived during the first and second millennia B.C. This site, which contains some of the largest prehistoric earth works in North America, is managed by the state of Louisiana. The site features ancient Native American earthworks which date back to 12 centuries before the birth of Christ. A museum includes an audio-visual presentation and numerous artifacts found on the site. An archaeological laboratory, picnic areas, an observation tower, restrooms and self-guided hiking trails complete the facility.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
New Orleans, Louisiana
Phone: (504)589-2133
This park has 6 sites from the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery, site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans where (future president) Jackson and Lafitte held off the British. There is also the Barataria Preserve with over 20,000 acres of wetlands, and the Acadian centers in Thibodaux, Lafayette, and Eunice, plus the main office in the French Quarter.

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
New Orleans, Louisiana
Phone: (877) 520-0677
Visitor Center includes an orientation and information desk; indoor and outdoor stage for live performances and interpretive programs; orientation video; exhibit space; and sales area.

Museums

Louisiana Art & Science Museum
100 South River Road
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
Phone: (225) 344-5272
Housed in an historic railroad depot on the banks of the Mississippi River, the Louisiana Art & Science Museum offers educational and entertainment opportunities for visitors of all ages. Featured are changing fine art exhibitions, interactive art and science galleries for children, an Egyptian Gallery, and simulated space travel in the Challenger Learning Center. In addition, the center offers lectures, workshops, and classes and the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium and ExxonMobil Space Theater, which offers planetarium shows and large-format films.

Louisiana Naval War Memorial and USS Kidd
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Phone: (225) 342-1942
Here you will learn interesting facts about this famous vessel: her history and that of the men who served aboard her. You'll also learn about the Louisiana Naval War Memorial Foundation, which has put tremendous effort and tireless energy into not only preserving this gallant ship but also in honoring the men and women of our American armed forces.

Lafayette Natural History Museum and Planetarium
637 Girard Park Drive
Lafayette, Louisiana 70503
Phone: (337) 291-5544

Louisiana Children's Museum
420 Julia Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Phone: (504) 523-1357
Fun hands on exhibits for the whole family.

Louisiana Nature Center Planetarium
5601 Read Boulevard,
Joe W. Brown Memorial Park,
New Orleans, Louisiana
Located in Joe Brown Park on Nature Center Drive - exit 244 Read Blvd on I-10
Phone: (504) 246-5672
Meet a live owl, get eye-to-eye with an alligator and explore the cosmos! It’s all part of the interactive experience at Audubon Louisiana Nature Center. You and your family will be literally touched by nature. In addition to visiting our teaching greenhouse and planetarium, indulge in a hike on one of the wooded trails or find out about the latest science discovery activity. The Planetarium at the Louisiana Nature Center in New Orleans offers a variety of Astronomy programs to the public and to school groups.

Sci-Port Discovery Center
Shreveport, Louisiana
Great exhibits, IMAX theater and other fun stuff for the family.

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

Dixie Landin' Theme Park
18142 Perkins Rd.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810
Phone: (225) 756-4900
The park's theme is a depiction of the small towns that lined Louisiana's bayous and rivers in the late 1800's and 1900's. The park will contain 21 rides and will be divided into three sections. The park features a family roller coaster, giant steel looping roller coaster, log flume, bumper car ride, antique car ride and many other family attractions.

Jazzland Theme Park
I 10 @ I 510
12301 Lake Forest Boulevard
New Orleans, Louisiana 70129
Phone: (504) 253-8100
Jazzland is a 140-acre theme park in New Orleans, full of world-class rides, spectacular live entertainment and delicious food. Celebrate Louisiana's unique culture by wandering through Jazz Plaza to Cajun Country to the waters of Pontchartrain Beach. Celebrate Carnival in Mardi Gras, and let the kids loose in Kids' Carni-val. All this in a first-class family theme park!

Family Activities

If you know of a family activity in Louisiana, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

Chemin-A-Haut State Park
14656 State Park Road
Bastrop, Louisiana 71220
Phone: (318) 283-0812 or 1-888-677-2436
Located about 10 miles north of Bastrop. This 503-acre site takes its name from the French word meaning "high road," which was the route used by Native Americans many years ago in their seasonal migrations. Facilities include cabins, campsites, a group camp, an amphitheater, a swimming pool, a nature trail and a conference room.

Cypremort Point State Park
306 Beach Lane
Cypremort Point, Lousiana 70538
Phone: (337) 867-4510 or 1-888-867-4510
Located 24 miles south of Jeanerette off LA 319. Offering sailing, fishing, picnicking, beach swimming, restrooms and a unique marsh environment, Cypremort Point State Park is an ideal place to spend the day on the water.

Grand Isle State Park
Grand Isle, Louisiana 70358
Phone: (985) 787-2559 or 1-888-787-2559
Located on the east end of Grand Isle, off LA 1 on Admiral Craik Drive. Grand Isle State Park offers excellent opportunities for fishing, crabbing, sunning, camping and nature watching.

Indian Creek Reservoir Lake - Located in the central part of the state about 3 miles south of Woodworth. The lake is very popular for camping, water sports, recreational boating and fishing.

Lake Bistineau - Located in the northwestern part of the state about 8 miles north west of Ringgold and 25 miles southeast of Shreveport. Lake Bistineau is great for fishing, recreational boating, waterskiing, house boating, jet skiing and party barges.

Sam Houston Jones State Park
107 Sutherland Road
Lake Charles, Louisiana 70611
Phone: (337) 855-2665 or 1-888-677-7264
Located twelve miles north of Lake Charles off I-10, on LA 378 in Calcasieu Parish. This wooded paradise features lagoons, rivers, abundant wildlife, boating, fishing, camping, cabins and more.

Fairview-Riverside State Park
Madisonville, Louisiana 70447
Phone: (985) 845-3318 or 1-888-677-3247
Located two miles east of Madisonville in St. Tammany Parish on LA 22. The park includes picturesque moss-draped oaks and woodlands on the bank of the Tchefuncte River. Camping, canoeing, fishing, picnicking and relaxing are some of the favorite activities at Fairview-Riverside State Park.

Fontainebleau State Park
Mandeville, Louisiana 70470
Phone: (985) 624-4443 or 1-888-677-3668
Located southeast of Mandeville on US 190. The park embraces 2,800 acres on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Camping, a nature trail, group camps, a lodge, swimming, a playground, fishing and the ruins of a plantation sugar mill are a few of the reasons why visitors return to Fontainebleau year after year.

North Toledo Bend State Park
Zwolle, Louisiana 71486
Phone: (318) 645-4715 or 1-888-677-6400)
Located 90 minutes south of Shreveport, or 45 minutes west of Natchitoches, and nine miles southwest of Zwolle off LA 3229. The park boasts a spectacular location on the bank of the 185,000 acre Toledo Bend Reservoir. Cabins, camping, outstanding fishing and water sports are available at the park. A nature trail, a swimming pool, playgrounds, picnic areas and a boat launch make North Toledo Bend State Park an unforgettable recreation experience.

Zoos, Museums, National Parks, and Amusement Parks listed above.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

If you know of a fun winter family vacation spot in Louisiana, let us know and we will add it here.

Helpful websites and services

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to Louisiana, let us know and we will add it here.

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(specials are updated weekly)
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