Treat your canine to a good time at these restaurants, shops, parks and more in the nation's capital.
If you’ve brought your dog along for your trip to Washington, DC, have no fear: there are plenty of places that welcome and cater to canines. We’ve compiled a list of dog-friendly restaurants, hotels, scenic parks and shops that will be perfect for your pup.
Places to Eat and Drink
The acclaimed Rasika West End permits dogs on its patio and offers its famous Tandoori lamb chops for adults. Baked & Wired has dog treats in flavors like Peanut Butter Krunch, in addition to fresh baked bread, brewed coffee and espresso, pastries, muffins, cookies and quiche for you. Outdoor seating is dog-friendly.
Right Proper Brewing Company in the Shaw neighborhood welcomes canines with open arms on its open air patio, where you can sip on brews and chow down on bar bites. Head downtown to Opaline Bar and Brasserie for French-inspired cuisine on the chic patio with your pup. Just outside of DC is the area's newest dog-friendly bar and restaurant, Barkhaus, which features an off-leash indoor & outdoor dog park.
If you’re looking for beer garden vibes that are dog-friendly, make sure you check out Wunder Garten in NoMa, which offers games and lounge chairs, and Dacha Beer Garden in Shaw, featuring farm-to-table fare and Bavarian beverages (there's also a location in Navy Yard that is well worth your time). Wet Dog Tavern is basically dedicated to doggies, with plenty of space and activities for the canines. You’ll dig the varied drink menu and burgers while your best bud runs wild. At Hook Hall, enjoy drinks, food and decor inspired by the venue's changing themes, while dogs drool over the Hook Hall Hounds offerings.
When exploring the U Street corridor and the sweet tooth needs satisfaction, stop at Ice Cream Jubilee for one of their innovative flavors and chill on the patio with your pooch pal. Nearby, you can have a coffee and enjoy some Cuban cuisine with your dog by your side on the gated patio of Colada Shop.
Parks
Your visit to the National Mall can certainly include your dog, as canines are welcome to join you as you stroll past the monuments and memorials and take in the view. The Tidal Basin, where you can savor beautiful cherry blossom trees, is another scenic spot where pets are welcome.
Theodore Roosevelt Island, accessible by footbridge from the George Washington Memorial Parkway, features two miles of trails along the Potomac River, perfect for an afternoon excursion with your pup. Meridian Hill Park is one of the city’s most popular parks and features plenty of real estate for dogs to stretch their legs. If your pooch likes rhythms, the park hosts a drum circle on Sundays. Note: the lower plaza is currently closed.
Rock Creek Park offers roughly 1,800 acres of natural beauty, with more than four miles of trails, serving as an oasis in the middle of the city for you and your canine. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, located along the Anacostia River, is another option, as it offers beautiful aquatic gardens to enjoy while taking your dog for a stroll.
Tours
For a dog-friendly tour option, look no further than Adventure DC Tricycle Tours. Dogs are welcomed into the cabs, and with your approval, guides will stay with the dogs (or even walk them) while you tour memorials that do not allow humanity’s best friend inside.
Hotels
Kimpton Hotels in the District welcome dogs for all sizes at no extra charge and even offer special amenities so that your pup can have the best experience possible. Dogs of all sizes are welcomed for no additional fee at The Ven at Embassy Row as well.
The LINE DC makes for a worthwhile place for you and your canine companion to stay while exploring the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Pets stay free at this DC-inspired hotel housed inside a 110-year old church – and don’t forget to ask the front desk for courtesy bags, water bowls and treats.
The Hay-Adams, one of DC’s most historic hotels, allows one dog weighing no more than 25 pounds per room for free. Pups that weigh 15 pounds or less can stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. at no additional charge (you could even bring two). At The Jefferson, four-legged guests of any breed and up to 50 pounds are welcome and receive dog bowls, beds, treats and more. Over in the elegant Georgetown neighborhood, Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown welcomes pets for free and offers handmade treats, maps to nearby parks and loaner leashes and collars.
Other options: Sofitel Washington, DC Lafayette Square allows dogs up to 50 pounds for a refundable $500 deposit. The ultra-hip Eaton Washington DC allows two pets of any size for no additional fee. Both dogs and cats are welcome. Pet beds, food and water bowls are available upon request.
Yours Truly DC allows dogs up to 70 lbs. for no additional charge, with complimentary treats from Doggy Style Bakery and special Bowser Beer for Dogs available upon check-in. Viceroy Washington DC allows two pets of any size for no additional fee, with both dogs and cats permitted. The hotel provides treats, bowls, beds, waste bags and pet-in-room door hangers for four-legged guests.
Shops
During your DC visit, you may need to get some shopping done. Here’s a list of local shops that allow your pet inside, and may even have a treat or two waiting for them:
Now that you’ve seen DC’s dog-friendly options, check out free things to do for families.
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