Dog-Friendly Shopping Malls

Posted by Billy Francis

Whether he’s there for moral support when you splurge on a big purchase or he’s just hoping there’ll be treats at the mall, shopping is much more fun when you have Fido by your side. Fortunately, these pet-friendly shopping centers give you plenty of reasons to stay all day and spend your pooch’s hard-earned "paw-ket" money.

Yorktown Center

Lombard, IL
“Oh, I thought you said Yorkie town!” Photo by Facebook.com/YorktownCtr

Yorktown Center is a popular dog-friendly shopping mall in Chicago’s western suburbs. Take your canine companion inside over 50 stores displaying a paw print sticker on the window. There are also a number of comfort stations with bags, wipes and garbage cans for cleanup located throughout the shopping center. When you’re hungry, dine on the dog-friendly patio at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse.

After your shopping exertions, stay at Westin Lombard Yorktown Center located at the mall. Then spend the next day browsing other Chicago area dog-friendly shopping centers like Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie, The Shops at North Bridge on the Magnificent Mile or The Promenade Bolingbrook where you can treat your pup to something from It’s So Fluffy, a bakery for dogs.

Otay Ranch Town Center

Chula Vista, CA
“What’s this park called again?” Photo by @littlemiss_hazel

Chula Vista means “beautiful view,” which you can get a glimpse of on your way to some much-needed retail therapy at Otay Ranch Town Center. The main attraction for canine customers is the Otay Ranch Dog Park. Located in the middle of the mall, this 10,000-square-foot park is an awesome off-leash play area with separate sections for small and large dogs. After playing in the park, your pup can freshen up at the Barking Spot, a full-service grooming salon and pet boutique. Fido can also join you in several other stores throughout the mall, and for a bite to eat on the patio of The Cheesecake Factory.

Reserve a room at La Quinta Inn San Diego Chula Vista. Dogs are welcomed with open arms by the pooch-loving staff at this hotel popular among BringFido users.

Bell Tower Shops

Fort Myers, FL
“Everything except this rug is for sale.” Photo by Facebook.com/BellTowerFortMyers

Bell Tower Shops is a sophisticated mall designed to keep shoppers entertained, whether they’re browsing on four legs or two. Look out for the Boston Terrier sticker that permits canine entry on the door of your favorite stores. After sniffing out the best deals, enjoy a meal with your pooch on the patio at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. Keep an eye out for themed pet-friendly events that are often held at Bell Tower, including costume contests, adoption drives and giveaways. Along with being great fun, a portion of the proceeds from these events benefits the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

While you’re in Fort Myers, spend a few nights in an island home. Duncan’s Tropical Beach Bungalow and make your way down I-75 for more pet-friendly shopping at Miromar Outlets.

Stony Point Fashion Park

Richmond, VA
“Just trying to fit in.” Photo by Facebook.com/stonypointfashionpark

Furry friends are invited to spend an afternoon shopping at Stony Point Fashion Park. Browse and splash the cash with your partner in crime throughout the common areas of the mall and at stores with paw stickers on the windows. Then head to the mall’s dog park, a fenced-in hangout for canines that's covered in artificial grass. Fido can play fetch off leash and make friends with the other mall rats. There are also comfort stations located throughout the mall where you can clean up after your pup.

Stay and explore Virginia’s capital, starting in the nearby Victorian Village of Bon Air. This newly renovated historic home has a fenced backyard and rocking chairs on the front porch.

Carmel Plaza

Carmel, CA
"Let's shop til we drop!" Photo by Getty Images

Carmel is a proudly pet-friendly city on the west coast. After taking Fido for a stroll on dog-friendly Carmel Beach, head to Carmel Plaza together. Many of the boutique stores, art galleries and restaurant patios like Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro welcome dogs. The centerpiece of the shopping center is the Fountain of Woof. The famous spitting dog is a popular place for your pooch to sip while you snap a pic (and don’t forget to #bringfido).

Retire with your goods and your good boy to Monte Verde Inn. The hotel welcomes dogs with delicious treats, the perfect reward after a full day of shopping.

Downtown Summerlin

Las Vegas, NV
“This is my happy place.” Photo by @thelabradormilo

Dogs of Las Vegas are just a short drive from Downtown Summerlin. This outdoor mall is full of pet-friendly shops and restaurant patios to enjoy. It even has its own hashtag for pups, ‪#DogsOfDTS‬. Even if Fido's not into shopping, this is a great place to go for an evening stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip.

Break up your Sin City stay with a night at La Quinta Inn & Suites Las Vegas Red Rock, conveniently located near the mall. Then spend your next day browsing with Fido at Fashion Show Mall Las Vegas.

Blackhawk Plaza

Danville, CA
“We’re going to Yappy Hour now, right?” Photo by Facebook.com/BlackhawkPlaza

Few malls in America are as pristinely designed as Blackhawk Plaza. This spacious shopping nirvana features a pond, grassy areas and views of nearby hilltops. Pups are welcome almost anywhere at the Plaza, including all of the restaurant patios and inside Opus Bank. The mall also hosts a popular Yappy Hour throughout the year. The event includes pet activities and local pet merchants offering product demos.

After you've walked across the bridges and enjoyed the outdoor space at the plaza, head to Best Western Plus Garden Court Inn to rest up. For more shopping with Fido, head ten minutes north to Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek.

The Mall at Short Hills

Short Hills, NJ
Just a bunch of regular shoppers at the mall. Photo by @life.of.chuy

Small dogs are welcome to join their owners at The Mall at Short Hills for a classy shopping experience. This upscale shopping center has been known to accommodate celebrity shoppers like Justin Timberlake, but everybody knows that Fido is the real A-lister. His chariot awaits in the form of a complimentary dog stroller. That’s right, your pooch can shop in style without having to exert any energy on such frivolous tasks as walking. Strollers are available for dogs weighing up to 20 pounds and can be found at mall security. The mall holds pet-friendly events throughout the year like photos with Santa Paws.

After you’ve snagged some deals, put your feet up at this dog-friendly bungalow in downtown Millburn.

Lee Premium Outlets

Lee, MA
Adopt and shop at a mall adoption event! Photo by Facebook.com/leepremiumoutlets

Shopping is never a chore at Lee Premium Outlets. Located on the outskirts of the small historic town of Lee, visitors come from miles around to bargain hunt at one of the Berkshires' best outlet malls. The place is designed to resemble a quaint New England town and has all the stores you need to restock your wardrobe. There’s even a dog park for pups to enjoy between shopping sprees. The fenced-in area is equipped with two kennels, a water station, a waste disposal station and a picnic table for humans to rest up before hitting the boutiques again.

Get a good night's sleep after a day of shopping at The Black Swan, Ascend Hotel Collection.

Cottonwood Mall

Albuquerque, NM
“You’re so extra!” Photo by Facebook.com/CottonwoodMall

Cottonwood Mall is home to 135 stores, but the best shops have a sticker on the door inviting Fido inside. Hold his bags for him while he plays in the awesome on-site dog park. Located in the 'barking' lot across from Taco Cabana, the park features agility courses and separate areas for small and large dogs. Comfort stations dotted throughout the mall make cleaning up any accidents a breeze.

Spend the night at La Quinta Inn & Suites Albuquerque West, and enjoy an evening stroll around the pretty gardens before bedtime.

The Shops at La Cantera

San Antonio, TX
Photo by BringFido/Bea

Well-behaved and leashed furry fashionistas are invited to join their humans in dog-friendly stores, public spaces and common areas at The Shops at La Cantera. More than 90 stores allow pets inside and there are eight restaurants with pet-friendly patios located onsite, including Yard House and Kona Grill, where you can refuel with Fido after your day of shopping. Waste bag stations with receptacles are located throughout the property.

If Fido is dog-tired, you can let him run leash free at nearby Coyote Dog Park before he puts his paws up at DoubleTree by Hilton San Antonio North.

The Corners of Brookfield

Brookfield, WI
Photo by BringFido/Rachel

“Paws” for photo ops on the canine platform at The Corners of Brookfield. This outdoor shopping center and community space encourages shoppers to bring their pets along. Sixteen shops display a “dog-friendly” sticker on the window and many welcome pups with treats and bowls of water. There’s a grassy dog run on the property and several restaurants like BelAir Cantina offer pet-friendly patios for a relaxing lunch or dinner break.

If you have more shopping to do, spend the night at the Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel, then head west to Hilldale Shopping Center in Madison or The Outlets at the Dells in Baraboo.

Where are you taking Fido shopping? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by Melissa Halliburton.