According to recent studies, the best dog friendly towns, where pets are welcome include: Carmel, Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque, Austin, Houston, Tucson, Chicago, Ann Arbor, New York City, Boston, Orlando, Washington DC, and Charleston.
Dog Friendly
What are the best cities for dogs? Several surveys have come up with similar, but not identical, lists over the last two years. Most dog friendly towns are in the West, but not all.
Each of the following cities has been in the top ten in the last two years.
Dog Friendly Beaches - California:
Carmel by the Sea
Carmel California's Cypress Inn is believed to have pioneered the pet-friendly hotel experience. Carmel City Beach and Carmel River State Beach are both dog friendly. Lots of local shops allow pets, some restaurants have special doggie menus, and Carmel put up the first official dog drinking fountain, called, “The Fountain of Woof”.
Long Beach California
Long Beach has an Interfaith Blessing of the Animals, where pets can be blessed by Catholic Deacons, reverends, and other clergy, including high priestesses. They have celebrations with dog beauty pageants, costume contests, parades, and other funsville activities. Long Beach has a 3-acre beach access area. See Hautedogs.org for info.
San Diego Dogs
San Diego has lots of local off-leash parks for cute puppies and big dogs. The best ones are: Dog Beach (Ocean Beach), Fiesta Island (with sand dunes), Nate’s Point in Balboa Park, and Dog Beach (Coronado). Many restaurants, like Kemo Sabe, let pooches stay at the outdoor tables.
San Francisco Dog
San Francisco - Frisco - has Fort Funston, a dog park with amazing views. There are tons of restaurants with outdoor pup-friendly areas.
Dog Country - Pacific Northwest:
Portland Oregon
Portland is a laid back, hippie-style city with lots of doggy dos, doggie playgrounds, and dog-friendly restaurants and brewpubs. See PortlandPooch.com.
Seattle Dogs
Seattle WA has more dogs than kids. They have hound friendly restaurants and great Seattle dog parks, including Magnuson Park and Marymoor Park. See SeattleDogMagazine.com or read about a few of Seattle’s cool dog places.
Check out this video at a Seattle dog park, baby.
Dog People - West:
Colorado Springs Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado has lots of sunny days and open spaces for dog hikes. Check out Red Rock Canyon and Bear Creek Dog Park. See SpringsGov.com or PetProject.org.
Albuquerque, NM: Dogs are welcomed at many outdoor eateries. See AbqDog.com for restaurants and dog parks.
Austin Puppies
Check out Austin's dog parties, outdoor dining areas at places like Zax, and dog parks at RomanReign.com for more info. (Just click around. Everything is hidden, but it’s there.)
Houston Texas
Wow. What a surprise: they have a “Dog Day” to see the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park, in a section called the BarkZone! Read more at HoustonDogPark.org.
Tucson Dogs
Tucson pups are allowed at the outdoor section of the Pima Air and Space Museum, Canada del Oro Riverfront Park, while on leash. Find dog parks at ci.tucson.az.us and learn about Bentley at BentleyTheDog.com.
Dog USA - Midwest:
Dogs in Chicago
Chicago has lots of dog parks and outdoor eating spots where dogs are very welcome. See ChicagoDogPads.com for lists and click on “Dog Saving Network” to find a video about saving shelter dogs and pound puppies.
Ann Arbor Michigan
Check out the local parks, like Swift Run Dog Park (permit required), and the local dog community of Ann Arbor at AnnArborDog.com.
Dog Towns - Northeast:
New York Dogs
Find loads of information on New York City pet events, like benefits for Broadway Barks, and other resources to help dog owners (financial, too), at fabulous AnimalAllianceNYC.org.
Boston Puppy
Try some community organizing at BostonDog.org, “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Leash,” where dog owners can join the forum to ask questions about good Boston dog spots in the area, including a place with vegan dog ice cream. Wow. Bow wow.
Dog Places - South and Southeast:
Orlando Dog
Orlando Florida has Barnett Dog Park and other parks in the area. See OrlandoDogParks.com for their informative blog or try meetup.com for the Orlando Small Dogs and Puppy Meetup Group.
Washington DC Pet Friendly
Find where the Washington DC/Alexandria dog-friendly happy hours are at MetroPets.org. There are cool places with doggie menus. Woof.
Charleston South Carolina
Find dog parks, dog events, like Yappy Hour, and dog-friendly restaurants like Bubba Gump, in and around Charleston South Carolina at BringFido.com
These are great places to take the pup on vacation and all of the cities, especially in the west, are truly exceptional places for puppies to live and run free.
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Resources:
Stieg, Bill. "The Best Cities for Dogs", 2009. menshealth.com
Taylor, Kirsten. "The Top10 Pet-Friendly Cities", 2009. pawnation.com
"Top 10 Most Dog Friendly Cities in America", 2008. toptenz.net
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