The dog days of summer are upon us — literally! A Tampa dog park with a bar leads the pack in celebrating National Dog Day on August 26. We thought it’d be fun to take a look at not only the Tampa dog park, but 9 other best dog-friendly reasons to travel in Florida with your four-legged friend, not only in August but year-round.
A Tampa dog park with a bar
Take a traditional Tampa dog park complete with fenced off sides for big and little dogs, plop a shed in the middle serving wine and local beers and ciders, and you have Hair Of the Dog Park & Bar in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood. A small cover charge gets you through the gate to romp and play and sip, sit and stay.
St. Augustine Beaches
If you’re looking to get out to a dog-friendly beach with your pup, look no further than St. Augustine. Nearly all 42 miles of the area’s beaches are dog-friendly and ready for running, playing and jumping around in the surf. The only spot that you’ll want to say away from is Anastasia State Park, but besides that, the entirety of the area’s beaches await.
Good Times Dog Bar Flagler Beach
After you’ve romped around the dog-friendly beaches of St. Augustine, travel south to recharge and refresh at Good Times Dog Bar Flagler Beach. Not unlike Hair of the Dog, the Tampa dog park with a bar, here you and your furry friend will find separated large and small dog areas, a dog pond with waterfall and plenty of shade to keep cool. Oh, and two-legged guests can enjoy beer and wine, too.
BrewHound Dog Park + Bar
Another spot like Hair of the Dog, the Tampa dog park with a bar, to check out on Florida’s East Coast is Brewhound Dog Park + Bar in Jacksonville. Similar to Hair of the Dog and Good Times noted above, Brewhound features separately fenced small and big dog spaces in its park-like grounds. As your pup plays, enjoy a cup of coffee, or craft beer and wine on tap. Then, sit back, relax and watch your dog burn off all that extra energy.
Cups and Pups Coffee
Orlando was named the number-one Best Dog-Friendly Vacations in the U.S. by booking.com, and one of the reasons why is Cups and Pups Coffee in the city’s College Park neighborhood. Not only does the coffee shop welcome pups, but it’s close to an off-leash dog park, too.
“Dog Days Of Summer”
Not only are the beaches and parks in Martin County on Florida’s East Coast dog-friendly, but the county celebrates dogs, too. A brand new exhibit, “Dog Days of Summer,” opens August 9 at the Court House Cultural Center in Stuart. Artworks like drawings and sculptures of dogs and other pets will be on display. Adoption events will be hosted at the center, too.
Perfect Plain
A bit different than Hair of the Dog, the Tampa dog park with a bar, you can still hook on the leash and grab a pint with your four-legged friend at Pups and Pints Nights and Yappy Hours at Perfect Plain Brewing Co. in downtown Pensacola. The local brewery serves up not only its own not only its own brews, but cocktails and bubbles, too. Oh, and bowls of water of course, to keep your four-legged friend’s thirst at bay.
Grandview Public Market
The scene at Grandview Public Market in West Palm Beach is all about chefs, artists and entrepreneurs, and thanks to its outdoor patio, dogs, too. You and your pup are welcome to stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or all of the above!
Seeing Stars at Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa
Stay at the the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa in South Florida and take your pup out for an adventure to remember: Stargazing on The Sea. Board a pontoon boat at dusk and set off to a cruise around the Indian River Lagoon, all the while keeping your eyes on the skies to see stars starting to pop as the darkness sets in. Oh, and all Kimpton hotels throughout Florida and across the country are dog-friendly, too.
Le Méridien Tampa
Our four-legged friends are welcome at Le Méridien Tampa, right in the middle of the action in downtown Tampa. When you get to your room your pup will find bowls to use during her stay, and plush accommodations that you’ll both find comfortable.
Dog Travel Tips
When it comes to hitting the road — or even the skies! — with your pup, it’s best to plan ahead. The folks over at The Wildest shared these tips to keep you and your pet happy when traveling.
- Road trips: Get a long walk in ahead of the drive. It’s best to try to tire your pet out before getting in the car. It will make the trip quicker and easier for both you and your pup.
- Flying: Find a calming treat! Your dog will certainly deserve a treat on your day of travel, and why not pick something that you think will aid them on their travel journey? Something with melatonin will help lower their anxiety levels.
- Hiking: If where you’re going has forested trails, use them to seek shelter from the summer sun. Dirt trails are always cooler than pavement or asphalt, and they eliminate the risk of burning sensitive paw pads.
Are there other spots in the Sunshine State you like to visit with your pup? Let us know!
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