If you’ve been reading here for a while, you may know that Winston and Gizmo, our two rescue doggos, are the apples of my eye. The Grant Boys enjoy going out and about exploring, though Winston definitely is more social while Gizmo prefers to people watch from afar. With that in mind, here are our top 10 dog friendly places in the Triangle perfect for an afternoon with your favorite pups.
10 Dog Friendly Places in the Triangle
Bark in the Park | Durham
Looking for a fun way to socialize your dogs and cheer on the local team? Look no further than Bark in the Park at the Durham Bulls games. There are usually a few games throughout the season. Each dog ticket includes a donation to Second Chance Pet Adoptions.
Coker Arboretum | Chapel Hill
Coker Arboretum offers nice trails and shade on hot days. The arboretum winds through UNC’s campus. It makes for a lazy afternoon of strolling and relaxing on the lawn or on the benches throughout. Don’t forget to bring water for your pets!
Dorothea Dix Park | Raleigh
During the stay-at-home orders from 2020, David and I maintained our weekly date nights by grabbing take out and heading to Dix Park for a picnic with the boys. There is a dog park on site in addition to plenty of open space for you and your dog to explore or sprawl out for a lovely afternoon.
Eno River State Park | Durham
Winston is just a gigantic fluffball and he loves hiking at the Eno because it is shaded, and he can jump in the river to cool off. I would venture to say that this is his favorite spot for us to take him walking! The trails are easy to hike and make for a great adventure.
Mordecai Park | Raleigh
Another one of our favorite spots to take the boys for a picnic followed by a nice little stroll is at Mordecai Park. It typically is not too busy, making it a rather nice experience for a quieter evening.
North Carolina Museum of Art | Raleigh
The Museum of Art has a beautiful art park for a nice walk exploring the outdoor art exhibits. This is also a nice place for a picnic as well after exploring the various trails.
Ponysaurus Brewing Co. | Durham
I’m not sure I’ve ever been to Ponysaurus when it hasn’t been packed with dogs and their owners. This is another great spot for food trucks and delicious beer! It’s a nice stop before heading to Bark in the Park at DBAP. The outdoor space is welcoming and open. There is a ton of seating for you and your favorite four-legged friends.
The Siena Hotel | Chapel Hill
One of the most dog friendly places David and I have ever stayed is the Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill. They roll out the red carpet for your pups and make them feel right at home. It’s a great spot for a staycation or for any guests that may be coming from out of town who are bringing their pets.
Umstead State Park | Raleigh
Umstead Park is another great spot in Raleigh with a variety of hiking trails at varying lengths and difficulty. We prefer shorter trails now that our boys are a bit older. Parking is relatively easy and there are multiple entrances near restaurants and breweries if you’d like to fuel up after.
Wye Hill | Raleigh
Wye Hill is definitely one of our favorite spots to grab a good meal and catch a sunset over the Raleigh skyline. It is also a super pet friendly patio. Especially nice in the warmer months because it is equipped with fans and misters. During the winter, it’s one of the warmest patios in town.
This post was originally published in 2017 and has since between updated and recirculated for 2022.
Puppy posts are my fav! They’re so cute I can hardly stand it. I’ve never taken Winds to a restaurant or anywhere like that, but we do frequent TJ Maxx.
Good to know!! If only our Bella wasn’t a psycho high-strung maniac in public. She is a homebody for sure (unless she’s swimming)
I used to take my dog to Lake Pine. I’ve seen many retrievers go for a ball or stick that was thrown for them out into the water. There is a wide, paved path around the lake. There are covered picnic tables on the side you reach by entering off Laura Duncan Rd.