Skip to content
FunKidsActivities
Wild Acres Hands-on Animal Experience - Reservation Required — Petting Zoos in New Orleans

Wild Acres Hands-on Animal Experience - Reservation Required

4.9(287)4.9 out of 5 stars, 287 reviews New Orleans, LA

About Wild Acres Hands-on Animal Experience - Reservation Required

Wild Acres offers a highly engaging and educational hands-on animal experience, particularly noted for its passionate, knowledgeable, and friendly staff (with Mr. Cody and owner Cody specifically highlighted for their exceptional tours and dedication). The animals are well-cared for, and the grounds and enclosures are well-maintained, providing a beautiful sanctuary feel. Visitors consistently find the experience entertaining, educational, and worth the cost, often recommending scheduling a tour for the best experience.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Families seeking an educational and interactive animal experience with knowledgeable guides.School field trips looking for an engaging and fun learning environment.Visitors who appreciate well-cared-for animals and beautiful grounds.Families looking to make lasting memories with a unique animal encounter.Suitable for 'all ages' due to welcoming staff and engaging tours.

Why families love it

  • Staff is warm, welcoming, and extremely knowledgeable about the animals, suitable for all ages.
  • Specific tour guides, like Mr. Cody, are described as amazing, hilarious, engaging, and great with kids, making tours educational and fun.
  • Animals are happy, healthy, well-cared for, and entertaining (even the monkeys!).
  • Grounds are beautiful, well-maintained, and enclosures are very nice.
  • Owner, Cody, is passionate about wildlife and shares unique stories about each animal.
  • Special events are fun and add to the experience.

Insider tips

  • Definitely schedule a tour, as they are highly praised for their educational and engaging content.
  • Inquire about additional costs for specific animal interactions or experiences upon booking or arrival, as these may not be clearly communicated upfront.
  • Avoid visiting at night if concerns about visibility, unlit paths, and parking are a priority.
  • If you require wheelchair access or have strollers, be aware that paths may not be level or easily navigable.

Good to know before you go

  • If you or a family member requires level, paved, or easily accessible walking paths (e.g., for wheelchairs or strollers).
  • Visiting at night if you are concerned about poor lighting in parking areas and on paths.
  • If you prefer transparent pricing and want to avoid potential unexpected costs for animal interactions.
  • If you expect a formal, paved parking lot for all vehicles, especially during busy times.
  • Lack of sufficient lighting at night on walking paths and in parking areas.
Crowds
Not explicitly mentioned, but the reservation-required nature suggests managed attendance.
Value
Described as having a 'reasonable admission cost' and 'worth every penny'. However, parents should be aware of potential 'additional purchases that MAY be required to "experience" the animals at different levels' which could add to the overall cost.
Accessibility
Reported as needing 'level walking paths for handicapped customers,' indicating current paths are not fully accessible.
Safety
Lack of lighting at night in paths and parking lots was noted as a concern for safety/visibility.

What parents say

The Hulkster
4.04.0 out of 5 stars
"Great family place! Super nice staff. Decent variety of animals. Reasonable admission cost. So why not 5 stars? Well let's take a look at a few improvements that would easily get a 5 star. ..Needs more lights at night. Needs level walking paths for handicapped customers. Need to be made aware of additional purchases that MAY be required to " experience" the animals at different levels when you enter. A shuttle would be nice from the parking on the hill to the ticket location... The over flow parking grass definitely needs to be less than thigh high. Lights in the lot would help. We lost a debi"

6 months ago

Carrie Holt
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"We have gone several times. The staff is warm and welcoming to all ages. They are also extremely knowledgeable about the animals on the property. The special events are fun. We will Definitely return."

4 months ago

Henry Rogers
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"This place is legit. Very nice enclosures and well taken care of grounds. The employees are very nice, especially the owners. Animals were very entertaining, although I think the monkeys were making fun of us. Definitely worth scheduling a tour, they do an incredible job. Quality establishment."

7 months ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.