Cool Zoo

Today we tried out the new addition to the Cool Zoo, the Lazy River. We had a great time and my kiddos loved it. We went from the Cool Zoo to the Lazy River I do not know how many times. Can not wait to go back but thank goodness for the membership. Happy 4^th of July !

I finally had a chance to go to the Cool Zoo and I loved it! I really enjoyed the lazy river and spent hours in it. It did get kind of crowded and I ended up getting kicked in the face by some horse-​playing kids. My nephew absolutely loved the splash play area. We ended up staying the whole day there and did not even look at the animals. I guess that would be the only major complaint, doing the Cool Zoo and the Zoo in one day seems like too much. This would seem upsetting for non-​members who have to pay full admission price for the zoo and then an admission for the Cool Zoo.

I took my 2 year old to the Cool Zoo on Memorial Day Weekend. We arrived about 30 minutes after the zoo opened and after seeing how long the line was for general admission and how short the line was for new zoo memberships, guess which line I chose. Hey, we were going to to get around to it anyway. There is a separate fee for the Cool Zoo of 8.00.
The area is gated off and you aren’t allowed to bring the stroller in with you, or coolers I believe but there is a stroller parking area just outside the exit gate. There are tables with umbrellas for shade, first come first served. We were a little late to grab a table but we sat on the steps of a small deck that faced one of the ‘kiddie’ areas. It was under a big tree and we had plenty of shade there.
I was a little worried that my smaller than average son would be trampled by the bigger kids but there were several tame areas to play in away from the big attraction, the giant gator. It took a while for him to get his bearings. For about the first 30 minutes we were there he stood apart from everything, just on the edge of the water shouting «Everybody’s gonna get wet!» though he seemed to be enjoying it. After a while he splashed around some of the fountains and actually got wet himself but he gave that giant gator a wide berth. Watching the different reactions of all the kids was hilarious. Laughter, tears, abject terror. It was all there.
There is a snack bar that served basics, hot dogs, fries, beignet fries (!) and of course, being NOLA, daiquiris and beer. Next to the snack bar there were some covered cabanas that looked like you could rent them for a party. I don’t know about cost or time limits but it looked like a great place to sip a beer in the shade and watch your kid wear himself out for the afternoon.
We will definitely return this summer. In by 10:30 out by 1pm. The kid fell asleep as soon as we got into the car and didn’t wake up for 3 hours. Awesome.

I didn’t care for it much, but my 18 month old loved it. Guess that’s who it’s directed for anyway.

Took my daughter here on Easter Sunday.
She had fun at first, but wanted to leave after a while. I guess it’s not her fault she’s 3 and most of the kids in there were around 8 – 12 range.
But I don’t have any complaints except I think it’s garbage that even if you are an Audubon member you still have to pay for the Cool Zoo.

I have been meaning to write a review on the new Cool Zoo at Audubon Zoo and I finally had the chance to do it. I LOVE the Cool Zoo. Some don’t, which means more fun for us! On a hot day there is nothing better than the actually cool water spraying fun of the Cool Zoo. Warning to parents you WILL get wet! I highly suggest bringing something you don’t mind getting wet if you plan on coming to Cool Zoo. Even if you stay on the perimeter there are kids with Water Cannons and splashy fun happening all around so don’t get upset if you catch some of it. There are tables and a few cabanas spread at the outside for the grownups to relax. They also have a snack stand and pool shop with towels, sunglasses, sunblock, etc all inside the Cool Zoo. They also have lockers for rent from $ 5-​$ 7 but I personally just kept track of my own things. You can park your stroller or wagon on the outskirts of Cool Zoo by the Carousel. There is an additional charge for Cool Zoo, $ 4 for members $ 5 for non members but honestly it is the best bargain to be had in the zoo (Kids under 2 are free).
So onto the fun that’s at the Cool Zoo. A giant white alligator hovers over the main area periodically dumping huge buckets of water (there is a warning bell that rings before the big splash), there is a water snake tunnel with constant spray misters to run through, a small yellow water slide for the younger kids, a bigger straight green water slide for older kids and a corkscrew water slide all coming out of the alligator. This is the main «fun area» although there are other features around the Cool Zoo. There are dueling elephant and lion water cannons, tons of flower sprays coming up from the ground, and a mini sprinkling area for the little kids. Rope pulls and wheel turning valves to get the water fun going all over the place. There is also a giant seal which serves as a filler for the Big Squirt water toys that you can purchase at the gift shop
To be honest, other than the big slides the little kids can enjoy everything in this park and while it appears to be more for the kids, there were plenty of adults enjoying the refreshing Cool Zoo the days I have gone. I think Audubon hit it out of the park on this one and found something that is really missing in this city and is now providing it. Just another reason why I love Audubon Institute and the Audubon Zoo.

I’m going to agree with Eileen that Cool Zoo is pretty cool. We went on Good Friday and oh my goodness, was the zoo packed. But the out of town niece & nephew LOVED it. There are lots of zoo staffers trying to keep a reign on the chaos and making sure the big kids don’t plow over the little ones. There seemed to be an area in back that was more sedate for little ones. And many of the adults jumped in on the action.
I know my niece (who is 17 & works at the zoo) has gone to the cool zoo with her friends & siblings (all teens) so it’s not just for kids. I agree that you will get dampish just by sitting on the perimeter.