20 Best Dog-Friendly Places in NYC
My dog Kiyoshi in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
By Marnie Kunz
Whether you’re a dog owner in New York City or will be visiting with your pooch, these 20 dog-friendly places in NYC will give you plenty to enjoy together in the city. New York is a very dog-friendly city, and you’ll find dogs in all areas of life - from shops to restaurants. As a New Yorker, I am often disappointed when traveling with my dog to learn that a lot of cities do not allow dogs in as many places as NYC. Here is my list of the best dog-friendly places in NYC, many tested and approved by my bossy Akita, Kiyoshi.
New York City is the largest city in the U.S. and has 1.1 million pets, including 600,000 dogs, according to the New York Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). With so many furry friends and small apartments, dogs need to get out, and there are lots of places that welcome dogs in NYC. You can take your pooch everywhere from Central Park to brunch on the Upper East Side, and with the help of Uber’s Pet option, you can even travel around the city easily with your pooch.
Rules for Dogs in NYC
Although New York is very dog-friendly, there are millions of people and 600,000 dogs, and with so many dogs and people in tight quarters, it’s important for everyone to follow the rules for safety.
Always keep a copy of your dog’s vaccine records on you. NYC law requires that all dogs are up to date on shots, including the rabies vaccine, and that owners must have proof. I have my dog’s vaccine records saved in my phone Favorites album so it’s easy to pull up when needed. I also have her vaccine records in my dog’s Bond Vet app. If your vet has an app, this makes it easy to pull up your dog’s records when needed.
Have a vet for emergencies. It is always good to prepare in case of emergencies with your pet, especially when traveling. I recommend having information about a vet near where you will be staying in NYC.
Keep your dog on a leash, which is required by law, except in dog parks and designated dog areas of certain parks during specific hours. If you are visiting NYC with your pup, I recommend skipping off-leash park areas that are not enclosed and keeping your furry friend on a leash at all times except in fenced-in dog parks. Even for dogs who live in NYC, all the distractions of the big city can be too tempting to follow — from a food trail to honking cars, other dogs, people, squirrels, and rats. A leash is a life-saver in the big city. You may also want a GPS tracking collar such as a Fi collar, which can locate your pup if you get separated and also tell you your dog’s daily steps.
Stay to the right side when walking on sidewalks and busy paths. This one may be difficult for dogs who are not used to more crowded, busy areas, but it will help everyone stay safe and halfway sane. No one wants to be tripped by a loose dog leash and you definitely don’t want anyone to accidentally step on or run into your dog. Going along with this, stay out of bike lanes at all costs as it is very easy to get hit by a speeding bike and they are not expecting people on foot in the bike lane.
Pick up poop. This one seems like common sense, but some people need a reminder. When you have a city with so many people and animals, it is important to pick up all poop and dispose of it in one of the many public trash cans throughout the city (there is a can on almost every block in most parts of NYC). Note that some New Yorkers get very mad if you use their trash cans to dispose of your dog’s poop so public ones are best.
To keep this list organized, I am breaking down the 20 dog-friendly places in NYC into categories: parks, landmarks, restaurants, and shops. Also, let me know if I miss any of your top dog-friendly places in NYC in the comments below. Happy exploring to you and your pup!
20 Best Dog-Friendly Places in NYC
Parks
Related: 25 Best Parks in NYC to Enjoy the Outdoors
Every dog needs some outdoor time and space to stretch out in the grass, especially in a busy city like New York. Although The Big Apple has lots of cement, there are plenty of parks and dog parks to break up the concrete jungle for your furry friend. I am including some of the biggest and most conveniently located dog-friendly parks as well as a few popular dog parks in Manhattan and Brooklyn. I also have to say my dog has not tried the dog parks as she is not a dog park type of gal. The dog parks I recommend have convenient locations and high ratings and I’ve taken dogs to a few of them when I was a dog walker in Manhattan. These are just a few of the dog parks and dog-friendly parks in NYC - there are dozens more. If you’re traveling, check with your hotel to see about parks close to where you are staying.
Central Park
Iconic Central Park is the most popular park in Manhattan and is centrally located. Central Park offers 843 acres of nature in the middle of Manhattan, stretching from 59th Street to 110 Street, spanning Midtown Manhattan, the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, and Harlem.
Kiyoshi at Industry City in Brooklyn. Photo by Marques Jackson Photography.
The park is a great place to explore with your dog, relax, have an outdoor picnic, sightsee, or meet up with friends. If your pooch is very active, the park trails include a 6.1-mile (almost 10K) loop for running or walking, as well as a softer, dirt trail called the Bridle Path loop, which is 2.5 miles. The Bridle Path shoots off of the main loop and extends beyond the Central Park Reservoir, further north to the North Meadow fields, and across the 102nd Street Transverse. It eventually rejoins the main path after some time on West Drive.
If you want to run with your dog or hike on the paths in Central Park, check out my Central Park Running Guide for more tips on the best places to run in Central Park.
Central Park is one of the NYC Parks that permits dogs off-leash in designated areas in the mornings and at night. Dogs can be off-leash in certain areas of Central Park before 9 am and after 9 pm. You can see the Central Park dog guidelines for more details on designated dog areas. Again, my advice to travelers is to never let your dog off-leash unless it’s a fenced area, and even for local dogs, I would be very cautious and only do this with a really well-trained dog. My dog, an Akita, is quite independent-minded and also has a high prey drive (she’s caught two rats so far, gross!), so I would not let her off-leash in an open area. Also, keep in mind that even if your dog is friendly, there may be other dogs on leash in the park who do not want loose dogs running up to them and may react aggressively.
Tompkins Square Dog Run
Tompkins Square Dog Run is New York City’s first and largest dog run. The dog run is located in popular Tompkins Square Park in the trendy, bohemian East Village neighborhood. The dog park includes a large and small dog run (dogs must be 25 lbs or under for the small dog run), three swimming pools, picnic tables, decomposed granite running surface with underground drainage, and a bath area with hoses to clean off your pup if needed after playing. You can find out more about the rules and history of the Tompkins Square Dog Run here.
If you want to see some of NYC’s best street art with your pooch while you’re in the neighborhood, check out our article East Village Street Art Tour.
Prospect Park
Prospect Park is the most popular dog gathering spot in Brooklyn. The 526-acre park was built by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the masterminds behind Central Park, and offers plenty of beautiful architecture and open space, serene lakes, hiking paths, and a 3.3-mile paved loop for walking, running, and biking.
Prospect Park has its own dog park, Kensington Dog Run at the Prospect Park Parade Ground. The dog park is located on the southwest side of Prospect Park, at Caton Avenue and Coney Island Avenue. Kensington Dog Run includes 7,000 square feet of fenced-in space, separated areas for large dogs and small dogs, and an innovative dog-friendly turf, a first for a New York City park.
Like Central Park, Prospect Park has off-leash hours in designated areas of the park, from 6 am to 9 am and 9 pm to 1 am at the Long Meadow (except ballfields), Nethermead, and Peninsula Meadow. Also during those hours, dogs can enjoy a place to swim at Dog Beach.
If you want to run with your dog at Prospect Park, check out my tips for running in Prospect Park in the Brooklyn Running Guide.
Sirius Dog Run
Sirius Dog Run is a dog run nestled in downtown Manhattan’s beautiful Battery Park City, at the southern tip of Manhattan, by Liberty Street and Battery Park Esplanade. The asphalt dog run includes plenty of seating for dog owners, a dog water fountain, a hose for cleaning off after playing, and a wading pool in warmer months. Sirius Dog Run is named after a rescue lab that gave his life during 9/11.
Speaking of 9/11, if you want to extend your outing with your pooch, head a few blocks West to One World Trade Center. Dogs are not allowed inside but you can check out the iconic landmark and see the beautiful World Trade Center Mural Project all around the Oculus Plaza. This is a perfect place to snap some photos and vids with your pup to commemorate the day.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park is the most beautiful park in NYC, in my opinion. You can soak in amazing waterfront views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges and the downtown Manhattan skyline within this well-manicured park in Dumbo, Brooklyn. There is a main walking, running, and cycling greenway along the waterfront in Dumbo that is paved and dog-friendly. Just make sure you stay out of the bike lane. I recommend walking along the piers for the best views along the waterfront. From the piers, you’ll be able to see the Statue of Liberty as well as the Manhattan skyline.
Some of the grassy areas in Brooklyn Bridge Park have signs that say dogs are not allowed but don’t fret — besides the walking paths which allow dogs, there are two dog runs in the park. The Main Street Dog Run is located at Adams and Plymouth streets, near the Brooklyn Bridge side of the park. The Pier 6 Dog Run is situated on the other side of the park, between Bridge Park Drive and Furman Street. Both dog runs are fenced in and are open from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm daily.
Madison Square Park
Madison Square Park offers a dog-friendly place to play against the backdrop of Manhattan’s famous Flatiron Building. Jemmy’s Dog Run, located just south of the W. 25th Street entrance to Madison Square Park, offers a fenced-in place for pups to play and cool off, with dedicated areas for large and small dogs, water spigots, and benches.
Madison Square Park is a popular gathering place in bustling Manhattan, and you can enjoy the area with your furry friend by taking a pic in front of the iconic Flatiron Building (just south of the park, the triangular building between E 22nd and E 23rd streets). If you’re hungry, grab some food at the local favorite, Shake Shack, which has a walk-up/to-go location right inside Madison Square Park. Grab a burger, shake or portobello burger and enjoy some people watching from a park bench with your pup. If your furry friend wants a snack or toy, head over to shop together at the Petsmart right near the dog park, at 1107 Broadway between W 24th and W 25th streets.
Domino Park
For a hipster trip with your pooch, check out Domino Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The scenic waterfront park sits on the East River at 15 River Street and offers views of the Manhattan skyline, a dog park, and a taco stand. The riverfront park is a relatively new one that was created out of the old Domino Sugar Factory that used to operate there.
The Domino Park Dog Run is located on the south side of the park, at River Street, just north of South 5th Street. The dog park is clean, has great city views, and includes a water fountain for humans and dogs. It is on the smaller side but you can extend your adventure by walking around the rest of the park, and going up on the elevated path to check out the views of the Williamsburg Bridge to the south and Manhattan to the west. And don’t forget to scoop up some tacos at the taco stand in the park - Tacocina - if you’re hungry.
Landmarks and Attractions
New York City is full of landmarks and attractions that offer some of the best dog-friendly spots to visit with your fur kid. Here is my list of the top dog-friendly places in NYC to hit in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Whether you’re a local or visiting, I hope you and your pup enjoy exploring some of these.
Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge is a beautiful historic landmark that you can enjoy walking on with your pup. The pedestrian walkway is 1.6 miles from the farthest points, but many people get on or off at earlier entrances and walk 1.1 miles of the bridge.
You will be in awe of the architectural and city views from the Brooklyn Bridge. Don’t forget to snap some photos with your pup as a souvenir. For a fun active day with your fur kid, I recommend checking out Brooklyn Bridge Park to enjoy the views of the bridge and then walking over the bridge from the Brooklyn side.
Statue of Liberty
There are several ways you can see the Statue of Liberty with your dog. Although dogs are not allowed on Liberty Island (except for service dogs), you can take the free Staten Island Ferry with your pup, which includes great views of the Statue of Liberty. The official rule is that dogs must be in a carrier or muzzled to ride the ferry, but often if you ask, they will let your fur kid go muzzle-free or come out of the carrier (on a leash). Another great place to see the Statue of Liberty is from the piers at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The Statue of Liberty View Point in Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan also offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty.
Wall Street
Forget the Wolf of Wall Street - take your pooch to see the famous Charging Bull just a few blocks from Wall Street. The statue is located just north of Bowling Green Park in downtown Manhattan’s Financial District. From there, you and your fur kid can walk to nearby The Battery, a scenic waterfront park in Battery Park City. Or, you can head north on Broadway from the Charging Bull and see the Fearless Girl Statue on Broad Street.
Coney Island
Coney Island is a uniquely Brooklyn place that you can enjoy with your dog. Leashed dogs are welcome to stroll the boardwalk year-round and are allowed on the beach from October 1 to May 1 (off-peak seasons). Some fun things to hit up with your fur friend in Coney Island include the boardwalk, famed Nathan’s Hot Dogs, and Coney Art Walls for epic murals.
Your pup may also want to check out Manhattan Beach Dog Run, which is a little over 2 miles east of Coney Island Beach, past Brighton Beach. The spacious dog park was recently renovated and includes large dog and small dog runs, astroturf, fresh grass and gravel areas, water stations, hoses, and water bottle refill stations.
William Secord Gallery
If you’re an art lover, you can take your pooch to the William Secord Gallery in downtown Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. The gallery, located at 29 West 15th Street on the fourth floor, specializes in 19th and 20th-century dog and animal paintings. You and your furry friend can peruse the collections and you can even commission a pet portrait if you’d like. This pup-friendly gallery is a dog lover’s paradise.
Bushwick Collective
To extend your art experience, take your fur kid to the Bushwick Collective in Bushwick, Brooklyn, to see hundreds of massive murals painted by artists from around the world. For street art fans and social media selfies alike, the Bushwick Collective serves up incredible walls for block after block in the hip Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. Wander with your pooch near the Jefferson Street L train subway stop, and you’ll find amazing murals on Jefferson Street, Troutman Street, Wyckoff Avenue, Starr Street, and Flushing Avenue. The House of Yes at 2 Wyckoff Avenue is a great starting point, and you can follow the art in all directions from there.
See my article on the Most Scenic Places to Run in Brooklyn for more details on where to find street art in Bushwick.
East Village Murals
One more spot for street art to check out with your pet is the East Village in Manhattan. Start your mural walk at First Street Green Art Park at 33 E. 1st Street, where you will find a collection of murals in an enclave away from the busy NYC streets. The art park is NYC’s only legal graffiti art park, and local and international artists come to paint the walls regularly, so there are always fresh pieces. Exit the art park on Houston Street and head across the street to the Bowery Wall, an expansive NYC landmark that was first painted by artist Keith Haring in 1982. The wall features a rotating collection of artists who come from all over the world to paint the iconic mural every few months so there is always a stunning, relatively new mural to experience.
Restaurants
Dining is a big part of the NYC experience, and for dog lovers, there are lots of options for dog-friendly places to chow down with your pet. New York City allows each restaurant to decide their own policies for pets, and many have an informal acceptance of pets with their owners, and some even cater to furry diners.
The Wilson
The Wilson goes a step beyond dog-friendly and welcomes canines with open arms. The restaurant, located at 132 W 27th Street, just a few blocks from Madison Square Park, offers a special canine menu for your fur kid as well as Northeastern coastal cuisine (with items including brunch, seafood, tacos, and more) for humans. The Dog Menu includes chow your pup is sure to love — with options like steak, grilled chicken, burgers, and healthy sides of steamed vegetables. The pupsicles and homemade dog biscuits are drool-worthy.
Boris & Horton
Boris & Horton dog cafe serves up happiness and coffee, beer, wine, and snacks in the East Village. Boris & Horton is New York’s first Department of Health-approved dog-friendly café where customers are welcome to bring their dogs inside. The cafe has a fun community vibe and also hosts adoption events and fundraisers for dog rescues. Your pooch is sure to make new furry friends while you satisfy your cravings at the cafe. Boris & Horton is located at 195 Avenue A, just two blocks north of Tompkins Square Park.
Do or Dive
Do or Dive is a dog-friendly bar in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, that is perfect to unwind with your furry friend after a day of sightseeing. The dive bar, located at 11080 Bedford Avenue, serves up a welcoming hipster vibe, an outdoor patio, and plenty of dog-friendliness. Enjoy the kitschy decor and grab a drink while your pup chills with you on the patio or at the bar.
Barking Dog
The Barking Dog is a dog-friendly restaurant with two locations — one on the Upper East Side (1678 3rd Avenue) and one in Hell’s Kitchen (329 W 49th Street) within walking distance of Times Square. The pooch-friendly eatery is known for its scrumptious brunches and would make a great place to start your day.
Brooklyn Brewery
The Brooklyn Brewery, located at 79 N. 11th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, allows dogs in the tasting room. Bring your pooch out for an evening of free beer tasting at the brewery. Note that dogs are not allowed on the brewery tours, but they are welcome in the tasting room. Cheers to the tasting room!
Cellar Dog
For a dog-friendly bar to shoot some pool, play ping pong, or shuffleboard, check out Cellar Dog in the West Village. The underground adult playground, located at 75 Christopher Street, is a fun late-night spot that welcomes furry friends, and the expansive space is more dog-friendly than most small Manhattan bars.
Shopping
Lots of shops in NYC are dog-friendly, many of them unofficially. Dog owners report taking their pooches to Tiffany’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Michael Kors, Bloomingdales, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Brookfield Place with no problems. I’ve taken my dog shopping at Industry City in Brooklyn several times, and she loves the open spaces and the courtyards to romp in between buildings. When you go shopping, make sure your pup is on a leash and is well-behaved, and when in doubt, ask a store staff member if you can bring your fur kid inside.
New Yorkers are known to bend the rules or make their own, and I’ve seen dogs in so many places — including grocery stores, bodegas (but watch out for bodega cats), auto shops, laundromats, and more. My general advice on this is to ask if you’re in doubt and avoid places where food is sold or served unless it is clear that dogs are allowed. I’ve seen someone bring a terrified dog into Whole Foods and claim it was an emotional support animal. Don’t be that person.
When you hit these dog-friendly places in NYC, keep in mind your dog’s background and personality, and try to avoid places that may scare your dog or stress your pooch out. Happy exploring with your fur kid, and enjoy the Big Apple!
Related Posts: Guide to Running with Your Dog, Kiyoshi’s Story, Best Dog Breeds for Running, Brooklyn Running Guide: Most Scenic Places to Run, 25 Best Parks in NYC to Enjoy the Outdoors
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach, a dog lover, Akita mom, and the founder of Runstreet. She is based in Brooklyn, New York.
