Day two was spent in the Garden District/Uptown area. We rode the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar to Audubon Park then took the shuttle to the Audubon Zoo. I would love to share loads of photos taken during the trip but I completely messed up and left the camera back at the hotel! Fortunately Matt managed to snap a few photos with camera phone.
Onto the Audubon Zoo. From the minute you get there one thing you notice right away is open the zoo is. Beautifully landscaped. I loved how the zoo was laid out. The animal exhibits were well done. Very hands on approach for children at all points in the zoo.
Pink Flamingo exhibit by the front entrance.
We got there in time for the elephants special playtime. Children and adults all enjoyed learning about the elephants, watching them being bathed and then they got to pet them. The elephants really seemed to enjoy the attention and affection from the public.
The Asian Domain is also home to white tigers and Amur leopards. They were sleeping but out for us to see.
The Jaguar Jungle exhibit up close and personal.
There was a tortoise that Leah would not part with. The zoo volunteer was talking about it and she stood there for at least 10 minutes listening to him. She proceeded to pet it and then it peed on her feet. Didn't stop her from continuing to pet the tortoise.
There is a great part of the zoo called the Discovery Walk. It alone could've been worth the trip to the zoo. Leah learned about a skink and pet it (of course). A little boy next to her asked the educator if the skink bites and the guy said "Yes if you touch his head" and of course Leah went and touched the skink's head but all was good. It just kind of wiggled away. She loves reptiles. Having grown up around reptiles I cannot argue with her love of them. I am also a fan.
Afterward we checked out some great parrots and then headed to the petting zoo called the Embraceable Zoo . Leah said it was the best petting zoo she's ever been to. She imagined it was kind of like being on a farm. They had brushes for the children to use on the goats and sheep. Very friendly animals. Leah and Louis absolutely loved it. Could not get enough.
One of the things I loved best about our trip to New Orleans was how laid back it all was. At first I reserved/scheduled some tours and such but then canceled them because I didn't want us to be held to the clock. We had a general idea of what we were doing and where we had to be but no rushing around. Made traveling with children (and also while pregnant) so much easier.
The sea lion exhibit is large and well laid out. There weren't any shows going on but the sea lions were still playing the water doing their tricks.
One area of the zoo that was one of the highlights for Leah was Monkey Hill. Perfect place to run around and explore AND cool down on a hot day.
There are huge beautiful oak trees throughout the zoo. This one tree is about 200 years old. Open for the kids to climb up on. Leah didn't think twice about it. Off she went. I am always amused when other people (bystanders, strangers, nosy people etc.) comment on Leah when she does things like this...usually in the vein of her being a 'girl'. As if that matters!
The Audubon zoo is home to many primates. The World of Primates had many monkeys and other primates to see. The gorillas were hanging out sleeping in the shade.
We were able to sit and watch the newest addition to the Sumatran Orangutan family play with its father up on the ropes. The affection between the two of them hugging and swinging along together was great to see.
We stopped for some lunch at the Cypress Knee Cafe in the Louisiana Swamp Exhibit. It was a nice open space with air conditioning. The Louisiana Swamp Exhibit was my favorite one at the zoo. It is beautifully done. You really feel like you are in the swamps.
Leah loved the white alligators.
There was so much more that we were able to see. It was a great visit.
After visiting the zoo we took the shuttle back to the other side of Audubon Park. I took a rest and laid down in the grass while Matt took Leah and Louis to play in the playground there. The park is located across from Tulane and Loyola Universities so there were families everywhere.
We then took the St. Charles streetcar downtown to its last stop and found a great spot not far from bathrooms, a food concession stand and lots of families to watch our very first Mardi Gras parade as a family. Leah could not wait for the parade to get started. Our first parade was being done by the Krewe of Oshun. Their theme for this year was the 'Best of Broadway'. Everything from the floats to beads and other thrown gifts to the marching bands were wonderful. We all had a great time.
Leah got a silly hat. I think it helped her get extra beads. Louis was great for bead, plushie getting. He loved the music being played and clapped & danced.
We left with a TON of beads. We decided to walk back the 3+ miles to our hotel. Louis fell asleep at one point while in his carrier on my back. That carrier of ours is worth every single penny and then some that I paid for it. We walked through the Garden District and saw all the beautiful houses decked out for Mardi Gras. Stopped off at McDonalds to grab a quick bite to eat and so Leah could use their portable potty.
When we got back to the hotel Leah and Matt went through them.
Someone loves her beads :)
These aren't even all the beads from our first parade.
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