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4.5
418 votes

Jungle Gardens

Hwy 329, Avery Island, Louisiana 70513 USA

$$
Reasonable
Open Now
Fri 9a-5p
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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“An outstanding 170-acre semitropical garden”

Experience the natural beauty and tranquility of Jungle Gardens - a 170-acre semitropical garden that stretches along Bayou Petite Anse on Avery Island. Naturalists, bird watchers and visitors from around the world will enjoy the gently rolling landscape, botanical treasures and abundant wildlife. Attractions range from beautiful flowers to birds to Buddha (a magnificent centuries-old statue on the grounds). In season, visitors can see azaleas, camellias and colorful bamboo - as well as alligators, deer and the thousands of snowy egrets that nest in Bird City. It’s a nature lover’s dream that’s open to tourists every day of the year. Jungle Gardens was created by Edward Avery “Ned” McIlhenny. Born on Avery Island in 1872, Ned was an arctic explorer, naturalist and conservationist. As a young man, he studied the plants and animals in the Avery Island area. Around 1895, he founded a private bird sanctuary known as Bird City to protect endangered snowy egrets. The son of Tabasco sauce inventor E. McIlhenny, Ned assumed the presidency of McIlhenny Company in 1898 and ran the world-famous pepper sauce operation until his death fifty-one years later. However, he never lost his love of nature and dedication to conservation. He built a home on the island and continued his conservation efforts even as he raised a family and guided Tabasco Sauce to ever-greater success. In the 1920s, Ned found time to convert his private Avery Island estate into Jungle Gardens - decorating it with exotic botanical specimens from around the world. He gradually expanded the Gardens until it reached its present size of more than 170 acres. After many years spent transforming the landscape, Ned opened Jungle Gardens to the public in 1935. Since then it has remained a favorite south Louisiana tourist destination, wildlife refuge and botanical marvel.

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Reviewed by
roadtripbubba

  • 17 Reviews
  • 16 Helpful
October 19, 2015
Rated 5.0

Drive through in your vehicle...stop where you are so inclined and take side hikes. The cellphone audio tour is easy to use and you can skip around as you like.

5 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
James Sutton

  • 5 Reviews
  • 2 Helpful
January 21, 2015
Rated

In the 1920s, Ned McIlhenny began enhancing the natural beauty of Avery Island with exotic botanical specimens from around the world. Under the magnificent live oaks shrouded with Spanish moss, he planted hundreds of varieties of camellias, azaleas, juniper, iris, and bamboo.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
laurathatsmee

  • 34 Reviews
  • 9 Helpful
March 21, 2021
Rated 5.0

Totally worth the stop. Drive thru - even with an RV - park along the way for pictures if you want.. You can stay and picnic - just clean up after yourself. The trees are incredible. Birds aplenty. A definite highlight - lots of photo opps

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Reviewed by
pabuchaan

  • 4 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
July 15, 2016
Rated 5.0

Very nice park. You can spot some alligators on the water. A real must see.

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Jungle Gardens

Hwy 329
Avery Island, Louisiana
70513 USA
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Hours

Open now until 5:00 pm
  • Sun - Sat: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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