Audubon Zoo
Checked on Oct 16, 2026
Audubon Zoo, in New Orleans, says "The entire Zoo grounds—including pathways, exhibits, restrooms, restaurants, and water fountains—are ADA-compliant" (Audubon Zoo FAQs (opens in new tab), [Official], checked Oct 16, 2026).
Call to confirm before you go: for questions before your visit, the zoo says to call 504-861-2537 (Audubon Zoo accessibility page (opens in new tab), [Official], checked Oct 16, 2026). Hours and exhibits can change.
- Accessible entrance
- Accessible parking
- Accessible restrooms
- Family restroom
- Heads-up: service animals can't enter three areas
Plan your visit
- Parking and drop-off: parking in the main lot is free, and "Accessible parking spaces are designated near the entrance for vehicles with valid ADA placards or plates." There's a designated drop-off area for guests with disabilities near the main entrance (Audubon Zoo accessibility page (opens in new tab), [Official], checked Oct 16, 2026).
- Entrance: "The entrance is wheelchair accessible, and staff are available to assist as needed" (same page).
- Restrooms: "Family and accessible restrooms are located throughout the Zoo" (same page).
- Wheelchair rental: manual and electric wheelchairs can be rented at the Guest Services Information Booth (Audubon Zoo accessibility page (opens in new tab), [Official]). "Wheelchair rentals are available for $8.00" (Audubon Zoo FAQs (opens in new tab), [Official], checked Oct 16, 2026).
- Rest stops: "Benches and rest areas are available throughout the Zoo" (Audubon Zoo accessibility page (opens in new tab), [Official]).
- Swamp Train: New Orleans & Company describes "The wheelchair-accessible Swamp Train," $5 to ride all day (New Orleans & Company accessibility guide (opens in new tab), [Trusted], checked Oct 16, 2026).
- Sensory support: the zoo is KultureCity certified and offers free sensory bags, quiet zones and marked headphone zones (Audubon Zoo accessibility page (opens in new tab), [Official]).
Heads-up: service animals can't enter three areas. Trained service animals are welcome, but "they are not permitted in Watoto Walk, Wings of the World, or the Audubon Aviary" (Audubon Zoo accessibility page (opens in new tab), [Official], checked Oct 16, 2026). This doesn't change the scores.
Worth your time
Checked Oct 16, 2026.
- The albino alligator: "my personal favorite is the albino alligator" (TripAdvisor review, Sep 2026 (opens in new tab), [Secondary]). The zoo says its exhibits and pathways are ADA-compliant (Audubon Zoo FAQs (opens in new tab), [Official]).
Accessibility and ratings
What we found
From the zoo's official pages
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance; accessible parking near the entrance and an ADA drop-off; family and accessible restrooms throughout; wheelchair rental; a phone number for questions (Audubon Zoo accessibility page (opens in new tab), [Official], checked Oct 16, 2026).
- The whole grounds, "including pathways, exhibits, restrooms, restaurants, and water fountains," are ADA-compliant (Audubon Zoo FAQs (opens in new tab), [Official], checked Oct 16, 2026).
From other sources
- New Orleans & Company lists the wheelchair-accessible Swamp Train (New Orleans & Company accessibility guide (opens in new tab), [Trusted], checked Oct 16, 2026).
- The latest TripAdvisor reviews checked on Oct 16, 2026 had no access complaints. One September 2026 reviewer criticized animal care, which isn't about access.
Details not published
- Path grades and distances between exhibits.
Audubon Zoo
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5 of 5 · Fully accessible Average of the 5 rated categories. |
| Entry & Arrival | 5 of 5 · Venue states ADA compliant Facility-published info states it is ADA compliant; we have not personally verified this. Wheelchair-accessible entrance, with staff to assist. No contradiction in the latest visitor reviews checked Oct 16, 2026. |
| Getting Around / Paths | 5 of 5 · Venue states ADA compliant Facility-published info states it is ADA compliant; we have not personally verified this. The zoo says its pathways and exhibits are ADA-compliant. No contradiction in the latest visitor reviews checked Oct 16, 2026. |
| Restrooms | 5 of 5 · Venue states ADA compliant Facility-published info states it is ADA compliant; we have not personally verified this. Family and accessible restrooms throughout. No contradiction in the latest visitor reviews checked Oct 16, 2026. |
| Parking & Drop-off | 5 of 5 · Venue states ADA compliant Facility-published info states it is ADA compliant; we have not personally verified this. Accessible spaces near the entrance and an ADA drop-off. No contradiction in the latest visitor reviews checked Oct 16, 2026. |
| Staff & Info | 5 of 5 · Venue states accessible The zoo publishes an accessibility page and a phone number for questions (504-861-2537). Wheelchairs are rented, not loaned free. |
Every category scores 5: the zoo says its entrance is wheelchair accessible, its pathways, exhibits and restrooms are ADA-compliant, and accessible parking and a drop-off are near the entrance, and it gives a phone number for questions. The latest reviews didn't contradict this. The service-animal limits are a Heads-up only. Overall is 5 of 5, the average of the 5 rated categories.
Ratings tagged "not personally verified" rest on information the venue published or on trusted firsthand reports; we have not personally verified them.
Checked on Oct 16, 2026. Sources: Audubon Zoo accessibility page (opens in new tab) (official), Audubon Zoo FAQs (opens in new tab) (official), New Orleans & Company accessibility guide (opens in new tab) (trusted); TripAdvisor review of Sep 2026 (secondary)