Ron Bexel
Dog Friendly Vacations Ny – New York City may not have gone to dogs, but it’s certainly a city of dog lovers, with an estimated 425,000 dogs living in the five boroughs. And while many New Yorkers want their dogs to join them in their daily lives, they have no shortage of creative ways to stretch the rules, like this photo showing New Yorkers taking their dogs on the subway or taking options at semi-dog-friendly cafes. .
All of this means that New York City is a great city in the US to visit with your dog, with lots of fun dog-friendly spots in NYC.
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Of course, if you’re visiting New York with your dog, there are some popular tourist attractions that you’ll have to skip unless you can leave your dog somewhere.
For starters, theaters will be off limits, whether on or off Broadway. In addition, the popular High Line unfortunately does not allow dogs, partly due to the congested roads. I tried to take my dog but was always told to leave.
A popular option for sightseeing in New York is to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, either to Manhattan or across the East River to Brooklyn. With no rules prohibiting dogs, it’s a fun thing to do with your dog, although I recommend avoiding the more popular times as it can get very crowded.
We walked up to Manhattan with Schnitzel, stopping for some great photos. Our choice was probably not the best for a Friday afternoon during the busy fall period, so we took it off the road. An alternative, less busy bridge you can cross is the Manhattan Bridge.
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Even if you visit Central Park during off-leash hours (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.), walking your pup through the expansive park is still a great experience. Before you visit New York for the first time, it’s hard to realize just how big this park is.
Dog-friendly places to visit in Central Park include Strawberry Fields, Bow Bridge, Bethesda Fountain, Conservatory Waters, Alice in Wonderland sculpture, and Belvedere Castle.
One of the best collections of street art in New York is the Bushwick Collective in Brooklyn. Located near the Jefferson St. station on the L line, it is easily accessible by subway. The current Bushwick Collective artwork begins on Jefferson St., then continues on Troutman St. to St. Nicholas Ave.
There are many other murals in the area as well. The artwork on the walls is always changing, with new murals added each year in conjunction with the Block Party.
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A popular spot to take the iconic NY photo is at the intersection of Washington St. and Water St. in Dumbo, also known as the “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass” neighborhood.
Just remember that getting a photo can be difficult as everyone competes for the same shot, plus you have to watch out for the occasional car.
Before or after, head to nearby Brooklyn Bridge Park, located on Washington St.
The two best ways to see the Statue of Liberty are with a paid tour of the island or from the Staten Island Ferry.
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While dogs are not allowed on Liberty Island, except for the first option, the Staten Island ferry allows dogs and is also free. Please note that dogs must be in a carrier bag or leashed, otherwise they will not be allowed on board.
The trip to Staten Island takes half an hour. You have to get off at Staten Island, but it’s possible to board the same ferry, which makes a one-hour round trip. Some cruise ship options in New York are also dog-friendly.
Not surprisingly, only service dogs are allowed up to the iconic observation decks of the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center. When I visited NYC we left our dog in our apartment and went to Rockefeller Center, but I later heard about a dog-friendly option.
For some great alternative views of the Manhattan skyline, head to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, not far from the Brooklyn end of the Brooklyn Bridge. Even better, it’s completely free.
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Located at the American Kennel Club headquarters, the Museum of the Dog celebrates the role of dogs in society and explores the human-dog bond through its collection of art and exhibits.
While most dogs are not allowed to visit during regular visiting hours, only service dogs and invited demonstration dogs, there are often dog-friendly events when pets are welcome, such as regular Furry Friday nights. Check the events calendar on the website for the latest dates.
In New York, many fashion stores and department stores allow dogs, at least well behaved. For example, while downtown we stopped at Macy’s in Herald Square, apparently the world’s largest department store.
Online reports state that small dogs are allowed on leashes in the multi-level store. We tried to confirm it but it was too busy so we couldn’t find anyone and just walked in. When in doubt, it’s always best to check at the door.
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I recommend visiting the 9/11 Memorial Park in Lower Manhattan while in New York. However, note that dogs are not allowed in the park.
If you are with someone else, I recommend sitting on one of the benches at the edge of the park and looking around the monument. Otherwise, it is possible to walk outside the park with your dog on a leash.
With the lack of parks in New York, it’s no surprise that there are many dog parks, or “dog runs” scattered throughout the city. Downtown, we enjoyed a dog walk in Madison Square Park, convenient to the original Shake Shack.
Central Park also has some areas where dogs are allowed off leash, with hours before 9:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. If your dog likes to chase squirrels like mine, keeping them on a leash all day can be a great option!
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Alternatively, check the list compiled by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation or ask your accommodation for nearby off-leash areas.
Getting around New York’s five boroughs with a small dog is easy for dog owners. Small pets are allowed free on the subway and on New York City Transit and MTA buses.
They must be in a bag or other container, and “carried in a manner that does not disturb other riders”. No more “no part of the beast sticking out of his pocket” – just like that, people often ignored it.
The rules for the Long Island Rail Road (or LIRR) are similar, while the Metro-North Railroad also allows small dogs without a bag, on a leash, although pets are subject to the conductor’s approval. (I don’t think these rules have changed, but I can’t find the rules on the latest website.) Small pets can also travel with you on Amtrak trains in New York.
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If you’re traveling with a large dog that’s too big to fit in a bag, your best bet is to skip the subway and take taxis and Uber or Lyft instead. Message your driver in advance to check if it’s okay with a dog. They will probably appreciate that your dog has a blanket to sit on.
The official word on eating with your dog in New York City is that non-service dogs are allowed to eat with you on outdoor patios. Although this is at the discretion of the restaurant owner, you must ask. When eating, dogs must be on a leash or in a crate, and of course they cannot eat at the table or share your dishes.
A must-visit spot for dining with your dog is the original Shake Shack restaurant, located downtown in Madison Square Park, near the Flatiron Building. The park also has a dog run, with sections for both small and large dogs, perfect for before or after dinner at the outdoor table.
If you’re driving through the wonderful Dumbo neighborhood, I recommend eating on a picnic bench in Brooklyn Bridge Park, then getting something from one of the many food trucks.
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For something elegant, head to Gilligan’s at the SoHo Grand Hotel. It has a tropical climate with lots of palm trees (which also provide plenty of shade) perfect for summer days. It reportedly has great lobster rolls, and the staff is very dog friendly.
However, the problem we encountered during our visit to New York was that it was far from summer. It was the middle of October, after the weather turned cold. Some days the weather wasn’t warm enough to eat outside, and it got worse in the winter.
Designed for such dilemmas, I recommend going to Boris and Horton’s or their new location in the East Village.
