Discover Dog-Friendly Spots in New Orleans and Beyond
Let’s continue with Part 2 of our Central Southern dog-friendly vacation, which includes the best of New Orleans and the top attractions in Louisiana.
You can find the first part of the trip here: Part 1-Texas.
Please see the map with our entire route.
Day 3. Adventurous Wild Life
Jungle Garden
Drive from Texas to the east following I-10 E and then US-90.
Avery Island is a unique and beautiful attraction in Louisiana. The island is home to the famous Tabasco pepper fields and the McIlhenny Company, which produces Tabasco sauce. It also features a stunning jungle garden that attracts visitors from all around. You can not bring the dog to Tabasco tours, but enjoy it with your best friend on the Jungle Garden tour.
Avery Island’s Jungle Gardens were initially established by Edward Avery “Ned” McIlhenny, a member of the McIlhenny family, who also created Tabasco sauce. He began developing the gardens in the late 1800s, cultivating fascinating plants and creating a botanical haven.
The Jungle Gardens cover about 170 acres and showcase a diverse collection of plants, including towering live oak trees, bamboo forests, palms, azaleas, camellias, and various tropical and subtropical species. One of the highlights is the beautiful azalea gardens that burst into color during the spring.
The gardens are also home to wildlife, including alligators, deer, egrets, and other bird species. The Bird City area of the gardens is famous for its large population of snowy egrets and other waterfowl.
Also, an intent feature of the Jungle Gardens is the statue of Buddha. It stands at the top of a hill, offering panoramic views of the surrounding gardens and marshes.
Visitors can explore the Jungle Gardens by driving or walking along the designated paths and trails. The best way is to download the TravelStorys App and use a self-guided tour. Book for at least two hours to have enough time to enjoy a beautiful drive and take pictures at beautiful spots.
IMPORTANT: Keep your dog on a leash and watch your steps, especially near water. Alligators are real.
Swamp Tour
Besides other attractions in Louisiana, don’t miss some fun on a swamp tour. The two best options that welcome well-behaved dogs on leashes are:
Option 1. The Atchafalaya Experience, 1908 Atchafalaya River Hwy, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
The swamp tour starts daily at 10 AM and lasts for three hours. It features large cypress trees growing in the swamp’s water, alligators, and birds such as herons, egrets, osprey, hawks, and owls.
The price is $50. You can find more information on The Atchafalaya Experience.
Option 2. Zam’s Swamp Tour, 141 Kraemer Bayou Road, Thibodaux, LA 70301
This tour is slightly different because it starts with a tour of Zam’s Ecological Park, filled with alligators, snapping turtles, nutrias, and more. Then head out into the swamps where your Cajun guide tells stories, tricks, and tips about Cajun life on the Bayou.
The tour leaves daily at 1:30 PM.
The price is $40. You can find more information Zam’s Swamp Tour.
Day 4. Baton Rouge and Plantation
Baton Rouge is the capital of the state and another attraction of Louisiana. Located along the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, It is a significant cultural, political, and economic hub in the region.
Baton Rouge’s history dates back to the early 18th century when French explorers settled there. In French, the city’s name, “Red Stick,” comes from a red cypress tree marked by Native Americans to signify the boundary between their hunting grounds.
The Old State Capitol is a historic gothic building now serving as a museum.
Riverfront Plaza & City Dock is a two-acre waterfront park in downtown Baton Rouge’s heart area along the Mississippi River. Enjoy an evening stroll along the boardwalk to watch boats enter and exit the port.
There are a couple of great restaurants, but our choice was Cocha. It has a lovely outdoor seating area, delicious food, and an imposing wine list.
Another option is Jolie Pearll Oyster Bar, an excellent place for oyster lovers. They offer raw oysters but from the oven and grill, too.
Houmas House Mansion and Gardens Tour
The great plantations of Louisiana are attractions located along the Mississippi River, about 70 miles long, and lined both sides of the river. In 1861, it was estimated that half of the millionaires in the United States lived along the Mississippi River on these great plantations. These sugar plantations used the rich soil supplied by the Mississippi, and most were built in the Greek Revival style.
Unfortunately, most don’t allow dogs in plantation homes, except Houamas House Plantation and Gardens. It is a historic estate in Darrow, approximately 50 miles south of New Orleans, that allows well-behaved dogs to go on mansion tours and in the garden. It offers visitors a glimpse into the grandeur and complexity of the antebellum era. Both previous and current owners are dog lovers so you can see many admiring pet details, including portraits of their beloved dogs.
Initially established in the late 1700s, the Houmas House plantation has a long and storied history. The property changed hands multiple times, and in 1810, it was purchased by a wealthy sugar planter named Wade Hampton. Under Hampton’s ownership, the plantation thrived and became one of the most successful sugar-producing estates in the region.
Houmas House is a stunning example of Greek Revival architecture, characterized by its imposing columns, grand entrance, and symmetrical design. The mansion features a two-story main house with a large central hallway flanked by spacious rooms on either side. The interior has elegant antiques, period furnishings, and original artwork, providing visitors with a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Southern elite during the antebellum period.
The estate is also renowned for its beautiful gardens and landscaping. Spread across 38 acres. The lush gardens boast stunning flora, including ancient oak trees draped with Spanish moss, colorful flower beds, and serene water features.
Elmer’s Island
Elmer’s Island Beach is not an attraction but a hidden gem in Grand Isle, Louisiana. The beach is over 200 acres and stretches five miles along the Gulf of Mexico. Be prepared to drive the last mile on a gravel road, but your pup will have a blast. Although you will have the opportunity to let him kick up his paws, he needs to stay within your eyesight and under voice control for his safety and the protection of others.
Keep in mind there are no restaurants or restrooms nearby. You can search for some restaurants on Grand Isle, but we stopped on our way back in Me-Maw’s Cajun Cuisine and got some takeout food. They offer different seafood platters; unfortunately, all options are fried. The restaurant has excellent reviews, so if you like fried seafood, you will like it too.
Days 5-7. New Orleans
The best attraction in Louisiana is, of course, dog-friendly New Orleans. It combines French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences in architecture, music, food, and traditions. It’s a city that celebrates diversity and has a distinctive atmosphere unlike any other in the United States.
New Orleans is also known as the birthplace of jazz and boasts a vibrant music scene. Visitors can enjoy live jazz performances at various venues throughout the city.
Furthermore, New Orleans is a food lover’s paradise with many dog-friendly restaurants. Creole and Cajun cuisine are famous for their unique flavors and dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, and po’boys.
For those interested in the paranormal, New Orleans has a reputation for being one of the most haunted cities in the United States. Ghost tours and stories of voodoo add an intriguing dimension to the city’s history. And you can easily find a dog-friendly one, too.
French Quarter
The French Quarter, also known as the Vieux Carré, is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans and one of the most iconic and impressive areas to explore. Opposite the Las Vegas Strip, the French Quarter is dog-friendly, meaning you can walk your dog around.
The French Quarter is a treasure trove of beautiful and historic buildings with intricate ironwork balconies, colorful facades, and courtyards.
Bourbon Street is famous for its lively nightlife and vibrant energy. It has bars, restaurants, jazz clubs, and various entertainment venues, making it the city’s epicenter party scene.
If you are trying to google if it is safe to go with your dog in the French Quarter, especially Bourbon Street, you will probably find the opposite opinions. Some claim it is not secure. Overall, I don’t see any problem walking dogs around, except we didn’t meet many others. Local people walk their dogs outside of the French Quarter. My dog still found it interesting because of the many new smells he could sniff around. I recommend avoiding nighttime when Bourbon Street could be overcrowded, and people ignore dogs. You can see in the video below how Zen had fun.
Royal Street has a more relaxed and artsy atmosphere with art galleries, antique shops, and street musicians.
Restaurants
French Quarter has few outside sitting areas, so I hope this will help you to find them. The Court of Two Sisters is a beautiful place to have great food and enjoy jazz during brunch. Another option for live jazz daily from 10am-evening is Cafe Beignet in Bourbon Street. Grab a drink or coffee and enjoy in a beautiful outdoor courtyard.
Three-Legged Dog is a unique local bar that serves good food at reasonable prices and is very friendly to both people and dogs.
Another option for courtyard sitting is Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro.
All About Jazz
Don’t miss visiting Louis Armstrong Park, just a couple blocks west of Bourbon and Royal Street, and a much more relaxing area. It is a dog-friendly public park and attraction in New Orleans, Louisiana. This park is dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of the legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong, a prominent figure in the development of jazz music in the early 20th century. His statue playing his trumpet stands at the park entrance.
You can also visit Congo Square, which is right next to it. It was a gathering place for African Americans to engage in music, dance, and cultural traditions, and it played a pivotal role in developing jazz music.
Jackson Square and Riverfront
At the heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square is a historic park surrounded by stunning architecture. St. Louis Cathedral is a majestic cathedral and one of the most recognizable landmarks in New Orleans. You can walk inside the gated area of Jackson Square and take a break on some of the benches around.
The best view of Jackson Square and St.Louis Cathedral is from Washington Artillery Park, the elevated outdoor space across the square with sweeping views of the Mississippi River. From there, walk with your dog down the steps towards the river, and you’ll hit Moonwalk Riverfront Park. A dog-friendly walk along the Mississippi River is a must in New Orleans.
Continue to Canal Stree Ferry terminal and take a ferry to the other side.
Algiers Point
Canal Street/Algiers Ferry has carried passengers from the French Quarter to the historic neighborhood of Algiers Point. The 7-minute short trip is only $2, and dogs do not need to be in a carrier. You can buy tickets on the ferry, but I recommend downloading the Le Pass app as the easiest way for ferry and tram tickets. For the ferry timetable, please check HERE.
After debarking from a dog-friendly ferry, dive into a charming and historic Algiers Point, New Orleans neighborhood. It offers a welcome contrast to the bustle of downtown New Orleans and is worth visiting because of its unique character and rich history.
The neighborhood has beautiful Creole cottages, Victorian homes, and colorful shotgun houses that showcase the area’s historical significance.
Dry Doc Cafe is a nice bar with a couple of outside tables where e you can try excellent alligator sausage and have some cocktails. Old Point Bar is an iconic neighborhood and local favorite, but it opened only in the afternoon. Also, it’s a great spot to enjoy live music, relax with a drink, and soak in the laid-back atmosphere. And over the top, it is very dog-friendly inside and outside.
Audobon Park
Your dog will need a break after the French Quarter hustle. Sit on the Streetcar and go to Audobon Park, a dog-friendly park in New Orleans. The streetcar officially allows small dogs, but they didn’t ask us questions unless we had a ticket. Of course, be sure that your dog is quiet and well-behaved. As mentioned, you can purchase tickets through the Le Pass app. If you don’t like streetcar rides, you can call Uber Pet.
Streetcar goes along St. Charles Avenue, which earned the nickname “the Jewel of America’s Grand Avenues.” The oak-lined boulevard has a wealth of historic homes, architecture dating back to New Orleans’ founding, and a lush, romantic atmosphere.
Once you arrive at the park, your dog will be happy to see green grass again. The park is a popular destination for joggers, cyclists, walkers, and those interested in bird and plant life. It is full of ancient live oaks.
Resturants alog St. Charles Aveue
The Chloe is a boutique hotel along St. Charles Avenue with a beautiful front yard sitting area, so it is great to stop on your way back and enjoy a delicious meal and glass of wine.
Another restaurant out of the French Quarter is Flaming A-Go-Go. It has the largest courtyard in the Warehouse District and offers puppy plates. Creole House restaurant serves New Orleans classics in the perfect casual atmosphere and is dog-friendly.
After five days of attractions in Louisiana, it was time to continue our journey north; you can follow our road trip Part 3 – Mississippi and Arkansas.
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