After picking the perfect
pet-friendly apartment in
Las Vegas, you’ll want to head outside and explore everything this amazing city has to offer. And here’s the good news: your four-legged friends can stretch their paws and come along too. Let’s get familiar with all the pet-friendly activities to enjoy around Vegas.
Wag a Tail and Walk
Despite the desert climate, most dogs love to be outdoors in Las Vegas — as long as they stay hydrated and aren’t overexposed to the sun or high temperatures. For those in the west valley,
Summerlin has more than 150 miles of walking trails that connect its communities and villages. Along the way, there are plenty of parks and common areas with pet stations to clean up any messes. In the opposite end of the valley in Henderson,
Inspirada is another master-planned community designed with pets in mind. The homes are built around four distinct parks — all of which are pet-friendly, especially
Aventura Park with a dedicated dog area.
Play at the Park
Of course, there are lots of full-scale dog parks throughout Southern Nevada. Those officially operated by Clark County are open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and follow a
long list of recommendations and guidelines.
Desert Breeze Park and (the appropriately named)
Woofter Family Park and
Dog Fancier’s Park all have fenced areas for dogs of different sizes to run and play off-leash.
Sunset Park, near the border of Las Vegas and Henderson, is another popular choice, but keep in mind — coyotes are sometimes seen roaming the grounds. They aren’t known to cause trouble, but it’s best to use caution, especially when bringing small pets around.
Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs is a city-operated oasis that’s well worth the $6 entry fee for nearly 700 acres of ponds, trees and grass.
Go Shopping
A few outdoor shopping plazas are great places for walking dogs. Downtown Summerlin, with its promenade, trees, and water features, makes for a scenic stroll with a grassy park for lounging around with your doggie. When it’s time to eat, visit
Lazy Dog Cafe — by far the most dog-friendly restaurant in Vegas with designated outdoor seating for dogs, water bowls and a special doggie menu. The brown rice and ground beef combo come highly recommended.
A second Lazy Dog Cafe can be found at Town Square, an outdoor shopping plaza that’s just south of the Strip on Las Vegas Boulevard. A few other restaurants also have dog-friendly patios, including
Double Helix Wine & Whiskey Lounge and
Brio Tuscan Grille. While dogs are discouraged from the Children’s Park in the center of Town Square, they’re welcome in a smaller grassy area called The Green. Dog-friendly ground-level water fountains are found throughout the shopping center and you’ll definitely want to stop by
The Dog House — a shop that carries everything dog-related and hands out treats for little guests who stop by to say hello.
Twitter: @TheLazyDogCafe, @DoubleHelixWine, @BrioItalian
Hit the Bars
Fremont Street is famous for its neon marquees and tourist attractions, but it also has a few pet-friendly bars, including
Atomic Liquors,
Park on Fremont and
Banger Brewing. Travel a block north to the
Triple George Grill where doggies are welcome on the outdoor patio. Head south to the Arts District where dogs can hang out on the patios at
Rebar,
Hop Nuts Brewing, and
Mingo Kitchen & Lounge — which also serves Bowser Beer, a dog-friendly drink that’s kind of like a beef or chicken stew.
Twitter: @AtomicDTLV, @parkonfremont, @BangerBrewing, @TripleGeorge, @RebarLV, @HopNutsBrewing, @eatmixmingo
Plan a Staycation
Tourism drives the Las Vegas economy, but you can take advantage of locals discounts to plan a staycation of your own. A good choice is
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, a resort on the Strip where every room is dog-friendly. With a nightly fee of $50 per dog, you’ll receive a package of healthy treats, a water bowl, toys and pee pad. While most of the hotel amenities are restricted to dogs, there are two outdoor walking runs, including one by the Chelsea swimming pool. As for other Strip resorts, the
Delano and
Vdara are also dog-friendly but casino-free, offering less chaos in the lobby and a more tranquil escape for your staycation. Check ahead for policies, perks, and rates.
Twitter: @Cosmopolitan_LV, @DelanoVegas, @VdaraLV
[tweetthis]Check out these #pet-friendly places to take your furry friend in #Vegas! Pets are always welcome![/tweetthis]
Organize a Playdate
If you can’t bring your pet to work, drop ’em off at the
Hydrant Club — a different kind of doggie daycare. Dogs, invited after a strict approval process, roam free on furniture and around a grass-covered park. No cages and no kennels. Obedience training is offered as well.
Twitter: @HydrantClub
Stay Happy at Home
Of course, nothing beats a cozy night at home. After exploring the city,
discover how an apartment can be modified to keep your pet content for years to come.
