Container Parks That Welcome Canines

Posted by Sophia Hawk

Looking to do something with your furry friend that’s outside of the norm? Dog-friendly container parks could be the perfect solution. While they're a rather new concept, more and more have been popping up, typically containing a selection of restaurants, bars and retail options, all housed in repurposed shipping containers. From Florida to California, here are some extremely unique options for you and your pup to discover together.

Tin Can Alley

Albuquerque, NM
Photo by Facebook.com/tincanalleyabq

Albuquerque, NM is famous for its bright colors, vivid murals and beautiful views, and Tin Can Alley, a building made of funky shipping containers, brings all of that and more. As one of the most eccentric destinations in the city, Tin Can Alley prides itself in offering a little something for everyone, including kids and pups! Grab an umbrella-shaded table with your furry friend on one of the spacious heated patios and enjoy a delicious beverage from New Mexico's original craft brewery, Santa Fe Brewing Co. Then, browse their food selection which features Vietnamese cuisine, pizza, Miami street food, burgers, tacos, and cake and ice cream. There’s also a gift shop on site selling Albuquerque-themed leashes and collars, t-shirts, hats and more.

After your adventure in this desert city, you and Fido can take a break at nearby Holiday Inn Express - Balloon Fiesta Park an IHG Hotel. Wildflower Park is also just a quick 15-minute walk from the hotel and boasts tons of space and grass for your pup to get his exercise.

Detroit Shipping Co.

Detroit, MI
Photo by Facebook.com/DetroitShippingCompany

Right off of the Detroit River, you’ll find Detroit Shipping Co., a two-story food hall and beer garden made entirely of shipping containers. Fido is welcome to join you in all of the outdoor areas, including the roof decks and heated tents that will keep you both cozy. The eclectic selection of six individually-operated restaurants and three bars offers custom cocktails, a rotating draft beer selection and an extensive variety of canned brews. If you’re looking for a bit more excitement in your night out with your furry friend, they also host fun events and live entertainment, including drag bingo, stand-up comedy and karaoke.

The Aloft Detroit at the David Whitney is the perfect place for furry friends and their owners to stay after a drive through Motor City. Pups will receive treats at check-in, and both Capitol Park Dog Park and Grand Circus Dog Park are within a five-minute walk of the hotel.

Boxi Park

Orlando, FL
Photo by Facebook.com/BoxiParkLakeNona

Fun and Florida usually go hand in hand, but nothing screams it more than Boxi Park, located in beautiful Orlando, FL. Bring your leashed pup out for some fun at this 30,000-square-foot outdoor container park, where Fido will have a blast playing off leash at the Barxi Park, a fenced-in dog park that welcomes pups of all sizes to run and socialize. They also have a volleyball court and a kid’s playground, and offer a variety of counter-serve restaurants and bars, with such options as seafood, Mexican cuisine, ice cream, chicken sandwiches, and delicious cocktails, craft beer, and wine.

After Fido’s day of excitement in the Sunshine State, you’ll find Residence Inn Orlando Lake Nona, the perfect place to rest up. The hotel is conveniently located right around the corner from the container park and surrounded by places to walk Fido, including the Lake Nona Sculpture Garden.

Photo by Facebook.com/steelcraftlb

If you’re looking for more than just a pet-friendly food spot, SteelCraft is the place to be. The first location opened in Long Beach, and eventually expanded to both Bellflower and this Garden Grove location. Here, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of restaurants, cafes, bars, clothing stores and even workspaces. Furry friends are welcome in all outdoor areas, which feature covered and uncovered seating with fans and heaters, as well as yard games such as table tennis. They also host community events including some that are dog-centric.

Following your day at the container park, you can get some sleep at the very dog-friendly Sonesta Simply Suites Anaheim. While there are grassy areas on the property, you’ll also find Haster Basin Recreational Park close by.

Photo by @gvl_golden_girls

The sign of a good food hall is a wide variety of options, and Gather GVL in downtown Greenville, SC takes that commitment quite seriously, making sure dogs, kids, and adults can all have an equal amount of enjoyment. Made up of 13 restaurants all housed in colorful shipping containers, you’ll find options like fried chicken sandwiches and fresh donuts, a traditional pizza kitchen, an eatery making luscious lobster rolls, and a beer exchange offering delicious craft brews. Your pooch will love the cozy atmosphere, with a variety of covered and uncovered seating options, and fans and heaters to keep people and pups comfortable.

End your evening at the Aloft Greenville Downtown. Fido can get the rest of his energy out at the dog run on the sixth floor, allowing you to have a peaceful night of sleep.

Photo by Facebook.com/NKCIronDistrict

Fido will be so happy to join you at the Iron District, an outdoor dining and shopping destination made up of repurposed shipping containers in the North Kansas City, MO area. The space was built to help promote local Kansas City businesses, while also creating a family-friendly and inclusive environment with tons of interesting things to do. Along with exploring their wide-ranging food court and boutique retail selection, Fido can also join you while you play yard games on their spacious heated patio, or you can both just spend the day relaxing at a shaded table.

Nearby you’ll find the pet-friendly Best Western Country Inn North, where you and Fido can recharge for your next adventure. Just down the road from the inn is Prather Park, where Fido can run and play in the grassy fields.

Photo by Facebook.com/BLVDMRKT

Spend an afternoon soaking up the Californian sun with your furry friend at BLVD MRKT in Montebello, CA. This chic and aesthetically pleasing outdoor food hall hosts all of their restaurant and bar vendors in stark white shipping containers, which complement the palm tree- and cacti-filled desert surroundings. Stop in on Saturday or Sunday to check out their special brunch offerings. Pups are always welcome, and they host lots of free community events, often have live music, and feature DJs every weekend.

You and Fido can catch some Z’s at Hilton Garden Inn Los Angeles Montebello, which is conveniently located and close to the container park. There are plenty of grassy areas on the property for walks with your pup.

The Deck Food Park

Magnolia, TX
Photo by Facebook.com/TheDeckFP

The Deck Food Park is the first shipping container park in Montgomery County, and it contains a wide variety of restaurants with offerings like tacos, seafood, bubble teas, and dessert, just to name a few. Fido is invited to join you at any of the various levels of seating options, both shaded and in the Texas sunshine. The playful colors, neon lights, and distinctive design give this outdoor food hall a child-like feel that you and your pup will enjoy. Visit for dinner during the evening to hear live music or a DJ.

To savor your time in Texas, get a good night’s rest at Hyatt Place Houston / The Woodlands. You and your dog are sure to appreciate the grassy areas conveniently found onsite.

Photo by Facebook.com/Boxowt

Mobile, AL is known first for being the home of America's original Mardi Gras, and second for having good food. Box Owt’s spirit decidedly adds to both ideas. As the area’s first true food court, it serves as one of the most interesting places to dine in the city. The space is 100% dog friendly, so Fido can feel comfortable joining you as you browse their delicious food options, all housed in warm-hued shipping containers. The courtyard in the center is comfortable and heated, so you and your furry friend can enjoy your time, regardless of the weather. Stop by on the weekend and you might catch some live music and dancing!

Extend your stay in this delightful Alabama city with a night or two at the Residence Inn by Marriott Mobile. This hotel allows dogs and cats of any size, and has grassy areas with waste stations, making your trip go as smoothly as possible.

Have you visited any of the shipping container parks on our list? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by Facebook.com/gathergvl.