Spend Some Time With Your Pups
New Jersey offers plenty of fun dog-friendly activities throughout the state. While some of these activities won’t come as a surprise, there are several things you can do with your dog that are a little less conventional.
Here are some very cool unique things you can do with dogs in New Jersey:
Dog Friendly Restaurants
If you find yourself looking for something to do, why not take your pup on a dinner date! There are a handful of restaurants that will be pleased to host you and your four-legged date. The Riverside Café in Manasquan is a dog-friendly food spot where not only owners can enjoy a delicious meal, but pups can be served their own happy meal!Other restaurants that allow dogs (on patios) include:
– Living on the Veg, Long Beach
– Pop’s Garage, Ashbury Park
– Light Horse Tavern, Jersey City
– Dogtooth Bar & Grill, Wildwood
– Kim Marie’s Eat n Drink Away, Ashbury Park
– Moby’s Lobsters Deck, Highlands
Dog Friendly Beaches!
What dog doesn’t love a walk on the beach!? Luckily, there are many dog friendly beaches within New Jersey that provide fun outings year round. Some of these beaches are less busy than others, but nonetheless, offer lots of space to throw a ball around or even go for a swim. It’s also likely you will run into some other pups and their owners, so make sure your dog likes to be social. The following are just some of the beaches that allow dogs.
– Island Beach State Park Ocean County
– Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan
– Brigantine North End Beach, Brigantine
– Gateway National Recreation Area, Highlands
– North Wildwood Dog Beach, North Wildwood
– Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth
– Poplar Avenue Beach, Wildwood Beach
Go Shopping
It’s not very often that stores are dog-friendly, however, there are a few throughout the state that welcome four-legged shoppers. Bay Village is a vibrant shopping district on Long Beach Island that welcomes leashed dogs. It’s probably fair to assume that shopping may not be the most exciting experience for a dog, however, it is important to note that there is a pet supply store and several ice cream shops that may perk your pup’s interest.
If you have a dog that weighs under 20 pounds and are okay with putting it in a stroller, you can bring it with you to The Mall at Short Hills. It may sound crazy but it’s true, dogs in strollers (or other pet carriers) are allowed in the common area of the shopping center. All stores in The Mall at Short Hills have their own policies regarding animals, so dogs may be allowed in some stores, although it’s not guaranteed. No stroller? No problem! The mall offers pet stroller rentals.
Breweries
Is there anything better than enjoying a glass of ice-cold beer with your pup by your side? We think not, and so do multiple breweries in New Jersey. The Double Nickel Brewing Company in Pennsauken Township allows dogs on their patio along, making for the perfect summer outing. The following breweries are dog-friendly as well.
– Tonewood Brewing, Oaklyn
– Flying Fish Brewing Co., Somerdale
– Alementary Brewing Co., Hackensack
– Pinelands Brewing Co., Little Egg Harbor Township
– Slack Tide Brewing Company, Cape May Court House
Educational
Taking your dog to a historical village may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but hey, why not? Maybe your dog is secretly a history buff! During the summer months, take a visit to the Historic Cold Spring Village in Cape May. This 22-acre, open-air, living history museum features 26 restored historical buildings and working craftspeople dressed in period costumes. Your dog is welcome to walk around with you, as long as they are on a leash and you clean up after them!
Dogs are also welcome to visit the Naval Air Station Wildwood Museum in Cape May. The museum is located in a real World War II hangar and has 90,000 square feet of special exhibits that allow guests to explore military history, aviation, and New Jersey history. Your pup will have a great time observing the many airplanes, just keep them on a leash at all times.
Photoshoot
You can never have too many photos of your pup! The Asbury Park Photo Tour is a pet-friendly Airbnb Experience that will take memorable photos of you and your dog (or just your dog). Host Noelle will venture with you to historic landmarks and art instillations to capture memorable and one-of-a-kind photos. These photos make for great holiday cards or presents for friends and family! The tour lasts around one hour and at the end, Noelle will send you a link to access your photos.
Dog Friendly wineries
If your dog has a taste for the finer things in life, bring them to the Working Dog Winery in Robbinsville. While it is not advised (or allowed) to let your dog partake in a wine tasting, you can walk them around the vast winery grounds between November 15th and March 15th every year. Working Dog Winery also has a nationally recognized 5k benefit run in support of pet rescue that happens every May (COVID-19 pending). This run welcomes humans and their canine friends to run together in support of the good cause.
whale watching
Everyone loves whale watching so why wouldn’t your dog? Provided your pooch doesn’t get set seasick, consider them joining you on the 110-foot Cape May Whale Watcher! This vessel will take you on a 3-hour tour of the Bay and the Atlantic for a whale and dolphin expedition. Guests are welcome to bring their well-behaved and leashed four-legged friends onboard, and for extra safety, consider suiting your dog up with a lifejacket. The Cape May Whale Watcher has a marine mammal sighting guarantee, so you know they take whale-watching seriously and will do their best to seek out whales and dolphins.
Dog Parks in NJ
Of course there is the always tried and true trusty dog park!
And New Jersey has a bunch of them
Here is an in-depth list of all of the fun dog parks in NJ!
Two Pups Playing
Thank you for visiting FunNewJersey.com!
Please leave some ideas of things that you do with your dog in New Jersey!
