Dog-Friendly Activities in Seattle, Washington
Fun Fact: According to the latest census data, Seattle has more dogs than children. So it’s no wonder there are plentiful dog-friendly activities in Seattle!
We got really lucky with the most spectacular sunny weather on our recent trip, and loved seeing how many dogs were out and about with their owners. If you are planning a trip, my grandmom (who has lived there for 30 years) advises that the best weather is from July through September. We brought the dogs along on our last two trips to visit her, and compiled a list of our favorite places we took them, as well as a few places on our wish list for future visits.
For ideas on some great restaurants and bars to check out, see our post on our favorite Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Seattle.
Explore the many parks
At the top of my list of dog-friendly activities in Seattle is exploring the scenic parks that are perfect for a nice walk, relaxing picnic or even a paddle on the water:
Washington Park Arboretum - we went for a beautiful morning walk here. It is a 230-acre preserve that is jointly managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle. It features an assortment of rare trees and plants along a lovely network of walking paths.
Discovery Park - an expansive park with acres of trails and beaches with beautiful water views. Also a perfect spot for a picnic!
Volunteer Park - another lovely area right in the heart of town. We were there on the weekend and loved seeing everyone out and about enjoying the amazing weather - pups especially! There are shaded paths and lots of nice areas to sit and relax. On clear days, there is also a nice skyline view of Seattle at the entrance.
Green Lake Park - another scenic destination, with a nice walking path that goes around the lake.
From April to September, you can also rent boats, kayaks or stand up paddle boards from the Green Lake Boathouse. Dogs are allowed, just be sure to clean up after your pet. Check out their website for more information.
Golden Gardens Park - located in Ballard, with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains. You can walk along the coastline or through the forest trails, and there is plenty of space for a nice picnic. It is a lovely place to catch the sunset! There is also a one acre off-leash area for dogs in the northern portion of the park.
Just south of the park, Ballard Kayak & Paddleboard offers kayak rentals (from April 15 through September). Well-behaved dogs are allowed in kayaks, but not on tours or on paddle boards. Check out their website for details and reservations.
Lincoln Park - this area is further south/west, so we haven’t had a chance to explore it yet, but if you are in the area it looks like a great waterfront park with a variety of trails and beautiful views.
See the City
Pike Place Market - This is of course a must-see on any Seattle itinerary. Dogs aren’t allowed in the marketplace building, but are welcome on the streets and sidewalks. We had fun exploring the area and checking out bubble gum alley. Just keep in mind that this area is very crowded with foot traffic and can be chaotic, so it may not be suited for dogs who are not used to that.
If you want to spoil your pup, be sure to visit The Seattle Barkery in South Lake Union. Our dogs were in heaven in this adorable shop with all of the fresh made treats!
If your dog loves the water, check out the Warren G. Magnuson Park Off Leash Area. This is a huge dog park, but the highlight is the beach on Lake Washington where dogs can play and swim.
While you’re there, you can also check out the nearby Magnuson Cafe & Brewery.
If you are up for a bit further of a trek, you can visit the 40 acre Marymoor Off-Leash Dog Park, which is locally dubbed “Doggy Disneyland.” Here you can find big open fields and several places for swimming, and because the park is so massive it is typically easy to find a quiet area if you wish.
The Seattle Barkery also has a Treat Truck at Marymoor Park where you can pick up some goodies.
For a reward for the humans, you can enjoy a beer at one of the nearby breweries: Postdoc Brewing Company or Mac & Jack's.
Get the classic Seattle skyline photo of your pup at Kerry Park. The park itself is quite small and can be crowded, but offers a perfect panoramic view.
Ballard Farmers Market - on Sundays from 9am-2pm the year-round farmers market sells produce exclusively from Washington state farmers along a historic cobblestone stretch of Ballard Avenue. You can find parking on the surrounding streets, and on Sundays all meters are free.
Seattle Mariners Bark at the Park - if you have ever dreamed of bringing your dog to a baseball game, check out the schedule for the Seattle Mariners Bark at the Park. On select summer dates, dogs are welcome at T-Mobile Park with their humans in a special designated area. This is on my wish list for our next trip!
Go for a Scenic Day Hike
Seattle may be a big city, but the surrounding area is an outdoor-lovers dream! Ideally a trip to Seattle can be paired with some time staying and exploring the surrounding regions. But if not, you can still make the most of a day trip!
Rattlesnake Ledge Trail - located about 40 minutes from downtown Seattle, this 5.3 mile out and back trail is one of the most popular day hikes from Seattle, and for good reason - it provides panoramic views from atop Rattlesnake Ridge of the lake and mountains. In the warmer months, you can also visit the lake and go for a swim.
Lake Twenty-Two - located about an hour outside of Seattle, this 5.9 mile hike takes you through the forest to an alpine lake, including rocks and river crossings. But it is all worth it at the end with gorgeous views of views of Mount Pilchuck. Doing this hike in the fall with the changing leaves is on my personal wish list!
Bridal Veil Falls - located about an hour outside of Seattle, this is a 4.2 mile hike that brings you to a stunning waterfall that comes down a 100-foot rock face. Check the reviews on All Trails for the latest conditions.
This can also be extended to a 7.8 mile hike by taking the Lake Serene Trail to see more of the falls and end at the lake.
This trail requires a Northwest Forest Pass, America the beautiful pass, or pre-purchased day pass (there is no fee pay box in the parking area). This US Forest Service map shows vendors where these passes may be purchased in advance.
Little Si Trail - this trail is about 40 minutes from Seattle, and leads to a stunning view of Snoqualmie Valley and Rattlesnake Mountain. At 3.6 miles out and back, this is known as the “little sister” to Mount Si. This is most commonly recommended as a summer hike, as the trail is covered in snow for much of the year.
Twin Falls Trail - for a bit of a shorter option, consider this 2.5 mile trail that is 40 minutes from Seattle. This is a lovely trail that runs along the river and reaches a series of waterfalls. The best view is from the lower falls.
Note that this trail requires a Washington State Discover Pass. This can be purchased online, and you can choose a $35 annual pass or a $11.50 day pass.
Other Fun Adventures Nearby
Take a ferry trip to Bainbridge Island - Bainbridge is a short scenic ferry ride from Seattle, it takes about 30 minutes to get there, and there are ferries departing every 30 mins to an hour depending on the day. Dogs are allowed in vehicles on the ferry, and walk-on passengers with leashed pets are allowed to board and remain in the exterior passenger areas. Bainbridge is a great place to explore for a day. It has parks, trails, boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries.
Snoqualmie Falls - About 30 minutes outside of downtown Seattle is the most popular waterfall in the Seattle area. The falls have an upper and lower viewing area where you can take in the views. There is parking available for both areas, or you can explore the 1.5 mile walking path that runs between them. From the lower falls, you can also climb down some steps to access the river (my pups loved this) and there is a nice beach area that would be perfect for a lunch picnic or sunbathing in warm weather. Keep in mind that the falls draw in quite the crowd, so be prepared for it to be busy (especially on weekends).
You can also make this a relaxing getaway of its own by staying at the Salish Lodge & Spa which is located at the falls. Pro tip: the attic restaurant at the hotel offers amazing views of the waterfall, better than the main dining room. There is also an option for patio seating if you want to bring the pups along.
Where to Stay?
Thankfully there is no shortage of options of places to stay in Seattle. If you are loyal to a certain hotel chain, there are likely options that you will enjoy. Here are a few places I would suggest based on our trip planning:
Level South Lake Union - for our last two visits to Seattle, we have stayed at Level in South Lake Union. It is located in a great central location, and offers the conveniences of an apartment with a living room and kitchen included. The building and facilities are beautiful and modern, and the amenities are tough to beat with a rooftop pool and the largest hotel gym I have ever seen (there’s even a separate Peloton biking room!).
Kimpton Hotel Monaco - this is one of the hotels I previously considered that looks like a great option. I recently stayed at another Kimpton hotel and discovered how dog-friendly many of them are (no size/breed restrictions and no pet fee), so they are now on my radar in future locations!
Fairmont Olympic Hotel - another hotel that is definitely on my wish list. Not only does this hotel look stunning, but their “canine club” offers great pet-friendly amenities.
Do you have any favorite spots that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
Disclaimer: The information provided above and dog-friendly policies were understood to be accurate as of the time of this post. For the most up-to-date information and policies, be sure to confirm with the businesses directly.
