Dog-Friendly Philadelphia (PA)
Of the various cities we've lived in, and of the places we've travelled to, I still am convinced that Philadelphia, PA is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the U.S. Prior to moving here, when we were apartment hunting, we asked the management/brokers of every apartment we toured if their building was dog-friendly, and every single one of them was. Small sample size, sure, but still anecdotally interesting, especially since we did not have a dog at the time, and wasn't specifically seeking out pet-friendly units.
On any given 30-minute walk in Center City, Philadelphia, you'll see dozens of dogs out. They're pretty much de-facto welcome at any restaurant with outdoor seating (where, in the shadow of the height of the COVID pandemic, is practically all restaurants). Dogs are welcome at all of Philadelphia's Center City squares-- Rittenhouse Square, Logan Square, Washington Square, and Franklin Square, and are even welcome at some tourist attractions, such as The Magic Gardens.
This is a non-exhaustive (because there's just too many to capture!) list of some of our favorite places to visit with your dog in Philadelphia, whether you're here for the long haul, a short weeklong trip, or just a few hours.
On any given 30-minute walk in Center City, Philadelphia, you'll see dozens of dogs out. They're pretty much de-facto welcome at any restaurant with outdoor seating (where, in the shadow of the height of the COVID pandemic, is practically all restaurants). Dogs are welcome at all of Philadelphia's Center City squares-- Rittenhouse Square, Logan Square, Washington Square, and Franklin Square, and are even welcome at some tourist attractions, such as The Magic Gardens.
This is a non-exhaustive (because there's just too many to capture!) list of some of our favorite places to visit with your dog in Philadelphia, whether you're here for the long haul, a short weeklong trip, or just a few hours.
HOTELS/LODGING
If you're visiting the city of brotherly love and need a place to stay, there's no doubt that you'll be able to find plenty of pet-friendly rentals on Airbnb. If you'd like to try Airbnb, or see what listings are available at your next travel destination, you can create an Airbnb account using this link and get $40 off (as of the time of this post) of your first booking.
If hotels are more your style, here's a few that I recommend:
My in-laws have stayed at this 4-star hotel before (sans dog), and its location just can't be beat. The Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia allows pets, with no restrictions to the breed or size of pet. This comes at no extra charge (which is so incredibly rare!), and according to their website, they even provide a pet bed and food/water bowls delivered to your room.
Plus, Rittenhouse Square is only a short 2-block walk from this hotel, which is a great place to walk your dog. Pre-COVID, the Palomar had a free happy hour every evening in the lounge in their lobby, where we'd see guests with their dogs. Maybe this tradition will return soon.
This hotel is right across the street from the Kimpton, and is also pet-friendly, so you really can't go wrong. From what I've read, it sounds like they have a 30-lb pet weight restriction, but do not charge pet fees.
My in-laws have also stayed at this 4-star hotel when visiting us, and it also comes recommended. The Warwick is a mere block away from Rittenhouse Square, and about 6 blocks away from City Hall. They have pet-friendly rooms for a $75 pet fee per stay, as of this writing. The Mediterranean restaurant next door, Spice Finch, is a must-try. Plus, Spice Finch has a great vegetarian/vegan menu.
If you're looking for something east of Broad street and a little closer to Old City/Washington Square rather than Rittenhouse Square, Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia welcomes pets up to 50lbs and for a $50 pet fee. The hotel is quite new, and is situated steps away from the Convention Center, if that's what you're in town for. Big bonus- Federal Donuts (East Market location) is right next door. This location is also super close to Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown.
PARKS / DOG PARKS
We're a little biased because we live close by, but we love Rittenhouse Square and think it's the best one out of the city's four main squares (Rittenhouse, Washington, Logan, and Franklin). You'll practically never take a stroll across this square without seeing a minimum of at least five dogs. Even before the pandemic, it's a great place for folks around the neighborhood to get together and socialize outdoors, throw a frisbee around, have a nice picnic, people watch, listen to street performers, etc.
In the winter, it's a favorite place for dogs to go take a romp out in the snow.
Rittenhouse Square really is a little oasis in the busy hustle-and-bustle of the city.
We're a little biased because we live close by, but we love Rittenhouse Square and think it's the best one out of the city's four main squares (Rittenhouse, Washington, Logan, and Franklin). You'll practically never take a stroll across this square without seeing a minimum of at least five dogs. Even before the pandemic, it's a great place for folks around the neighborhood to get together and socialize outdoors, throw a frisbee around, have a nice picnic, people watch, listen to street performers, etc.
In the winter, it's a favorite place for dogs to go take a romp out in the snow.
Rittenhouse Square really is a little oasis in the busy hustle-and-bustle of the city.
Center City Philadelphia is surrounded by two rivers: the Delaware River on the east, and Schuylkill River on the West. There is a nice, maintained mix-use trail that runs along the Schuylkill River which makes it a favorite for cyclists, joggers, and dog walkers. It's just a perfect riverside recreational green space.
Further, where Spruce Street meets the Schuylkill is the Schuylkill River Park where you'll find public basketball courts as well as grassy areas for picnics and games. There you'll also find two well-maintained lovely fenced-in public dog parks, one for small dogs/puppies, and one for larger dogs. Stormy prefers to chill out and smell butts over actively playing with other dogs, but we're so glad we have these parks available to us all the same.
Further, where Spruce Street meets the Schuylkill is the Schuylkill River Park where you'll find public basketball courts as well as grassy areas for picnics and games. There you'll also find two well-maintained lovely fenced-in public dog parks, one for small dogs/puppies, and one for larger dogs. Stormy prefers to chill out and smell butts over actively playing with other dogs, but we're so glad we have these parks available to us all the same.
If you find yourself in Center City East and are looking for an off-leash fenced dog park, Seger Dog Park is a great one. This neighborhood dog park is just a block away from The Magic Gardens, and a 5-minute walk from Washington Square. We've encountered nothing but friendly dogs there.
The Wissahickon Valley Park is a crown jewel of Philadelphia. This free, public park contains miles and miles of hiking trails and spans over 1,800 acres in Northwest Philadelphia. You can reach it easily by multiple public transportation methods from Center City, but can also reach it by running/walking north along the Schuylkill River Trail for 5-6 miles from Center City, which is a route we often take while training for the Philadelphia Marathon.
The Wissahickon has something for everyone-- forest, meadow, trails for horseback riding/cycling, a lovely creek running throughout, etc.
The Wissahickon has something for everyone-- forest, meadow, trails for horseback riding/cycling, a lovely creek running throughout, etc.
Fairmont Park is huge, and is one of the largest urban park systems in the country. One of our favorite areas of Fairmont Park is the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. While dogs aren't allowed in the historic house itself, they are allowed in the park area outside of the house. Every year in April, they host the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival which includes a ton of fun traditional Japanese activities/events, a 10K/5K race, and even a "Prettiest in Pink" pet parade.
This underrated, free rooftop urban park (touted as Philadelphia's "Park in the Sky") is open year round from 6am to 10pm, free to visit, and is pet friendly. It is a privately-owned, publicly-accessible park located at 80 S 30th Street, directly atop Cira Centre South Garage, near the 30th Street train station. To access, you'll just use the elevators inside the parking garage and head up to the 11th Floor.
Once you're in the park, you'll find tons of green spaces, chairs/tables/benches, as well as a small fenced-in off-leash dog park. Sunset Social, the rooftop's restaurant, also offers casual bites (french fries, hot dogs, burgers, ice cream, etc) and beverages (soft drinks, beer, wine, pre-made cocktails, etc).
Once you're in the park, you'll find tons of green spaces, chairs/tables/benches, as well as a small fenced-in off-leash dog park. Sunset Social, the rooftop's restaurant, also offers casual bites (french fries, hot dogs, burgers, ice cream, etc) and beverages (soft drinks, beer, wine, pre-made cocktails, etc).
This wildlife refuge right in Philadelphia near the airport in the southwest is rather unassuming, and often gets overlooked. It's an underrated hiking spot, and is filled with a variety of birds, fish, butterflies, etc. It's free to visit, and dogs are welcome on all the trails (over 10 miles of them!), which can be rare in many wildlife refuges. It's open every day of the year, from sunrise to sunset.
Right in the middle of Center City, the Rail Park will, when finished, be a 3-mile elevated urban park, similar to NYC's High Line. It will be transforming unused rail lines to a public space for Philadelphia citizens to enjoy.
As of this writing, it's still currently in "Phase One", where 1/4th of a mile of the park is completed. It's free to the public, and is open from 7am-10pm daily and is 100% pet-friendly. As of now, there are two entrances to the Rail Park: a wheelchair accessible entrance at Broad & Noble and a staircase on Callowhill between 11th and 12th streets.
As of this writing, it's still currently in "Phase One", where 1/4th of a mile of the park is completed. It's free to the public, and is open from 7am-10pm daily and is 100% pet-friendly. As of now, there are two entrances to the Rail Park: a wheelchair accessible entrance at Broad & Noble and a staircase on Callowhill between 11th and 12th streets.
- Honorable Mention: Timber Creek Pooch Park
Timber Creek is a free, public, sprawling off-leash dog park that makes you feel like you're walking in a little forest with your dog. It's 9 acres of fenced-in woods! The entire area, including its wooded non-fenced area, totals 130 acres and contains a bunch of walking trails. Outside of the fenced-in area is also a nice-sized pond/dog beach, where on a nice day, you'll find tons of dogs swimming, playing, and chasing each other. Stormy's not a fan of the water, but for dogs that are-- this place is not to be missed! Be sure to bring a towel!
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Not a garden in the traditional sense, but still pretty magical. Part museum, part mosaic garden, part art gallery, part folk art installation, the Magic Gardens was established in 2004 and "is a mosaicked visionary art environment, gallery, and community arts center that preserves, interprets, and provides daily access to Isaiah Zagar's art installation and public murals".
The PMG site, Zagar's largest artwork, includes a fully tiled indoor space and outdoor sculpture garden that spans half a block on Philly's famous South Street. In 1991, Zagar started work in the vacant lots nearby his studio, after tiling his adjacent South Street property. He spent the next 14 years excavating and mosaicking the 3,000-square-foot space. Prompted by rising land values, the Boston-based lot owner decided to sell the land in 2002. Unwilling to witness the destruction of this work, the community rushed to support the artist. His creation became incorporated as a nonprofit in 2004 to preserve the art, inspire creativity and community engagement, and educate the public about folk, mosaic, and visionary art.
What's even cooler is that they are indeed dog-friendly.
Kelly Drive and MLK Drive are the two trails running along either sides of the Schuylkill River, and either trails are fantastic for runners, cyclists, and romps with your dog.
North of the Philadelphia Art Museum, if you stay on the east side of the Schuylkill River on Kelly Drive, you'll come behind Philly's infamous Boathouse Row. Further north of Boathouse Row in mid-April in the springtime, you'll find the most gorgeous tree blossoms along the river here. In the fall, there is where the crowds gather for the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, one of the largest rowing competitions in the world.
If you decide to stay on the west side of the Schuylkill River going north of the Art Museum on MLK Drive, you'll be treated with fantastic views of Boathouse Row itself, across the river.
North of the Philadelphia Art Museum, if you stay on the east side of the Schuylkill River on Kelly Drive, you'll come behind Philly's infamous Boathouse Row. Further north of Boathouse Row in mid-April in the springtime, you'll find the most gorgeous tree blossoms along the river here. In the fall, there is where the crowds gather for the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, one of the largest rowing competitions in the world.
If you decide to stay on the west side of the Schuylkill River going north of the Art Museum on MLK Drive, you'll be treated with fantastic views of Boathouse Row itself, across the river.
While unfortunately (and admittedly, for good reasons) non-service animals aren't allowed inside the museums along the Parkway (Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Rodin Museum, and the Barnes Foundation), the Parkway itself is a great place to stroll along with your dog. The Parkway offers great views of City Hall from atop the Art Museum steps ("Rocky steps"-- yes, dogs are allowed on the grounds outside the Art Museum, including the Rocky steps) and from Logan Square, as seen below:
Keep going down to City Hall, and you'll hit LOVE Park and Dilworth Park, both of which are dog-friendly. At LOVE Park (more of a plaza, really) you'll find a reproduction of Robert Indiana's 1970 LOVE sculpture. Dilworth Park is the plaza sitting at the foot of City Hall, and has a fun interactive water fountain and roller skate park in the summer season, and an ice rink plus winter market in the winter season. Terrific places to sit with an iced coffee and people-watch with your pup.
We love the walk from City Hall to the Art Museum along the Ben Franklin Parkway, where you'll hit first Logan Square, then the Rodin Museum, then the Art Museum. Though you can't enter museums with your dog, right outside of the museums are also some fun stops, including the Rocky Statue, which you're pretty much required to pose with if you're visiting from out of town.
The garden outside of the Rodin Museum also welcomes dogs, and is free to visit. Without entering the Rodin museum itself, you'll get to see great works of art like The Thinker and the Gates of Hell with your pup without having to pay a dime! In the summer, the garden with its reflecting pool makes a great place to have a picnic. In summer seasons past, they had a pop-up bar selling beer and wine, even. We really hope this returns, post-COVID.
If you're visiting Philadelphia without a dog, I would definitely recommend a stop inside this gorgeous little museum if you get the chance. The Rodin Museum is pay-what-you-wish, with a suggested admission price of $12 for adults.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, of course, is a world-class museum in itself. The admission price of $25/adult is absolutely worth it, but if you're stretched a bit thin, the museum is also pay-as-you-wish every first Sunday of the month, as well as every Friday night (5:00-8:45pm).
Okay, you can't actually go inside the Liberty Bell Center with your dog. However, if you'd like to see the Liberty Bell, even without your dog in tow, skip the lines and security screening! There's no reason to actually go inside the Liberty Bell Center. The Liberty Bell itself is viewable 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year from outside of the Liberty Bell Center through the large glass floor-to-ceiling window.
The Liberty Bell sits in the Independence National Historical Park, where dogs are allowed except inside buildings. So, sorry pup, no tour of Independence Hall for you. Too bad, it's only the place where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed, whatever.
- Neighborhood Walks around the city!
Philadelphia is also a city filled with street art and murals. Over 3,500 murals, actually. If you have the time, take a mural tour and check out all the public art this city has to offer. You can find a list of murals here.
The below beauty named "Gimmie Shelter" can be seen at 1242 Lombard Street, at the Morris Animal Refuge, one of the nation's first animal shelters, established in 1874 and still operating in Philadelphia today.
The Fitler Square/Rittenhouse Square neighborhoods are also a personal favorite to wander around (but we're biased; those are our stomping grounds!)
As is University City/the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, and Penn Park:
RESTAURANTS
Now, this isn't going to be an exhaustive list by any means, because as I said-- practically almost any restaurant with outdoor seating allows dogs. This is a list of some of our favorite places/places where I've seen with my own eyes that dogs are welcome.
Dogs are also welcome (outdoors) at some breweries here, including:
- Parc - 227 S 18th Street
- Trattoria Carina - 2201 Spruce Street
- El Rey - 2013 Chestnut Street
- The Dandelion - 124 S 18th Street
- Day by Day - 2101 Sansom Street
- Gran Caffe L'Aquila - 1716 Chestnut Street
- Dim Sum House by Jane G's (Rittenhouse) - 1930 Chestnut Street
- The Love - 130 S 18th Street
- Bar Bombon - 133 S 18th Street
- a. kitchen & a. bar - 135 S 18th Street
- Butcher Bar - 2034 Chestnut Streeet
- Veda - 1920 Chestnut Street
- Marathon - 19th & Spruce / 1839 Spruce Street
- White Dog Cafe - 3420 Sansom Street
- Southgate - 1801 Lombard Street
Dogs are also welcome (outdoors) at some breweries here, including:
- Wissahickon Brewing Company - 3705 W School House Ln
- Evil Genius Beer Company - 1727 N Front St
We hope you (and your pup) find your way to the city of Pupper-ly love, and have a great time!