Hey there, all you convivial canines! As the official "dogger" (i.e., doggy blogger) for Lafayette Travel, I'm panting with excitement to tell you that not only is Lafayette the Happiest City in America for humans, but it's pretty tail-wagging welcoming for us 4-legged visitors as well.

There are leash-free dog parks where we can socialize with our soon-to-be new best friends. Trails where we can sniff out the local flora and fauna. Restaurants where we can chow down with our people. Festive events and outdoor venues where we can listen to the music Lafayette is famous for. And finally, lots of hotels where we can sleep in comfort. We can even strut our stuff at our Krewe des Chiens Mardi Gras parade! Throw me something, Mister---and I'll fetch it!

Here's an ongoing list of dog-friendly places to visit around town. And if you know of others, click here and let us know so we can add them to the list!

Dog Parks in Lafayette, LA

Off-Leash Dog Parks

Every good dog needs some time to run around and play unfettered, and as much as we love our human families, most of us like to socialize with our own kind from time to time. These off-leash dog parks give us plenty of opportunity to do both!

Moncus Park

Moncus Park Dog Park

2901 Johnston St, Lafayette

With alternate days for large and small dogs (until the large dog run is completed), The Giles Automotive Family Small Dog Park is Lafayette's newest and coolest dog park, with all kinds of fun features for exercising and socializing off-leash. FYI, doggos using the dog park must have a permit, so be sure to go to the website and register for one. Additionally, all leashed dogs (no permit necessary!) are welcome everywhere in Moncus Park, including the wooded trails, pathways, grassy lawns, and weekly farmers market. There are watering stations and poop bag dispensers along the park's paved paths.

Brown Memorial Dog Park

Brown Memorial Park

1234 E. Pont des Mouton Road, Lafayette

Conveniently located close to I-10 (especially good for a chance to stretch our legs while traveling along the interstate with our families), this grassy field has benches for our humans to sit on and rest when they get tired from throwing the ball for us.

Beaullieu Park Dog Park

Beaullieu Park Dog Park

411 W. Bluebird Dr, Lafayette, LA

This large fenced park has benches, water, canine agility/exercise equipment, and a pavilion for public use.

Raising Cane's Dog Park at New Iberia City Park

New Iberia City Park

300 Parkview Dr, New Iberia

Down the road from Lafayette in New Iberia, this park has separate areas for large and small dogs. On about an acre of land, there's plenty of space for us to have a great time running around.

On-Leash Parks & Trails

As fun as dog parks are, sometimes we want to follow our noses down a trail or lounge around in the shade of some big ol' live oak trees and beg snacks from our humans' picnic! Here are a few places to do all that, even though we have to be leashed!

Moncus Park

Moncus Park

2901 Johnston St, Lafayette

As mentioned above, Lafayette's newest park welcomes us on wooded trails, pathways, grassy lawns, and even at the weekly farmers market. There are watering stations and poop bag dispensers along the park's paved paths.

Girard Park

Girard Park

500 Girard Park Dr., Lafayette

This 33-acre park bordering the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has a walking/jogging path with poop bag dispensers and trash cans all along its perimeter, grassy lawns, and picnic areas well as numerous recreational facilities for your 2-legged friends.

Acadiana Nature Center & Trails

Acadiana Park Nature Station Walking Trail

1205 E. Alexander St., Lafayette

This is a favorite hiking spot within Lafayette city limits, with over 6 miles of mostly wooded hiking trails, including some boardwalks. For the humans who enjoy taking us camping, there's a spacious camping area with hookups and restroom/shower facilities for both tents and R.V.s.

Additionally, the hiking trails at several nearby State Parks, including Palmetto Island State Park in Abbeville and Lake Fausse Point State Park in St. Martinville, and the Jungle Gardens on Avery Island near New Iberia, are open to leashed dogs.

Pet Friendly Restaurants & Bars

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Pet Friendly Places to Eat & Drink in Lafayette, LA

We pups like to go wherever our people go, and if that involves food, well, so much the better! Many of the restaurants in Lafayette with outdoor patios will put out the welcome water bowl for us when we join our humans dining al fresco, and some even have special dog treats or meals. Here are a few of my choices, and your person can always ask at any restaurant with outdoor dining if you can come along.

Adopted Dog Brewing

Adopted Dog Brewing

329 Dulles Dr, Lafayette

Local brewery offering various styles from easy-drinking blondes to full-bodied IPAs and rich porters & stouts! They love families (and dogs), so all are welcome, regardless if you have two feet or four paws!

Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant

Spoonbill

900 Jefferson St., Lafayette

Join the flock on the front patio while the humans enjoy fresh casual food and lively libations.

Taco Sisters

Taco Sisters

3902 Johnston St., Lafayette

We always like dining on the patio for homemade healthy fast food with a Mexican influence. Yo quiero Taco Sisters!

Tchoup's MidCity Smokehouse

Tchoup's MidCity Smokehouse\

117 S College Rd, Lafayette, LA 70503

A local BBQ joint featuring smoked meats, specialty cocktails, an elevated bar, outdoor dining, & dog-friendly seating.

Olde Tyme Grocery

Olde Tyme Grocery

218 W. St. Mary Blvd, Lafayette

With a patio that can be accessed directly from the parking lot, this is a great spot to make puppy eyes at your person while they devour some of the best po'boys in town!

Central Pizza & Bar

Central Pizza

423 Jefferson St., Lafayette

If you beg politely, you can get your human to share a slice with you on the outdoor patio. Dog bowls are provided for your drinking pleasure.

Borden's Ice Cream Shoppe

Borden's Ice Cream

1103 Jefferson St., Lafayette

We all scream for ice cream! And best of all, this classic ice cream parlor serves a specially formulated Pup Scoop topped with a Milk Bone biscuit just for us dogs!

Romacelli Bistro e Vino

Romacelli

115 Stonemont Rd., Lafayette

This romantic eatery serves Italian and Mediterranean cuisine in the heart of River Ranch, and dogs are welcome on the cozy patio.

For even more options, check out the listings on BringFido.com!

Pet Friendly Events

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Pet Friendly Events 

Lafayette Farmers & Artisans Market

Moncus Park

Saturdays from 8am-noon, Moncus Park, Free

Bark in the Park

Bark in the Park

Free event held annually in November in Girard Park.

Krewe des Chien, Mardi Gras Dog Parade

Krewe des Chien Lafayette

Held annually the Saturday before Mardi Gras, Downtown Library to Don’s Seafood, Free to Watch, from $25 to join the parade 

Pet Friendly Hotels

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Pet Friendly Hotels in Lafayette, LA

Wyndham Garden Lafayette
1801 W. Pinhook Rd., Lafayette    70508
(337) 233-8120

Ramada Lafayette Conference Center
2032 NE Evangeline Thrwy., Lafayette 70501
(337) 233-6815

Discovery Inn & Suites
120 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd., Lafayette 70508
(337) 235-0858

Bayou Wilderness R.V. Resort
600 N. Wilderness Tr., Carencro 70520
(337) 896-0598

Bayou Cabins Bed and Breakfast
100 W. Mills Ave. (Hwy. 94), Breaux Bridge 70517
(337) 332-6158

KOA Kampground of Lafayette, Inc.
537 Apollo Rd. Scott 70583
(337) 235-2739

DoubleTree by Hilton Lafayette
1521 W. Pinhook Rd., Lafayette 70503
(337) 235-6111

Extended Stay America, Inc.
807 S. Hugh Wallis Rd., Lafayette 70508
(337) 232-8313

Holiday Inn Express - Breaux Bridge
2942 H. Grand Point Hwy., Breaux Bridge 70517
(337) 667-8913

Howard Johnson
103 Harold Gauthe Dr., Scott 70583
(337) 593-0849

Baymont Inn & Suites Lafayette Airport
2200 NE Evangeline Thrwy., Lafayette 70501
(337) 291-2916

The Chateau Hotel
1015 W. Pinhook Rd., Lafayette 70503
(337) 291-1088

Drury Inn & Suites
120 Alcide Dominique, Lafayette 70506
(337) 262-0202

Pear Tree Inn by Drury
126 Alcide Dominique Rd., Lafayette 70506
(337) 289-9907

Best Western Lafayette Inn
2207 NW Evangeline Thrwy., Lafayette 70501
(337) 769-2900

Residence Inn by Marriott
128 James Comeaux Rd., Lafayette70508
(337) 232-3341

Candlewood Suites
2105 Kaliste Saloom Rd., Lafayette 70508
(337) 984-6900

Staybridge Suites Lafayette
129 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd., Lafayette 70508
(337) 267-4666

Studio 6 Extended Stay
1441 SE Evangeline Thrwy., Lafayette 70501
(337) 706-7644

Evangeline Downs Hotel
2235 Creswell Ln. Ext., Lot B, Opelousas 70570
(337) 407-2121

Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette Airport
201 Kaliste Saloom Rd., Lafayette 70508    
(337) 264-6044

Crawfish Haven/Mrs. Rose's Bed and Breakfast
6807 Hwy. 35, Kaplan 70548
(337) 652-8870

Home2 Suites by Hilton Parc Lafayette
1909 Kaliste Saloom Rd., Lafayette 70508
(337) 706-8610

Choo Choo Lofts
107 Lee Ave., Lafayette
(337) 785-9343

Louisiana Cajun Mansion Bed & Breakfast
4304 Decon Rd., Youngsville 70592
(337) 207-1726