New York City can be a dizzying destination for both people and their pets. Is there a way that a trip to NYC could be dog-friendly?
While NYC may be filled with noises, smells, and surfaces that could make many dogs uncomfortable, every neighborhood in the city provides walkable access to dog-friendly green spaces and adventures that can be enjoyable for dogs and people alike. New York loves its dogs, and with the right preparation, your dog might just love the city, too.
Getting Around NYC with a Dog
New York’s Subway system and bus system is dog friendly, but dogs must be fully enclosed in a carrier or in a bag. Smaller dogs will have an easier time passing this protocol, but New Yorkers have gotten creative with their ways to fit some of the city’s biggest dogs into bags and containers.
Luckily, in pretty much any area across the city, it’s easy to walk to restaurants, shops, and parks for easy dog outings.
New York taxis are generally welcoming to dogs, but it is the choice of the individual driver whether they will allow a dog into the cab. It’s best practice to either have a blanket your dog could lay on in the cab, or keep them in a contained carrier. Pet-friendly Ubers or other rideshares are easy alternatives to public transportation.
Dog-Friendly Parks in New York City
New York City is filled with small neighborhood parks that offer easy green spaces for picnics or quick walks. Wherever you’re staying, you’ll be likely to find these only a few blocks away. We’ve listed some parks that are worth an extra trek and provide a getaway from city life for a dog.
Central Park (Manhattan):
The 840-acre park may not be a hidden gem, but Central Park truly is a dog oasis of Manhattan. Scattered throughout the grassy and wooded areas of the park are 23 designated areas with off-leash hours before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
The park has 58 miles of walking paths, including some dog favorites like the Bridle Path, which is a gravel path that wraps around the park’s reservoir.
Prospect Park (Brooklyn):
Brooklyn’s expansive equivalent to Central Park can at times feel like a walk in the woods despite sitting in one of the biggest cities in the world. The park has 5 designated off-leash areas for the hours before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m.; including the city’s only dog beach where dogs are welcome to freely splash away with each other.
Though the park is full of forested areas, dogs must remain on leash at all times to protect the city’s birds and other wildlife making the park their home.
Tompkins Square Park (East Village - Manhattan):
The neighborhood park is smaller than the previous two parks, but a paradise for dog lovers. The park has two separate dog runs for bigger (over 25 lbs) or smaller (under 25 lbs) dogs that are usually as bustling as the city itself. For especially hot days, the dog runs are a great getaway for their bone-shaped dog swimming pools for a quick cool-off.
Dog-Friendly Hikes near New York City
Nature getaways from New York City are quicker than expected. Upstate New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey are all full of beautiful wooded areas within a few hours from the city.
Always check the weather before heading out, as chilly and snowy weather can be expected in the winter and spring, with a common possibility of thunderstorms in the summer. The woods of the Northeast are also full of ticks, so it’s crucial that your dog is up to date on tick medications and has a tick check after outdoor adventures.
Harriman State Park (Rockland / Orange County, NY):
Roughly one hour outside of the city by car, Harriman State Park is one of the easiest nature escapes from NYC. The state park has over 200 miles of dog-friendly trails. Many trails are meandering walks, but there are even some more strenuous hikes on ridges to explore. Dogs must remain on-leash at all times within the park.
For a peaceful getaway, the Pine Meadow Lake via Pine Meadow Brook trail is 6.5-mile out-and-back with minimal incline that lines along a tucked-away lake.
Inwood Hill Park (Northern Manhattan):
Inwood Hill Park is Manhattan’s only remaining natural forest, and offers an unmanicured exploration which is hard to find in the rest of the city. It’s not as expansive as Central Park, but its trails feel truly out in nature and have beautiful views of the Hudson River. It’s a great getaway without having to leave the city.
Creating a 3.6-mile loop for an easy hike and views, the Fort Tryon and Inwood Hill Park loop meanders through woods along the west side of Manhattan along the Hudson.
Bear Mountain State Park (Rockland County, NY):
The 5,205-acre park sits about an hour drive north of the city along the Hudson River and is a favorite spot for hiking, boating, fishing, skating, and cross-country skiing. The park is full of trails, and is welcoming to dogs who remain on-leash at all times. For views of the Hudson River Valley, the Bear Mountain Loop trail brings you to one of the park’s classic viewpoints. The 3.8-mile loop has some steep parts, so it’s best for dogs who love a challenging hike.
The Best Dog-Friendly Day Trips near New York City
New York City has plenty of dog-friendly getaways that are within a few hour’s drive or train ride. While many of these destinations are accessible by rail, regional train policies are similar to the city’s public transportation policy, with dogs needing to remain in enclosed carriers or sometimes even needing to fit underneath the seat in front of you.
Cold Spring, NY:
The quaint Hudson Valley town is filled with dog-friendly restaurants and is easily accessible by the Metro-North train line (which allows small dogs on board). Located right along the Hudson River, the town is also surrounded by short and scenic trails, making it a great mix of nature and sightseeing.
Sands Point Preserve (Long Island, NY):
Sands Point Preserve is a dog-friendly nature getaway and a Gilded Age New York history lesson wrapped into one. The 216-acre estate completed for a mining magnate in 1912 has since been turned into a nature preserve including dog-friendly trails and even two dog runs. While pets are not allowed inside the mansion itself, they are a loved guest of the estate grounds. The Preserve is roughly an hour drive from Manhattan, and admission costs $15 per car.
The Catskills:
The Catskills has been a favorite nature getaway for New Yorkers for generations, and it earns the reputation. Two hours from the city, the region offers a mix of challenging mountain trails, cold swimming holes, and small towns like Woodstock and Phoenicia that are well-stocked with dog-friendly breweries and restaurants. The Catskills Forest Preserve alone covers 700,000 acres, making it easy to find a new adventure on every visit.
The Best Dog-Friendly Neighborhoods in New York City
As we’ve mentioned before, nearly any neighborhood in any borough will be extremely walkable and have access to green spaces only a few blocks away, but some neighborhoods in the busy city almost feel built for dogs. Here are some of our picks for the best neighborhoods to stay with a dog.
Upper West Side (Manhattan):
In New York’s busiest commercial borough, the Upper West Side still keeps a residential neighborhood feel, with spacious sidewalks and a calmer pace. What makes the neighborhood perfect for dogs is its location, sandwiched between Riverside Park and Central Park: two of the city’s best green getaways.
Astoria (Queens):
Queens isn’t always the first borough in mind as a tourist destination, but Astoria has built a reputation as one of the most dog-beloved neighborhoods in the whole city. The neighborhood along the East River is filled with dog-friendly green spaces and a dog run. There are plenty of dog friendly restaurants, including the city’s first dog cafe, Chateau le Woof.
Park Slope (Brooklyn):
The spacious and tree-lined streets of Park Slope are perfect for daily dog walks, and the neighborhood provides easy access to some of the city’s most noteworthy bars and restaurants. True to its name, Park Slope is set right beside Prospect Park, making it easy for quick nature adventures.
It may not be the first destination that comes to mind for a trip to bring a dog along, but New York is full of dogs that live happy, healthy, and social lives. We hope this guide can help you pick out some adventures that will make a trip fun and easy, even for a dog that prefers to roam the great outdoors.
