Dog News

Pet Friendly New Orleans

by Amy Burkert

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New Orleans is not likely to be the first city that pops into your head when you think of pet friendly places. In fact, a lot of the activities that make NOLA what it is are distinctly pet inappropriate. However, taking the dogs to New Orleans for the first time pushed us to explore parts of the city we didn’t even know existed, and good ideas quickly distinguished themselves from bad ones.

Pet Friendly Do’s and Don’ts

Buster and Ty with Louis Armstrong
Buster and Ty with Louis Armstrong

Do – take your dog to Louis Armstrong Park.

Located just north of the French Quarter, this park is a peaceful sanctuary just a few blocks from the crowds on Bourbon Street. You get to feel the grass between your toes, see the ducks floating in the pond, and pose your pooch for some fun photos.

Don’t – forget to plan for the weather.

Summers are hot and humid on the bayou and hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th. During our stay in mid-December the weather was gorgeous, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s.

Do – take a walk to the Garden District.

St. Charles Avenue will take you through the Warehouse District right to the antebellum mansions that make this neighborhood famous. The area was originally developed with only a couple of houses per block, each surrounded by a large garden. Over the years, those parcels have been subdivided and now most blocks have a couple of early 19th century mansions surrounded by smaller, gingerbread-decorated Victorian homes.

Garden District - New Orleans, LA

Don’t – take your dog to Bourbon Street after dark – unless they like intoxicated people stepping on them.

Ty and Buster on Bourbon Street - New Orleans, LAIf you simply must have a picture, (with your dogs displaying their beads, of course), do it early in the morning … right after the street cleaner goes through.

Do – expect to find a lot of pet friendly hotels, restaurants, shops, and parks.

A laid-back attitude permeates the atmosphere in New Orleans. If your dogs are well behaved, they should be able to tag along for most activities. Just be sure to ask permission before bringing them inside any businesses. We enjoyed the hospitality at French Quarter RV Resort, an excellent RV park that was easy walking distance from all the sites.

Don’t – miss Cafe du Monde.

Established in 1862, this is a New Orleans must! They’re open 24/7, except for Christmas day, and the French-style biegnets and chicory coffee make the perfect breakfast … or lunch … or dinner. Dogs are not allowed in the covered seating area, but there are tables were you can sit with your pup along the side, just outside the fence.

Cafe du Monde - New Orleans, LA

 

Do – admire Jackson Square.

Jackson Square - New Orleans, LA

 

Don’t – plan to take a stroll though it with your dog.

Jackson Square - New Orleans, LA

Do – take a drive out to City Park.

There is plenty to do in this big park – about half the size of New York’s Central Park. Enjoy the lawns and the 600-year-old live oak trees, or take a stroll around Big Lake.

City Park - New Orleans, LA

 Don’t – forget to plan ahead if you want to visit the dog park at City Park.

Entrance to this beautiful 4.5 acre, fenced dog park is by permit only. Guests can receive a permit at a reduced cost by stopping in at the Park Administration building between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday.

City Park Dog Park - New Orleans, LA

We had no problem finding plenty of fun, pet friendly things to do in New Orleans! Have you visited NOLA? Are there any Do’s or Don’ts you’d add to our list?

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Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Destinations | Pet Friendly Activities