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COTM Aug 26

Pet-Friendly Places – Spotlight dog parks, pet-friendly restaurants, beaches that allow dogs, or activities you can enjoy with your furry friends.

JACKSONVILLE

  1. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park Beach & Trails – 1.5-mile dog-friendly beach plus 450-acre park with 60-acre lake, trail system, and leashed pet access throughout natural beauty of coastal North Florida.
  2. BrewHound Dog Park + Bar – Neptune Beach’s premier dog park and craft beer bar featuring fenced off-leash area, covered seating, full bar service, and social atmosphere for dogs and owners.
  3. Jacksonville Beach Dog-Friendly Dining – Beachfront restaurants including Dockside Seafood, Salt Life Food Shack, Buddha Thai Bistro, and Hoptinger with outdoor seating welcoming leashed dogs and water bowls provided.
  4. Paws Park – Members-only Jacksonville Beach playground with separate large-dog and small-dog areas, flexible hours, and safe environment for off-leash socialization and exercise.
  5. Riverside & Avondale Pet-Friendly District – Historic neighborhoods featuring dog parks at Memorial Park and Riverside Park, plus pet-welcoming restaurants, breweries, and shops including Kanine Social craft beer bar.

MIAMI

  1. Haulover Beach Park Dog Beach – One of Florida’s best dog beaches with designated off-leash area, separate bark park, ocean access between lifeguard towers 2-3, and special dog showers for cooling off.
  2. South Pointe Park Bark Park – Miami Beach’s beautiful waterfront park with dedicated off-leash dog area, ocean views, scenic walking paths, and grassy spaces perfect for picnicking with pets.
  3. Lincoln Road Mall – South Beach’s iconic pedestrian-friendly shopping district where leashed dogs are welcome at most sidewalk cafes, outdoor restaurants, boutique stores, and offer excellent people-watching opportunities.
  4. Hobie Island Beach Park – Off-leash dog beach on Rickenbacker Causeway with separate fenced areas for small (under 35 lbs) and large dogs, clean facilities, stunning Biscayne Bay views, and $2 parking.
  5. Coconut Grove Pet-Friendly District – Sophisticated neighborhood welcoming dogs at outdoor cafes including The Taurus (dogs allowed inside bar), Barracuda Raw Bar & Grill, and Monty’s with waterfront dining and tropical atmosphere.

TAMPA

  1. Davis Islands Dog Beach – Fenced off-leash beach area allowing dogs to swim and play in the water, separate dry-land dog park, hose-down stations, water fountains, and beautiful bay views.
  2. Ybor City Pet-Friendly District – Historic entertainment neighborhood featuring dog-welcoming restaurants, bars with outdoor patios, 4th and Angel Dog Park (opened 2023), and Pete’s Ybor bagel shop nearby.
  3. Tampa Riverwalk & Curtis Hixon Dog Park – Scenic waterfront pathway with dedicated fenced dog park, downtown location, adjacent restaurants with outdoor seating, and beautiful views of Hillsborough River.
  4. The Bearded Pig BBQ – Popular barbecue restaurant with gorgeous outdoor patio featuring turfgrass, covered and uncovered seating, and welcoming atmosphere for dogs enjoying classic Southern BBQ.
  5. Al Lopez Park Dog Park – 132-acre urban park featuring fully fenced off-leash area with separate sections for large and small dogs, fitness trails, water stations, and ample shade trees.

ORLANDO

  1. Lake Baldwin Park Off-Leash Dog Beach – 23 acres of lakefront paradise allowing dogs to run, play, and swim off-leash from 8am to sunset, with open fields and shaded trails throughout property.
  2. Park Avenue Winter Park – Upscale dog-friendly shopping street where leashed pets are welcome on restaurant patios, inside many stores, at Central Park, and at outdoor Saturday Farmers Market.
  3. BarkHaven Dog Park & Bar – Orlando’s premiere membership dog park bar between Mills 50 and Ivanhoe Village featuring indoor/outdoor off-leash park, craft beverages, and food for humans and dogs.
  4. Lake Eola Park – Downtown’s signature greenspace with scenic lakefront paths, swan boats, weekly farmers market with pet vendors, and numerous surrounding dog-friendly cafes and restaurants.
  5. Food Trucks Heaven & Crooked Can Brewing – Pet-friendly outdoor dining featuring variety of food vendors, live music, craft beer from award-winning brewery next door, and laid-back atmosphere welcoming dogs on patios.

ST. PETERSBURG

  1. Fort De Soto Park Dog Beach – Florida’s #1 pet-friendly attraction featuring 1,100 acres, fenced off-leash dog beach, separate areas for small and large dogs, doggy showers, and miles of trails.
  2. The Dog Bar – Grand Central District’s original dog park bar with sprawling off-leash fenced area, craft cocktails, games, full bar, doggie water park, and dog-centric social atmosphere.
  3. Central Avenue Pet-Friendly Shopping District – Downtown corridor lined with local boutiques, antique stores, pet shops, dog-welcoming cafes, restaurants with outdoor seating, and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
  4. Pass-a-Grille Dog Beach – Local favorite beach tucked in charming beach town where dogs can enjoy designated beach area, and outdoor dining at nearby restaurants including Paradise Grille and Hurricane.
  5. Honeymoon Island State Park Dog Beach – 4-mile natural barrier island with dog beach at southern tip, nature trails (leashed dogs welcome), stunning views, and calm waters perfect for swimming.

HIALEAH

  1. Amelia Earhart Park – Miami-Dade’s large regional park featuring 5-acre Bark Park with separate areas for small and large dogs, water fountains, lots of shade, and additional trails for leashed walking.
  2. Nearby Miami Pet-Friendly Attractions – Minutes from Wynwood, Coconut Grove, and Miami Beach offering easy access to South Florida’s best dog parks, dog beaches, and pet-welcoming restaurants.
  3. Local Veterinary & Pet Services – Growing selection of pet boutiques, grooming services, veterinary clinics, and pet supply stores throughout Hialeah’s commercial corridors serving pet owners.
  4. Hialeah Park – Historic venue with outdoor areas where leashed pets are welcome during certain events, plus surrounding neighborhood walkability for daily dog walks.
  5. Nearby Tropical Park – Large Miami-Dade park just south of Hialeah offering dog-friendly walking trails, open spaces for leashed pets, and recreational facilities in tropical setting.

TALLAHASSEE

  1. Tom Brown Park Dog Park – Popular park featuring fenced off-leash area specifically for dogs, plus trails and vast grassy areas for leashed walking and play throughout larger park grounds.
  2. Cascades Park – Downtown’s historic park with leashed dog-friendly trails, commemorative paths, Capital City Amphitheater, The Edison restaurant with dog-welcoming patio, and Power Plant Cafe offering doggie biscuits.
  3. Lake Ella Park – Scenic lake with trail around water, wildlife viewing, fountain views, and Black Dog Cafe’s patio overlooking the lake where dogs are welcome at outdoor tables.
  4. Collegetown Pet-Friendly Dining – FSU-area restaurants welcoming dogs including Madison Social, Township beer garden, Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, Coosh’s Bayou Rouge, and Vale Food Co with outdoor seating.
  5. Gaines Street District Dog-Friendly Spots – Walkable neighborhood featuring Gaines Street Pies with creative pizzas, Proof Brewing Co.’s dog-friendly beer garden, and Ology Brewing where dogs can mingle with fellow pups.

FORT LAUDERDALE

  1. Snyder Park Dog Swim & Bark Park – Premier facility featuring 2-acre fenced Bark Park with separate large/small dog sections, agility course, plus adjacent Dog Swim lake with blue-green water for playing fetch.
  2. Las Olas Boulevard Pet-Friendly District – Downtown’s premier entertainment corridor featuring upscale restaurants with dog-welcoming outdoor seating, boutique shopping, riverside walkways, and European-style sidewalk cafes.
  3. Barkyard n’ Brews – Veteran-owned leash-free dog park and beer garden in heart of Fort Lauderdale offering safe environment, craft beverages, coffee, wine, and variety of fun events throughout year.
  4. Fort Lauderdale Beach A1A Restaurants – Beachfront dining including 15th Street Fisheries, Coconuts with Intracoastal views, Shooters Waterfront, and Aruba Beach Side Bar all welcoming dogs at outdoor waterfront tables.
  5. Park & Ocean at Birch State Park – Dog-friendly restaurant and garden in shady grove featuring oceanfront seating, in-house brewery, Caribbean & Southern “farm-to-table” menu, and beach park access.

PORT ST. LUCIE

  1. Walton Rocks Beach – Named by Coastal Living as one of Florida’s best dog-friendly beaches, this 24-acre off-leash beach on South Hutchinson Island lets dogs run free in sand and splash in waves.
  2. Lyngate Dog Park – Favorite local spot in Port St. Lucie where dogs of all sizes can romp and play in fenced areas, socialize safely, and enjoy dedicated off-leash time with other pups.
  3. McChesney Park – Spacious park offering fenced areas for dogs to socialize and exercise, well-maintained facilities, and ample room for both small and large breeds to play together.
  4. Pet-Friendly Restaurants – Dog-welcoming dining including Second Street Bistro, Cobb’s Landing, Archie’s Seabreeze, Thirsty Turtle Seagrill, and Berry Fresh Cafe with outdoor seating accommodating leashed pets.
  5. Tradition Square – Master-planned village center with outdoor dining areas, walking paths, seasonal events, and community atmosphere where well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome at outdoor tables.

CAPE CORAL

  1. Wagging Tails Dog Park at Rotary Park – Over 2 acres of off-leash space with separate sections for large and small dogs, agility equipment, shaded areas, water fountains, adjacent to 97-acre wildlife preserve.
  2. Nearby Fort Myers Dog Beach – Short drive to Lovers Key area offering wide sands at low tide perfect for throwing sticks, swimming with dogs, and enjoying off-leash play on designated beach areas.
  3. Sirenia Vista Park – Known for manatee viewing areas and kayak rentals, this dog-friendly park welcomes leashed pets on well-maintained trails with beautiful waterfront views and wildlife watching.
  4. Nearby Sanibel Island Beaches – Causeway Islands and mainland beaches welcoming leashed dogs, including scenic coastal areas perfect for walks, sunsets, and enjoying Southwest Florida’s natural beauty.
  5. Pet-Friendly Boat Tours – Beach Buddy Tours and Cape Coral Dolphin Tours welcoming dogs with captain approval for several-hour sightseeing adventures offering views of Florida landscape and wildlife.
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