Now that cities are beginning to ease up on travel restrictions, and it looks as if things are slowly getting back to usual, here’s a city guide for you and your four-legged friend you might be interested in.
New York City — one of the busiest places in the world. But if the droves of tourists the city gets every year is any indication, that shouldn’t stop you or your pets from visiting The Big Apple.
In this article, we’ll cover iconic sites, hotels, restaurants, and dog parks in NYC. Be mindful that there might be restrictions in some of these spots brought on by lockdowns, which means precautions to make sure areas are safe for you to visit. Make sure to follow them and to respect the establishments that are still enforcing safety rules.
Are you ready? Here we go:
1. Everyone here is so cool and hip. They say it’s a tourist thing to do, but never miss out on the chance to take a snap with Lady Liberty!
2. Central Park is a good place for walking around, bird watching, biking, and even riding a boat. You can take pictures of your pooch at the Alice In Wonderland statue or at the famous dog named Balto. Remember to leash your dog at all times.
3. Aside from taking a snap at the famous Brooklyn Bridge Park, you can also go on dog runs, play sports, rollerskate, check out art, hang around the garden, or just sit on the lawn. There are plenty more things to do here.
4. Yes, pets and other service animals are allowed at the Staten Island Ferry as long as they are caged and/or muzzled.
5. Feeling hungry from all the sightseeing? Shake Shack not only offers burgers, sandwiches, and refreshments, they also have special menu items for your dogs! The Bag O’ Bones — a doggie bag of five ShackBurger dog biscuits by Bocce’s Bakery, or the Pooch-ini — ShackBurger dog biscuits with peanut butter sauce and vanilla custard.
6. Have a nice long hang-out sesh and pay your respects at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Ask the staff about their Dogs of 9/11 exhibit to read and learn about courageous canines that played a big role during the disaster.
7. Bushwick Bark carries healthy pet foods and holistic brands for dogs and cats and more. They also offer a full-service grooming salon and self-serve dog wash!
8. Bushwick K9, on the other hand, offers walking services, pet training, and dog boarding for your best friend.
9. One of the best places to bring your dog in NYC is Brooklyn’s Long Meadow Dog Beach. There are grassy fields nearby and the off-leash hours during early mornings and late evenings make it the perfect place to cool off.
10. Brooklyn Brewery allows you to bring a pet to their Tasting Room. If you want to go on the tour, however, you must leave your pup outside. If you’re just here for the pints and the pups then you’re golden.
11. During the summer Coney Island is the perfect crawling watering hole. When winter hits, you can still enjoy strolls down the boardwalk and food at the various establishments around it. Get a Weiner at Nathan’s Famous.
12. Lower Manhattan is more than the suits walking around with their suitcases. Snap a pic with the Charging Bull!
13. There are lots of things happening in Times Square. Cars, tourists, pedestrians, and almost any other thing you can think of so make sure your dog is on a leash or carrier. Yes, it’s a stressful place, but it’s worth the photo op.
14. You might not be able to watch Cats with your dog on Broadway, but the giant, multi-colored statues of dogs the city installed last year is a pleasant consolation.
15. Water4Dogs is a rehabilitation center that offers hydrotherapy, therapeutic exercise, advanced modalities, manual therapy, and comprehensive assessments.
16. Speaking of pictures, have you gotten your dog photographed by a professional? Now’s your chance at NYC Pet Photographer Studios in Long Island.
17. You can bring a pet or serviced animal to ride trains at Grand Central. As long as it’s during off-peak hours and they’re in a carrier so as not to bother other passengers. You should also consider the size of your pet because the trains could be really packed.
18. Canine Styles is NYC’s oldest and finest dog emporium. They offer world-class grooming as well as premium pet products and accessories like collars, harnesses, and even coats.
19. Looking for a place to stay during your New York visit? The Kimpton Muse Hotel is just one of the many dog-friendly hotels in the city. Tip: Flying to the west coast? Keep your eyes peeled for our next city guide: must-visit spots in San Francisco!
20. Ed Sullivan Theater? Elvis, The Beatles, and David Letterman all played here. Just a picture of your dog in front of that marquee will surely get a ton of likes on IG! Who knows you just might bump into someone famous.
21. Speaking of famous people, your odds of meeting a celebrity will surely double if you visit Madison Square Garden. You don’t have to watch a Knicks game, but just hanging at the former home of the Westminster Dog Show is definitely worth the trip.
Landmarks, beaches, and dog parks – so many places to bring your dogs to! Everyone’s looking forward to walks and trips again, and now that most states are opening up, this could be a way to bond with your pets after a looooong time of being socially isolated. Again, make sure to follow health protocols especially in places where they are being enforced – these are precautions that will keep you safe while people are still recovering from the pandemic.
But don’t forget to have fun!
Do you know other places to bring your dog in NYC? Let us know in the comments section.
