The Best Dog-Friendly Austin Hot Spots

Over 1,000,000 Texans call the capital city of Austin home. The city prides itself on being the worldwide capital for live music and hosts the iconic South by Southwest (SXSW) each year (along with a long list of other artistic events). SXSW draws tech investors, music lovers, and celebrities to enjoy a showcase of film, music, and interactive media.

Many Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Austin, including 3M, IBM, Oracle, and Texas Instruments. For prospective college students, Austin is home to the University of Texas at Austin, established in 1883 and one of the largest universities in the U.S. Austin remains one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, welcoming 200,000 new residents over the last two years.

On top of all those benefits, Austin is one of the U.S.’s most pet-friendly cities. With a host of dog-friendly restaurants and hotels, Austin is the perfect place to hang with your fur baby, whether moving in or just visiting. Whether you’re looking to purchase Tarrytown real estate, stick to downtown, or buy in another suburb, there are many places for you to enjoy with the company of your furry friend. Below are a few of the best dog-friendly hotspots in Austin.

 

Not every green space allows dogs, and even fewer allow them off-leash. However, owners of Tarrytown real estate are in luck because there are places all over town where pups can run free.

Red Bud Isle is an island accessible by a bridge that allows four-legged friends to explore the lush parkland, trees, and refreshing creeks without a leash. Nearby, there’s also Auditorium Shores, perched on the banks of Lady Bird Lake near downtown Austin. This five-acre oasis lets dogs romp, roll, and play off-leash.

There’s also an unofficial dog park just east of Barton Springs that’s nicknamed “Barking Springs.” Dogs and their humans can cool off on toasty days by splashing in the spring water. Before jumping in, though, check with park personnel to ensure that blue-green algae aren’t out of control, as this can be dangerous for dogs.

Another great place for dogs is Zilker Park, located on the Colorado River. Enjoy hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, and green spaces at this Austin hot spot. The park features an off-leash area and the Zilker Botanical Garden, where pups are welcome to explore while leashed to their humans. Zilker Park also hosts Blues on the Green, a live music event.

Austin has many dog-friendly establishments. The Dog House Drinkery offers indoor and outdoor seating where humans can enjoy craft beers and wine while their pups get their zoomies out at the half-acre, off-leash park. Smaller dogs (weighing less than 30 pounds) have their own separate dog run, and both are monitored by dog-loving staff members.

Most of Austin's breweries allow dogs outside, while some allow the pups inside to enjoy the air conditioning. Yard Bar offers dog-loving patrons alcoholic beverages and a handful of tasty non-alcoholic choices, and their pups can run and romp in the adjacent dog park. Passes are also available for single-visit, five-visit, and monthly or yearly memberships.

If you work remotely and want to escape your Westlake real estate, check out Neighbors in South Austin. You can sip on a latte and get some work done while your four-legged friend romps in the attendant-monitored dog park. You can rest assured that your pups are never left unsupervised. If you need to meet with co-workers or find a more formal Zoom setting where your dog isn't begging for attention, consider stopping at Work & Woof in downtown Austin. For just $35, you can purchase a day pass for staff to look after your pup in doggy daycare while you work.

 

If you love to work out but hate leaving your dog at home, visit the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail for a dog-friendly outing in nature. You can also rent a paddleboard or kayak from the Rowing Dock or the Austin Paddle Shack and ride the waves with your pup.

If you enjoy yoga, check out Austin Doga. A certified yoga instructor will meet you and your pup at a location of your choice and take you through stretching and strengthening exercises, then finish up with a doggy massage. You can also bring your dog to Barkin Creek, where they can enjoy a bath, nail trim, and blueberry facial.

If you’re interested in Austin homes for sale, reach out to trusted Austin realtor Alexandria Murphy to begin your search for Tarrytown, Barton Creek, or Westlake luxury homes for sale. Alexandria is a realtor who has lived in other U.S. big cities but loves calling Austin home and looks forward to building life-long relationships with her clients. Alexandria is the perfect person to help you on your Austin real estate journey.