Bella swimming at the dog park
Downtown is seeing more and more pooches strolling the streets with their humans these days and we couldn’t be happier! Here’s our list of places that both you and your fuzzy BFF can go to hang out together.
The only dog park in the area is located in the Downtown Development District, at the Stoner Boat Launch on the Clyde Fant Parkway. It is open each day dawn to dusk, free admission. To stay updated on activities there, check out the Shreveport Dog Park Facebook page.
For more information on the Dog Park and activities there, go to: Shreveport Dog Park Alliance
Statistics say that 44% of Americans own dogs and we love to bring our pets with us when we can. More and more businesses are catching on and are becoming pet friendly. (Some types of businesses cannot, because of state and local laws.) Downtown does have a number of pet-friendly locations and we thought we would share them. We warn that this list is not inclusive. We will be adding more businesses as we get them. (If you know of one, please tell us!)
Dog Friendly Businesses
The Agora Borealis, 421 Lake Street. Friendly, leashed well-behaved pups are welcome in this fun, funky and oh-so-trendy art marketplace downtown. Great gifts for others and many needful things for you!
artspace, 708 Texas St. A thriving exhibit space/gallery filled with art. Exhibits change often, entry is normally free. Well-behaved leashed dogs are allowed in with their humans.
Bon Asian Cafe, 400 Travis St. Downtown’s fabulous Asian cafe, complete with daily specials, teriyaki stir fries, California rolls and more. They are also open on Saturdays. Bon Asian has several outdoor tables for you and Fideaux.
Hedy, C&C Mercantile’s beautiful ‘shop’ dog.
C&C Mercantile & Lighting, 1110 Texas Avenue. Vintage, cool and funky finds, art, handmade custom hats, amazing lighting fixtures and so much more. C&C’s shop dog Heddy will welcome you!
Central Station’s Happy (Yappy?) Hour, 1025 Marshall St. Drop by the cool former Central Train Station downtown for drinks and chat from 5-9 M-F and bring Poochikins with y 416 Cotton St.
Downtown Development Authority Office, 416 Cotton St. Need a dog hug? Come here for a sloppy smooch from DDA dogs Bella or Jenkins!
Dripp Donuts, 421 Market St. Feel free to pop in and get your to-go order with your pooch, but soon, you and your fuzzy best friend will be able to linger on Dripp’s new outdoor cafe space. Opening soon!
Fatty Arbuckles in the Red River District welcomes dogs to their outdoor patio space. Come by to taste one or two of their WIDE variety of special aged liquors or just a nice cold beer after a long, hot day. Keep up with their variety of special food nights, like Monday Night Steak Night!
Jeneral’s Bar & Grill, 450 Clyde Fant Parkway, Suite 400. burgers, beverages, special events with winds, margaritas and more. This Red River District business has an expansive outdoor patio, just perfect for lunch or drinks with your fuzzy buddy.
Little Realty, 717 Milam St. Jeri loves helping all the folks looking for great properties downtown (and sometimes other places. I know, crazy that you would want anything outside of downtown, right?).
PepitoXO @ artspace, 708 Texas St. Salads, soups, sandwiches, mahi-mahi, pan-seared salmon, appetizers, desserts and a delicious drink menu! Dogs are welcome on the sidewalk cafe.
The Lobby & Bar at Remington Suites Hotel and Spa, 220 Travis St. Come hang out at the Remington’s beautiful bar and sip a cool Sangria with your fuzzy BFF.
Rhino Coffee Downtown, 624 Texas Street. Rhino has a great sidewalk cafe, perfect to enjoy a hot (or cold) cup of joe and your fuzzy friend.
Riverside Roofing Materials, 975 Louisiana, is always happy to welcome your dog with treats they keep on hand. They can help you with many of your roofing and construction needs, plus they’re really nice people!
Dog -Friendly Hotels
Remington Suites loves furry friends!
Remington Suite Hotel and Spa– 220 Travis St. Consistently rated #1 in the area by Trip Advisor, the Remington has large & comfortable rooms, a lovely bar, spa and workout facilities on site—all in a beautifully rehabbed historic building. Any size dog is allowed for an additional $40 per night.
Dog-Friendly Apartments
710 Crockett Street Lofts, 710 Crockett St. The six apartments in a rehabbed former Salvation Army building downtown welcomes dogs of all sizes and types. There is truly not much to hurt in the apartments, which feature concrete floors, thick brick walls and a wonderful fenced parking/courtyard area.
Lofts @ 624, 624 Texas St. The beautifully converted former Sears Department Store houses lovely dog-friendly apartments! Be right in the heart of it all with loads of amenities (yoga, coffee shop, home decor shop and more) on site!
United Jewelers Apartments, 301 Crockett St. Great spaces in a historic building just feet from Festival Plaza. A myriad of layout options, soaring ceilings, giant windows, HUGE closets! Pool & other amenities on site. No weight restrictions, but there is a pet ‘interview’. $300 fee and $200 deposit per pet.
Lee Hardware Apartments, 719 Edwards St. Loft living in a giant converted warehouse filled with old growth timber and giant beams. An art gallery, pool and other amenities are on site.
The Standard, 509 Market St. Luxe apartments ranging from studio to 2-BD in a beautifully converted former bank. A short walk to Regions, American, and Louisiana Towers. Right across the street from Dripp Donuts and blocks away from Festival Plaza.
The Southern Belle, 627 Crockett. A wide variety of sizes and style of apartments. Juliet balconies, new appliances. A short walk to Caddo Common Park, and just across the street from the beautiful Strand Theatre. A short walk to restaurants, coffee shops and other amenities. Smaller dogs are allowed.
Dog Friendly Outdoor Spaces
Caddo Common Park, 800 block of Texas Avenue. Bring your dog to the concerts and other events at the park, they are welcome! Enjoy lounging in the sun or sitting amongst the Artistrees to read and enjoy lunch with your pooch. Please keep your dog leashed as there are cars and roadways all around!
The Glass Hat Cafe, 423 Crockett St. While Louisiana law doesn’t allow non-service dogs inside restaurant spaces, folks at the Glass Hat want you to feel welcome and hydrated on your walks. They have positioned water bowls outside their doors for fast laps!
Riverview Park, 600 block Clyde Fant Parkway. Dogs are allowed… no, ENCOURAGED to come with you to Riverview Park along the Red River. Walk, play, jog along the several-mile-long trail that meanders the river’s banks.
Dog-gone Fun at the Shreveport Dog Park
By Henrietta Wildsmith, Shreveport Times
Fun will be had by all at the dog park, but before you go, glance at the dog park rules that can be found right here.
If you notice any maintenance or other issues at the dog park please call 673-SPAR or message the SPAR Facebook page Right now, the dog park is open from 6 am- 10 pm seven days a week. These hours may change as the days get shorter. There are no lights at the dog park.
RiverView Park and Riverfront Trails
The dancing fountains and amphitheater at RiverView Park has been joined by a covered stage and soon, bathrooms! The park is dog friendly, as are the miles of walking/jogging/biking trails along the Red River and Clyde Fant Parkway.
