|

Have A Hobby? Bring Your Dog! Dog-Friendly Activities In NYC

In the city that never sleeps, it’s hard to step away from the grind. That said, everyone deserves to unwind and have a bit of fun. And now, you don’t have to leave your dog behind while doing it! These New York City activities are all dog-friendly, so grab your pup and head outside. 

Yoga

Do you have a dog in New York City? These New York City activities are all dog-friendly, so grab your pup and head outside. 
©healme.nyc

Downward facing dog just got a whole lot furrier. 

Affectionately known as “doga” (dog yoga!), dog-friendly yoga gets all four dog paws on the mat while you stretch and ease into your flow. That’s right, dogs are welcome at these yoga classes!

Just being in the presence of dogs lowers stress levels, blood pressure and your heart rate, so they’re naturals when it comes to practicing the yoga state of mind. Namaste.

Dog-friendly Yoga classes happen all throughout the city. Check our New York City Dog-Friendly Event Guide to find the next class offered near you.

Rock Climbing and Bouldering

Do you have a dog in New York City? These New York City activities are all dog-friendly, so grab your pup and head outside. 
©The Cliffs

Rock Climbing and bouldering are great ways to challenge yourself and build core strength. 

While dogs can’t actually climb (no thumbs!), they can hang out, watch climbers, and provide some super cute moral support. And luckily, there are many dog-friendly places in the city to rope in. 

Dog-friendly Rock Climbing and Bouldering in NYC:

The Cliffs at LIC
11-11 44th Dr,
Long Island City

Check out the dogs at The Cliffs: #thecliffscanines

Brooklyn Boulders Gowanus
575 Degraw St.
Brooklyn, NY 

Steep Rock West
3225 Broadway
Manhattan, NY

GP81
81 Quay St.
Brooklyn, NY

The Cliffs at DUMBO
99 Plymouth St.
Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn Boulders Queensbridge
23-10 41st Ave.
Long Island City, NY

Steep Rock 
1506 Lexington Ave.
Manhattan, NY 

MetroRock Brooklyn
321 Starr St.
Brooklyn, NY

Pottery

Do you have a dog in New York City? These New York City activities are all dog-friendly, so grab your pup and head outside. 
©Muji Pottery Studio

There’s nothing quite like a pottery studio. The feel of the fresh clay, colorful shimmering glazes, wheels turning and intense focus. Whether you’re hand building or throwing on the wheel, there’s so much to be done, and your dog can go along too. 

Can you recreate the famous Ghost scene with your dog? Probably not, or else you’d have to take them to the groomer right after. But you can get down and dirty with some clay while your dog hangs out and wonders why he can’t roll in it.

Hey, your pup might even inspire you to sculpt their likeness from a mound of clay, or jump on the wheel to make them a new dog bowl.  

Dog-friendly Pottery Studios in NYC:

La Mano
110 W 26th St.
Manhattan, NY

Muji Pottery Studio
993 Amsterdam Avenue
(between W. 108th and W. 109th Streets)
Manhattan, NY

BKLYN Clay
535 Carlton Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 

Mud Matters
654 10th Ave.
Manhattan, NY

Chambers Pottery
153 Chambers St.
Manhattan, NY

Stand Up Paddle (SUP & Pup) and Kayaking

Do you have a dog in New York City? These New York City activities are all dog-friendly, so grab your pup and head outside. 
@toothlesspom

Spending a day on the water isn’t reserved for country dogs. City dogs can enjoy it too!

NYC offers a few places where dogs are welcome to SUP & pup (stand up paddle) and kayak with you. It’s a fun experience that’ll definitely get their tails wagging. 

Dogs are welcome to join in rentals for free at Manhattan Kayak (but are not allowed for group lessons or group tours). Pay $10 for 40 minutes on the water. They provide dog lifejackets and even hold special SUP & Pup events. Don’t forget your camera! 

The LIC Community Boathouse at Hallets Cove and Anable Basin also welcomes dogs. They provide dog lifejackets, and kayaking with them is totally free. 

Dog-friendly SUP and Kayaking in NYC:

Manhattan Kayak
Pier 84  (44th Street & 12th Ave)

LIC Community Boathouse
Hallets Cove, Socrates Sculpture Park
31-10 Vernon Blvd, Queens, NY 11106

Needle Felting

Do you have a dog in New York City? These New York City activities are all dog-friendly, so grab your pup and head outside. 
©Linda Facci

Turning wool into woof!

Fiber artist Linda Facci makes amazing felted dogs (pictured above). She shares her knowledge with others by teaching needle felting to dog lovers and owners every month.

Her easy to follow lessons give you step by step instructions to create your own dog replica, using a selection of felting wool and needles. You’ll start with a ball of wool and go home with your own felted pup! 

Learn about upcoming classes on the Facci Designs Instagram page. 

Knitting and Crocheting

Do you have a dog in New York City? These New York City activities are all dog-friendly, so grab your pup and head outside. 
©Downtown Yarns

Think knitting and crocheting are just for grandmothers? Think again.

The yarn arts community is vibrant and strong in New York City. They’re inviting, and you and your dog will receive a warm welcome as you learn to make scarves and hats with your own two hands. Plus, crafting reduces stress and depression, and helps build self-esteem. It’s a win-win. 

The best part? You can learn to knit or crochet your dog a sweater! 

Dog-friendly Yarn Stores with classes in NYC:

Downtown Yarns
45 Avenue A
(between 3rd and 4th Streets)

Painting

Do you have a dog in New York City? These New York City activities are all dog-friendly, so grab your pup and head outside. 
©Michele Cahill

Want a portrait of your dog? Why not paint your own? 

Paint nights have popped up all across the city, but this one goes to the dogs. Artist Michele Cahill runs Pet Portrait Fun, a paint night company that specializes in dog portraits.

Send in a photograph of your dog, and Michele will provide a sketch you can trace and paint with watercolors while enjoying the company of your dog (the model!), and other painters and their dogs. It’s a great way to get your creative juices flowing while chatting with other dog owners and spending time with your pup.

Pet Portrait Fun holds multiple events every month in varying pet-friendly locations.

Check upcoming events here

Running

Do you have a dog in New York City? These New York City activities are all dog-friendly, so grab your pup and head outside. 

There are a variety of community-based running initiatives all across New York City. They offer free and/or low cost weekly runs throughout the five boroughs, welcoming runners of all paces and abilities. And don’t worry, there’s a variety of routes and speeds to choose from, so there’s something for everyone.

Many also host fun runs, social events and work outs. North Brooklyn Runners has a Saturday Bridge Run & Coffee, Front Runners hosts weekly Fun Runs, and Shack Track Field gives you a free drink at Shake Shack at the end of every run. So grab your dog, hit the pavement and join the pack!

Running Clubs in NYC:

Canoeing

Do you have a dog in New York City? These New York City activities are all dog-friendly, so grab your pup and head outside. 
©Gowanusdredgers

Canoeing in New York City? Yup, it’s possible, with the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club.

This volunteer organization is dedicated to providing waterfront access and education to the public. They offer self-guided tours, sunset and full moon voyages, and canal races. They’ve even organized paddle-in movies on the water. 

If you’d like to help with their advocacy and conservation work, you can sign up for a canal clean up or volunteer. 

You can check out their event schedule here

Canoeing events depart from 2nd St. near Bond St. Walking tours depart from The Gowanus Souvinir Shop, 567 Union St. Bicycle tours depart from Brooklyn Borough Hall at Court and Joralemon Streets.

Hiking and Camping

Do you have a dog in New York City? These New York City activities are all dog-friendly, so grab your pup and head outside. 

Just because you live in the concrete jungle doesn’t mean you have to skip the dirt trails. There are urban adventures galore to partake in, both in and around New York City.

HikeNYC is a great resource for those looking to hike on their own, with a dog, or with a friend. He has hikes of varying distances and difficulties in all five boroughs with easy to follow step-by-step guides. His hiking guides include photos, maps and directions to the starting point. He covers everything from Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx to Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn.

If you’re looking to explore the best hikes in each borough, check out our list of 5 Dog-Friendly Hikes in NYC. Dog owners can bring their pups, and dog admirers can join solo. It’s a great way to give an active dog a bit of exercise and time for sniffs and exploration, all within the tri-state area.

Want to learn more about dog-friendly NYC? Click here. 


Pin for later!

Do you have a dog in New York City? These New York City activities are all dog-friendly, so grab your pup and head outside. 

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *