Explore Raleigh’s best dog parks, pet-friendly shops and restaurants with your furry friend
by Bailey Garrison

If you’re a dog owner, chances are you’ve felt a pang of guilt when you leave the house — especially if you see your pup staring woefully after you through a window, wishing they were coming with! But as the dog days of summer wind down and the sun still shines, it’s the perfect time of year to bring your pup out on the town. We’ve put together a list of the best things to do with your dog in Raleigh that are sure to be a treat for both you and your canine companion. 

Have a Dog Park Playdate

Wherever you reside in the City of Oaks, there is sure to be no shortage of dog parks nearby. For those closer to downtown, Dorothea Dix Dog Park (1800 Umstead Drive), an enclosed area inside of Dix Park, is the perfect place for romping, with on-site restrooms and water stations also available. Carolina Pines Dog Park (2305 Lake Wheeler Road) is another popular choice and has enclosed areas for both big and small dogs. For those in the northern part of the city, Millbrook Exchange Dog Park (1905 Spring Forest Road), the oldest dog park in Raleigh, includes climbing structures, shaded areas, picnic tables and three separate fenced-in areas. Downtown Cary Park’s Barkyard (312 S. Walker Street, Cary) is a newer dog park with climbing structures, interactive water features and romp-friendly areas accessed by membership pass only. But the real highlight of this list is West St. Dog (400 W. North Street, Suite 110), an indoor haven for both dogs and humans that doubles as a doggy daycare during the week and a bar and dog park during weekends. Unwind with a drink while your dog runs free in the indoor park, or bring your pup to weekly Monday night trivia.

Bring Your Dog to a Baseball Game

Baseball is usually a sport for humans, but the Durham Bulls welcome all furry friends for their “Bark in the Park” games. Leashed dogs can join their owners in special seating at the park and cheer on the Bulls, courtesy of Second Chance Pet Adoption, the Triangle’s oldest no-kill animal shelter. The next Bark in the Park is September 10, so be sure to reserve your ticket (from $14; 409 Blackwell Street, Durham)! The Wilson Warbirds also welcome pups to all Sunday home games, and their season runs through the month of August (from $18; 401 Goldsboro Street, Wilson). And pets are allowed at all Clayton Clovers games , so there’s no need for your schedule to interfere with your dog date! (from $6; 1774 Glen Laurel Road, Clayton)

Pamper Your Pup at a Doggy Boutique

Whether your dog is in need of a new collar, a tasty treat or a fresh ‘do, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming is a dog-lover’s haven. All of their food and oven-baked treats are all-natural, and they are committed to providing quality and stress-free grooming for pets at multiple locations across Raleigh (2409 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 105 & 2046 Clark Avenue). Woofinwaggle is North Raleigh’s premier dog spa and boutique, offering grooming and washing with organic, human-grade products and tasty cookies for a delicious reward (8490 Honeycutt Road). And with eleven locations across North Carolina, independently owned Unleashed is a store for both dogs and cats. Their self-service dog wash includes bathing products, towels and dryers, and their team of highly trained employees are available for one-on-one nutritional consultations (329 Blake Street; 2460 Wycliffe Road; 7408 Creedmoor Road).

Give Your Dog the Cutest Adventure in Town

UNC basketball alum Baden Jaxen started Pup Park Shuttle in 2025 as a service that provides outings for dogs while their owners are busy. You might spot the shuttle — a repurposed school bus trimmed in sky blue and lined inside with fake turf — cruising around Raleigh with several furry heads peering out the windows. Reserve your spot, drop off your dog between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. and let the shuttle take your pet on a day-long adventure to various parks, lakes and trails. Beorn’s Bark Bus offers a similar service, shuttling pups from their door to the company’s private dog park for a morning of play. Founded by a vet technician and managed by a team of dog experts, your pet is in safe hands aboard this ride.

Lick Up Some Delicious Ice Cream

Humans aren’t the only ones who enjoy a tasty frozen treat! Hause of Dogs, a one-of-a-kind dog boutique in Smoky Hollow, offers eight different flavors of pup-friendly ice cream, made in house with dairy-free and tummy-conscious ingredients (421 N. Harrington Street). FRESH. Local Ice Cream has a long list of regular and monthly flavors for every ice cream lover, but they haven’t forgotten the pets, serving up a puppy dog sundae: vanilla ice cream paired with peanut butter sauce and dog biscuits (6033 Glenwood Avenue). And in North Raleigh, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream doesn’t charge you anything for their pup cup: a small scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with a biscuit (10450 Durant Road).

Roam the Great Outdoors 

If your dog enjoys more free rein than what a dog park might offer, Raleigh has plenty of walking and hiking trails that are perfect for them to stretch their legs. Umstead State Park has over a dozen trail routes through its gorgeous park grounds that include lush forest, waterfalls and lakes (8801 Glenwood Avenue or 2100 Harrison Street, Cary). Jordan Lake (280 State Park Road, Apex) and Falls Lake Parks (13304 Creedmoor Road, Wake Forest) are both sprawling natural areas that are also favorites for camping and fishing. Shelley Lake Park (1400 W. Millbrook Road) is a smaller park with two miles of trails that is convenient for citydwellers. And all over town, you can find the Raleigh Greenway, over 100 miles of paved and unpaved trails that cover the whole city. Please note that all dogs must be on leashes at all city parks and trails.

Shop Til You (and Your Pup) Drop

Weekends are a great time to take your dog to one of Raleigh’s outdoor markets. Stock up on fresh produce, artisan bread and other local products at the Midtown Farmer’s Market (4191 Main at North Hills Street) in North Hills and the huge NC State Farmers Market (1201 Agriculture Street) southwest of downtown (please note that dogs are not allowed inside any market buildings or sheds). Located at the NC State Fair Grounds, the Raleigh Market (4285 Trinity Road) is North Carolina’s largest flea market and is a great spot for finding unique and vintage treasures. If the weather isn’t complying, take your shopping indoors! In the Village District, Great Outdoor Provision Co. (2017 Cameron Street) is a destination for camping gear and outdoor wear with a rustic vibe, and they love when furry friends come inside. In North Hills, Quail Ridge Books (4209-100 Lassiter Mill Road) is also a great shop for well-behaved dogs while their owners find their next great read.

Enjoy Canine-Friendly Destinations for a Bite to Eat…

If you get hungry during your day out, plenty of restaurant owners around Raleigh love when dogs join them for meals. Serving up the best burger in town, MoJoe’s outdoor patio (620 Glenwood Avenue) is a favorite destination for pet owners, and both you and your dog will be drooling at the smells wafting outside. Tupelo Honey (425 Oberlin road) dishes up Southern comfort food at their canine-friendly outdoor seating, and Rush Bowls (2811 Hillsborough Street) is an acai bowl shop that also offers pup cups. If you’re looking for a breakfast sandwich or a caffeine kick, Sola Coffee’s patio (7705 Lead Mine Road) is a great place for you and your dog to linger for a while, and friendly coffee shop The Optimist (1000 Brookside Drive, Suite 109) extends their welcoming atmosphere to pets as well.

… or a Refreshing Drink

Let your pup come along for a night out at some of Raleigh’s favorite local breweries. With spacious indoor and outdoor seating, Lynwood Brewing Concern (1053 E. Whitaker Mill Road) is a community-focused brewery with weekly trivia nights and beer tastings, and their restaurant next door, Wilson’s Eatery, serves up scratch-made food to pair with your pint. Every Tuesday, LBC donates $1 per pint to a local charity, with one of their regulars being Perfectly Imperfect Pups, a rescue that takes in dogs with special needs. Edit Beer Co. (1911 Sego Court, Suite 101) is a family-owned taproom in North Raleigh that wholeheartedly allows leashed dogs at both their indoor and outdoor seating. To catch the night’s game, head to the historic Players Retreat (105 Oberlin Road) off NC State’s campus, a sports bar that has been serving drinks and eats since 1951 and welcomes dogs at their outdoor tables. Rounding out this list, family-friendly beer garden Tap Yard (1610 Automotive Way) practically begs their patrons to bring their pups with them and often hosts events featuring live music, food trucks and lawn games. (If you need something to make you smile, check out their “Dogs of the Day” gallery on their website!)

This article was originally published July 2026 on waltermagazine.com.