Dog-Friendly NYC — Where to Go to Hang Out with Your Dawgs

NYC dogs — they’re everywhere, and they’re seriously adorable. Some say it’s challenging to own a dog in the biggest city in North America, but just how hard can it be? In the spirit of National Dog Month, I decided to find out for myself.

I was the girl growing up that was never allowed to own a dog. Not to point any fingers, but perhaps it was the fact that my mom thought they made too big a mess and should never be allowed inside any decent household. Perhaps.

Fast-forward to young adulthood, and I’m living in the city that never sleeps. It’s time for me to make my own decisions, forge my own way, and maybe, just maybe, finally get a dog of my own. But I have to admit, I’ve become a bit skeptical, hearing from one person after the next just how hard it is to own and take care of a dog in New York City.

But as I always say, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” May is National Pet Month, and there’s no better time to at least start looking into dog ownership. Don’t believe me? I know a few thousand dogs walking their owners around Central Park who do!

Now it was only a matter of finding things to do with my canine pal — the Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden is great, and eventually I’d love to attend and pick out some potential “muttigrees.” But it turns out they don’t just let any mutt trot across the green, so for now I decided I’d settle for the streets of Manhattan.

How, you might ask? I did a little research and decided to hit up the best places in New York City to take your dog.

Jemmy’s Run at Madison Square Park

Let me begin by saying that if I ever find myself in need of a quick afternoon mood booster, I know know exactly where to go. I mean, this place is absolute Dog Heaven. Jemmy’s Run is an enormous, beautiful dog park tucked away in Madison Square Park. Dog owners young, old, and anywhere in between take their dogs here to let down their fur and run free, liberated from the boredom of their everyday, leash-bound lives.

The regulars I spoke with told me they love this park because it’s somewhere safe and easy, a place where they can give their dogs a little room to breathe in a city that’s otherwise packed with cramped real estate. What better place to lift your and your dog’s spirits than a park on a bright, sunny day with tons of other adorable barking pooches, all jumping around and kissing your face? I literally had to be dragged away from this place.

Shake Shack

That being said, you’ll never have to drag me to a Shake Shack. I was well aware that humans could get milkshakes here — but they have frozen treats for dogs, too? Anyone who knows me knows that I am just head over paws for all things ice cream. It would only be fitting that my future doggy-to-be would feel the same, so why not order a doggy-style goody just to see what its like?

After waiting on line for a minute or two, I ordered a chocolate milkshake for myself and a “Pooch-ini” for my invisible furry friend. I didn’t know what to expect, but it was even more adorable than I thought: a bowl full of vanilla custard, peanut butter sauce, and two dog biscuits on either side. Boy, did I wish I had a dog in that moment.

If (and when) I get my “Otis,” I know exactly where we’ll head to after a hot summer day in the park — somewhere that offers both of us a creamy, delicious way to cool down.

(In case you’re wondering, I didn’t actually eat the Pooch-ini! A delightful little pup named Penny wolfed the whole thing down in two bites.)

Zoomies

Okay, so I have a place where I can walk my dog and a place to bring him along for some sweet doggy treats — now for a little bit of puppy glam time. How selfish would it be to take myself shopping and not my future beloved pooch?

I got a recommendation about this place called Zoomies from one of my dog-loving pals, who told me that this place has all of the items I would need and more to deck my doggy out. I walked into the store and what do I see but a million different accessories, clothing items, and fun things for a four-legged-pal to play with. Oh Otis, this is going to be our new favorite spot.

So Would I Get a Dog in NYC?

To me, getting a dog in the Big Apple seems a lot more doable than I had originally imagined. Some people may say that it’s hard to bring a dog to the city, but from what I discovered today, it seems like the opposite — some of these dogs seem more pampered than their owners.

So now the only thing I need now is…well…a dog. But that’s a story for another time!