AUDUBON PARK & ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS - Home to more than 1,800 animals (many of which are endangered), the Audubon Zoo is ranked one of the finest in the U.S. The gardens alone are worth the trip. Don't miss the spectacular new swamp exhibit. Open Mon.-Fri., 9:30 am-5 pm (last ticket sold at 4 pm) and Sat.-Sun., 9:30 am-6 pm (last ticket sold at 5 pm). $8.75 adults, $4.75 seniors, $4.50 ages 2-12. A free shuttle departs from stop 36 on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line and brings guests to the zoo's main gate. 6500 Magazine St., 581-4629 or 1-800-774-7394 

BLAINE KERN'S MARDI GRAS WORLD - Carnival comes to life all year round at the workshops of Blaine Kern, the world's largest float builder. A video on the history of Mardi Gras is featured on the tour. Shuttle buses meet every ferry from 9:30 am-4:30 pm on the West Bank. $8.50 adults, $6.50 seniors, $4 ages 3-12 (includes free king cake and coffee). 233 Newton St., Algiers, 361-7821 

CEMETERIES - Some of the city's historic cemeteries are located in high-crime areas. Tours are available; do not venture in alone - day or night. Save Our Cemeteries is one group that offers tours of the “Cities of the Dead," as the aboveground cemeteries are often called. Tour Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in the historic Garden District Mon., Wed. and Fri. at 10:30 am (cost is $5). For a selection of other tours for groups (by reservation only), call 525-3377.

CITY PARK - Abundant live oaks provide a lush canopy for this urban oasis, larger than New York's Central Park. Stroll through the N.O. Botanical Garden and view art deco fountains and Louisiana flora. $3 for adults, $1 ages 5-12. The Carousel Gardens ($1 admission; $8 unlimited carousel rides) is an amusement park featuring an antique wooden carousel and miniature train. Open Sat.-Sun., 11 am-4:30 pm. In Storyland ($2), fairy tales have been recreated as 26 larger-than-life sculptures. Open Wed.-Fri., 10 am-12:30 pm; Sat.-Sun., 10 am-4:30 pm. 1 Dreyfous Ave., 482-4888.

ENTERGY IMAX THEATRE - Eye-popping nature documentaries and features are projected on a five and a half story screen. Opening May 14: T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous, a dinosaur adventure in 3-D, along with the 3-D documentary Into the Deep. Screenings begin daily at 10 am and continue through 6 pm weekdays, 8 pm weekends. $7.75 adults, $6.75 seniors, $5 children. Aquarium of the Americas, 1 Canal Street, 581-4629 or 1-800-774-7394

FARMERS' MARKET - Open 24 hours a day, America's oldest public produce market, sells local and imported fruits, vegetables, seafood, and spices. Homegrown specialties include Creole tomatoes, strawberries, and mirlitons. Listen for the Cajun fruit vendor bellowing, “Get 'em while dey nice!" Located in French Market Place.

 FLEA MARKET - For fun and great bargains, don't miss this outdoor display of everything from one-of-a-kind handmade items to imports from around the world. A browser's paradise. It doesn't hurt to haggle. Open daily. Located in French Market Place.

Jackson Square at night is one of the most beautiful sights in New Orleans

JACKSON SQUARE - This square at the heart of the French Quarter was originally known as Place d'Armes, and was renamed in 1851 to honor President Andrew Jackson, hero of the Battle of New Orleans, whose statue provides the square's central focal point. Adjacent to St. Louis Cathedral, it's the quintessential photo op.

  LAFITTE - The picturesque town of Lafitte, La. offers many attractions. Visit a working crawfish farm (Crawfish Farm Tours, Plantation Farms, Hwy. 3257, 689-7600), which offers a behind-the-scenes look at a place where millions of the state's edible crustaceans are produced. Explore the heart of a swamp (Li'l Cajun Swamp Tours, 689-3213) or venture out into the Gulf of Mexico for a glimpse of dolphins and migrating birds (Turgeon Tours & Charters, Dolphin and Birding Tours, 689-2911). Take the Crescent City Connection Bridge to the West Bank Expressway, exit at Barataria, and continue south for 10 miles.

LOUISIANA SUPERDOME - The largest covered arena in the world spans 13 acres of downtown New Orleans and seats 76,000 people; it can be toured by the public Mon.-Sat. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Superdome at 10:30 am, noon, and 1:30 pm. $6 adults, $5 seniors, and $4 children. 1500 Poydras St., 587-3810.

LOUISIANA NATURE CENTER - Escape from the city with a visit to this nature enclave in New Orleans East (Joe Brown Memorial Park), a 15-minute drive from downtown. View native plants and animals, or explore the trails. Guided walks are given Sat., 10:30 am, 3 pm; Sun., 3 pm. $4.75 adults, $3.75 seniors, and $2.50 children. Open Tues.-Fri., 9 am-5 pm; Sat. 10 am-5 pm; Sun, noon-5 pm. Information: 246-5672. A planetarium features shows on Sat., 11 am, 2 pm, 3:30 and 4:30 pm; Sun., 12:30, 2, 3:30 and 4:30 pm. Family laser shows are Sat.-Sun., 3:30 pm; laser rock shows are Fri.-Sat., 9, 10:30 pm and midnight. Admission $5. Schedule: 246-STAR. Take I-10 East and exit at Read Boulevard.

ST. BERNARD PARISH - Just over the canal from New Orleans lies “Da Parish," rich with history. Visit Chalmette National Historic Park, site of the Battle of New Orleans, where Andrew Jackson repelled British troops; on May 8, the park presents a living history program with costumed educators presenting a look at Louisiana life, circa 1815.  There is a visitor center and cemetery. Open daily 8 am-5 pm (589-4430 or 278-4242). The earliest settlers here arrived from the Canary Islands in the early 1700s. The Isleños Cultural Center and Museum (Wed.-Sun., 11 am-4 pm and by appointment, 682-0862) tells their story. 1357 Bayou Rd., St. Bernard, 278-4242

St. Louis Cathedral - The jewel in the crown of Jackson Square is this magnificent cathedral, which was designated a minor basilica in 1964 by Pope Paul VI. Built in 1849, this is actually the third structure to stand on the site (the first destroyed by hurricane, the second by fire). Free guided tours available Mon.-Sat., 9 am-5 pm; Sun., 1-5 pm. A gift shop is open daily, 9 am-6 pm. Weekday Mass, 7:30 am and 6 pm; weekend Mass, Sat., 6 pm; Sun., 7:30, 9, 10:30 am, noon, 6 pm. 615 Pere Antoine Alley, 525-9585.

ST. TAMMANY PARISH - This beautiful wooded area is located across Lake Pontchartrain. A don't-miss event is the Piney Woods Opry, a live radio show of country, bluegrass, and gospel music broadcast on select Saturdays from the Abita Springs Town Hall at 7 pm ($5). Call the St. Tammany Tourist Commission at 1-800-634-9443.