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New Orleans has always been a city that welcomes everyone - and that includes your four-legged travel companion. With its walkable neighborhoods, open-air markets, dog-friendly patios, and miles of riverfront paths, the Big Easy is one of the more pet-welcoming cities in the South. The trick is finding a home base that makes the whole trip easy.
The trick, as with any city trip with a dog, is choosing the right base. Location matters more than almost anything else — access to green space, walkable neighborhoods, and proximity to the places you actually want to go shapes the entire experience. This guide covers the best pet-friendly things to do in New Orleans, from the riverfront to the French Quarter to the city's most dog-welcoming patios, along with a few practical tips for making the trip go smoothly.
Pet Friendly Things to Do in New Orleans
New Orleans rewards walkers, and that's good news if you're traveling with a dog. Almost everything worth seeing is reachable on foot, and the city's outdoor culture means your dog is unlikely to feel left out.
Walk Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Start here. The newly expanded Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park runs along the Mississippi River right at the hotel's doorstep, with public art, water misters, shaded paths, and river views that make it one of the better morning walks in the city. Dogs on leash are welcome on the multi-use path, and the space is open and easy to navigate with a larger dog. It's the kind of walk you'll want to do every morning you're in town.
Stroll Through the French Quarter
The French Quarter is one of the most walkable and dog-welcoming neighborhoods in New Orleans. The open streets, pedestrian-heavy blocks, and outdoor culture make it easy to explore with a leashed dog. Hit Royal Street for galleries and architecture, wind through the quieter side streets in the lower Quarter, and let your dog take in the full sensory experience of the city's most iconic neighborhood.
Walking tours are another good option here - several French Quarter tour operators offer pet-friendly options covering history, ghost stories, and local culture. It's worth calling ahead to confirm, but many guides are happy to accommodate a well-behaved dog on leash.
Outdoor Dining With Your Dog
New Orleans has a strong outdoor dining culture, and several spots welcome leashed dogs on their patios:
- Dat Dog - A New Orleans institution for gourmet hot dogs and sausages with a casual, dog-friendly patio vibe. Multiple locations around the city.
- Cafe Amelie - A courtyard restaurant in the French Quarter with a romantic outdoor setting and a menu rooted in Louisiana cuisine. One of the more pleasant patio experiences in the city.
- Cafe du Monde - The open-air seating at the iconic beignet spot along the riverfront makes it an easy stop during a walk. Leashed dogs are generally welcome in the outdoor areas.
Always confirm pet policies before arriving, as restaurant policies can change by season. Mornings and early afternoons tend to be the most relaxed time to bring a dog to an outdoor dining spot.
Take the Canal Street Ferry
The Canal Street commuter ferry crosses the Mississippi to Algiers Point for $2 per person, and dogs are welcome on leash - no carrier required. The ride takes about 15 minutes each way and offers some of the better views of the New Orleans skyline you'll find anywhere. Algiers Point itself is a quieter, residential neighborhood worth a short wander before catching the return ferry.
Frenchmen Art Market
For an evening outing, the Frenchmen Art Market is an open-air market on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny neighborhood where local artists sell prints, jewelry, crafts, and one-of-a-kind pieces. The market welcomes leashed dogs, and the surrounding street is alive with live music from the bars and clubs that line the block. It's one of the more distinctly New Orleans evening experiences you can have, dog in tow.
Brewery Patios
A few breweries near the city welcome leashed dogs on their outdoor patios. Port Orleans Brewing Co. and Miel Brewery are both worth checking out for a laid-back afternoon. Patio hours and pet policies vary, so a quick call or check of their current social pages before you go is always smart.
Staying at The Riverfront Hotel With a Pet: What to Expect
The hotel's downtown location means you're never far from green space or a good walk. Woldenberg Riverfront Park is the most immediate option for a morning outing, and the walk toward the French Quarter along the riverfront is pleasant even in warmer months with the river breeze.
A few practical notes for guests traveling with dogs:
Room service is available from 7 AM to 10 PM, which is useful on nights when your dog has had enough walking and you'd rather settle in than head back out.
Fulton St. Bistro & Bar is on-site for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy hour. The restaurant offers a French-inspired menu with Louisiana influences - a good spot to start the day before heading out with your dog or wind down after an evening walk.
The hotel's 202 rooms and suites range from 325 sq ft Deluxe Rooms to 700 sq ft Luxury Suites. If you're traveling with a larger dog or want more room to spread out, the suite options offer more comfortable space for both of you.
Tips for Traveling to New Orleans With a Dog
A few things worth knowing before your trip:
New Orleans summers are a great time to enjoy the city's vibrant outdoor atmosphere. If you're visiting between June and September, plan your most active walks for the refreshing early morning or beautiful sunset hours to make the most of the golden light and cooler breezes.
Keep a leash on at all times. Most public spaces in New Orleans - including parks, sidewalks, and the riverfront - require dogs to be leashed. The French Quarter can get crowded, particularly on weekend evenings, so a shorter leash works better in tight spaces.
Bring water. The water misters at Woldenberg Park help, but it's worth carrying a collapsible bowl and water on longer walks. Several outdoor restaurants and patios will offer water for dogs if you ask.
Plan your evenings. The French Quarter gets lively at night, and the noise and crowd levels can be overwhelming for some dogs. Frenchmen Street is a mellower alternative for evening outings - more of a neighborhood feel, still plenty of live music.
Choosing a Pet Friendly Hotel in Downtown New Orleans
Location is the most important factor when booking a pet friendly hotel in New Orleans. Easy access to green space and walkable neighborhoods makes the difference between a trip that works and one that requires constant logistics.
The Riverfront Hotel on Convention Center Boulevard is one of the most centrally positioned pet friendly hotels in downtown New Orleans. A few details worth knowing before you book:
- No breed restrictions. The hotel accepts all breeds, which matters for guests traveling with larger or less common dogs.
- Up to 75 lbs. Dogs up to 75 pounds are welcome, covering most medium and large breeds.
- $50 per stay pet fee. The fee is straightforward and disclosed upfront.
- Woldenberg Park at the doorstep. The hotel's position on Convention Center Boulevard means morning and evening walks along the river are a three-minute walk away — no car required.
Plan Your Pet Friendly Trip to New Orleans
New Orleans is a genuinely great city to visit with a dog! It’s walkable, outdoor-oriented, and full of places that welcome leashed pets alongside their owners. Woldenberg Park, the French Quarter, Frenchmen Street, and the city's outdoor dining scene all make for a trip your dog will be as happy about as you are.
Book your stay at The Riverfront Hotel and use it as your home base for exploring pet friendly New Orleans - all four legs included.
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