Families on vacation should make some time to visit the Audubon Nature Institute. This massive facility is home to a zoo, an aquarium, and butterfly garden and insectarium, not to mention the Entergy Giant Screen Theater (included with aquarium admission) and a golf course. Special kid-friendly exhibits feed curious minds while allowing little ones to get up close and personal with their favorite furry (or scaly or slimy) friends. You can also watch daily feedings or sit in on numerous lectures and films about the environment. Don't miss the gigantic sharks, tarpon and rays in the 400,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico exhibit at the aquarium and the newly expanded Jaguar Jungle exhibit in the zoo, where you can not only see jaguars, but bats, tree frogs, poison arrow frogs and much more.

Recent visitors said that the zoo is well-maintained and is a great family outing. Other visitors call the insectarium impressive and informative. Most also recommend getting ticket combo packages.

Located on the southern edge of Audubon Park west of Uptown, the aquarium and Entergy Giant Screen Theater are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The insectarium is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the zoo welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Recent visitors highly recommend purchasing the Audubon Experience Package (approximately $44.95 for adults and $34.95 for kids ages 2 to 12), which offers one-time admission to all four major attractions, including the zoo, the aquarium (and theater), the butterfly garden and the insectarium. Another way to save is to purchase a combo ticket for the aquarium and zoo and theater ($39.95 for adults and $29.95 for kids ages 2 to 12). Individual prices and upcoming events are listed on the Audubon Nature Institute website.