Fun Austin Activities For You and Your Dog

If you haven’t heard, Austin is pretty well known for its dog-friendly atmosphere. Which is great news if you love taking your pup along with you as much as we do. Instead of it being a problem to find a place you can take Fido, you’re more likely to have trouble deciding between all your options. Which is why we compiled a list of what we think to be some of the best pet-friendly spots found in Austin.

Norwood Estate Dog Park

Address: 1009 Edgecliff Ter, Austin, TX 78704

Austin is filled with an abundance of excellent dog parks, but Norwood seems to be one of the most loved by owners and their dogs. The park has an abundance of space for your furry friend to roam or claim a spot for themselves. The area is securely fenced in and even has a separate area strictly for small dogs.

Zilker Park

Address: 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Zilker Park is a gorgeous area filled with plenty of action and options. The 350-acre preserve can be found filled with people engaging in kite-flying, ball games, and picnics. But most of all you can find other dogs taking full advantage of the large and beautiful park. A unique feature about Zilker is their leash rule split by Barton Springs Road. On the south side, leashes must be worn at all times. But in the creek and on the north side, your pooch is free to roam.

Auditorium Shores

Address: 900 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704

If you know your pup loves the water, Auditorium Shores should be your next stop. The area has a leash-free zone where you can find other four-legged friends wading, swimming, and diving into the water. The area is not fenced though, so be cautious of the busy road nearby.

Ann and Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail

Trail End Points: Longhorn Shores Park at S. Pleasant Valley Rd. and Eilers Park at Deep Eddy Ave. and Foster Ave.

You can find Butler Hike & Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake in the heart of Austin. It’s a 10-mile tree-lined loop where you can go for a walk, run, or bike ride with your dog. It’s a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city when needed.

The Domain

Address: 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin, TX 78758

At The Domain, you can bring your dog along to do some window shopping. The area is known for being dog-friendly, with many stores offering water bowls and even doggy treats.  Some of the stores even let you take your pup in to browse with you, and most of the restaurants permit pets on their patios. Scattered throughout the shopping center you will also find plenty of shaded benches and more water bowls.

Zilker Botanical Garden

Address:2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746

Zilker Botanical Garden is 31 acres filled with 6 different beautiful themed gardens. The whole area is dog-friendly and with the stunning surroundings, it’s easy to spend the whole day getting lost exploring the garden.

Address: 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744

Offering over 5 miles of pet-friendly trails, your leashed-dog is welcome to explore the appeal of Mckinney Falls State Park. It’s also a great area known for river tubing where you can take your furry friend out for a dip in the water.

Rainey Street

Address: Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701

Dog’s are not just welcomed but encouraged to come explore Rainey Street. The area is usually filled with just about as many pets as there are people. You can also find Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden located there, where they have created an off-leash dog park for your dog to roam at the back of the garden.

As you can see Austin is filled with pet-friendly parks, shops, restaurants, and gardens. It’s hard to find a place you can’t take your pup out with you in this dog-friendly city.