Dog Days

Magnuson Park Mike Eppley / Shutterstock

Traveling with a good friend always makes explorations more enjoyable, and this includes four-legged besties. Seattle loves its canine companions, with the region’s bounty of scenic parks welcoming on-leash pups, and more than a dozen even have off-leash areas. Visit the website of Seattle Parks and Recreation for a list, ranging from Lower Woodland (1000 N 50th St) and Denny Park (100 Dexter Ave N), the city’s oldest park, to the 2.7-acre Genesee Park (4513 S Genesee St) off-leash area in Columbia City, which has a doggie drinking fountain and a “small and shy dog area.” Just above the stunning beaches of Golden Gardens (8498 Seaview Pl NW), there’s a one-acre off-leash area in the upper woods; afterward, stop in Fremont for Norms Kitchen & Bar (460 N 36th St) to check out the “puppy happy hour menu.” The expansive Magnuson Park (7400 Sand Point Way NE) off-leash zone features 8.6 acres plus coveted water access to Lake Washington’s freshwater shoreline. Round out the afternoon with some refreshments savored on the nearby patio of Magnuson Cafe & Brewery (7801 62nd Ave NE).

Emerald City dog owners adore the Seattle Barkery, serving up celebratory treats since 2014. Since the opening of its first Treat Shop in South Lake Union (2225 Eighth Ave), the company has added a few locations. And be sure to pop into the nearest Starbucks for a complimentary Puppuccino (a small cup of whipped cream). All the Best Pet Care has 16 Seattle-area natural pet food stores, and carries products from raw dog food to pet-specific CBD options. And Washington-based Mud Bay is another regional fave, with multiple locations, for all your puppy needs while in town.

Human visitors traveling with four-legged buddies can easily find accommodating hotel rooms in Seattle. An increasing number of local lodgings welcome furry friends—and even offer perks like dog-walking services, food and water bowls or pet-bed loaners, branded dog robes, and pampered pup tasting menus.