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
Back to Top of ListDog 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Back to Top of ListPet 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
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
900 Jefferson St., Lafayette
Join the flock on the front patio while the humans enjoy fresh casual food and lively libations.
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 Restaurant + Bar
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
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
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
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
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
Back to Top of ListPet Friendly Events
Lafayette Farmers & Artisans Market
Saturdays from 8am-noon, Moncus Park, Free
Bark in the Park
Free event held annually in November in Girard Park.
Krewe des Chien, Mardi Gras Dog Parade
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
Back to Top of ListPet 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