Date of publication 12/06/2018
Travel with pets Dog-Friendly New York
Explore the Big Apple with Your Favorite Wet-Nosed Companion
New York City might not be the first place that comes to mind when considering a pet-friendly destination for a holiday with your pup. Maybe the thought of all the noisy taxi horns, busy streets, and endless activity have you envisioning a more relaxed atmosphere away from the big city. When you take a closer look, however, Manhattan is actually far more welcoming to dogs than it may appear. From pet-friendly housing to parks designed especially for dogs and restaurants that encourage customers to bring their furry friends along with them, there’s no shortage of activities for you and your dog to enjoy in the city that never sleeps. So, don’t let the hectic pace of the city discourage you from planning a New York vacation with your dog and instead consider adding some of these dog-friendly places and activities to your itinerary.
Dog Parks and Runs
The busy streets of New York City might seem like a concrete jungle, but Manhattan’s greener side offers a more relaxed atmosphere with plenty of dog-friendly spaces. There’s no better place to start exploring than the iconic Central Park. Spanning two-and-a-half miles long and half-a-mile wide across the center of Manhattan, Central Park is 843 acres of park heaven for dogs. With thousands of dogs and their owners visiting every week, the enormous park is one of the most dog-friendly spots in the city. The seemingly endless network of trails and lawns will give your dog plenty of opportunities to exercise, explore, and play with other furry friends. Dogs are allowed in the park on a leash from opening to closing and can be off their leashes from 6:00 am to 9:00 am and from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am. With plenty of water fountains for dogs throughout the park, you don’t even have to worry about bringing a bottle along with you.
In addition to Central Park, there are several dogs runs throughout the city designed especially for your pup’s enjoyment. Home to New York’s oldest and largest dog run, Tomkins Square Park features separate dog run areas for big and small dogs, three small pools where dogs can cool off in the summer, picnic tables, and bathing areas to clean your dog before leaving. Madison Square Park also has a run where dogs can play freely off their leashes in a gated area. The park has separate playing areas according to dog size, umbrellas for shade, drinking water for dogs, and double entry and exit gates to ensure that all dogs inside are safe whenever anyone enters or leaves the park. Visiting one of New York’s many dog runs will not only give your dog a chance to run and play with other dogs but can also provide a unique opportunity as a visitor to meet some local New Yorkers who bring their dogs regularly.
If your dog needs to cool down in the summer heat, Prospect Park in Brooklyn has its very own Dog Beach, a popular swimming area designed just for dogs. With clean swimming water and underwater barriers to separate dogs from wildlife, it’s the perfect spot for water-loving dogs and one of the only public places in the city that allows dogs to enjoy a swim.
Visit a Museum
In New York, not even the dogs are left out of the city’s world-class museum scene. One special Manhattan museum allows visitors to bring their dogs along with them. The William Secord Gallery on Manhattan’s Upper East Side specializes in nineteenth- and twentieth-century dog and animal paintings. The museum shows a huge collection of oil paintings, works on paper, bronzes, sculptures, and even a few contemporary paintings. The museum staff can even commission a painting of your own pet with one of their artists. As one of the only art museums of its kind in the world, the William Secord Gallery is a must-see for dog lovers in New York City.
Eat with Your Dog
Traveling with a dog doesn’t have to stop you from having a great meal at a restaurant or café in New York. In fact, most places with outdoor seating will allow your dog to sit beside you while you eat if you ask. There are even a few special restaurants in the city that cater specifically to dogs and their owners. Boris and Horton, New York’s very first dog café, allows customers to bring their furry friends inside with them to enjoy their all-vegetarian menu and selection of coffees and craft beers. They also host adoption events and fundraisers in the café for dogs seeking a permanent home.
D.B.A., a popular bar in the East Village, welcomes all four-legged friends tagging along with their owners. This dog-friendly bar specializes in beer and scotch, and while it does not have a food menu, it encourages patrons to order takeaway or bring their own meal. It also has a giant back patio.
At Shake Shack, wet-nosed pals are not only welcomed but encouraged to come by for a bite. In addition to their artisan burgers, hot dogs, and fries, they offer a menu entirely for dogs. You can have them wrap up a literal doggie bag with homemade dog biscuits or dog-friendly vanilla custard. While you can find the dog menu at all Shake Shack locations, the original is conveniently located in Madison Square Park, just steps away from the Madison Square Dog Run.
Go for a Walk
Exploring New York on foot is the best way to see the city, and your dog will especially love taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells around every busy corner. Some areas of the city, however, are better for walking with dogs than others. If you’ve already explored some of the city’s best parks, a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge with your dog is a great opportunity to get a little more walking time in with your dog. At off-peak hours, you will have plenty of room to leisurely stroll the 1.3 miles across the bridge with your pup while enjoying some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the city.
The South Street Seaport offers another great option for walking with dog and an opportunity to explore one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. A walk through this charming historic district will take you along the cobblestone streets of early nineteenth-century New York. The area is also home to several dog-friendly restaurants with outdoor dining options and a waterfront area with fantastic views to the Brooklyn Bridge.
While taking on the big city with your dog might seem a bit daunting at first, there’s no reason to feel intimidated. With thousands of dogs living in New York City, it comes as no surprise that the city is, in fact, entirely accommodating to its wet-nosed visitors. And if there’s a sight or museum you simply cannot miss that doesn’t allow dogs inside, there are plenty of doggie day care centers scattered throughout the city where you can leave your pup to play for the day or even just a few hours until you return.
RACHEL GRAF
Photography by Cordon Press, Getty Images and D.R.
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