Pet-Friendly Trip to New Orleans: The Ultimate Guide

New Orleans is a city that is welcoming to everybody, including your four-legged friends. The city is full of pet-friendly parks and activities for your furry friends to enjoy, from dog-friendly restaurants to open-air markets. There’s even a dog parade, The Krewe of Barkus, during Mardi Gras! You’ll find water bowls at most outdoor eateries, dog parks scattered throughout the city, and streets that are perfect for roaming with your best friend.

And with many of our vacation rentals being pet-friendly, you’ll have everything you need for the ‘pawfect’ getaway. We’ve put together our ultimate guide to your pet-friendly New Orleans trip below!

Pet-Friendly Parks in NOLA

City Park

• Address: 1 Palm Dr., New Orleans, LA
• Neighborhood: Mid-City

Boasting over 1,300 acres, City Park is the largest park in New Orleans. The park welcomes millions of visitors each year to its countless attractions.

City Park is home to 24 miles of walking trails, making it the perfect spot to give your furry friends some exercise while you explore. Along your stroll, you’ll find 100-year-old live oaks, sculpture gardens, historic landmarks, and even a central lake.

Pets are required to stay on leash throughout the park. However, City Park does have a designated dog park, Nola City Bark, where dogs can run free and enjoy the company of fellow dog travelers.

Audubon Park

• Address: 6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA
• Neighborhood: Uptown

With plenty of outdoor space to roam, Audubon Park makes for the perfect pet-friendly spot. While smaller than City Park, this park is beloved by locals and visitors alike for its tranquil atmosphere, ancient oak trees, and large walking path that surrounds the park. It is a popular destination to run, golf, play tennis, and hear live music from local musicians.

Audubon Park is home to Audubon Zoo, a family-friendly destination that welcomes pets along for the journey. Dogs are welcome to enjoy the zoo on a leash but are not allowed inside animal exhibits.

Crescent Park

• Address: Crescent Park Trail, 2300 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA
• Neighborhood: Bywater

On the other side of the Big Easy lies Crescent Park, a riverfront park in the Bywater neighborhood. Crescent Park is long and narrow, making up 20 acres of urban landscape along the Mississippi River. The park provides unparalleled views of the river while strolling its 1.4-mile walking trail with your pet. The trail even connects all the way to the French Market in the French Quarter, a dog-friendly outdoor market.

Crescent Park is also home to a dog park, Crescent Bark. While dogs are required to stay on a leash in the main park, Crescent Bark is a gated area where dogs can roam free and enjoy the nice river breeze.

Lafreniere Park

• Address: 3000 Downs Blvd, Metairie, LA
• Neighborhood: Metairie

Just outside of New Orleans lies Lafreniere Park, the largest park in the suburb of Metairie. Lafreniere Park is a 155-acre park that is home to a 2-mile walking trail, multi-use sports fields, disc golf, and even a large lake in the center of the park.

Within Lafreniere Park is a 5-acre dog park with a large space to play, roam, and relax off-leash. There is a paved walking path within the dog park as well.

Pet-Friendly Activities

Go on a Walking Tour

New Orleans is known for its infamous walking tours that highlight this unique city’s many historical and cultural aspects. Whether you choose to discover ghosts, explore murals, or get a taste of local breweries, Nola walking tours offer it all.

Many of the walking tours take place in the French Quarter, a pet-friendly neighborhood in the heart of New Orleans. You’ll enjoy roaming the French Quarter streets while learning about important aspects of New Orleans alongside your furry friend. They might not be able to appreciate the history, but they will love the views along the way!

Visit Frenchmen Art Market

• Address: 619 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA
• Neighborhood: The Marigny

The Frenchmen Art Market is your spot if you’re looking for a nighttime activity to enjoy with your furry friend.

This open-air market is a testament to the city’s diverse artistic talent. Located in the heart of Frenchmen Street, the market showcases local artists’ work, ranging from paintings to sculptures to jewelry. Enjoy live music while you stroll from tent to tent and browse the many treasures to be found here.

The Frenchmen Art Market opens nightly at 8 p.m. Pets are allowed on leashes.

Take a Swamp Tour

If you and your pooch want an authentic Cajun experience, there’s nothing more fitting than a New Orleans swamp tour.

Swamp tours range in location, price, and experience based on the company you choose, but one thing is for certain: you’ll get an immersive view of Louisiana’s wetlands. Swamp tours involve a boat ride along the murky waters that are home to alligators, turtles, and plenty of other species. Your swamp tour guide will help you spot all of the natural wildlife surrounding you and give you some fun swamp facts along the way.

While not all of them are pet-friendly, Bring Fido provides a list of tours that welcome your furry friend along.

Ride The Canal Streetcar Line

There’s no better way to take in the views of the city than from the Canal Streetcar. This historic public transportation method allows dogs to join if they are carried in small containers, so your small furry friends are invited!

This streetcar line takes you from Canal Street through the Central Business District to City Park, the perfect place to land for a play date with your pooch. You’ll spot historic landmarks all along the route, so be sure to soak in the views along the way.

You can purchase a Jazzy Pass for $3/day or pay $1.25/ride.

Pet-Friendly Restaurants

Cafe du Monde

• Address: 800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA
• Neighborhood: French Quarter
• Website: shop.cafedumonde.com
• Price Point: $

Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Cafe du Monde is known for offering the best beignets in the city. But did you know it is also the ideal spot to dine with your pet?

With a large outdoor seating area, Cafe du Monde invites pets to join their humans for a delicious meal of beignets and chicory while people-watching in Jackson Square. While pets aren’t allowed indoors, you and your furry friend can enjoy plenty of space in the outdoor seating area.

Dat Dog

• Address: 3336 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA
• Neighborhood: Garden District
• Website: datdog.com
• Price Point: $

It’s hard not to include this restaurant when it has the word “dog” in its very name! Dat Dog is a Nola staple serving up delicious hot dogs year-round. The menu features their own take on the classic hot dog, with items ranging from beer-battered cod fish to crawfish hot dogs. They also have vegan and vegetarian options.

While Dat Dog has multiple locations, we’re big fans of the outdoor space on Magazine Street, which is perfect for your four-legged friends. This is your spot if you’re looking for a laid-back, casual, pet-friendly food joint.

Cafe Amelie

• Address: 900 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA
• Neighborhood: French Quarter
• Website: cafeamelie.com
• Price Point: $$

Cafe Amelie is a quaint cafe in the middle of the French Quarter known for its decadent brunch menu. The cafe serves Creole staples such as Gulf shrimp and grits, gumbo, and salmon cakes.

Apart from the delicious food, Cafe Amelie boasts one of the most beautiful courtyards in New Orleans. Known as the Princess of Monaco Courtyard, this lush patio is the perfect backdrop to your pet’s (erm, your) vacation.

While pets are not allowed inside the restaurant, they are welcome to join you for your courtyard brunch. Reservations are recommended.

Herbsaint

• Address: 701 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 
• Neighborhood: Warehouse District
• Website: herbsaint.com
• Price Point: $$$

If your pet prefers a fine dining experience, you’ll definitely want to take them to Herbsaint. Consistently rated one of the best restaurants in the city, Herbsaint is known for its French-Southern cuisine and extensive wine list.

Right in front of the restaurant, Herbsaint offers outdoor seating reminiscent of a Parisian bistro. Pets are welcome to join you in the outdoor space. We recommend making reservations ahead and letting them know you will require outdoor seating; walk-ins are welcome at the patio, but there is often a wait for these spots.

Have the Pawfect New Orleans Trip

We love a city that celebrates its pets, and New Orleans does just that! From inviting your pet on a streetcar ride to eating Creole food in a local courtyard, your four-legged friends won’t have to miss any of the fun.

With our pet-friendly vacation rentals scattered throughout New Orleans, it’s easy for you and your furry friend to have the best trip to New Orleans. We hope our guide helps you both enjoy the Big Easy!