Explore NYC’s Best Dog-Friendly Parks, Attractions, and Urban Adventures 

New York City may be famous for its nonstop energy and fast-paced lifestyle, but beneath the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, the city always finds time to roll out the red carpet for you and your furry best friend. 

From its picture-perfect green spaces, waterfront experiences, and even dog-friendly hotels, New York has always extended a warm welcome to its guest doggie visitors. So if you’re searching for inspirational city breaks for you and your pet, here’s a fantastic guide to New York packed with ideas that you can enjoy together in the city that never sleeps. 

Navigate Your Way Through New York’s Most Paw-Some Attractions 

Easily one of the best things to do in New York when vacationing with your dog is to take off sightseeing while you’re here. With quintessential New York landmarks around every corner, New York City turns an everyday dog walk into an exercise of urban discovery… with an occasional squirrel-induced detour along the way. 

Perhaps the most postcard-worthy challenge for you both to undertake is to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and back while you’re in town. Connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn, you and your four-legged pal can stroll around two historic boroughs in a single outing, with a few bucket-list snaps taken along the way. 

Additionally, a visit to New York with your dog wouldn’t be complete without spending some time shopping in the charming West Village neighborhood. Afterward, you can both then head out for a dose of creativity by visiting the Gallery Henoch, New York’s best pet-friendly contemporary art gallery, nestled in the heart of the Chelsea Art District.  

Enjoy the Buzz in NYC’s Dog-Friendly Green Spaces 

Despite its reputation for being a concrete jungle, in reality, Manhattan is home to over 200 designated parks, playgrounds, and recreational spaces – not to mention the most famous urban oasis in the world – Central Park.  

Whether you’d like to start your day with an energetic walk around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir or prefer a sunset off-leash runaround on the Great Lawn – with perfect views of New York’s celebrated skyline in every direction, Central Park is ideal for dog-friendly visits to this great city. 

Venturing outside of Manhattan’s iconic leafy landmark, designated dog runs in the city are a great way to meet other pet-lovers, like when hanging out at spots like Tompkins Square Dog Run. Madison Square Park, too, is a lovely spot to enjoy a stroll with your pup, and during seasonal events, you can even catch a live outdoor concert together. 

Epic Dog-Friendly Day Trips and Experiences Around NYC 

Another popular thing to do in New York with your canine companion has to be to head to the water to see the sights with your best pal beside you. With countless dog-friendly waterside parks and ferry rides to enjoy, if you’d like to escape downtown Manhattan for a while, these are the places to head.  

Naturally, for the ultimate panoramic New York skyline shot of both of you together, we highly recommend jumping on the Staten Island Ferry, where you can snap away with the likes of the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty behind you. 

You can even go one step further if you’re both craving something more adventurous by meeting with the stellar crew at Blade for a once-in-a-lifetime pet-friendly helicopter ride over the Manhattan skyline itself.  

Refuel in Style at New York’s Best Pet-Friendly Cafes, Restaurants, and Bars 

Exploring the Big Apple is a superb way to work up an appetite – and a thirst – and NYC has you covered on both fronts. From its welcoming dog-friendly cafés and eateries to its chilled-out bars packed with live entertainment, there’s no shortage of places in New York to refuel and unwind. 

Here you can kick start your day by brunching together over a morning coffee with the pet-loving staff at Boris & Horton in the East Village. Then, as your sightseeing progresses, grab a spot of lunch at the trendy The Wilson restaurant in the vibrant neighborhood of Chelsea. 

Finally, who wouldn’t want to wine and dine after the perfect day out in the world’s most famous city? If this sounds like you, then be sure to celebrate in style at NYC’s best dog-friendly restaurant and bar, the Barking Dog in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen district in the heart of Manhattan. 

Relax in Comfort at New York’s Best Pet-Friendly Hotels 

With so much to see and do in New York while you’re both here, NYC is a city best explored at your own pace. Whether it’s strolling across the Brooklyn Bridge or enjoying a picnic in Central Park, it’s the chance to create memories together you’ll treasure forever. 

However you decide to fill your days in this great city, you can do so knowing that there’s a warm welcome waiting for you both at our Best Western pet-friendly New York hotels.  

For those who love to be close to the action, book your stay at the Best Western Plus Soho Hotel, ideally positioned so that you can enjoy all of Lower Manhattan’s restaurants and attractions. Alternatively, for those of you who prefer to escape the city at night, you can reserve your room at Best Western Plus Meadowlands across the Hudson River to wake up fully refreshed for a new day of adventures.