Plan your next weekend getaway in dog-friendly Orlando! The city is a “pupular” vacation destination with more than 60 million visitors each year. Located in Central Florida, mild temperatures and sunny skies make it an ideal year-round escape. In addition to its world-class theme parks like Disney World and Universal, Orlando has amazing pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and activities for pet owners to explore with their pups!
A Weekend in Dog-Friendly Orlando
Posted by Erin Ballinger
Friday
4 p.m. Aloft Orlando Downtown
Check in with Fido at Aloft Orlando Downtown, a pet-friendly hotel that goes above and beyond for the canine community. Not only does the hotel offer welcome packages for visiting pups and easy access to Orlando’s pet-friendly hot spots, it also helps the ity’s dogs-in-need find forever homes with its adoption program in partnership with Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. Aloft Orlando Downtown welcomes two dogs up to 50 lbs for no additional fee.
5 p.m. Bark Avenue Bakery
Stop by Bark Avenue Bakery to stock up on some Scooby snacks for the weekend. This canine-centric bakery offers all-natural, human-grade gourmet dog treats in 15 different flavors and shapes. Just don’t let Fido eat too many and spoil his supper!
6 p.m. Rock & Brews
Treat your pup like the rockstar he is at Rock & Brews. Album artwork dons the walls and logos of his favorite bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pink Floyd line the ceilings of this fun restaurant and bar. There’s even a dog menu so you can order your hungry hound a burger patty, grilled chicken breast, or bacon! Humans have a vast selection of craft beers and cocktails to pair with Rock & Brews’ classic American menu. Jam out to the live bands that play on the patio each Friday and Saturday night.
8 p.m. Orlando Haunts
Join an informative guide on a spooky tour of some of Orlando's most historic- and haunted- locations with Orlando Haunts. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to tag along as you discover the twisted tales of a city steeped in tragedy, murder, suicide and mystery. Orlando is more haunted than you may think! It’s also a fun way to be introduced to a darker side of The City Beautiful with man’s best friend by your side.
Saturday
7 a.m. Lake Eola Park
Just around the corner from the Aloft, Lake Eola Park is the perfect spot to start the day exploring Orlando with your best friend. The destination offers a Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and other local events throughout the year. Take Fido for a walk along a beautiful path with waste stations to the park’s iconic fountain. Or, rent one of the dog-friendly swan boats and get out on the water with your pup. Just remember to bring your pup’s life jacket.
9 a.m. White Wolf Cafe
Take a seat at one of the shaded, pet-friendly outdoor tables at White Wolf Cafe. Your dog will be welcomed with a refreshing drink of water while you browse through White Wolf’s extensive breakfast and brunch menus. Be sure to get an order of the restaurant’s popular cinnamon buns to start, then you’ll have a tough decision choosing from all of the hearty options. A la carte items that will make Fido’s tail wag, like scrambled eggs or bacon, are available for a reasonable price, too!
11 a.m. Buena Vista Watersports
Take to the water with your Weimaraner with a pet-friendly SUP rental from Buena Vista Watersports. After you’re done paddleboarding, you’re welcome to hang out and play on Buena Vista Watersports's Key West-style beach. There are colorful Adirondack chairs on the sand from which you can watch Fido swim and run laps along the private beachfront of Lake Bryan.
2 p.m. Teak Neighborhood Grill
Enjoy a refueling and refreshing lunch on Teak Neighborhood Grill’s large, pet-friendly patio. The well-reviewed restaurant (5 bones!) by dog owners features 37 different specialties of burgers which pair nicely with its rotating craft beers on tap. Crisp salads, flatbreads, and tacos round out the menu favorites. Fido can lap up water from the provided dog bowls and, if you’re feeling generous, treat him to an order of sweet potato tots.
5 p.m. Pups Pub
You know what time it is? Yappy hour! Bring Fido to Pups Pub - Orlando, a hangout that combines an off-leash dog park with a full liquor bar. The play area is fenced and features artificial turf, air conditioning, and plenty of balls for fetching. While your pup makes new friends, belly up to the bar and treat yourself to a canine-centric cocktail like “The Zoomies” or “Breakfast at Sniff-anys.”
7 p.m. Bloodhound Brew
After your pooch has worked up an appetite, treat him to a delicious dinner at Bloodhound Brew. The restaurant’s dog menu features a Nibbles section featuring chicken strips and bacon and a Chow section with the highlight being the Top Dog, a beef or veggie patty with roasted potatoes. You’ll enjoy the festive atmosphere where you can choose from more than 40 craft beers in addition to the full bar, and a menu featuring daily specials and award-winning chicken wings.
8:30 p.m. Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream
After supper, cool off with a sweet treat before calling it a night back at the hotel. Make a pit stop at Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, a charming ice cream parlor, for a banana split, cone, milkshake or sundae for yourself and one of Kelly’s Dog Pops for Fido. If you can’t decide on one of the unique flavors, order an ice cream flight where you can savor six different scoops!
Sunday
8:30 a.m. Dr. Phillips Dog Park
With a separate small dog section, water fountains, and trees for shade, Dr. Phillips Dog Park is a great spot to spend the morning. Enjoy the lovely views while your pup plays off leash and makes new friends. Plus, it’s always wise to get plenty of exercise with the dogs on a travel day! There’s an area where you can wash your dog after he’s done, too.
10:30 a.m. Comfort Food at The Coop
Chow down on Southern-style comfort food at its finest at The Coop in Winter Park. Fido is welcome to join you at a patio table while you dig into scratch-made comfort classics like homemade biscuits with sausage gravy, fried chicken and waffles, and catfish and grits. Reward your good dog with an order of pecan-smoked bacon, too!
12:30 p.m. Mead Botanical Garden and Depart Orlando With a Dog-Tired Fido
Before you head out of town, bring your leashed pooch to Mead Botanical Garden nearby. It’s a tranquil place that boasts an array of flowering gardens, wildlife habitats and pavilions to explore. Be sure to clean up after your pup and take a few moments to reflect on the fun weekend in Orlando spent with Fido by your side.
Did we leave out your favorite activity, restaurant or hotel in Orlando? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!
Banner photo by BringFido/Neida.