Looking for fun activities to do with your furry friend? As the Florida sunshine and warmer weather return, so should your fun, outdoor activities with your furry friend! Tampa Bay is home to a wide array of pet-friendly activities and places for your next outing.
With a top rating from Honest Paws, Tampa Bay is the No. 1 Best U.S. City to be a Dog (Honest Paws). Whether your pet is active or prefers to lounge, there is no shortage of things you can do with your pets in Tampa Bay. From pet-friendly restaurants and dog-friendly bars to dog beaches and pet-friendly trails, Tampa Bay knows how to include your furry friends in the fun! So, let’s take a look at our top picks at pet-friendly things to do and upcoming events in Tampa Bay.
Go for a Hike
With public parks located throughout the Tampa Bay area, there is no shortage of spacious paths to walk with your pet. Whether you live in Clearwater, St. Pete, or Tampa, there are a variety of short and long trails for you to try out. If you find yourself in Clearwater, you must check out the Pinellas Trail, Kapok Park, John Chesnut Sr. Park, Dunedin Causeway, and Courtney Campbell Causeway. Each of these trails is pet-friendly and showcases the spectacular views of Pinellas County. On your hike, you and your furry friend may see a variety of Florida birds, gorgeous sunshine, and meet other pets!
As for pet-friendly trails in St. Pete, you will have to visit the St. Pete Pier, North Bay Trail, Crescent Lake Park, North Shore Park, and Fort De Soto. If your furry friend has a lot of energy to burn, then we recommend taking them on longer walks like at North Bay Trail, St. Pete Pier, and Fort De Soto.
On the other side of Tampa Bay, there is the Tampa Riverwalk, Hillsborough River State Park, Eureka Springs Park, Bayshore Boulevard, and the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. These Tampa parks will give you and your furry friend a change of scenery without having to drive far! Our pets’ lives are only as exciting as well allow them to be. So, let’s switch up the normal routine and try going on a walk somewhere new. After all, you may find a new trail for you to enjoy!
Play at the Dog Park
Does your dog like to run off-leash with other furry friends? Keep your dog social and active by bringing them to one of Tampa Bay’s 20 off-leash dog parks! From open fields and agility areas to beach access and water fountains, your dog will be having the time of their life. Mix up your daily walks and outdoor activities by bringing your dog to play with other dogs at the park. Even if your dog is more skittish around other dogs, some parks will have separate fenced areas for on-leash activities. By far the most impressive dog park in the Tampa Bay area is Enterprise Dog Park located in Clearwater. This park not only has a fenced off-leash dog area but a nature loop trail with water stations throughout. If your dog is extra athletic, you can let them run and play in the agility area where you can find objects to jump over or run through. While Enterprise Dog Park is definitely a must-visit in the Tampa Bay area, Northshore Dog Park and Crescent Lake Dog Park are great fenced options with a beautiful view. Both parks have a beautiful view of the water and downtown St. Pete culture.
If your dog loves to play in the water, then you have to take your pet to one of the few dog beaches in Tampa Bay. The most impressive dog beach in the area is definitely Fort De Soto Dog Beach. This beach is a great option for both large and small dogs in their Paw Playground. Additionally, Davis Island Dog Beach, Belleair Dog Beach, and Pass-A-Grille Dog Beach are fun and safe options for your dog to have a splash. Whether you choose a park or a beach, your dog will be worn out by the end of the day!
Dine at a Pet-Friendly Restaurant
Heading out to grab some food with your friends? Why not bring your furry friend too! While it shouldn’t be expected that every restaurant in Tampa Bay is pet-friendly, there is certainly a large number of restaurants that do allow them. Between Tampa, Downtown St. Pete, and Downtown Dunedin, there are endless options for you and your pet to dine, some including treats for your pet!
- As more and more people move to Tampa, the number of pets in the city continues to grow. To accommodate for the furry friends, Tampa has a wide variety of unique pet-friendly restaurants. In Tampa, our top picks are Ulele, Datz, Daily Eats, On Swann, Whiskey Joes, bartaco, Forbici, and Meat Market. Many of these restaurants are located specifically in Hyde Park Village since they have many pet-friendly features.
- No city has more dogs on walks or at restaurants than Downtown St. Pete. In 2020, St. Pete was listed on the Most Dog-Friendly Cities in America (SmartAsset). There are more places than we can list out for our recommendations, so we will give our top ones! Our top picks are Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro, The Library, Parkshore Grill, Three Birds Tavern, The Mill Restaurant, Red Mesa Cantina, Bodega, and Cassis St. Pete. Cassis even has a dog menu for your furry friend to join in on the delicious food!
- Finally, Downtown Dunedin, also known as Dog-edin, has a variety of restaurants that offer outdoor seating for you and your furry friend. With several dog murals all around downtown, you and your furry friend will feel more than welcome! Our top picks in the area are The Living Room on Main, Bon Appetit, Olde Bay Cafe, Pearly’s Beach Eats, Cafe Alfresco, The Dunedin Smokehouse, and The Honu Restaurant. Both The Living Room on Main and The Honu Restaurant offer special dog menus to keep your pet full!
*It is important to note that pet-friendly restaurants only offer patio seating so keep Florida weather in mind.*
Grab a Drink at a Dog-Friendly Bar
Anyone who is a pet owner knows the struggle of wanting to go out with friends but having to cut the night short to take them out for a walk. Why not have the best of both worlds and take your dog out with you! Within the Tampa Bay area, the dog-friendly bar scene is extensive and extremely inclusive. Not only are there dog-friendly bars, but dog-themed bars for off-leash play. You really can’t go wrong with visiting one of these bars with your furry friends.
Dog-Friendly Bars
Dog-Themed Bars
- The Dog Bar
- Two Shepherds Taproom
- Pinellas Ale Works Brewery (PAW)
- Pups Pub
- Nikko’s Dog and Sport’s Bar
Meet Up with Friends
Sometimes you may be in the mood to meet up with friends at a public outdoor plaza for a variety of activities like food, drinks, shopping, and people-watching. Especially with Florida’s year-round warm weather, being outside with friends and your pet seems like the perfect weekend activity. Luckily, Tampa Bay is home to some of the most impressive meet-up spots and public plazas in the state. From Sparkman Wharf and Armature Works to Hyde Park Village and Midtown Tampa, Tampa only continues to expand its pet-friendly plazas for you and your friends to meet up! As for St. Pete, the newly completed St. Pete Pier always has something for you to do with friends and your pet. You will be guaranteed to run into plenty of dogs as you explore the 26 acres of Tampa Bay! Even if you are just wanting to walk around dog-friendly neighborhoods, you must visit Central Ave in Downtown St. Pete and Main St. in Downtown Dunedin. Visit their websites to find out more information on any upcoming weekend events!
Map of Things to do with your Pets in Tampa Bay
5 Upcoming Pet-Friendly Events in Tampa Bay
1. Yappy Hour at MacDinton’s Irish Pub
Looking for a way to merge your social life with your dog’s social life? Then you will have to stop by MacDinton’s in Soho for their Yappy Hour! Their dog-friendly event is held on the third Saturday of every month from January to May. With your furry friend, you can meet up with your friends for $5 Tito’s cocktails, raffle contests, and of course to meet more dogs. You will be drinking for a cause since a portion of Tito’s cocktails sales will be donated to the Humane Society. Enjoy your drinks as your furry friend enjoys some treats at Yappy Hour!
Event Details:
Location: 405 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL, 33606
Date: January 23, 2022 – May 22, 2022
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Admission: FREE
Website: Yappy Hour! | Facebook
2. Bath Day at The Dog Bar
Is your dog in desperate need of a shampoo and set? Join The Dog Bar for their charity dog wash in Downtown St. Petersburg! While your dog is getting extra clean and pretty, you can sit and enjoy a cold brew at the bar. They will offer washing, ear cleaning, and a towel dry for small, medium, and large or long-haired dogs. For a small additional cost, you can have their nails trimmed too. Bath Day is first come, first serve so make sure you plan accordingly. Proceeds from Bath Day go towards the Florida Giant Dog Rescue.
Event Details:
Location: 2300 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL, 33712
Date: February 27, 2022
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Admission: $10 small dogs, $15 medium dogs, $20 large or long-haired dogs, $5 nail trim
Website: Events Calendar – The Dog Bar (dogbarstpete.com)
3. Picnic in the Park with The Humane Society
Kick off the spring season with a picnic in the park with your furry friend! This year’s event is hosted by The Plant Museum and the University of Tampa. Invite your family, friends, and other pet-lovers to the picnic on the lawn overlooking the Hillsborough River. Whether your pet is social or not, there will be space for lots of playing or relaxing. You can bring your pet’s favorite treats and toys for an afternoon of fun, giveaways, and adoptable pets.
Event Details:
Location: 401 W Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, 33606
Date: March 6, 2022
Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Admission: FREE
Website: Happenings – Humane Society Tampa Bay
4. 31st Annual SPCA Tampa Bay Pet Walk 2022
Want to give back to your community through your love for animals? Then the SPCA Tampa Pet Walk 2022 is the event for you! Once you form a team with fellow pet-lovers, you can start raising funds for your team leading up until the event. At the Pet Walk, bring your furry friend and celebrate your fundraising efforts with your team and community. Enjoy the fun 1.8-mile walk along the beautiful, waterfront of Downtown St. Petersburg. All proceeds go directly to the SPCA to keep their animal shelter and veterinary center open for homeless and suffering animals.
Event Details:
Location: 400 Bayshore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701
Date: April 2, 2022
Time: 08:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Admission: FREE
Website: 2022 Pet Walk (onecause.com)
5. Dog Bar St. Pete Meetup
If you have a social dog and are looking for more ways to make more friends in the Downtown St. Pete dog community, then this is the event for you. Join The Dog Bar and the Dog Moms of Tampa Bay for their first meet-up. This dog-friendly event will give you and your furry friend the time and space to meet like-minded dog owners. The off-leash dog bar will give your pup enough space to run around with their new friends. The event will have giveaways provided by local St. Pete dog-friendly businesses and will include a complimentary gift bag.
Event Details:
Location: 2300 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL, 33712
Date: April 9, 2022
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Admission: $1 per dog
Website: Dog Bar St. Pete Meetup (bringfido.com)
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