Audubon Aquarium of the Americas celebrates its 25th birthday with a splash, featuring three days of "fintastic" activities this Labor Day weekend! The festivities include extended hours, discounted admission, music performances, and much more! The Aquarium opened on September 1, 1990, and since then, more than 23 million people have visited this popular New Orleans attraction.
In 1984, Audubon Nature Institute explored the idea of opening up the New Orleans riverfront and building an aquarium dedicated to the aquatic environments of South, Central and North America. Aquarium construction began on January, 14, 1988, with officials driving the first steel piling.
On opening day, the Aquarium welcomed 13,623 visitors, breaking all opening day records for any U.S. aquarium. By early 1991, just six months after its debut, the aquarium reached its first-year attendance goal of 868,000 visitors.
“Twenty-five years later, the Aquarium and Woldenberg Park have far exceeded our expectations, transforming the riverfront into the city’s 'front porch' and a popular gathering place for our community," said Audubon Nature Institute CEO and President Ron Forman. “Audubon attractions have forever changed the New Orleans waterfront.”
Forman adds, “By fulfilling our mission of conservation, education, and recreation, Audubon Nature Institute has become an anchor for family tourism in New Orleans, providing an economic impact of nearly $600 million for the city.”
The birthday bash features extended hours (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.), a giveaway for the first 500 guests each day, discounted admission (25% off adult, child, and senior general admission ticket prices), educational programming throughout the building, mermaid appearances, licensed character appearances by favorites like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles© 2015, and much more! A full schedule is below.
Audubon Nature Institute encourages the public to share their favorite Aquarium moments using the hashtags #fintasticmemories and #audubonaquarium. For more information, visit www.AudubonInstitute.org
WIN 6 Tickets to the Aquarium
Please note these are general admission tickets. The birthday celebration event on Labor Day weekend is not an event that requires special tickets. General admission tickets are needed. The winner can use the tickets for the birthday party or any day. Tickets expire December 2016.
1) Make sure you are a subscriber to our awesome weekly en-newsletter that lists all the kid and family friendly events happening around town.
2) Make sure your LIKE US on Facebook.
3) Comment below what your kids like best to see at the Aquarium: Penguins, sea horses, sea otters, sharks, sting rays, frogs or something else.
Deadline to enter is Monday, August 31, 2015. Winner will be announced on Facebook and emailed. Winner must respond by midnight Tuesday, September 1st.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Geaux Fish Exhibit
10:00 am–1:00 pm Meet the Aquarium’s own MERMAID
Pisces Room
10:30 am--3:00 pm Meet Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles © 2015
Michelangelo and Donatello
11:00 am--3:00 pm Interactive games and music for kids with the
Super Stars
4:00 pm--4:30 pm Dancing Drums performance
5:00 pm --5:30 pm Dancing Drums performance
5:40 pm --5:50 pm Screening of Audubon Aquarium of the Americas –
A Look Back at 25 Years of Fintastic Memories
6:00 pm--7:17 pm Showing of the hit movie,
The Little Mermaid—Ariel’s Beginning
Around the Aquarium
Keep an eye out for the Zulu Character Second Line and Brass Band!
Look for fun, educational opportunities throughout the Aquarium.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Pisces Room
10:30 am--3:00 pm Meet Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles© 2015
Michelangelo and Donatello
11:00 am--3:00 pm Interactive games and music for kids with the
Super Stars
4:00 pm--4:30 pm Dancing Drums performance
5:00 pm--5:30 pm Dancing Drums performance
5:40 pm --5:50 pm Screening of Audubon Aquarium of the Americas –
A Look Back at 25 Years of Fintastic Memories
6:00 pm--7:45 pm Showing of the fun aquatic movie, Finding Nemo
Around the Aquarium
Keep an eye out for the Zulu Character Second Line and Brass Band!
Look for fun, educational opportunities throughout the Aquarium.
Monday, September 7, 2015
Pisces Room
11:00 am--3:00 pm Interactive games and music for kids with the Super Stars
Noon until…. Get an Aquarium Sugar Cookie (while supplies last)
4:00 pm--4:30 pm Dancing Drums performance
5:00 pm--5:30 pm Dancing Drums performance
5:40 pm --5:50 pm Screening of Audubon Aquarium of the Americas –
A Look Back at 25 Years of Fintastic Memories
6:00 pm--7:17 pm Showing of the hit movie,
The Little Mermaid II
Around the Aquarium
Look for fun, educational opportunities throughout the Aquarium.
