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Top dog-friendly things to do in Alexandria

April 7, 2022
a small dog wearing a red vest being walked by two people

Alexandria, VA is one of the 20 most dog-friendly cities in the United States, with lots of fun things to do for dogs and the people who love them. Whether you live in Alexandria or are just visiting for a while, you and your dog are welcome to explore the city and discover just how many dog friendly spots in Alexandria there are for you to enjoy together.

Visit Mount Vernon

The historic home of George and Martha Washington, Mount Vernon is filled with things to do for not just you but your furry friend, too. You can visit the gardens, outbuildings, memorials, and a working farm. You and your pup are welcome to walk along the Potomac River or check out the gardens.

Take a walk in the park

Rare is the dog that doesn’t love a walk in the park or even a rousing game of frisbee. Indulge your pup’s sense of fun and adventure with one of Alexandria’s many dog-friendly parks, from beautiful riverside Founders Park to Montgomery Park in Old Town North with its fenced dog run and picturesque gazebos. Pack a picnic lunch for you and your pooch and make a day of it!

Shop til you both drop

At the Old Towne School for Dogs, you and your furry friend can enjoy an unparalleled shopping experience. This full-service pup paradise covers 7,000 square feet and is fully dedicated to retail services, grooming, and training for pups and the people who love them. Many other boutiques in the Old Towne Boutique District are dog-friendly, so take your time and do some window shopping or actual shopping with your pup.

You can also check out The Dog Park on King Street, which has everything from doggy clothes and beds to training tools and specialty items.

Grab a bite to eat

Alexandria is nothing if not dog-friendly when it comes to grabbing food with your furriest family member. Here, you can choose from a wide range of options for eating out, including al fresco dining at restaurants such as Hops n Shine, Vola’s Dockside Grill, Rockland’s Barbecue, or the Lost Dog Cafe. At Buzz Bakeshop, you can grab snacks for yourself and your pup, and at Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato, your dog can enjoy homemade dog gelato made with lactose-free milk.

Enjoy a night on the town

Do you and your dog like to socialize? Try the Barkhouse, Alexandria’s first dog-friendly bar and dog park. The Barkhouse features not just delicious food made fresh and from scratch in their on-site kitchen and creative drinks menu but both indoor and outdoor dog parks and exciting activities throughout the year on their events calendar.

When you can’t be there for your pup, we can! At Playful Pack dog daycare in Alexandria, we have everything to keep your dog and you happy, including a safe, clean facility and a dedicated, dog-loving staff. Our dog daycare facilities, which are located near the Mt. Vernon Shopping Plaza, are spacious and equipped with a commercial drainage system for sanitation, and feature constant staff engagement, mental and physical exercise and activities, webcam access, and lots of fun in an exciting, cage-free atmosphere. Call us today to schedule an evaluation and day of fun.