Baker, LA

Baton Rouge Zoo
DESCRIPTION: The #1 year-round family attraction in Baton Rouge with over 1,400 animals in the beautifully landscaped zoo; as you would expect in this part of the coutry, the alligator exhibit is superb; but you should not miss the elephants, giraffes, white tiger, L'Aquarium de Louisiane, Parrot Paradise, KidsZoo, Cypress Bayou Railroad or White Tiger Tram, Safari Post gift shop and Flamingo Cafe Description; a sidewalk tram and train rides available, both come in handy during hot days

ADMISSION: age 13+ $7, age 65+ $6, age 2-12 $4; Wed 3-5p only $1

DAYS & HOURS: daily 9:30a-5p

ADDRESS: 3601 Thomas Road  MAP

PHONE: 225-775-3877

WEBSITE: http://www.brzoo.org

Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana Art & Science Museum
DESCRIPTION: Host in a 1920's train depot with a five-car train on-site; features fine art exhibitions, interactive art and science exhibits, an Egyptian Tomb, a Challenger Learning Center; also features the collection of African American sculptor Frank Hayden--who during the 1960's presented some of the most powerful civil rights arguments in visual form through his symbolic sculptures--an Egyptian, hands-on children's area, and Challenger Learning Center; gift shop; Pennington Planetarium, houses a 60-foot domed theater that presents large-format films, sky shows, and visual music shows using digital video projection and Baton Rouge's only 70 mm film projection system, plus awesome sound

ADMISSION: age 13+ $7, age 65+ $6, age 2-12 $4; add $2 for Planetarium show

DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Friday 10a-3p, Sat 10a-5p, Sun 1p-4p

ADDRESS: 100 South River Road  MAP

PHONE: 225-344-5272

WEBSITE: http://www.lasm.org

USS Kidd Veterans Memorial & Museum
DESCRIPTION: Gift shop. WWII Fletcher class destroyer, restored to 1945 appearance with over 50 inner spaces to see. Veterans Museum displays include a P-40 aircraft, over 40 ship models, full-scale replica of gun deck of Old Ironsides, the Louisiana Memorial Wall with an eternal flame and a Corsair A-7E jet as a memorial to Vietnam Veterans

ADMISSION: adults $8, ages 4-12 $5, seniors & military $7

DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5a

ADDRESS: 305 South River Road  MAP

PHONE: 225-342-1942

WEBSITE: http://www.usskidd.com

Louisiana Museum of Natural History
DESCRIPTION: If your kids like animal collections, this is nirvana; more than 2.8 million specimens and artifacts that document the rich natural history of Louisiana are gathered in both a place for visitors, scientists and students; attractions include the Vascular Plant Herbarium, the Mycological Herbarium, Lichen Herbarium, Arthropod Museum, the Mineralogy Collections, Textile and Costume Museum and much more

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 8a-4:30p

ADDRESS: 119 Foster Hall on Louisiana State University  MAP

PHONE: 225-578-3080

WEBSITE: http://www.lsu.edu/museum

Blue Bayou Waterpark & Dixie Landin' Theme Park
DESCRIPTION: Both are family entertainment parks. Blue Bayou specializes in water attractions and Dixie Landin' features 26 amusement rides

ADMISSION: 48" and taller $35, under 48" and Seniors $28

DAYS & HOURS: May thru Labor Day

ADDRESS: 18142 Perkins Road  MAP

PHONE: 225-753-3333

WEBSITE: http://www.bluebayou.com

Celebration Station
DESCRIPTION: A franchise in the chain of Family entertainment centers; this one features a 54-hole adventure golf, two go-kart tracks, food services and picnic areas nine batting cages, Daniel's Dixie Playland rides for ages 2-12

ADMISSION: varies betwwen $13-25/person, depending on the package you select

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu Noon-9p, Fri Noon-11p, Sat, 10a-11p, Sun 11a-9p

ADDRESS: 10111 Gwenadele Ave  MAP

PHONE: 225-924-7888

WEBSITE: http://www.celebrationstation.com

Jackson, LA

Old Hickory Railroad
DESCRIPTION: Ride on an authentic steam train by historic sites; train leaves from the depot off College Station on a 6.2 mile journey back in time; a model train exhibit is open with free admission on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11a-4p

ADMISSION: Adults $10, age 62+ $5, age 12 & under $5; no credit cards

DAYS & HOURS: Sat & Sun 11:30a-3p, March-November

ADDRESS: 3406 College Street  MAP

PHONE: 225-634-7397

WEBSITE: http://www.louisianasteamtrain.com

Zachary, LA

Zachary Historic Village
DESCRIPTION: Featuring the Allison House of Rural Life with hands-on farm activities; Miss Sis' Magic House (Children's Museum) has a 1900s schoolroom plus science stations

ADMISSION: free, but donations appreciated

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: 4524 Virginia Street  MAP

PHONE: 225-654-1912

WEBSITE: http://zachary.la.nww.net/historical

Folsom, LA

Global Wildlife Center
DESCRIPTION: 900-acre preserve for thousands of free-roaming animals from all over the world; it's like an African safari in Louisiana; wiggle a camel's hump, get eye to eye with giraffes, and feel the wooly fur of bison as you feed and touch wildlife during the educational guided 1.5 hour safari wagon tours; new babies are born year round
ADMISSION: $17 adults, $13 seniors, $10 children, Age 2 and under enter Free

DAYS & HOURS: daily, but call for availability as tour times change

ADDRESS: 26389 Highway 40  MAP

PHONE: 985-796-3585

WEBSITE: http://www.globalwildlife.com