Dog Friendly Locations Around Acadiana

January 31, 2025

Cheré Coen,

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Watching a dog race around a park with like-minded canines cheers the heart. They’re so happy! It’s like a playdate for children, only one for those with four legs. It’s also nice for our pooches to tag along as we enjoy spring weather at restaurants, breweries and special events. And it’s easy to do in Lafayette, a dog-friendly town where canine companions are welcome just about everywhere.

Gone to the Dogs

Bring your pet to the weekly Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market at Moncus Park or join one of the many special events happening throughout the year by Acadiana Animal Aid. For something truly unique, Krewe des Chien honors its four-legged friends every Carnival season, this year’s parade on Feb. 22. Not only does this Mardi Gras parade feature canines of every stripe and size, but crowns its dogs as royalty, too. Proceeds from the annual parade help animal rescue groups in Acadiana.

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Dog Friendly Restaurants and Bars

It’s easy to find dog-friendly eateries and bars throughout Lafayette. Adopted Dog Brewing, for instance, owes its name to the four-legged species, serving up craft beers and bar food from its taproom and a dog-friendly outdoor space. Downtown’s Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant used to be a gas station so it comes with an outdoor patio that’s perfect for craft cocktails and South Louisiana favorites where dogs can rest easy. Even Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe on Jefferson Street welcomes dogs, serving them a Pup Scoop topped with a Milk Bone biscuit.

Dog Parks

Moncus Park (moncuspark.org) in the heart of Lafayette separates its dog parks by hound size. Both the Giles Automotive Family Small Dog Park and the Best Friends Bark Park for Large Dogs are open daily for dogs to enjoy each other’s company without a leash. Make sure to have a permit for your dog; these ensure that dogs have been vaccinated and spayed or neutered. Leashed dogs without permits may roam the larger Moncus Park and throughout other city parks. Some city parks offer non-leash parks as well.