A Weekend in Dog-Friendly Atlanta

Posted by Erin Ballinger

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 pooch, and urban hikes await you in Georgia’s capital. The city is abuzz year-round, so the ATL is the place to be with your canine whenever you plan your getaway!

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. Two pets of any size are welcome at Hyatt House Atlanta Downtown for an additional fee of $75 per stay of one to six nights.

“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 a long walk around this 22-acre urban greenspace, which 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.

“What’ll ya have?” Photo by @thatdoodsquad

6 p.m. The Varsity

Experience old-school Atlanta with a dinner of burgers and hot dogs with Fido at The Varsity, a venerable drive-in that was established in 1928. The ATL institution sprawls over two city blocks and welcomes dogs and their owners to dine in style, the same way people have for almost a century, in the comfort of their vehicles. There are also a few dog-friendly outdoor tables if you arrive on foot. No trip to Hotlanta is complete without a hot dog and shake from The Varsity!

Finding these doors is fabulous! Photo by @violetsadventures

7 p.m. Tiny Doors ATL

Take a leisurely stroll after supper and go for a hunt for tiny doors. Tiny Doors ATL is an Atlanta-based art project bringing big wonder to tiny spaces in the city. The 7-inch doors are sculptures created by artist Karen Anderson Singer at the invitation of the neighborhood or institution. They are designed to reflect the spirit, architecture, and other unique elements of the surrounding community. There are doors to find within walking distance of The Varsity in Downtown at Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium, Woodruff Park, State Farm Stadium, and The Fox Theatre. Check Tiny Doors ATL’s website for all of the locations and tag a photo of Fido using the hashtag #tinydoorsatl and #bringfido!

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 or two. The coffeehouse serves espresso drinks, craft beers, wines and cocktails. While you sip, your leashed dog can join you at one of the outdoor shaded picnic tables or around the outdoor bar. Breakfast items, sandwiches and wraps are also available, and food trucks make appearances on weekends. Take advantage of free WiFi and plenty of reading material at the Free Little Library while you relax.

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 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 prices range from $9.50 to $27.50 depending on the tour 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 Pistachio, Rose, Vino Rosso and Limoncello. The dog-friendly gelateria even makes a soy-based pet gelato just for canines!

“Gimme all your bones, please.” Photo by @inmanparkpetworks

3 p.m. Souvenirs and a Siesta

Stop by Inman Park Pet Works on your way to grab a local brew to pick up a souvenir or two for your pooch. Pet Works sells all-natural dog food, treats, toys, collars, and pet accessories. Let Fido pick out a new bandana or bowtie to remember his vacation in the ATL. Afterward, stop for a 420 Extra Pale Ale and a Pretzel Nugz app at SweetWater Brewing Company’s dog-friendly taproom. The patio and shaded lawn area with picnic tables, lounge chairs, and games like beer pong is a great spot to spend a couple of hours.

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 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 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 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 the Atlanta 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, Atlanta’s 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 Patio Punch.

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.

What are some of your favorite places to visit with your pup in dog-friendly Atlanta? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!