The 10 Best Things to Do With Your Dog in Tallahassee

Looking for things to do with man’s best friend in dog-friendly Tallahassee? This Florida city offers many fun ways to spend quality time with your pup! Whether you’re a resident or visiting from out of town, there are plenty of places to bring Fido. From exploring history at Cascades Park to hiking or biking along 700 miles of pet-friendly trails, here are the 10 best things to do with your dog in Tallahassee.

1. Have a Puppy Play Date at one of Tallahassee’s Dog Parks

Spend quality time with your pooch at a dog park where he can play off-leash and meet new furry friends.

• Bradfordville Dog Park — Located at 6808 Beech Ridge Trail, is Leon County’s biggest dog park with over 13 acres of play for both small and large dogs alike.
• Lee Vause Dog Park — This dog park at 6024 Old Bainbridge Road is a 1.5-acre puppy playground with space for both small and big dogs. Amenities for furry friends and their humans include a drinking fountain with a dog water bowl attachment, a log tunnel, jumping hoops and benches.
• San Luis Mission Dog Park — Located at 1313 San Luis Road, San Luis Mission Dog Park is home to a large fenced-in area for dogs of all sizes, with parking near the restroom and play area. This spot also offers dog-friendly trails where you can go for a hike behind the park.
• All Saints Dog Park — Located at 810 S Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, this is a smaller dog park with a fenced-in area in which big and small dogs can play and benches where owners can sit and chat.
• Tom Brown Dog Park — This dog park is located at 501 Easterwood Drive and features two fenced-in areas for where pups can play, one for small dogs, and one for bigger dogs. There are also a number of water stations at the park for canines, as well as hand sanitizer stations and benches.

Photo Credit: @beleifer05

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2. Dine Out With Your Dog

Tallahassee’s mild weather helps keep pet-friendly restaurant patios open most of the year. From breakfast to dinner, these restaurants welcome four-legged guests at designated outdoor seating. Here are a couple of four-legged foodie approved dining establishments:

• Uptown Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Be sure to order the bacon-filled pancakes to share with Fido. This restaurant is an option when it’s raining, too, because its patios are covered.
• Madison Social (aka MadSo) is a “pupular” eatery in with dog owners. In addition to the staff being nice to canine diners, the bar and grill serves tasty pub grub and has a laid-back and fun atmosphere.
• Gordos Bring your dog over to Gordo’s and enjoy its colorful, laid-back patio as you order up some authentic Cuban cuisine. Black Beans and Rice for man’s best friend and the Pan Con Lechon for you!
• Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant Skip the doggy bag and bring your pup straight over to Mom & Dads, where you can enjoy fine Italian dining with ample outdoor seating for your entire extended family.
• Vale Share health-conscious table scraps with your furry friend as you dine on a customizable bowl from Vale. Enjoy rotating favorites like the Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, Sriracha Meatballs, Chipotle Mac n Cheese and shredded Brussels Sprouts

 

Photo Credit: Kristin/BringFido

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3. Explore 700+ Miles of Wide-Open Trails with Fido

Go for a hike on “Trailahassee’s” expansive trails. Keep your four-legged hiker on a leash while you have fun in nature. There are many amazing trails, but here are a few of the most popular with pups:

• J. R. Alford Greenway is one of Tallahassee’s most popular parks for dog walkers. With more than 17 miles of multi-use trails, and 800 acres of pastures, mixed forests, hardwoods, freshwater swamps, and a lake, this park will keep you and your pup entertained.
• Lafayette Heritage Trail Park welcomes leashed dogs on its shared-use trail. The overall distance of the trail is 2.95 miles and is marked with green. Keep your eyes open for some of Florida’s wildlife.
• Leon Sinks Geological Area is a pet-friendly place to bring your pooch for a lovely walk. Located on the Woodville Karst Plain, this mature karstic area on the Upper Floridan Aquifer is home to one of the most extensive underwater cave systems in the world and connects to Wakulla Springs. Explore the forest, swamps and sinks with your leashed pooch.

Photo Credit: @shepsky.tails

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4. Discover history with your canine at Cascades Park

Located less than a quarter of a mile from the state capitol building, this park that’s on the National Register of Historic Places features 2.3 miles of dog-friendly walking trails, Florida’s Prime Meridian marker, the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park, an interactive water fountain, Discovery playscape, numerous historical markers and spirit houses that are a commemoration to Smokey Hollow, an area that was once a thriving black community and two restaurants. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or a coffee on the patios at The Edison and Power Plant Cafe.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: @asimplewildflower

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5. Stock up on Fido’s Favorite Food and Treats

Your pup will thank you. These pet stores have everything you need to spoil your dog:

• The Naturally Healthy Pet
• Hollywood Feed
• PetSmart Tallahassee
• Petco Tallahassee

 

 

 

Photo Credit: @itsawillaworld

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6. Explore the Past at a National Historical Landmark

Bring Fido to Mission San Luis National Landmark where you will be transported back to the 1600s. History tells us that the Mission was a community where Apalachee Indians and newcomers from Spain co-existed in harmony and peace. It was home to more than 1,400 residents before a British invasion in 1704 left it in ashes. Now a pet-friendly National Historic Landmark, Mission San Luis has been carefully reconstructed and is the only Spanish mission in Florida. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners at a number of structures including a circular Apalachee council house, Spanish house, blacksmith, church, chapel, friary kitchen and more. Period-dressed characters share their history, showing first-hand how they lived – literally bringing history to life.

 

Credit: @queso_blanco_wgsd

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7. Roll down your windows and go for a drive with your dog while taking in the beauty of Tallahassee’s 78 miles of Canopy Roads

Soak in the city’s southern charm as you cruise with your canine along these roads shaded by moss-draped live oaks, sweet gums, hickory trees and stately pines.

 

 

Photo Credit: @hangin_with_kobe

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8. Shop ‘til you drop (or your dog plays dead)

Tallahassee has an abundance of pet-friendly stores where you can get in some retail therapy with man’s best friend. Here is just a few of the stores where you can bring Fido:

• Bass Pro Shops
• Tractor Supply
• Home Depot
• Lowe’s

 

 

Photo Credit: @falconthedox

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9. Grab a brew with man’s best friend

Tallahassee is embracing the craft beer trend and there are several dog-friendly taphouses, brewpubs and breweries in the city. Check out these for a taste of the local beer scene while Fido samples the city’s finest tap water:

• The Brass Tap in Tallahassee offers dog-friendly outdoor seating and offers between sixty and eighty taps with beers from around the world.
• Miller’s Ale House serves over 75 beer varieties, including sought-after foreign imports and craft brews. If beer’s not your thing, sip on one of its signature cocktails or a sweet tea.
• Proof Brewing Company is the OG of Tallahassee breweries. Bring your pup to join you on the outdoor patio while you try Proof’s Eightfive-0 American Pale Ale.

 

Photo Credit: @brasstapmidtown

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10. Sit, stay and meet a rescue dog at Aloft Tallahassee Downtown

With more than 50 shelter dogs finding their forever homes as of July 2019, the adoption program at Aloft Tallahassee Downtown has been a success for pups and guests alike. The hotel works with Leon County Humane Society, Tallahassee’s largest no-kill, non-profit animal welfare organization. It also received a custom replica doghouse from a local construction company. When you book a room to rest weary paws overnight at the Aloft Tallahassee Downtown’s pet-friendly accommodations, the ARF (Animals Are Fun) Program will welcome your pup for no additional fee, too!

More Pet Friendly Hotels

• Hotel Indigo
• Hyatt House Tallahassee Capitol – University
• Springhill Suites Tallahassee North
• Seven Hills Suites
• Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown

…and many more can be found by clicking HERE.

 

Photo Credit: @alofttallahassee

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Photo Credit: @davis.holland

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