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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. Time for a treat? Check out some of our pooch-tastic local suggestions.
Walkies time
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 spots stand out from the pack?
The shoreline-hugging South Dyke Trail is ideal for elongated ambles, and it’s also home to the popular South Dyke Doggie Park. Appreciated by in-the-know pooches and their faithful humans, it has an off-leash area, dedicated dog-walking trails and even cartoon-like public art figures in the shape of friendly mutts.
But it’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.
Need more? Garden City Community Park has plenty of trails to walk your leashed companion. There’s also an off-leash area if your dog wants to hangout and play with the park’s other four-legged visitors. Still have energy to burn? Check out this handy map of other off-leash destinations throughout the city.
Pooch-friendly pit stops
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 wild sockeye burger) plus tasty own-made brews such as Peach Witbier and Deckhand Draft.
Beer fans and their patio pooches should also go walkies to the tasting lounge at Fuggles & Warlock, another revered Richmond craft brewery. Its alfresco seating area is great for well-behaved hounds, giving you plenty of time to dive into top-notch beers including Destiny IPA and Kiwami Plum Sour. If you’ve earned yourself a treat, tempting bar snacks here include beef jerky and pepperoni sticks.
Still thirsty? Back in Steveston, the cozy tasting room at Five Roads Brewing also comes with a dog-friendly patio option. We love the Happy Hour specials here (2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday)––plus their lip-smacking Shake N Bake Pale Ale. 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-fringed grounds.
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 mutt. These are a great way to take a break and give your whiskered wonder a fun adventure at the same time.
Richmond’s swish new boutique option, Versante Hotel takes a very classy approach to holidaying with your hound. Lux extras in your pet-friendly room include special treats, dedicated dishes, enticing toys and the kind of richly comfortable dog bed that you might want to curl up in yourself.
You’ll also find pooch-friendly rooms at Richmond’s Accent Inns Vancouver Airport Hotel. Dog treats, pet towels and even those all-important little bags are provided here. And their website states that furry hotel guests are even allowed on the beds: “We know it’ll happen anyway, so get cuddly,” it says.
Both Versante and Accent Inns charge an extra fee per night for your four-legged friends. But they’re not the only local options when it comes to checking in for a canine-themed sleepover. Consider the city’s Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel or Sandman Hotel Vancouver Airport as well. In fact, why not make vacationing with your dog in Richmond a regular habit––it’s the perfect way to ensure their tail never stops wagging!
Last Updated on August 29, 2022 by Tourism Richmond