Pack up your pup’s bones and get ready to head down south for a weekend trip to dog-friendly Atlanta. Parks where Fido can play off-leash while you drink a beer, historical sightseeing, restaurants with items on the menu just for your pup, and urban hikes along The BeltLine await you in The A. The city is abuzz in the fall, when cooler temperatures make Hotlanta the place to be with your pup!
A Weekend in Dog-Friendly Atlanta
Posted by Erin Ballinger
Friday
“Where are you going to sleep?”
Photo by
@hyatthouse
3 p.m. Hyatt House Atlanta Downtown
Grab a dog treat at the front desk when you check in at Hyatt House Atlanta Downtown located steps away from the Georgia Aquarium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, College Football Hall of Fame and Centennial Olympic Park. Your pup will appreciate all the creature comforts in the residential-style rooms at the hotel, and you’ll appreciate amenities like the indoor pool and free daily breakfast. Pets of any size are welcome at Hyatt House Atlanta Downtown for an additional fee of $75 per stay of one to six nights. Nightly rates start at $119.
“Does this bowtie make me look like a Southern gentleman?” Photo by @teddy.takesthecity
4 p.m. Centennial Olympic Park
Stroll to Centennial Olympic Park for an on-leash walking tour of this 22-acre urban greenspace, opened in 1996 when Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympic Games. Let your dog cool off in the Fountain of Rings, the world’s largest interactive fountain featuring the Olympic Ring symbol, and stroll by the SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel. Pet waste stations are located around the park.
All dogs are VIPs at Publico. Photo by @publico_atl
6 p.m. Dinner at Publico
Nearby in Midtown, snag a table on Publico’s grassy patio, which was designed for your pup to be comfortable while he chows down on a meal from the V.I.P. (Very Important Puppy) Menu. Not only will your purchase make your dog’s tail wag, but 100 percent of the sales from the V.I.P. Menu goes to the Atlanta Humane Society to help homeless pets. You won’t feel left out as you munch on eclectic eats like Cuban Nachos, Spicy Beef Ramen, Camarones Mexicanos Ceviche and the Publico Burger.
Perk up with your pup at ParkGrounds. Photo by @penny_the_pirate
8 p.m. ParkGrounds
After dinner, make your way to ParkGrounds for a drink. The coffeehouse serves espresso drinks, craft beers, wines and cocktails. While you sip, your dog can enjoy some off-leash puppy playtime in the attached, fully fenced dog park. Free Wi-Fi, plenty of reading material and no fees for Fido round out the offerings.
Saturday
Check out the view at this dog park.
Photo by
@pupsofthebeltline
8 a.m. Piedmont Dog Park
After starting off the morning with a free breakfast at the Hyatt House, let Fido get some off-leash exercise at Piedmont Dog Park. The three-acre park offers great views of the Atlanta skyline along with several cozy spaces and benches to kick back and enjoy the scenery. There are separate enclosures for small dogs and large dogs so your pup can make a new friend of the same size. Admission to the dog park is free.
Enjoy a walking history lesson with Fido. Photo by Facebook.com/AtlantaPreservationCenter
10 a.m. Historic Walking Tour With Your Dog
Bring Fido along as you learn more about the city’s history with Atlanta Preservation Center Historic Walking Tours. Dogs are welcome on routes through the neighborhoods of Ansley Park, Druid Hills, Grant Park, Inman Park, Midtown/SoNo Commercial District, Sweet Auburn and Westview Cemetery. Tours last 90 minutes and cost $13 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, and are free for Fido. Advance reservations are recommended.
"Take your time! I'm good here." Photo by @olliethe.corgi
12 p.m. Lunch at Park Tavern
Once you’ve worked up a hearty appetite, get a bite at Park Tavern. People-watch from the restaurant’s dog-friendly patio overlooking Piedmont Park and Atlanta’s gorgeous skyline. Nosh on sushi, tacos, sandwiches or burgers while your dog laps up water. For a real treat, split a side of sweet potato fries with your pup. Just save room for dessert at your next pet-friendly stop!
What pup wouldn’t want gelato? Photo by @theaussiemerle
2 p.m. Ice Cream at Paolo’s Gelato
After lunch, cool off with a frozen treat at Paolo’s Gelato. Choose from authentic Italian flavors like Pistacchio, Rose, Vino Rosso and Limoncello. The dog-friendly gelateria even makes a soy-based pet gelato just for Fido!
“Gimme all your bones, please.” Photo by @inmanparkpetworks
3 p.m. Souvenirs and a Siesta
Stop by Pet Works Krog Street Market on your way back to the hotel to pick up a souvenir or two for your pooch. Pet Works sells all-natural dog food and treats, toys, collars and accessories. Let Fido pick out a new bandana or bowtie to remember his vacation in the ATL. Afterward, take a well-deserved nap with your furry friend before dinner.
The chicken wings at The Family Dog aren’t the pits. Photo by @morgan_findlay
7 p.m. Dinner at The Family Dog
As The Family Dog's name implies, this family-friendly restaurant welcomes your pup on the patio. Order a local craft beer on tap to wash down pub grub dishes like chicken wings, fried okra, burgers and nachos. Live music adds to the ambiance on the weekends.
“Where’s the Bowser Beer?” Photo by @pourtaproom_atlanta
9 p.m. After-Dinner Drinks With Your Dog
Stop by Pour Taproom for a nightcap or two with your pup in tow. Dogs are allowed inside this unique bar that has more than 85 taps in its self-pour taproom. Sample as few or as many as you’d like of Pour’s wide selection of craft beers, ciders and wines on tap using the taproom’s cool RFID (radio frequency identification) wristband system.
Sunday
Bakery associates give good boys free treats.
Photo by
Facebook.com/HighlandBakery
9 a.m. Treats and Coffee at Highland Bakery
Start off your Sunday at Highland Bakery with an Americano and a chocolate croissant. Buy Fido a bag of the bakery’s fresh-baked dog treats and Instagram his picture (#BringFido and #PupOfTheMonth) on the patio. Your pup might just be featured as Highland Bakery’s “Pup of the Month” on its social media!
Walk or be carried along The BeltLine. Photo by @toripboles
10 a.m. The BeltLine
Take a hike on Atlanta’s BeltLine, one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States. It's an urban explorer’s and pet owner’s dream. With local art, interesting shops and yummy snacks speckled along the beautiful path, The BeltLine is a dog-friendly walking connection to all of the best corners of the city.
Buttering up Mom for a bite of her biscuit and gravy. Photo by @jesshanson13
12 p.m. Brunch at Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall
Break for brunch at this dog-friendly restaurant located along The BeltLine. Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall boasts a 4,000-square-foot patio where pups can dine with their owners. Choose from Official Field Guide (aka, menu) items like Apple Swirl French Toast, the Nashville Hot Chicken Biscuit, Biscuits and Sausage Gravy and the Smoked Salmon Bialy Board. Pair your meal with a sweet tea or a Redneck Mimosa (Miller High Life and orange juice).
Play all day at Fetch. Photo by @fetchpark
2 p.m. Fetch Park and Ice House Before Departing With a Pooped Pooch
Make one last stop in Atlanta at Fetch Park and Ice House so Fido can run and play off-leash at the dog park while you drink one last vacation cocktail from the Airstream Bar(k). This unique bar/restaurant/dog park concept offers daily memberships for $10 and is extremely “pupular” on Sundays. Let your dog wear himself out and make a few new friends before you depart. After your fun-filled weekend with Fido, you’ll be planning your next trip to dog-friendly Atlanta soon.