Have a fun-in-the-sun weekend getaway with your four-legged friend in Phoenix. Known for its year-round good weather and warm temperatures, the city anchors a sprawling area known as the Valley of the Sun. Stay in a boutique hotel downtown, dare to take a ghost tour, dine out, explore the Sonoran desert, tour an 1800s living history museum, and antique shop with Fido in Arizona’s capital city.
A Weekend in Dog-Friendly Phoenix
Posted by Erin Ballinger
Friday
3 p.m. Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix CityScape
Your pup will be welcomed with treats and a loaner ped bed and bowls when you check in at Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix CityScape. Both dogs and cats are permitted for no additional fee at this boutique hotel located in the CityScape landmark in the heart of downtown Phoenix. The hotel features many amenities like meeting spaces, a dog-friendly restaurant and bar, a nightly hosted wine hour, and a rooftop pool where dogs are welcome poolside (just no dog paddling for Fido!)
4 p.m. Thelda Williams Paw-Pup Park
Make your first stop in PHX at Thelda Williams Paw-Pup Park, conveniently located near the hotel. Let Fido stretch his legs and expend energy while mixing and mingling with local canines. The dog park has a nice shaded area, well-kept grass, and is completely fenced. Waste bags and a water station are available, too. When you return to the Kimpton, head to the lobby for a complimentary drink during the dog-friendly hosted social hour.
6 p.m. Blue Hound Kitchen and Cocktails
Treat yourself to a delicious dinner with your canine companion at Blue Hound Kitchen and Cocktails. The urban gastropub restaurant is located at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix CityScape and welcomes pups at outdoor tables. Nosh on yumminess from its seasonal menu which has highlighted the likes of an artisanal meat and cheese board, chicken wings, steak frites and wild mushroom pappardelle pasta.
8 p.m. Phoenix Ghosts
Do some sightseeing while taking a pet-friendly, spooky tour of some of Phoenix’s most historic and haunted locations with Phoenix Ghosts. Experience spine-tingling accounts of modern-day hauntings resulting from murders, suicides, tragedies, and unexplainable mysteries. Ghost tours are held nightly throughout the year, and are rain or shine! Tickets cost $25 for adults, $16 for children, and are free for dogs.
Saturday
7 a.m. Breakfast Club - CityScape
Break the fast with Fido in tow just steps away from the hotel at Breakfast Club - CityScape. Choose from indulgent options like a breakfast grilled cheese sandwich, breakfast burrito, and challah bread French toast, or keep it light with an acai bowl, overnight oats or egg white omelet. Your pup will be given a bowl of water and you can share some eggs or bacon with your best friend.
9 a.m. Papago Park
After eating a good meal, hit the trails at pet-friendly Papago Park. Explore the Sonoran Desert and the sandstone buttes that set this park apart from the other natural attractions in the area. The pet-friendly trails are easy treks with little elevation gain, making it the perfect place for families or beginner hikers. Just remember to keep Fido on a leash and bring plenty of water for everyone.
12 p.m. O.H.S.O. Eatery and Nano Brewery
When you arrive at O.H.S.O. Eatery and Nano Brewery, make your first stop at the Barking Bar to pour Fido a bowl of water from one of the dog-friendly taps and grab some treats. Then, make your way to the bar to order a local brew and lunch. The vast menu features tacos, burgers, salads, and more. Dogs are highly encouraged at this local hangout decorated with photos of four-legged regulars and offering views of Camelback Mountain.
2 p.m. Pioneer Living History Museum
Bring Fido to the wild, wild west! Step back in time at the Pioneer Living History Village. Immerse yourself in this 1800s-era town as you stroll paved paths throughout the museum’s 90 acres, stopping to view authentic buildings, historically accurate reproductions and costumed interpreters. Rest and refreshment is available via shaded benches and water spigots around the museum, but bringing your own water is recommended. Dogs are welcome to visit for free.
5 p.m. Bookmans Entertainment Exchange
Browse for a new novel with your bookish Boykin Spaniel at Bookmans Entertainment Exchange. This dog-friendly store welcomes canines to shop with their owners and hosts several pet events throughout the year. In addition to books, Bookmans sells games, music, films and gift items. Look through your new purchase(s) back at the Kimpton during social hour in the bar.
7 p.m. Windsor
Sit down to dinner with Fido on the dog-friendly, backyard-style patio at Windsor. Peruse the menu which features classic bar foods and English pub grub including fish and chips, a Reuben sandwich loaded with pastrami, and buttermilk fried chicken. Your dog can lap up some of Phoenix’s finest water while you sip on a craft beer, a cocktail or a glass of wine from the bar.
9 p.m. Novel Ice Cream
End the evening on a sweet note at Novel Ice Cream. Pups will love this pet-friendly ice cream shop that has a dog menu. Order your pooch a free scoop of ice cream in flavors including vanilla or the Fat Elvis (peanut butter with honey-glazed bananas and bacon!) Humans with a sweet tooth won’t want to skip the donut sandwich with ice cream in the center!
Sunday
9 a.m. Scramble
Enjoy your last breakfast at a restaurant with a menu just for dogs. While you chow down on Scramble’s hearty breakfast items like omelets, pancakes and burritos, Fido can chow down on his own Elvis Pup Cake made with bananas and peanut butter and topped with whipped cream.
10 a.m. Antique Trove
Before you leave town, head indoors and shop from more than 140 dealers at Antique Trove in Scottsdale. Bring your hound to sniff an amazing find like furniture from the 1800s, coins, sports memorabilia, jewelry, vinyl records, and more. Spend a couple of hours antiquing and maybe you’ll find the “pawfect” souvenir to remember your weekend.
12 p.m. Joyride Taco House
Enjoy lunch on the pet-friendly patio at this modern cantina offering tacos made with high-quality hand-pressed tortillas and the best ingredients. Joyride Taco House’s menu includes updated takes on tacos, with options like chicken tinga, baja fish, braised beef, and carnitas. Finish up your meal by reflecting on the fun you’ve had over an order of churros.
1 p.m. Dog Park at Margaret T. Hance Park and Depart With a Dog-Tired Fido
Let your pup expend a lot of energy at the Dog Park at Margaret T. Hance Park before heading out of town. The park features benches and large shade trees, separately fenced ADA-accessible areas for large and small dogs, decorative wrought iron fencing and chilled water fountains with integrated drinking bowls at ground level for Fido. Depart with a tired pooch and enjoy safe travels home after your exciting weekend in Phoenix.
What is your favorite dog-friendly activity in Phoenix? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!
Banner photo by BringFido/Candice.