Philly is Dog Friendly!

Imagine riding in a horse-drawn carriage down the same cobblestone streets that our forefathers walked on, your pup at your side. You pass Benjamin Franklin’s house, the Liberty Bell and the Constitution Center. A city rich in history, the City of Brotherly Love is also dog friendly!

Begin your stay at the luxurious located at the Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, directly across from the Rittenhouse Square Park. You and your dog will be greeted and pampered by dog-friendly staff and room service will present you and your pup with a food bowl filled to the rim with gourmet dog biscuits. While you make use of the Rittenhouse Hotel’s dog walkers and pet sitting services, you are free to enjoy the spa services and restaurants adjacent to the hotel. Or, bring your dog over to Rougue located at 18th and Walnut for dinner and sit outside. Your waitstaff will bring over a bowl of water for Fido to lap while you enjoy your meal. There are plenty other pet-friendly hotels, too, such as Loews and The Palomar! There are plenty other restaurants that allow your dog to sit next to you while you enjoy your meal outside, and you can find a list on The Philly Dog.

Explore the city with your dog! One of the best parts about Philadelphia is that it is walkable and many of the stores are Fido friendly. For example, in center city Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters both allow your dog to join you while you shop. In the Northern Liberties section, check out The Piazza at Schmidts loctaed at 2nd Street and Germantown Avenue.

While there, you must check out The Chic Petique, a boutique pet store that carries all-natural, holistic pet foods, treats and toys. Or, if you are visiting the Italian Market (which runs along 9th Street from Wharton to Fitzwater Streets), stop in a new boutique pet store called Pets in the City to pick up a present for your dog.

But a visit to Philly wouldn’t be complete without a carriage ride around Independence Mall in Olde City. The main carriage stand is located at 5th & Chestnut Streets next to Independence Hall or at 6th & Market streets across from the Independence Visitors Center. And some of the carriage companies allow your dog to accompany you on the ride. Explore the city! You’ll be able to enjoy learning about Philadelphia history with your pooch.

If your dog needs some exercise, visit one of the many dog parks in the city and socialize with other Philly dog owners. There is the award-winning Schuyllkill Dog Run, located on 25th Street betweenPine and Spruce Streets, that has a run for big dogs and a separate run for the little ones. Or, head over to Seger Dog park located at 11th Street between Lombard and South Street or Mario Lanza Dog Run located at 2nd and Catherine Streets. If you don’t mind keeping your dog on a leash, check out Rittenhouse Square Park, Washington Square Park (located at Walnut and 7th Streets) and Clark Park in University City (located at Baltimore Avenue & South 43rd Street). To get back to nature, take your dog to Valley Green to go hiking in the Wissahickon Park off of Lincoln Drive.

Want to bring your dog to a Yappy Hour or another dog-related event?

Plenty of bars in Philadelphia allow you to sit outside with your dog while enjoying a drink and many happy hours raise money for local animal shelters. For a list of upcoming events, check out The Philly Dog.