Dog-Friendly Activities in Westchester, IL

Drury Lane Park is a pet-friendly suburban recreation area in Westchester, IL. Dogs are permitted to walk with you on the grassy lawn or accompany you by a bench or picnic table. There is also playground in the center for kids to play on.

You and your pooch can see the Windy City from the water aboard a Seadog Cruises Chicago by Hornblower speedboat. Departing from Navy Pier, Seadog Cruises offers a variety of dog-friendly event tours throughout the year. Check their website for a current schedule of SeaDog cruises.

Bring Fido aboard one of the dog-friendly Shoreline Cruises boats in Chicago, IL, for a tour on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome on classic lake cruises and architecture cruises. The classic lake cruise will highlight historic lakefront sights and attractions along Lake Michigan. The architecture cruise will take you down the Chicago River to see buildings such as Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, Trump Tower, Marina City and more. Dogs aren't permitted on special event or fireworks cruises. Cruises depart from multiple locations depending on cruise and time. Call or visit website for exact departure location.

Mercury's Canine Cruise in Chicago, IL, offers a dog-friendly boat tour on weekends, where leashed pups can join you on a scenic ride along the city's waterways. Enjoy live narration featuring Chicago’s history, architecture and pet-friendly highlights. Dogs are welcome on laps, seats, or the deck, with water bowls and a newspaper-lined pet restroom provided. Cruises run seasonally—check their website for the current schedule. Tickets are available online or dockside the day of the tour.

Chicago Riverwalk in Chicago, IL, is dog friendly. This pedestrian waterfront hike spans from Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street in downtown Chicago, encompassing restaurants, a public art gallery and a museum right on the riverwalk.

Yorktown Center is a popular dog-friendly shopping center in Chicago’s Western Suburbs in Lombard, IL. Shoppers and their four-legged friends can enjoy a fun shopping and dining experience year-round. In addition to letting you shop with your best friend, restaurants located within Yorktown Center will also allow shoppers to dine alfresco with their pooches on their dog-friendly patios, and the Center has comfort stations throughout the mall that contain bags, wipes and garbage cans for shoppers' convenience.

The Montrose Dog Beach is Chicago's first legal off-leash beach. Located on the Northwest corner of Montrose Beach, this area is fenced and offers free dog waste bags and a dog-wash area. Montrose Dog Beach is open during all regular Chicago Park District hours, but morning hours are the most popular. DFA tags are required for all dogs.

Naperville Riverwalk in Naperville, IL, features 1.75 miles of brick paths, fountains, bridges, meeting and event places, outdoor sculpture and artwork, recreational facilities, and celebratory memorials. Leashed dogs are welcome on the Walk, and there is plenty of shade and water spigots available along the way. Great place unwind and relax. Nearby Riverwalk Cafe welcomes dogs on their patio and offers a simple doggie menu.

Nordstrom in Chicago, IL, is pet friendly. Leashed dogs are allowed inside this shop located inside the Shops at Northbridge. They sell a variety of clothing, shoes and accessories.

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is a pet-friendly, 2,503-acre preserve in Darien, IL. It's one of the area's most popular forest preserves known for its Rocky Glen waterfall, Sawmill Creek bluff overlook, and extensive trails. Explore 11 miles of trails with your leashed pooch by your side and discover natural beauty along the way.

The Promenade Bolingbrook in Bolingbrook, IL, is pet friendly. Home to 26 different pet-friendly stores, this is a great shopping center to visit with your pooch. The Doggie Potty Stations are useful to clean up after your pup. They host a regular Pet Parade to showcase some of their four-legged customers.

Featuring sixteen lines of revolving beer on tap and over two-hundred-and-fifty different packaged beers, BeerShop in Oak Park, IL, is dog friendly. Packaged beer can be consumed at the shop, next to your leashed canine companion, or you can grab a beer to go. BeerShop also serves a limited amount of cider, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and coffee and pastry (on the weekends). This relaxed space encourages guests to order food from its restaurant neighbors, or order from the occasional food truck on the property.

Navy Pier in Chicago, IL, is often referred to as Chicago's lakefront playground. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor common areas of Navy Pier. Some merchants and tours providers along Navy Pier permit dogs to join their humans. There are also pet-friendly restaurants along Navy Pier.

Schiller Woods is a dog-friendly pond and park located in Schiller Park, IL, on the Des Plaines Trail. Fido is welcome to join you, as long as he remains on-leash at all times. This park offers multiple picnic groves, hiking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the Model Airplane Flying Field, on the property.

Architecturally structured dog park named for Chicago Jazz musician and owner of the Velvet Lounge, the Fred Anderson Dog Park is part of the Chicago Park District in Chicago, IL. Located in the South Loop, this park features separate areas for small and large dogs, as well as spouting fountains in the summer and a performance area.

Belmont Harbor Dog Friendly Area is a small fenced beach for dogs in Chicago, IL. You can bring Fido with you to enjoy the sand and have a paddle. This pet-friendly area is popular among visitors to the area who want to enjoy a beach with their dog.

Hawk Hollow Preserve in Bartlett, IL, offers 34 acres of off-leash area for dogs to enjoy along with a three-mile multipurpose trail connecting to trails in Mallard Lake and West Branch forest preserves. A permit is required for off-leash use. Dogs must be leashed in all other areas of the pet-friendly preserve. The area is open during regular preserve hours.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County's 5-acre fenced Messenger Marsh Dog Park provides an exercise area where dogs can run free in Homer Glen, IL. The dog park also features a smaller 1-acre park for dogs under 30 pounds. A shelter and benches provide comfort for human companions. A permit is required for use of the dog park. Other amenities at Messenger Marsh include a picnic shelter and multi-use trails suitable for equestrians. Located on South Bell Road, about 0.25-mile South of 159th Street.

Community Bark West at Community Park West in Glenview, IL, is a 6-acre off-leash park with electronic key entry, benches, shade, and a separate small-dog area. Park passes are available to residents and nonresidents on a first-come, first-served basis until the 1,000-dog maximum is reached. Dogs are welcome in the surrounding park area, as long as they are leashed. The dog park is closed for maintenance on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Bo's Run in Hoffman Estates, IL, is a fully fenced off-leash dog park that includes water, agility equipment, benches and a keypad entry. There are 2-acres of field for dogs to enjoy with 5-foot tall fences. The park also features separate areas for small and large dogs. Memberships are required for entry and can be purchased online.