Need ideas to give your dog some time outside of your apartment in Sarasota? Here are our favorite dog-friendly activities in Sarasota, FL.
As the warmest months of the year approach, you may be hoping to get outside and finally take in some fresh air. Doing that with your dog can make it extra special, especially when you’ve both been cooped up inside for a bit!
Enjoying some Sarasota activities with your best dog friend is a priority for many of us, but we don’t always know the best dog-friendly places to go. We’ve gathered some of our favorite dog-friendly activities in Sarasota. These places are always happy to welcome you and your best friend and can let you enjoy everything from a fine meal to fun in the sun.
The Dog Beaches
Beaches are a given for humans in Florida. In fact, they’re often a first stop in the panhandle state. Not every beach welcomes dogs, however, so you may not know where you can go to play with Fido in sun and sand.
Beaches you can take your dog to in Sarasota include:
- Bay Front Park at U.S. 41 and Ringling. This spot has some water and a really lovely setting.
- Bird Key Park on the John Ringling Causeway. Enjoy a full beachfront at this site with your best friend.
- Ken Thompson Park at 1700 Ken Thompson Parkway. This park also has a beachfront where you can walk with Fido on a leash.
Off-Leash Paw Parks
Of course, sometimes your doggie just wants to be able to run free on some dry land. Fortunately, there are a number of off-leash paw parks in Sarasota as well. Take your pet down to any of these locations to throw the ball or frisbee, or just let your dog play with some friends:
- 17th Street Paw Park
- Arlington Park Dog Park
- Lago St / Lakeview Paw Park
- Happy Trails Dog Park
- Holmes Beach Dog Park at Central Park
- Creekwood Canine Park
- The Canine Club
If you want some fresh air and are fine with keeping Fido on leash, you can also enjoy some local Sarasota hiking trails together. Venetian Waterway Park, Myakka State Park, and Red Bug Slough Reserve all welcome leashed dogs who are behaved and friendly with humans and other animals.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Bars
Sometimes, going out with Fido means meeting up with some of your two-legged friends, too. There are a wide range of restaurants and bars in the Sarasota area that allow you to bring your dog along for patio drinks and summer fun. Options to consider include:
The Old Salty Dog – A family friendly setting on Ken Thompson Parkway with reasonable prices and tasty fried food.
Oleary’s Tiki Bar & Grill – This location in Bayfront Park lets you enjoy mixed drinks and
Owens Fish Camp – This fun, brightly decorated seafood restaurant always welcomes your pup on the patio.
A Spa Day
After all that fun in the sun and drinks with friends, your best friend may just want some me time and relaxation. Sarasota offers a number of high-quality pet spas where your dog can enjoy personalized grooming services:
Bayside Pet Resort – This luxury resort offers the best in Sarasota grooming. They even offer training and agility courses for new pups or misbehaving doggies!
Wet Noses – The Wet Noses spa offers a full range of pet spa services, including nail trims and full cuts and shampoos.
Hanging out with your dog is one of your favorite ways to pass the time. Now that you have these helpful hints on where to spend the day in Sarasota with your four-legged best friend, hopefully, you can spend even more quality time together.
