Are you looking for ideas for things you can do with your dog in Cleveland?
As far as dog-friendliness goes, Cleveland scores high with plenty of places in the city that allow you to bring along your four-legged companions. In fact, according to Estately, it ranks as #17 of the most dog-friendly cities in America.
Here are the top places you can go with your dog in the Cleveland area, including the best parks, restaurants, hotels, and activities in the Cleveland, Ohio area where pets are welcome.
What’s we’ll cover in this post:
- Dog-friendly parks in Cleveland
- Dog-friendly beaches in Cleveland
- The best Cleveland dog parks
- Dog-friendly restaurants and bars
- Dog-friendly hotels in Cleveland
Dog-Friendly Parks in Cleveland
Want to spend some time outside with your doggo? The Cleveland area is home to a number of great parks where you can enjoy the great outdoors with your pet. (And of course it goes without saying that you need to pick up after said pet when visiting any of these parks!)
1. Cleveland Metroparks
Four-legged friends are welcome at the Cleveland Metroparks, a complex of 18 urban parks around the Cleveland area. Dogs are welcome on trails and at picnic areas, however they do need to be leashed at all times.
2. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Located less than 30 minutes from downtown Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a natural oasis of waterfalls, forests, and diverse plant life. Leashed pets are allowed on over 100 miles of hiking paths within the park, as well as on the Towpath Trail.
Not all national parks in the US are dog-friendly, so Cleveland is lucky in this regard!
3. Holden Arboretum
The Holden Arboretum is one of the largest botanic gardens in the United States, located just 30 minutes from downtown Cleveland. Dogs are welcome at Holden Arboretum, but they must be kept on a leash at all times.
Dog Beaches in Cleveland
Cleveland sits right on the shore of Lake Erie, meaning that hitting the beach is a popular summertime activity. In the hot summer months, cooling off in the water is beneficial to dogs and humans alike, and Cleveland is home to several beaches that allow pets.
1. Edgewater Beach
Edgewater Beach, Cleveland
Edgewater Beach is located close to downtown Cleveland and features sandy shores and calm waters. This is by far Cleveland’s most popular city beach, and is the perfect place to go on a summer’s day.
If you want to bring your pup for a day of fun in the water, there is a designated dog beach on the western side of Edgewater Beach where dogs can roam off-leash and splash around in the cool waters of the lake!
2. Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park
301 Huntington Beach Dr, Fairport Harbor
Located just over 30 minutes from downtown Cleveland, Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park is another place with a dog-friendly beach. On the east end of the beach, you’ll find it by the signs marked “Dog Swim Area.”
Dogs are permitted in this area, but are not otherwise allowed on the sandy part of the beach and must be kept on a leash in all other areas.
3. Lakewood Beach Park
3801 Lake Rd, Sheffield Lake
Another lakefront beach that welcomes pets is Lakewood Beach Park in Sheffield Lake, about 30 minutes outside of downtown Cleveland.
Dogs are permitted to roam off-leash and splash around in the water at Lakewood Beach Park. Although this beach is smaller than the others, it’s a great dog-friendly spot if you’re in the area.
The Best Cleveland Dog Parks
In addition to dog-friendly parks and beaches, Cleveland is home to several dedicated dog parks where your pups can run around and burn off some energy.
Here are some of the best Cleveland dog parks to visit:
1. Downtown Cleveland Dog Park
1505 Merwin Ave, Cleveland
This riverfront dog park is located in downtown Cleveland and offers scenic views of the city and over 3,500 square feet of fenced space for dogs to play in.
2. Lakewood Dog Park
1699 Valley Pkwy, Lakewood
Another dog park in the Cleveland area is Lakewood Dog Park. Located basically within a section of Rock River Reservation, this dog park offers a spacious, fenced-in area for dogs to get all their Zoomies out.
3. Bow Wow Beach
5027 Stow Rd, Stow
A little further out from downtown Cleveland is Bow Wow Beach. Located about 45 minutes away in Stow, Ohio, Bow Wow Beach is one of the best dog parks in the area.
With over 7 acres of fenced space for your dog to roam, along with a shallow pond perfect for splashing about in, dogs and their owners are sure to love this park.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Bars
Are you looking for dog-friendly restaurants aDog-Friendly Restaurants and Barsnd bars in Cleveland? The good news is that many places around the city allow you to bring your pets along!
1. Taps & Tails
1901 Train Ave, Cleveland
Taps & Tails is an indoor/outdoor park (for dogs) and bar (for humans.) This unique concept means that dogs and humans alike will have a good time at Taps & Tails. You can hang out with your dog and other dog owners while enjoying a drink and a bite to eat.
Note that you must register your dog with Taps & Tails before visiting.
2. Dog-friendly patios
Many of Cleveland’s best patios are dog-friendly! Some of our favorites include:
- Terrestrial Brewing – 7524 Father Frascati, Cleveland – This brewery and taproom is a favorite in Cleveland. Both their outdoor patio AND their taproom is dog-friendly, though dogs need to stay on leashes.
- Market Garden Brewpub – 1947 W 25th St, Cleveland – This is one of our favorite spots to grab food and beers in Ohio City, and both their small front patio and their larger beer garden out back are dog-friendly.
- Jukebox – 1404 W 29th St, Cleveland – For excellent neighborhood bar vibes, you can’t beat jukebox. Enjoy drinks and pierogis indoors, or watch a game outside on their patio. Both the bar and patio area is dog-friendly.
- The South Side – 2207 W 11th St, Cleveland – Looking for a great dog-friendly brunch spot? Then look no further than the patio at The South Side in Tremont.
Read about more Cleveland patios here – we’ve marked which ones are dog-friendly! (The above is just a short list.)
There are also plenty more bars, coffee shops, and even stores in Cleveland that welcome dogs.
Dog-Friendly Hotels in Cleveland
Are you traveling to Cleveland with your dog? There are a number of hotels in the city that are dog-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about where to stay with your four-legged friend.
Here are the best dog-friendly hotels in Cleveland:
1. Kimpton Schofield
2000 E 9th St, Cleveland
The Kimpton Schofield is a luxury, pet-friendly hotel in downtown Cleveland. Pets are welcome to stay here for no extra charge, and can even enjoy complimentary amenities such as a pet bed, pet bowls, and doggie treat bag if you request them ahead of check-in.
There are no size or weight limits for pets at the Kimpton Schofield, or limit to the number of pets you can have with you. The hotel offers dedicated floors for travelers with pets.
Price range: $175 to $300 per night
2. Metropolitan at The 9
2017 E 9th St, Cleveland
Another pet-friendly hotel in Cleveland is the Metropolitan at The 9. Part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, this upscale hotel is housed in a former 1906 bank. Guests may bring up to two dogs with a combined weight up to 75 pounds for an additional fee of $100 per stay.
There’s an indoor dog park on the 29th floor of the hotel, and dogs receive a treat bag when they check in.
Price range: $225 to $275 per night
3. Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown
1380 E 6th St, Cleveland
The Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown is a dog-friendly hotel in a central location. Guests may bring up to two pets with a combined weight under 80 pounds for an additional fee of $40 per night. There’s a grassy area and pet waste station on the property.
Price range: $125 to $200 per night
4. Aloft Cleveland Downtown
1111 W 10th St, Cleveland
Another hotel in Cleveland that allows dogs is Aloft Cleveland Downtown. This centrally-located hotel in The Flats is close to all the action in downtown Cleveland, and is an affordably-priced place to stay while still offering great amenities.
Pets up to 40 pounds are permitted with no additional fee, and dog treats are available at the hotel. While there’s no dedicated dog park or pet area, there are grassy spaces nearby where you can walk your dog.
Price range: $125 to $175 per night
5. Hotel Indigo Cleveland Downtown
651 Huron Rd E, Cleveland
Hotel Indigo Cleveland Downtown is another dog-friendly place to stay in Cleveland. This is a newly-renovated and affordable hotel right in the heart of downtown. Guests are allowed to bring up to two pets weighing up to 50 pounds each for an additional fee of $35 per stay.
Price range: $115 to $175
There you have it! Tons of cool things to do with a dog in Cleveland, from beaches to bars.
Tell us: What’s your favorite thing to do with your pooch in Cleveland?
Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of her home state. Now, she’ sharing her love of the Cleveland area with the world, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.