Audubon Nature Institute Happenings
October - December 2011

NEW ORLEANS - Audubon Zoo (6500 Magazine St.), Audubon Aquarium of the Americas (1 Canal St.), Entergy IMAX® Theatre (1 Canal St.) and Audubon Insectarium (423 Canal St.) open at 10am Tuesday through Sunday. Closing hours vary; check web site for details.

All attractions are closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.  All attractions are open on December 26, New Years Eve and New Years Day.

Audubon Golf Course is open seven days a week. To make a tee time, please call (504) 212-5290 or visit www.AudubonInstitute.org.

2011 ATTRACTION ADMISSION PRICES

Audubon Nature Institute information line: (504) 581-4629

Cool Zoo at Audubon Zoo
$4 - Members
$5 - General Public
In addition to Zoo admission.
A wild and wet splash park that has the whole town talking! Toddler areas, a towering white alligator slide, and a whimsical collection of water features to keep everyone cool. Pay one price for your wristband and stay all day! Water park open weather permitting.

Audubon’s Dinosaur Adventure at Audubon Zoo
$2.00 – Members
$4.00 – General Public
In addition to paid Zoo admission.

AUDUBON EXPERIENCE
An Audubon Experience ticket includes admission to Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy IMAX® Theatre and Audubon Insectarium.
 
Adults (13-64)                        $39.95
Children (2-12)                       $24.95
Senior Citizens (65+)              $24.95

Please visit www.AudubonInstitute.org for more information on hours of operation and combination admission prices.

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Audubon Aquarium has gone to the birds! Parakeet Pointe delights Aquarium visitors with an engaging and colorful collection of free-flight parakeets. Be sure to catch this new exhibit and feed the parakeets yourself on the 2nd floor of Audubon Aquarium. Parakeet Pointe is included in regular Aquarium admission. Feed sticks are available for $1 each.

EVENTS

October 1- UNCF WALK FOR EDUCATION
Audubon Park
7:30am – 1pm
New Orleans invites you to celebrate at this family-friendly community event on Saturday, October 1, 2011, from 7:30 am until 1:00 pm. Our 5K Walk/Run will start UNCF in the beautiful Audubon Park Riverview area behind Audubon Park & Zoo. For further information, please contact the UNCF New Orleans office at 504-581-3794.

October 8 – FALL FAIRY HOUSE WORKSHOP FOR FAMILIES
Audubon Zoo
9:30am – 11:30am
$15 members - $25 non-members
Bring your family to the Zoo and learn how to build small natural habitats from natural materials to attract fairies and their animal friends. Families will be provided with natural materials and demonstrations by Zoo educators on building small whimsical habitats. Participants will also learn about the invertebrates and small animals that may take up residence in the dwellings.
All participants will also be offered the opportunity to build fairy houses throughout the Zoo grounds.
This family workshop is based on the award-winning "Fairy Houses Series" and the books will be available for purchase.

October 14  – NATIONAL CHOCOLATE-COVERED INSECT DAY
Audubon Insectarium
10am – 5pm
Sample a selection of chocolate-covered bugs and desserts – featuring a chocolate fountain where guests can dip their own crickets.

October 15 – CELEBRACIÓN LATINA sponsored by Wellcare
Audubon Zoo
10am – 5pm
A true taste of Latin American culture with live music, children’s activities and authentic Latin cuisine prepared and sold by local restaurants. Local artisans sell hand made crafts, and local health, education and social service organizations offer valuable information to festival goers.

October 15 – SAFARI AFTER DARK – NOCTURNAL ADVENTURES
Audubon Zoo
The whole family can have a unique camping experience on the grounds of Audubon Zoo.  Nocturnal Adventures Safari After Dark includes a night-time craft, an animal presentation, a behind-the-scenes tour, a campfire chat with s’mores and a night hike. Programs will sell out – so reserve your space early and pack your camping gear!

October 21, 22, 28, 29 – BOO AT THE ZOO
Audubon Zoo
5pm -9:00pm - $16
The popular Halloween event held in conjunction with Children’s Hospital, Boo at the Zoo features games, fun activities, candy, decorations and entertainment. Boo at the Zoo is a separate admission party that frequently sells out, so everyone is encouraged to pick up their tickets early. Visit Audubon’s web site at www.AudubonInstitute.orgto purchase tickets.

October 29 and 30 - CRAWLOWEEN
Audubon Insectarium
10am-5pm
Trick or treating for scary keepsakes like spider rings at the Insectarium’s presentation stations; a roach-filled pumpkin; Halloween crafts and “Maggot Mystery” – guess how many maggots are in the jar! It’s all part of Halloween at Audubon Insectarium.

November 5 & 6 – LOUISIANA SWAMP FEST
Audubon Zoo
10am – 5pm
Audubon Zoo’s most popular festival! Celebrate the Louisiana Swamp in the unique setting of Audubon Zoo. New this year – workshops where cultural icons of South Louisiana heritage share their stories and secrets – and a Cajun musical instrument petting zoo!

Audubon Zoo’s Swamp Fest always features the best in Cajun and Zydeco music, food such as gator burgers, fried seafood cheese grits, alligator sauce piquant and sweet potato pie! Also - many indigenous craft and art items for purchase. Be part of the party and celebrate everything that makes South Louisiana such a special place to live. The festival is included in admission to the Zoo. Members are always admitted free of charge!

November 11 – SAFARI AFTER DARK – MESO-AMERICAN ADVENTURES
Audubon Zoo
The whole family can have a unique camping experience on the grounds of Audubon Zoo. Meso-American Adventures Safari After Dark includes a craft, an animal presentation, a behind-the-scenes tour, a campfire chat with s’mores and a night hike. Programs will sell out – so reserve your space early and pack your camping gear!

November 21, 22 and 23 - HOPPY THANKSGIVING
Audubon Insectarium
10am – 4pm
This wasn’t what the Pilgrims ate! Sample traditional Thanksgiving dishes served with an Insectarium flair in Bug Appetit.

November 28 – HOLIDAY SHOPPING DAY
Audubon Zoo
10am – 6pm
EXCLUSIVELY FOR MEMBERS – Audubon Zoo is closed, but members get a chance to do their holiday shopping! Audubon Marketplace offers 4,000 square feet of shopping and carries more than educational games and nature-related gifts. New merchandise is always brought in for this event and includes fleur de lis items, candles, purses, jewelry, artwork, one-of-a-kind animal-themed gifts, clothing, toys and so much more. And, member discounts are doubled on all merchandise. Free admission, free parking, free gift wrapping...exclusively for Audubon Members. Not a member? Join at the front gate – and start shopping!

December 3 – SAFARI AFTER DARK – WINTER SAFARI
Audubon Zoo
The whole family can have a unique camping experience on the grounds of Audubon Zoo. Winter Safari After Dark includes a chilly craft, an animal presentation, a behind-the-scenes tour, a campfire chat with s’mores and a night hike. Programs will sell out – so reserve your space early and pack your camping gear!

December 10 – JINGLE BUGS
Audubon Insectarium
10am-5pm
Holiday fun at Audubon Insectarium includes photos with Santa, bug ornaments and a unique insect-themed take on The Night Before Christmas. Visitors will learn about winter survival strategies for bugs and will also be able to sample some unique holiday cuisine, such as bug nog, fruit fly cake and peppermint cricket bark.

December 26 – SPECIAL HOLIDAY OPENING
Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, Entergy IMAX Theater
10am – 5pm
All Audubon attractions, normally closed on Mondays, will be open the Monday after Christmas.

December 31 – NOON YEAR’S EVE
Audubon Zoo
10:30am – 12:30pm
Bring in the New Year at noon! Get the whole family together to welcome the year 2012 with Audubon Zoo and Radio Disney. Today’s most popular entertainers and lots of fun games and activities – including an iced-tea toast at high noon, complete with party favors (while supplies last). The party is included in regular admission to Audubon Zoo.

Audubon Zoo Camps

THANKSGIVING CAMP
November 21 - 23
9am – 3pm

WINTER CAMP
December 22 -23 and 26 - 30
9am – 3pm

Make Audubon Zoo’s Holiday Camps a tradition in your household. Children experience plenty of action-packed adventures among the animals. Each day is filled with animal exploration, scientific investigation, arts and crafts and more.

NOW PLAYING AT ENTERGY IMAX®  THEATRE

Public Relations Contact:
Sarah Burnette

Public Relations Director
Audubon Nature Institute
6500 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 212-5335

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