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There are countless ways to enjoy a great day out with friends and family in Richmond. But when your closest companion has a wet nose, four legs and an ever-wagging tail, you might need to plan your excursions a little more carefully.
Luckily, this dog-friendly city is filled like a kibble-packed food bowl with fun things to do with your canine chum––so long as you know where to look. Ready for a treat? Check out some of our pooch-tastic local suggestions and video below:
Time for Walks
Richmond has plenty of parks and green spaces that welcome sociable dogs and their responsible owners––don’t forget to bring their leash plus some of those essential little bags with you. But which local spots stand out from the pack?
The shoreline South Dyke Trail is ideal for elongated ambles, and it’s also home to the large, waterfront-facing No. 3 Road Bark Park. Appreciated by in-the-know pooches and their faithful humans, it has a dedicated off-leash area, a dog obstacle course and even a cartoon-like public art installation in the shape of friendly dogs––perfect for a selfie or two with your canine companion.
But that’s not the only waterfront destination where dogs love to gallop and make friends. McDonald Beach Park is well liked by locals who prize its tree-shaded picnic tables. And it also includes a large off-leash area––plus the chance for your energetic pup to chase sticks into the water and indulge in some refreshing doggie paddles on hot days.
Need more? Garden City Community Park has plenty of trails to walk your leashed companion. There’s also an off-leash area here if your dog wants to hangout and play with the park’s other friendly four-legged visitors. Still have energy to burn? Check out this handy online map for additional off-leash destinations throughout the city.
Dog-friendly Drinking and Dining
If you’re panting after all that running around, it might be time for some rest and refuelling. Richmond has a good array of pub-style joints where you and your canine buddy can hang out together. You’ll usually find water bowls available at these places, so be sure to let your dog have some quality slurping time.
A few steps from Fisherman’s Wharf in Steveston Village, the sun-kissed patio of Britannia Brewing is an ideal taphouse retreat for you and your doggo. You’ll find shaded spots for your pup to comfortably curl up in––while you enjoy elevated pub dining (go for the Brewmaster burger) plus tasty own-made brews such as Peach Witbier and Deckhand Draft.
Beverage fans and their patio pooches should also go to the tasting lounge at Fuggles Beer, another revered Richmond craft brewery. Its alfresco seating area is great for well-behaved hounds, giving you plenty of time to dive into beers including West Coast IPA and Paloma Grapefruit Sour. Tempting bar snacks here include tasty sausage rolls, so be prepared for some drooling attention from your furry friend.
Still thirsty? Back in Steveston, the cozy tasting room at Five Roads Brewing also comes with a dog-friendly little patio located out back. We love the smoothly hopped Shake N Bake Pale Ale here as well as the lobster grilled cheese sandwich. Not a beer fan? Across the city, Lulu Island Winery also welcomes doggie visitors. Make sure they’re leashed at all times while you share a verdant walk around the site’s bucolic, vine-lined grounds.
Dog-friendly pit stops in Richmond aren’t just about drinks, though. There are several restaurants in the city that are also happy to welcome you and your buddy on their patios. Consider the sun-dappled wooden deck at Steveston’s G-MEN, where your pooch can curl up as you dive into a bowl of tasty ramen and a side of chicken karaage. Alternatively, you could add brunch to your walks with a patio visit to the ever-friendly Story Café Eatery & Bar.
Sit and Stay
If your pet has been an especially good boy, why not treat them to a pampering overnight stay in Richmond? Several city hotels have created special sleepover packages for you and your well-deserving pooch. These are a great way to take a break, while giving your whiskered wonder a fun adventure. Keep in mind that pet fees at city hotels typically range from $20 to $50 per night.
Richmond’s swanky Fairmont Vancouver Airport takes a classy approach to holidaying with your hound. Lux extras in your pet-friendly room (a maximum of two pets per room is allowed) include dedicated dishes and the kind of warmly comfortable dog bed you might want to curl up in yourself. High-rolling pooches will also love the beds, bowls and mats placed in the dog-friendly rooms at the swish River Rock Casino Resort.
The ever-welcoming folks at Richmond’s Accent Inns Vancouver Airport Hotel also offer dedicated pooch-ready accommodation. Dog treats, pet towels and even those all-important little bags are provided to guests and their tail-wagging family members here. And as the hotel’s website states, furry guests are even allowed on the beds––just like at home. “We know it’ll happen anyway, so get cuddly,” says the pooch-tastic property.
Last Updated on August 12, 2024 by Tourism Richmond