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If you’re a fellow pet parent and a lover of travel and new experiences, you know that the struggle is real! There is so much to explore here in Hartford, but it isn’t as fun when you know your dog is waiting at home.
Thankfully, Hartford is home to many areas and businesses in the city that are more than welcoming to dogs! Read on to learn all the essential dog-friendly locations in the city, followed by a list of dog-friendly special events.
As Hartford’s sole pet supply shop, Naturally Dogs and Cats welcomes dogs with open arms. Along with offering a wide selection of natural dog food, high-quality toys, and yummy treats, you can truly feel how much the shop staff loves pets as soon as you walk through the door. The homemade treats are even named after their favorite dog customers!
If you’re planning a visit from out of town, the #1 priority is always finding a dog-friendly hotel. We’re happy to share that our city is home to various hotel options that will roll out the welcome mat for your furry friend. Homewood Suites even has dog treats!
As the weather gets warmer, Hartford’s outdoor dining scene flourishes. Most restaurants with patios or outdoor seating areas allow well-behaved dogs to accompany owners on the patio. At Rush Bowls, you can even order a bow-wow bowl for your pup to enjoy alongside you! Here are some great dog-friendly restaurant options:
Breweries have always been a haven for social pet parents, and Hartford is no exception. All four of Hartford’s breweries invite everyone to enjoy pints and pups on their outdoor seating areas during the warmer months:
Hartford is home to many beautiful parks full of trails and grassy areas perfect for active dogs. None of these are dog parks, so keeping your pup on a leash is required, but there won’t be a shortage of other dogs to interact with if you have a social pup. Just be sure to pack a poop bag and check out our park guide before you go!
Along with the public parks, there are a few more dog-friendly areas in the city. Parkville Market, Hartford’s first food hall, allows dogs in their beautiful outdoor seating area. Additionally, each food stall has an outdoor facing window, allowing you to grab a bite from any of the diverse cuisines without having to go indoors.
Pratt Street is a pet-friendly gem in the downtown area. The brick-lined street is home to three restaurants, Vaughan’s Public House, Sorella, and Sunberry Cafe, that all offer pet-friendly patio seating in the warmer months. You can also bring your pet along to the numerous pop-up shops, outdoor concerts, and other special events – including a special dog-focused event we’ll cover in the next section.
If you’re in Hartford on a Wednesday afternoon between spring and fall, you can’t miss Pratt Street’s Puppy Hour! From 5:30-7:30, the street becomes a pup paradise with treats, free bandanas, water and relief stations, and more. Humans get to enjoy dog-themed drink stations at Pratt Street bars and browse pop-up shops from local pet businesses selling treats, toys, and accessories.
Depending on the week, you might also stumble upon a special giveaway, pet photographer, even a dog birthday party – with a dog-friendly cake, of course! To learn the latest on the event series, we recommend following Pratt Street on IG.
Yard Goats games are always a good time, and on Bark in the Park night, you can finally share that experience with your furry best friend. The event has a special seating section for pet owners and their pups, and a portion of the proceeds benefit Dog Star Rescue and Dog Star 4 Vets.
This year’s event is on September 15th, not-so-coincidentally against the Portland Sea Dogs. Visit their event page to snag a ticket when they are released. Also, when hockey season rolls around, keep a heads up for the Hartford Wolf Pack’s similar event, Pucks and Paws Night.
The Bushnell Park location of the Picnic in the Park event series makes it the perfect event to bring your dog to. You and your crew get to enjoy fantastic live music and a basket curated by a Hartford restaurant, and your dog gets to enjoy a beautiful evening out in one of the city’s most beautiful parks. Win-win!
That’s everything we have for the dog lovers’ guide to Hartford! Give us a follow on IG and Facebook to learn more about dog-friendly events in the city, and don’t hesitate to spam us with all the pictures of your pup enjoying Hartford! There’s no such thing as too many pictures when it comes to good boys enjoying our beautiful city 🐶