Philadelphia knows the importance of our four-legged friends and is home to pet-friendly restaurants, bars, hotels, dog-centric parks and more. (Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia)
There’s no need to leave man’s best friend behind in the City of Brotherly Love, with tons of restaurants, bars, shops, hotels and parks welcoming humans and their furry friends alike.
We’ve rounded up the best places to bring Fido throughout Philadelphia and the countryside, too — from Valley Forge National Park for a lively game of fetch, to a leisurely lunch at Rouge complete with a water bowl for any visiting pets.
Read on for our guide to the pet-friendly Philadelphia.
Restaurants and Bars
Rouge: Rittenhouse, 205 S. 18th Street. At Rouge, right across from dog-friendly Rittenhouse Square, four-legged friends enjoy bowls of water and treats, while their human companions indulge in upscale bistro fare, including one of the best burgers in town.
Tavern 17: Rittenhouse, 220 S. 17th Street. Tavern 17, off Rittenhouse Square, features alfresco dining and a bowl of water for pooches.
Square 1682: Rittenhouse, 121 S. 17th Street. Square 1682 at the Hotel Palomar hosts a bring your own dog brunch on weekends through the end of the summer. The folks at Square 1682 not only provide guests with tasty brunch options, but also have a few specials on the menu just for your pet. A portion of the brunch benefits Operation Ava, a non-profit organization that aims to save Philadelphia’s abandoned pets.
Square 1682 at the Hotel Palomar hosts a Bring Your Own Dog brunch on weekends for pet-lovers. (Photo by Mark Henninger for Imagic Digital courtesy Square 1682)
White Dog Cafe: University City, 3420 Sansom Street. There's room for more than just students in University City, home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. Pet owners can dine outside at the White Dog Caf and score a bowl of water for their pooch.
Paradiso Restaurant and Wine Bar: East Passyunk, 1627 E Passyunk Avenue. Along happening East Passyunk Avenue, South Philly's own restaurant row, the Italian eatery Paradiso Restaurant and Wine Bar offers outdoor seating and provides tableside water bowls for pets.
Izumi: East Passyunk, 1601 E Passyunk Avenue. Craving sushi but don’t want to leave Fido at home? Izumi in East Passyunk is the place to be for both humans and their four-legged friends.
Jake's and Cooper's Wine Bar: Manayunk, 4365 Main Street. In Manayunk, just west of Center City, dogs and their owners are always strolling along Main Street, lined with chic cafes, upscale boutiques and funky galleries. Jake's and Cooper's Wine Bar is just one of the local eateries that provides a range of casual cuisine and bowls of water for Fido. Also noteworthy? Winnie's Le Bus Manayunk and Derek's.
Valley Green Inn: Northwest, Valley Green and Wissahickon Road. In leafy Fairmount Park, heaven for dogs and humans alike, the Valley Green Inn is a way station for dog walkers, bikers and pet owners, with plenty of outdoor seating available. Water bowls are available for dogs.
Teca: West Chester, 38 E. Gay Street. At West Chester's Teca, pets are welcome to belly up to the water bowl outside along busy Gay Street while owners enjoy tasty Italian fare.
Parks
Rittenhouse Square: Rittenhouse, 18th and Walnut Streets. Rittenhouse Square is where all the downtown dogs go to sniff and be seen. Sunbathers, picnickers and pups share the lawn space in peace.
The Schuylkill River Park Dog Run: Fitler Square, 25th between Locust and Delancey streets. The Schuylkill River Park Dog Run is constructed from K9 grass, a revolutionary turf made specifically for dogs, and boasts small and large runs with frost-free water fountains and separate entrances.
More, below.
Front and Chestnut Dog Park: Old City, Front and Chestnut Streets. The Front and Chestnut Dog Park (also known as I-95 Park) is enclosed with short fences and attracts some informal romping.
Take in pretty views while exercising with your pooch along the Schuylkill River trail. (Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)
Seger Dog Park: Bella Vista, 11th between Lombard and South streets. Between the Washington Square West and Bella Vista neighborhoods, Seger Dog Park is a smaller dog park and completely enclosed.
French Creek State Park: Elverson, 843 Park Road. Chester County is known for its open spaces, including French Creek State Park, nearly 7,800 acres of well-marked hiking trails (35 miles of trails within the creek alone), campgrounds and two lakestruly a canine paradise.
Haverford College: Haverford, 370 Lancaster Avenue. In Delaware County, dogs on leashes can roam throughout the Haverford College campus, a beautiful setting with nature trails and a duck pond.
Valley Forge National Historical Park: Valley Forge, N. Gulph Road & Route 23. Leashed pets are welcome at Valley Forge National Historical Park, a 3,500-acre park (with 30 miles of trails) that was home to Washington's winter encampment in 1777.
Shops
Bonejour Pet Supply & Dog Wash: Old City, 53 N. 3rd Street. Bonejour Pet Supply & Dog Wash in Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood caters to dogs and cats of all kinds. The boutique features healthy treats and chews, high-quality toys and a wall full of fashions for Spot and Fluffy. The shop carries a slew of far more practical items too, including collars, harnesses, leashes and carrying cases, along with natural and holistic foods and remedies. Pet bathing services come full-service or at a do-it-yourself station.
Chic Petique: Northern Liberties, 1040 N. 2nd Street, Unit 401. Northern Liberties' Chic Petique draws those who truly want to spoil their pets “from the inside out,” as its focus is on natural foods and remedies. Shoppers find comfy beds, bowls, carrying cases, toys, leashes, collars and pet snacks shaped like pizza, sushi, meatloaf and other human foods. And, for the truly pet-obsessed, Chic Petique sells a large selection of pet fashions.
Street Tails Animal Rescue: Northern Liberties, 1030 N. 2nd Street, Unit 401. A nonprofit offshoot of Chic Petique, Street Tails Animal Rescue is a dog adoption center. Also on-site: Thrift for Tails, Philly's first second-hand pet shop, stocks gently used pet items and benefitting the rescue.
Doggie Style: Various Locations. With six locations around town (Rittenhouse, East Passyunk and Old City to name a few), Doggie Style proves that pet-loving is good business. The shops provide high-quality products and services for pets, plus grooming services and pet adoptions.
Rittenhouse is a dog-lovers paradise with pet-friendly hotels, parks and restaurants. (Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)
Duross & Langel: Midtown Village, 117 S. 13th Street. For eco-friendly pet shampoos and coat treatments, owners head to Duross & Langel, a vegan soap maker in Philadelphia's Washington Square West neighborhood.
Jake and Elwood's: New Hope, 122 S. Main Street. In Bucks County, visitors to New Hope can take their pups with them to Jake and Elwood's pet boutique to shop for a variety of pet supplies, stylish clothing and food.
Concord Pet Foods & Supplies: Various Locations. Concord Pet Foods & Supplies has been serving Chester County pets and their owners for more than 30 years. Carrying 40 brands of premium pet foods, as well as beds, toys and crates, the store prides itself on having “everything your pet needs.”
Hotels
Four Seasons Hotel: Logan Square, 1 Logan Square. At the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, dogs or cats weighing 15 pounds or less can bed down for the night at no extra charge. The hotel provides homemade dog treats at check-in and offers bowls, pet beds and even high-end bottled water. The hotel's location offers ample dog-walking space and grass for pets and their people to enjoy along the museum-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Pets should not be left unattended.
Hotel Monaco: Old City, 433 Chestnut Street. Pet lovers can stay at Kimpton's Hotel Monaco Philadelphia at no extra charge for their furry friends. Plus, there is no limit on the number of pets, as well as no restrictions on their size or weight. All visitors receive a Very Important Pet gift in the room. Food bowls, beds and leashes are also provided.
Hotel Palomar: Rittenhouse, 117 S. 17th Street. Another Kimpton, the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia welcomes pets of all kinds, with no limit on size or weight. Animals are offered a VIP amenity upon arrival, bowls and beds in the room, as well as leashes and plastic bags. Pet sitting, walking and grooming services can be arranged via the Department of Pet Relations; the staff can also offer advice about nearby parks and pet-friendly dining.
Loews Philadelphia Hotel: Midtown Village, 1200 Market Street. Animals get the royal treatment at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel with its Loews Loves Pets program and VIP menu of services, as well as treats upon check-in. Not only does the hotel provide dogs and cats with loaner beds, bowls, litter boxes, leashes and collars, but they also offer a map of dog-walking routes, veterinarians, pet shops and other resources. The cost is $35 per reservation (two pets maximum per room), with pet-friendly rooms located on the sixth and seventh floors. Pet walking and sitting services are available for an extra fee.
The Residence Inn: Center City, 1 E. Penn Square. The Residence Inn Center City welcomes pets, with no size or weight restrictions; however, the property does require that owners keep pets leashed while on the premises. Guests must pay a $250 non-refundable fee to cover the cost of an outside cleaning service.
Looking for a staycation or vacation with your furry friend, head to a number of Philly hotels for pet-friendly accommodations, including the Hotel Palomar which is pictured above. (Photo by Chris Fascenelli Photography courtesy Hotel Palomar)
The Rittenhouse: Rittenhouse, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square At The Rittenhouse, pets of all shapes and sizes are invited to stay, and they receive water, food bowls and treats upon arrival. A $150 nonrefundable pet fee applies. While pets cannot be left unattended, the concierge is happy to make arrangements for a sitter for $15 per hour for one pet, $24 per hour for two.
The Ritz-Carlton: Center City, 10 Avenue of the Arts. Dogs can put on the ritz at The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, where pups under 30 pounds make themselves right at home for a non-refundable fee of $250 per pet, per reservation. The hotel asks guests to provide advance notice that a pet will be joining them on their trip. And, while on the premises, animals must be accompanied by their human companions at all times.
Sheraton Society Hill Hotel: Old City, 2nd and Walnut Streets. The Sheraton Society Hill Hotel welcomes dogs weighing less than 40 pounds at no extra charge and simply asks that guests sign a waiver stating that the dog will not be left alone. Conveniently located close to walking paths along the Delaware River, the property offers Suite Sleeper dog beds.
Sofitel: Rittenhouse, 120 S. 17th Street. The Sofitel Philadelphia stays true to its French roots by welcoming pets to stay for no additional fee. Pet amenities like bowls, beds, treats and a room-service pet menu are also available. There is a policy of no more than two pets per room.
The Westin: The Westin Philadelphia welcomes canine companions as long as the pet weighs 40 pounds or less. A $50 non-refundable fee and signed waiver are required. Dogs are not allowed in the room unattended when housekeepers are cleaning. Dog pillows and doggy bowls provided upon check-in.
Brandywine River Hotel: Chadds Ford, 1609 Baltimore Pike. Delaware County's Brandywine River Hotel welcomes dogs in pet-friendly rooms for a $25-per-dog-per-night fee for those 20 pounds or lighter and a $45 fee for bigger pooches. Dogs must be crated when guests are not in the room.
Comfort Inn and Suites: Pottstown, 99 Robinson Street. In Montgomery County, the Comfort Inn and Suites Pottstown is an award-winning hotel where pets can stay for a $20 (plus tax) charge per pet, per night as long as they're crated while unattended in the room.
Parks across the city welcome dogs and humans alike for relaxing afternoons (or mornings!) alfresco. (Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)