National Dog Day in Orlando: Celebrate with pet-friendly outings
While most dog owners find ways to celebrate their furry friend daily with belly rubs and treats, one day is dedicated to celebrating canine companionship.
National Dog Day is Aug. 26, honoring furry friends already in loving homes and those who need adoption.
Orlando, in particular, is the top city for dog lovers, according to a study sponsored by LawnStarter. The City Beautiful ranked fifth for the number of dog parks per 100,000 residents and first for most pet groomers per 100,000 residents. In addition, Central Florida has many dog boarding options along with dog-friendly restaurants and rental properties.
Tampa ranked in second place, while Miami and Fort Lauderdale came in 10th and 11th place, respectively. The City Beautiful previously ranked second in a list of dog-friendly cities curated by Honest Paws, which recognized Orlando for having “376 pet-friendly restaurants, 128 pet-friendly hotels, and 15 veterinarians within its 113.7 square mileage.”
Here are ideas for dog-friendly activities and outings in Central Florida.
Visit a dog park
From Winter Garden to New Smyrna Beach, there’s no shortage of dog parks with an array of amenities for canines of all shapes and sizes.
Paw Park in Sanford is situated right next to Pet Rescue By Judy, with agility features and separate play areas for small and large dogs. The 23-acre Lake Baldwin Park has a sandy beach and allows dogs to be off-leash during the day.
Orange County and the City of Orlando boast a number of dog parks, while Smyrna Dunes Park welcomes leashed pets on the inlet shore beach area.
Explore a pet-friendly restaurant or brewery
While every bar or restaurant has its own pet policy, Central Florida boasts many places to eat or drink alongside furry friends. Many eateries allow dogs on patios but not inside. Be sure to verify policies before heading out with your pup.
Rockpit Brewing, Ivanohe Park Brewing Co., Sideward Brewing Co., Wop’s Hops Brewing and Crooked Can Brewing Company are a few craft beer hotspots that come up when searching BringFido, a website dedicated to dog-friendly destinations. Relax Grill, World of Beer, Bloodhound Brew and Gators Dockside also appear in the search.
Some places are dedicated to serving dog owners with their canine companions, such as Cups and Pups Coffee and Pups Pub. On Aug. 26, Scooter’s Coffee, which has two Orlando locations, offers pumpkin spice pup cups for free.
Indulge in a shopping spree
When it comes to “re-tail” therapy, there are a few prime places to shop and stroll with furry friends.
Park Avenue in Winter Park has a plethora of restaurants and stores, along with a dog-friendly farmers’ market on Saturdays. Lake Eola features the dog-friendly Orlando Farmers Market on Sunday.
As far as stores that cater specifically to dogs, visit a Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming location, Bark Avenue Bakery or All 4 Pets in Belle Isle, Winter Park and Avalon Park.
Take a nice, long walk (or a puppy paddle)
Everyone loves a good walk with the dog, even if it’s just around the block. For full-day outings, there are walkable districts, hiking trails and paddling hotspots that are welcoming of dogs.
Take a stroll through downtown Lake Nona or Plant Street in Winter Garden to explore shopping and eating options. Dog walkers can frequently be seen near Lake Ivanhoe near sunset on paved trails and sidewalks.
For hiking adventures, consider a visit to Bear Creek Nature Trail in Winter Springs, Mead Botanical Garden, Greenwood Urban Wetlands or Gemini Springs Park in DeBary.
Take to the water with dog-friendly paddleboard rentals and tours from Buena Vista Watersports, the Paddling Center at Shingle Creek and Epic Paddle Adventures. Dock diving is also available at Central Florida Dog Sports and other facilities.
Adopt a new friend
Central Florida is home to more animal rescues, shelters and sanctuaries than it’s possible to list.
Give back by volunteering at a pet shelter or adopting a new furry friend. Many local shelters and pet rescues are in need of donations in the form of food and time. Contact Central Florida organizations to learn more.
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
