Updated: April 30, 2025
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 pet 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 for 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 also 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 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, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille St Pete Pier, 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 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. Dogs & Dolphins
Want to give your pup the ultimate exPIERience? Then don’t miss this one-of-a-kind dog-meets-dolphin tour hosted by Captain Christian! This unique adventure brings playful dogs and curious dolphins together in a safe, interactive setting out on the water. Registered dogs from Dog Bar St. Pete can join their humans for an unforgettable ride full of wagging tails and dolphin sightings—with a Dolphin Guarantee or your next trip is free! Even better, proceeds from ticket sales support ACUTIENAMEDSTEWIE INC, so you’ll be giving back while making memories. Don’t forget to register your dog for free at dogbarstpete.com!
Event Details:
Location: 400 2nd Ave SE, Gate 22, St Petersburg, Florida 33701
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Admission: $39
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,d 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: Sunday, May 25, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Admission: $10 small dogs, $15 medium dogs, $20 large or long-haired dogs, $5 nail trim
Website: https://dogbarstpete.com/events/events-calendar/
3. Puppy Yoga Downtown St Pete
Looking for the cutest way to unwind in Downtown St. Pete? Then Puppy Yoga is your new go-to! Held right in the heart of downtown, this event pairs gentle yoga flows with playful puppy interactions for the ultimate feel-good session. No need to bring anything—yoga mats and pups are provided! Whether you’re striking a pose or enjoying a cuddle break, you’ll leave feeling refreshed and smiling ear to ear. It’s the perfect blend of wellness and wagging tails!
Event Details:
Location: 631 4th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Admission: $56.99
Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/puppy-yoga-downtown-st-pete-tickets-1339154460039?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
4. MUTTS & MARTINIS 2nd ANNIVERSARY
Ready to paw-ty? Mutts & Martinis is celebrating two tail-wagging years on Central Ave, and you’re invited to the weekend-long bash! Join the fun on Saturday, May 31st and Sunday, June 1st, for a celebration filled with drinks, memories, and a few surprises. Located at 2900 Central Ave in St. Pete, this dog-friendly hotspot is going all out to thank its community of pups and people. Keep an eye on their stories for fun throwbacks and don’t forget to tag your friends—this is one anniversary you won’t want to miss!
Event Details:
Location: 2900 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025 & Sunday, June 1, 2025
Time: All Day!
Admission: FREE
Website: https://muttsandmartinisoncentral.com/upcoming
5. PETAPALOOZA
Looking for the perfect dog-friendly day out? Then bring your pet along to this lively pet-lover’s paradise! With a mix of amazing restaurants, unique shops, and fellow furry friends, this event is a must-visit for pet owners. Browse stylish accessories, tasty treats, pet-inspired art, and high-quality services all tailored for your four-legged companion. It’s the ultimate afternoon of tail wags, good vibes, and unforgettable finds!
Event Details:
Location: 9540 W Linebaugh Ave, Westchase, FL, US, 33626
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission: FREE
Website: https://www.bringfido.com/event/54236
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