Top Dog-Friendly Cities in the US

You love your dog so much that you not only treat it as a pet but also as a legit member of the family! If you love to take your pooch everywhere with you, then you may want to check out our gallery of the most dog-friendly cities in the US!

You and your dog will love San Diego! Aside from the warm climate year-round and lots of beaches to play fetch and Frisbee, the city also offers lots of pet-friendly accommodations. San Diego has lots of pet-friendly hotels, shops with doggy parks, off-leash dog parks and beaches including an aptly-named Dog Beach.

There are a few establishments which chiefly cater to pets, including a restaurant and a bakery which offers pet-friendly baked goods and even ice cream! San Diego even mounts doggie-related events such as the Dog Days of Summer where you and your pooch can participate in a Padres game.

Dog Fancy magazine lists New York City as one of the top five dog-friendly cities in the US. And why not? The Big Apple offers lots of dog-friendly amenities for you and your pooch. Even a few hotels in New York City even offer pet rentals to keep you company in case you had to leave your dog at home for certain reasons. But if you want to bring along your dog while touring around the city, choose New York Dog Tours which offers itineraries for you and your pet — Central Park and the West Side, Midtown and Downtown. There’s a man-made pond at the Prospect Park for your dog to cool itself during the hot summer days. Even as you shop at high-end stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, having your pet to escort you there is perfectly fine.

Portland

Being one of the most walkable cities in the US, it’s no surprise that Portland offers a dog-friendly environment. Dogs are free to run and roam in most of the cities’ beautiful parks and outdoor attractions. The Portland Saturday Market provides a good opportunity for you and your pet to stroll around while you buy fresh produce. If your pet is thirsty, stop by at Shemanski Fountain which offers three low water basins for dogs to drink.

For more doggie exercise and dog-and-master bonding, take a hike at the Powell Butte Nature Park, with easy four miles of trails which will take you an hour and a half to complete.

Its mixture of big-city dynamism, small-town charm, and amazing Rocky Mountains scenery make Colorado Springs one of the most pet-friendly cities in America. There are over 10,000 acres of public parks which also include seven pet parks. Many attractions are also pet-friendly including the Manitou Cliff Dwellings and the Bear Creek Nature Center. The five-star Broadroom Hotel spoils both their human and pet guests.

Apart from San Diego, San Francisco is also a pet-friendly California city. There are several pet-friendly accommodations whether you’re having views of the San Francisco Bay and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, shopping, more sightseeing or hiking. There are a total of 56 parks in the city, most of them pet-friendly (Mission Bay Dog Park, Duboce Park Dog Play Area, Bernal Heights Park, Crissy Field, Golden Gate Park, and Huntington Park. You can also take your leashed pet on an hour-long cruise with Blue and Gold Feet Bay Cruises.

Austin is also a dog-friendly US city. To start with, there are 18 off-leash parks where you and your canine friend can play and meet new friends. If you’re a yoga enthusiast in particular but also want to take your dog along in your yoga sessions, go to Austin Doga — yes, you read that right, yoga for you and your dog! The city also offers guided tours where you are also allowed to take your leashed pets.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas offers lots of activities for you and your pup. Play fetch, get some exercise and relax at the Las Vegas DockDogs beach, explore at the Red Rock Canyon Conservational Area (which is just over an hour’s drive from the Strip). And when you and Fido are hungry, you and your pet are welcome at many pet-friendly restaurants such as Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar, Grape Vine Cafe, The Madhouse Cafe, and Spiedini. To ensure your dog’s health, check him in at one of the city’s 12 veterinary clinics.

Seattle

Seattle also welcomes your pets! Have a morning jog with Fido at any of the city’s eleven off-leash dog parks. The University Village Shopping Center features outdoor stores where you can walk your pet around while you’re busy shopping. Explore nature together at some dog-friendly trail parks such as the Rattlesnake Ledge (only a half an hour’s drive from the city) and the Snow Lake Trail. If you’ve got no car, no problem! You can even ride inside Seattle buses along with your well-behaved, leashed pet as you continue checking out the city’s attractions.

The Windy City is also one of the best places to take your four-legged friend around. Let your pooch have some doggone fun on the water at any Chicago’s three pet-friendly beaches. The city also has 18 off-leash dog parks where you can play and meet new human and canine friends. To get your dog used to the crowds and the noise, why not go together at the pet-friendly Navy Pier and experience the festive carnival atmosphere? Or shop till Fido drops at many pet-friendly stores (apart from pet stores) and outdoor shopping arcades.

Orlando has seven off-leash doggie parks to have a morning jog, play Frisbee, and relax. There are a lot of pet-friendly hotels and resorts in Orlando including the Lake Buena Vista and the Universal Orlando Resort. Some luxury hotels like the Ritz Carlton make sure that you and your pets get pampered. To keep your pet healthy and looking good, visit any of Orlando’s nine veterinary clinics, nine grooming stations, and 13 pet stores.

Are you wanting to take pictures of your dog?  You can use Localgrapher to get a professional to take some great memorable pics of you and your best friend.