8 Places Worth Going: A Dog Owner's Guide to Getting Out.
A dog doesn’t have to be a reason to stay home. If anything, having one is an invitation to see your city differently. Olive has separation anxiety, which means we figure things out together. And in figuring things out, I've found some of my favorite places.
It is not always easy. Not every place is an option, and everything takes a little more planning than it used to. I am really lucky to have people in my life who understand Olive and are happy to try somewhere new if it means she gets to come along. That has made all the difference.
At first, I felt a little trapped, and sometimes I still do. But something unexpected started to happen. We began going more places, not fewer. Getting creative led us to spots we probably never would have explored otherwise.
We stumbled onto little beaches we did not know were there, met people we never would have crossed paths with, and noticed places we used to drive past without a second thought.
She is only here for a little while in the grand scheme of things, and I want her to have the best life. I love the way her ears fold back when she is excited to explore somewhere new. I want her to feel the sun in new places, sniff things she has never sniffed, and walk paths she has not walked yet.
The places were always there. It just took Olive to help us find them.
1.Farmers Markets
I never used to be much of a farmers market person.
But once coffee shops stopped being a simple option, farmers markets started to sound really appealing. Somewhere along the way, they became one of my favorite ways to spend a quiet weekend morning.
Rossana food truck for coffee.
Local vendors. Seasonal produce. A very good way to get our steps in.
We do a slow loop and stop anytime something catches our eye. One of my favorite parts is the apple stand with all the samples. There are always so many to try. I also never skip the pickle stand. I leave with a pint of pickle chips almost every time. It’s a must.
Olive stays close, usually right by my feet, quietly taking it all in. She watches everything. The people walking by, the strollers, the other dogs. You can almost see her little mind working. Every single thing is worth a sniff.
And even though we cannot pop into a coffee shop with Olive, that doesn’t mean no latte. We usually end the morning at Rossana, the coffee truck parked nearby. They even offer free pup cups, which Olive is a huge fan of!
Olive enjoying a pup cup, hand-delivered by one of the food truck’s owner.
Markets we visit in the DMV:
Courthouse Farmers Market, Arlington
Mosaic District Farmers Market
How to find markets in your area:
Search your city name plus "farmers market" or check your local government's website. Most towns run markets on weekend mornings from spring through fall. Local newsletters and neighborhood apps like Nextdoor are also good for staying in the loop on what's nearby.
2. Trails and Nature Walks
The moment we step onto a trail, something ignites in Olive. Her nose drops to the ground, her ears pin back, and she is on the move! Seeing how eager she is to explore new places always puts a smile on my face.
Every few steps, something new catches her attention. She frantically has to sniff everything, weaving all over the trail. I try not to rush her, but also know that is no way to cover a lot of ground.
The beach at Dyke Marsh Trail.
One afternoon, we found a trail that opened up onto a small beach. Sand, shells, water just beyond the shoreline. Despite her intense hatred for water, Olive was curious about it. She walked up to the edge, stopped just short, and inspected the shells scattered along the sand. I picked up a few and slipped them into my pocket. I still have them.
We skipped rocks. We sat for a while, looking out across the horizon.
On the walk back, we passed an older man standing still with binoculars raised toward the trees. He had spotted a pair of bald eagles nesting nearby. He was happy to share his binoculars so we could see them too. We stood there quietly, taking it in.
That is what I love about trails. You never know what you might encounter. The wildlife, the scenery, the people.
Trails we like in the DMV:
Roosevelt Island
Dyke Marsh Trail
Belle Haven Park
Mount Vernon Trail
How to find trails in your area:
AllTrails is the easiest starting point. You can filter by distance, difficulty, and whether dogs are allowed. Bring water for both of you. Go earlier in the day if it is warm. Let the walk unfold at its own pace.
3. Dog-Friendly Stores
It might not sound very exciting, but I love taking Olive to Home Depot and wandering through the garden center.
She gets to explore and sniff around, and I usually leave with a new plant for the apartment, so it feels like a win for both of us. And Home Depot is not the only place that welcomes dogs.
Olive enjoying a treat from a man who works at Home Depot.
So many stores allow dogs, and they make such a nice, low-effort, adventure.
The aisles are wide, we can move at whatever pace feels right, and someone almost always stops to say hello to Olive. Sometimes they even have treats behind the counter for her. It turns a basic errand into something a little more fun, and somehow makes the whole day feel a little more eventful.
Stores we visit in the DMV:
Home Depot (especially the garden center)
PetSmart
Sephora
West Elm
Smaller local hardware stores that allow dogs
How to find stores in your area:
Search "dog friendly stores near me" or check a store's website before heading out. Policies can vary by location so it's always worth a quick call ahead. You may be surprised at how many options are close by.
4. Walkable Town Centers and Main Streets
Almost every city has a version of this, and it is one of the easiest outings you can do with a dog.
Olive sitting at my feet in Clarendon Crossing, taking it all in.
This is something that is great to do solo, or with a friend. I love grabbing a coffee or gelato from a nearby shop (bonus if they allow dogs inside). We have no particular agenda, nothing planned other than sitting and people watching.
We make a slow loop. We find a bench eventually and sit for a while. Olive settles at my feet and watches everything go by. The kids running, people eating shaved ice, other dogs passing by. This has become one of my go-to activities on a nice afternoon.
Places we like in the DMV:
Clarendon Crossing (Three Whistles allows dogs in the entry, and they are welcome in the Sephora)
Mosaic District (Dolcezza gelato is right there, which never hurts)
Shirlington (Dogma, a dog bakery is worth popping into)
How to find squares in your area:
Think about the most walkable neighborhood near you and start there. Anywhere with outdoor seating, foot traffic, and a place to grab a coffee works.
5. Breweries and Beer Gardens
There is something about a brewery or beer garden that puts people in a good mood. I love the energy. Everyone seems to be there for the same reason, to enjoy the weather, relax a little, and have a good time. Groups gather around picnic tables, people are laughing, and sometimes there is live music in the background.
Chillin’ at Aslin Beer Garden.
There are so many great dog friendly spots in and around the city. Dogs are not just tolerated, they are part of the scene. People stop to pet Olive, there are comfortable places for her to settle in, and a lot of spots even keep water bowls out.
And if you do not drink, it still works. A lot of places offer non alcoholic beer now, plus sodas and food. The best part is the atmosphere anyway.
I always look for places where the outdoor space feels intentional, not like an afterthought. Those are usually the spots where everyone settles in and stays awhile. Wineries can be great too, but it is worth checking ahead since not all of them allow dogs. Once you find a few good ones, start your own list. The best spots are always worth revisiting.
I have pulled together a list of all the dog friendly bars and restaurants I’ve taken Olive in the DMV here.
Places we like in the DMV:
Caboose Commons, Mosaic District
Aslin Beer Company, DC
Arlington Beer Garden, Clarendon
Midlands, DC
Hook Hall, DC
How to find patios in your area:
Yelp has a dog friendly filter that makes this easy. Searching "dog friendly brewery" plus your city name is also a solid starting point. Once you find a few that work, they become your regulars.
6. Picnics
Going on a picnic has become one of my favorite things.
It is simple, which is probably why I love it so much. It can be as easy or as extra as you want it to be, and I usually land somewhere in the middle. I pack a blanket, a little cooler with snacks and drinks, and my Bluetooth speaker.
Picnicking near the Iwo Jima memorial.
Sometimes it is just me and Olive. I bring a book, we find a spot, and let the day slow down for a while. Other times it becomes the weekend plan. I invite friends, pack a little more, and we make an afternoon of it.
I put music on low in the background, let Olive wander on her tie out, and just take it all in.
Good spots for a picnic in the DMV:
Iwo Jima Memorial overlook, Arlington
Meridian Hill Park, DC
Georgtown Waterfront, DC
Belle Haven Park, VA
How to find picnic spots in your area:
Open Google Maps, zoom into your city, and look for any green space near you. A patch of park works just as well as a scenic overlook. Bring a blanket and something yummy and you have everything you need!
7. Festivals and Outdoor Events
Cities have more going on than most people realize.
I have lived in the city for a long time, and for years I barely took advantage of any of it. I am really glad that changed. Once the weather warms up, there is something almost every weekend.
Taking in a live performance we happened upon in Falls Church.
Concert series, movie nights, food truck rallies, art markets, cultural festivals. I follow a couple of newsletters and Instagram accounts that keep me posted on what is coming up, and it has completely changed how we spend our weekends.
I love these kinds of outings because they work just as well with Olive as they do without her. We can walk around, try something yummy from a food truck, and browse stalls from local artists and makers. It’s easy, fun, and helps to broaden your horizons.
Newsletters I Subscribe to:
How to find events in your area:
Local newsletters and neighborhood blogs
City instagram accounts
Eventbrite filtered by your city
8. Being a Tourist in Your Own City
Most of us live somewhere worth exploring, and still walk right past it every day. A waterfront. A historic neighborhood. A part of your own city you have driven through a hundred times but never actually walked.
Pick one and go. Bring snacks. Take photos. Sit somewhere new and just look around for a bit.
I feel especially lucky to live near the nation’s capital because there is so much to wander. Walking the National Mall, strolling through Constitution Gardens and watching the wildlife, or sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial looking out at the Reflecting Pool are all such good options. It’s a small adventure hiding in plain sight.
Olive taking in the sights at the Lincoln Memorial.
Places worth exploring like a tourist in the DMV:
The National Mall and monuments
Georgetown waterfront
The Iwo Jima Memorial
How to find places in your area:
Think about the parts of your city you have always meant to explore but never have. Start there.
Olive has taught me that the world is worth paying attention to. A shell by the water. The sound of leaves moving overhead. The smell of someone grilling nearby. She is fully present for all of it, every single time.
I am lucky to have people in my life who show up for both of us. Who plan around her, explore with us, and never make it feel like a compromise.
Having her has given me something I did not expect. A reason to get out. A reason to get creative. A reason to look up from the routine and go find something worth remembering.
The places were always there. We just needed a reason to go find them.
