Type of dog – breed, size, personality, etc.
I volunteer with several Maltese dog rescues in the Washington DC metro Area, which includes suburban Maryland, Northern Virginia, and DC.
Over the years, I have adopted three Maltese Dogs, which came in under very dubious circumstances, from "owners" who did not want them.
My current Maltese is 11 pounds, and the biggest Maltese I have ever seen. He went through 3 volunteers in 2 weeks, none who could stand his barking, biting, and crying.
It took me a year, of working with him and I ended up adopting him. He is quite good in outdoor cafes and loves to go with me everywhere, including my office all day.
Dog friendly places and activities in the DC Area
I live in Northern Virginia: dog friendly places that we go:
Middleburg: Great Place for a weekend drive out of the noise and congestion. Quaint small town about 1 hour outside DC on Route 50. They have a great dog shop there Wylie Wagg. Locals are always walking their dogs on the main street and smiling at your dog.
We like going to a very nice "deli" Market Salamander, which allows dogs on their outside covered patio with tables. Since MOST shops allow a well behaved dog INSIDE, we enjoy that also.
Reston: Reston Town Center, even though parts of the 12 block center have office buildings, the original main street with it's shops, art gallery, movies, also have restaurants that have a patio open from April to Nov, and MOST of them allow well behaved dogs on the patio, plus some of the shops. Always ask.
Clydes is the best place to eat with a dog. It is our favorite patio. At times there are 5 to 8 dogs at tables next to their "rope fence."
It is a pleasure to eat a decent meal outside with our dog. Patio entrance only.
About half a mile a way is Reston's Lake Anne Center, with 3 or 4 nice cafes, all with patio dining looking at the Lake and allow dogs when the patios are open April -Nov.
My favorite place is the smallest, Jasmine Cafe, and I know the owner/chef Eduardo. Very nice menu and wine bar.
Old Town Alexandria: Loves dogs. Many of the restaurants that have a small patio outside allow dogs in good weather season.
Our favorite from May to Oct is the doggie happy hour on Tues and Thurs at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, outdoor bar/cafe area, where you can have drinks, food, dogs get treats, and it can range from 10 to 80 singles and couples of all ages there with their dogs.
Leesburg: Another quaint town like Middleburg, again a nice place to go for a Sat or Sun brunch and walk the cobblestone streets and view the shops, galleries, and take a side trip to a local winery. Many now allow a pet if they have an outside patio.
My favorite place is Lightfoot. May to Nov they have a nice outdoor patio, with bar set up and 15 tables Great food, owner likes dogs. One time when it started raining, she kindly put our dog in her office, and moved us inside to the very unique dining area.
Dogs are ONLY allowed outside on patios and not all cafes with patios allow them. Call ahead or walk in and ask. Bring some treats or even food wrapped for your dog to eat as you dine.
Advice
- 1) Google Pet Friendly Restaurants in DC
- 2)Get NOVA dog magazine, it is new and great pet articles
- 3)Look for restaurants that have an open patio, call.
- 4)If you see a dog on a patio, they take dogs
- 5)Post Sun magazine 9.12.10 has article on pet friendly dining
- 6)Talk to other dog owners about where they go
- 7)Ask at small local pet shops
- 8)Call the hotels in DC and Va that allow pets, they know dining spots around their area, that will allow pets on patio.
- 9)Google dog parks in this area, Reston, Arlington, Vienna, Alexandria, and many more local towns have them!
