Great Places to Take Your Dog in Miami
I was in Miami for most of the month of December for Art Basel and the holidays. It reminded me that the the city has lots of things to do with your dog. From shopping to beaches to outdoor dining, it’s definitely the place to take advantage of the warm weather and hang out with your dog outside.
1. The Beach!
There are plenty of beaches that welcome dogs in south Florida. Two of Miami’s best dog friendly beaches are Haulover and Virginia Cay.
Haulover Park is a two-mile long public park north of Miami Beach. The gorgeous beach there has a section that’s open to dogs between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM daily.
Virginia Cay is a small island you can reach via the Rickenbacker Causeway on the way to Key Biscayne. Dogs are welcome there.
2. Al Fresco Dining
Many restaurants in Miami have outdoor seating, all the better to enjoy the year-round warm weather. Most outdoor seating areas welcome dogs… in fact, I don’t think Bodhi and I have ever been turned away from one.
Lokal is a famously dog-friendly restaurant in Coconut Grove. They have a special dog menu, which includes Marmaduke Meatloaf, Yeyo’s Chicken and Rice, and Bowser Beer. Bowser Beer is a non-alcoholic beer, brewed in Tampa, especially for dogs!
3. Take a Walk
There a plenty of great places to go for a walk with your dog. Some fun places include Lincoln Road, Wynwood, and South Pointe Park.
One of Bodhi’s favorites is the Miami Beach Walk. It started out as a short boardwalk that ran from 24 St to 46 St. Now it’s a continuous walk from South Pointe to 79th Street. Here’s an article about the completion of the Beach Walk and plans for the future.
4. Go Shopping
Stores in Miami seem to be particularly dog-friendly, that, or the the people managing the stores just don’t care if you break rules and bring your dog in.
Most non-food retail locations seem to be pretty cool about taking your pooch shopping. Two great places for some retail therapy are South Beach’s Lincoln Road and the Bal Harbor Shoppes in Bal Harbor.
What’s crazy is how many food-related stores tolerate dogs! I’ve seen dogs in Publix Supermarkets and Trader Joe’s. I’ve taken Bodhi in to Walgreens!
That’s definitely not something you see in New York City!
5. Plan a Vacation at Pet-Friendly Hotel
I was surprised to see how many hotels in Miami are pet-friendly!
One of our favorites is the Standard Hotel on Belle Isle in Miami Beach. Whenever we go there to eat or sit by the pool we see plenty of dogs.
If you are thinking of staying there, two pets of any size are welcome for no additional fee. Both dogs and cats are permitted. Well-behaved pets may be left unattended in guest rooms, but housekeeping will not service the room. Pet beds are provided and there is a grassy area for pet relief on the property.
Kimpton is another chain of pet-friendly hotels. They have three hotels in Miami and Miami Beach, with a fourth under construction. (Check out our story about driving from New York City to Florida to learn more about our stay at Kimpton’s Brice Hotel in Savannah.)
The huge Loews Hotel played host to dozens and dozens of dogs during the last Hurricane to hit Miami. We had dinner there (a friend had decamped to the hotel for the duration of the storm) and saw dogs everywhere!
But the Loews, the Standard, and the Kimpton hotels are just a tiny sampling. There are dozens and dozens of pet-friendly hotels in Miami.
