Whether you see her sitting in a chair at the Squirrels game, or see him hanging out at a local brewery, dogs are everywhere in Richmond. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting many beautiful cities around this country, and they all vary in dog friendliness. Some have laws about when a dog can be out in the parks; others don’t allow dogs to walk on highly populated roads. Richmond is increasingly becoming dog-friendly, and we love every second of it.
The first place you would likely find a dog in Richmond is at the park.
PARKS:
- Barker Field, Byrd Park
- Allowed off-leash
- Bark Park, Chimborazo Park
- Allowed off-leash
- Hanover Dog Park
- Allowed off-leash
- James River Park System
- Many different locations – vary in pet friendliness
- Northside Richmond Dog Park
- Allowed off-leash
- Pocahontas State Park
- Must be leashed
- Phideaux Field
- Allowed off-leash
- Ruff House Dog Park, Rockwood Park
- Allowed off-leash
Richmond’s blessed with great weather, it never gets too cold or too hot (for too long), so people can enjoy patio weather for a lot longer than other cities. Below are year-round patios, retail shops, malls, and hotels where Fido can accompany you.
YEAR ROUND LOCATIONS:
- Union Market Patio
- Black Hand Coffee Company Patio
- En Su Boca Patio
- Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream Patio
- Buz and Ned’s Barbecue Patio
- Stuzzi Patio
- Burger Bach Patios (Both Locations)
- Home Team Grill Patio
- F.W. Sullivans Patio
- Shoredog Cafe Patio
- Can Can Brasserie Patio
- Casa Del Barco Patio
- Saison Market Patio
- Lamplighter Roasting Company Patio
- Ellwood Thompson Patio
- Stoney Point Fashion Park
- Orvis Retail Store
- Omni Richmond Hotel
- Quirk Hotel
- The Jefferson Hotel
For more outdoor patio locations check out www.patiopups.me
The Richmond area always seems to have something going on. Every year, more and more events allow pups to join in on the fun. Below are year-round, summer, and fall events that are pet-friendly.
YEAR ROUND EVENTS:
- The Farmers Market, St. Stephens Episcopal Church
- Every Saturday from 8:00am-12:00pm
- South of the James Farmer’s Market, Forest Hill Park
- Every Saturday from 8:00am-12:00pm
- Pups and Pints, Ellwood Thompson
- 2nd Thursday of every month from 5:00pm-7:00pm (Almost year round, doesn’t occur in winter months)
- Friday Art and Wine, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Every Friday 5:30-7:30pm (Dogs only allowed in garden area, not inside)
- Birdhouse Farmers Market
- Every Tuesday 3:00-6:30pm
SPRING AND SUMMER EVENTS:
- Dog Jog and 5k Run, Hermitage Road
- Usually, occurs in March
- Bark in the Park, Flying Squirrels Baseball Stadium
- Various Dates Starting in April and ending in July/August
- Dominion Riverrock, Browns Island
- May 18-20, 2018
- Hanover Tomato Festival. Pole Green Park
- July 14th, 2018
- Yappy Hour at Strangeways Brewing
- 3rd Wednesday of Every Month
- Fido’s after Five, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
- Every Month on the 2nd Thursday from 5:00pm-9:00pm until mid-September
- Carytown Watermelon Festival
- August 2018
FALL EVENTS:
- Yappy Hour at Strangeways Brewing
- 3rd Wednesday in September and October
- History Hounds Explore the Murals of Jackson Ward Walking Tour
- Sept 23, 2017 10am-12pm
- Doggie & Me, Willow Lawn,
- September 23, 2017 5:00-9:00pm
- Bark-toberfest, Strangeways Brewing
- October, 7, 2017 11:30am -6:00pm
- History Hounds Explore Alleys and Parks of the Fan
- October 21, 2017 from 10:00am-12:00pm
- Dogs on Deck, Isley Brewing Company
- Every Sunday 1:00pm-7:00pm
If you know of any other events or places in/around Richmond that are Fido-friendly, please send us a message, we would love to add it to our list.