Best dog-friendly spots in every part of PA
Mark National Dog Day on August 26 by bringing your best friend to these dog-friendly haunts in Pennsylvania.
National Dog Day is Aug. 26, and you can celebrate your pup by visiting a number of dog-friendly places in Pennsylvania that were designed with dogs in mind. From the shores of Lake Erie to the big city of Philadelphia, we’ve highlighted the best doggy destinations for you and your canine companion.
Presque Isle State Park – Erie (Erie County)
Presque Isle State Park, a natural wonderland jutting from Erie into the eponymous lake, is the best place in Pennsylvania to bring a water-loving pup for a beach day. Not only can your dog play in the shallows at beaches without lifeguards (at guarded beaches, dogs must stay within the treeline), but he’ll also love the more than 11 miles of trails at the state park. While hiking, you may want to make a pit stop at one of the park’s picnic shelters for a water and treat break.
Beau’s Dream Dog Park – Lancaster (Lancaster County)
Beau’s Dream Dog Park is indeed what a dog may dream of as its ideal dog park. In 2012, a Lancaster resident and her dog Beau won a contest sponsored by Purina Beneful, and the dog food company bankrolled a $500,000 makeover of Lancaster’s Buchanan Dog Park. Renamed Beau’s Dream Dog Park, the new and improved dog spot at Buchanan Park opened in 2013, and it’s been the subject of Fido fantasies ever since. The spacious park has separate areas for large and small breeds, lots of shade for pet parents, and fun agility equipment to give dogs even more exercise. There’s also a tree that launches tennis balls for dogs to fetch and a splash pad for hot summer days. Truly puppy paradise!
The Boozy Mutt – Philadelphia
Referring to itself as “Pennsylvania’s first indoor-outdoor off-leash dog bar,” The Boozy Mutt is one dog-friendly Philly business designed for both dogs and their people. The 6,500 square feet of space boasts a bar, dog park, and restaurant—and dogs can actually be off leash through the facility. There are even TVs and free Wi-Fi in case you want to watch the game or get some work done—all in the company of your pet while enjoying some time away from home. The owners say they want the place “to feel like the backyard you may not have here in Philly,” but even if you have a backyard, The Boozy Mutt’s full bar, large pub menu, and special homemade dog treats can likely rival it.
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway – Jim Thorpe (Carbon County)
As one of the states central to the development of the American railroad, Pennsylvania is home to several experiences that allow you to explore the countryside by booking passage on a real train. But the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe is particularly special for pet parents, because dogs are allowed on these trains! In fact, dog passengers ride for free—and even get their own special tickets—on any of the railway’s 45-minute or 70-minute train trips. Riding in vintage coaches pulled by diesel engines, you and your dog can admire the beautiful scenery of the southern Pocono Mountains.
Canine Meadows – Mount Wolf (York County)
The aptly named Canine Meadows is a large York County dog park located within John Rudy County Park. The park has three different areas for dogs to roam, depending on their size, but each is several acres, ensuring that there’s ample space for dogs to run and feel free. Canine Meadows has even garnered national fame—in 2010, the park was named one of the best dog parks in the country by the credentialed canine experts at the magazine Dog Fancy.
Hound Haus – Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)
Hound Haus is a unique Pittsburgh space in the East Liberty neighborhood that combines an off-leash dog park with a cafe and bar. The gated dog park is monitored by “houndskeepers” who ensure that dogs are behaving safely and will even clean up after dogs. Meanwhile, dog parents can enjoy breakfast foods and hot and cold sandwiches alongside coffee in the morning and beer, wine, and spirits in the evening. And a pup cup is only a quarter! In addition to the large outdoor park, dogs can also explore the indoor space, especially if it’s warm outside. To visit Hound Haus, dogs must become members, or you can purchase a $10 or $15 guest pass for them, as long as your dog is up to date with vaccinations.
Lucky Paws Dog Park and Pool – Freedom (Beaver County)
Lucky Paws Pet Resort indeed offers a resort-like experience for dogs in Western Pennsylvania. The boarding facility is known as the dog “hotel,” and dog grooming takes place at Lucky Paws’ “salon and spa.” But you and your dog can enjoy Lucky Paws together at the Lucky Paws Dog Park and Pool, a semi-public spot where registered dogs (current on common vaccines) can swim in the dog pool and roam the indoor-outdoor park. Reservations are recommended in the spring and summer, and a one-day pass costs $15 per dog.
Doggie’s Pub – State College (Centre County)
Doggie’s Pub is a State College bar known as a great hangout spot for locals as well as their dogs. While dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, Doggie’s Pub’s love for our canine companions is clear just by its name—it is, after all, a dog-themed bar and restaurant. Whether you order an ale, a Peachy Poodle (a cocktail with peach schnapps, lemonade, and iced tea), or a pizza, your dog will love hanging out with you in the dog-friendly beer garden, in which dogs are allowed each day until 7 p.m.
The Dining Dog & Friends – Allentown (Lehigh County)
Allentown is home to The Dining Dog & Friends, which is kind of like a Whole Foods for dogs. The pet market has a full kitchen and bakery serving savory foods and sweet treats for animals (that are made in-store!) and can even bake a custom cake for your furry friend’s birthday or gotcha day. Meanwhile, the store also sells health-focused products, including everyday food and treats, toys, supplements, and more.
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