Dog-Friendly Day Trips From New York City

Summer in the city is magical, but it can also be overwhelming, sticky and hot as hell. But just outside of New York City you’ll find small towns, breweries, epic trails and long sandy beaches. The change in scenery is a great way to recharge and expel some of your dog’s endless energy, plus you’ll be home by sun down. Stretch your legs and grab your pup, and head out. Here’s a list of dog-friendly day trips from New York City.

Related: Dog-Friendly Getaways Near New York City

Waterdrinker Farm

While Waterdrinker Farm has all of the charms of a regular farm – barnyard animals, hay rides and corn mazes – the festivals are really their time to shine. 

Every year, Waterdrinker hosts a Tulip Festival, a Sunflower Festival, a Fall Festival and a Winter Festival.

The Tulip and Sunflower Festivals boast rows and rows of gorgeous flowers. You can walk through the fields, pick flowers, and of course, take photos.

The Fall Festival features pumpkins, apple cider donuts, and all things fall, while at the Winter Festival you can pick your own tree, see a holiday light display, and enjoy s’mores by a fire pit. 

Don’t miss these seasonal festivals, and don’t forget to bring your dog. 

Location:
663 Wading River Road
Manorville, NY 11949

Getting there: Waterdrinker Family Farm can be reached by car. 

Lavender By The Bay

If you’ve ever visited the Union Square Farmers Market then you might’ve come across Lavender By The Bay, a booth selling fresh and dried lavender, essential oils, soaps and other aromatic goods. 

These goodies come straight from – you guessed it – Lavender By The Bay, a lavender farm with two locations on Long Island. 

This family and dog-run enterprise boasts a 17-acre lavender farm, home to over 80,000 lavender plants. Spend the day roaming through magical fields of purple, breathing in fresh lavender, and taking epic photos. Then visit the farm shop for lavender honey, lavender-infused edible treats and more. 

Locations:
7540 Main Rd.
East Marion, NY 11939

Located diagonally across from Splish Splash, off Route 25
Calverton, NY 11933

Getting there:

Option 1: By train. Take the LIRR to the town of Greenport. Lavender by the Bay is only a 20-minute bike ride from the Greenport train station, or an even shorter Uber ride.

Option 2: By bus. Take the Hampton Jitney bus to East Marion.

Option 3: By car. Both locations can be reached by car. 

Asbury Park

This super fun town along the Jersey Shore features an eclectic boardwalk, an array of shops and restaurants, and one of the best beaches in the state. 

Asbury Park was built to entertain, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. If you’re visiting with Fido, check out the following places:

• The Wonder Bar, a tiki bar with live music and the world famous Yappy Hour for our furry friends. The Wonder Bar’s huge, fenced-­in outdoor space converts into a dog park, where pups can meet new friends, get some exercise, or just chill by the water bowl, while their humans do some socializing of their own. Bonus: Check out their monthly First Saturday celebration when shops and restaurants stay open late.
• Dog Beach at Bradley Cove. Take your dog to romp in the sand and get their tail wet.
• Lola’s European Cafe boasts Italian gelato, craft cocktails and pastries. They’re dog-friendly, with dolce doggie nights every Tuesday. 

Getting there:

Option 1: By train. Take the NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line from Penn Station in Manhattan. Transfer at Long Branch to North Jersey Coast Line towards Bay Head. 

Option 2: By boat. Catch the ferry from Wall Street or East 35th Street to Highlands, New Jersey in Monmouth County. From there, take an Uber to Asbury Park. 

Option 3: By car. 

Philadelphia 

Just one hour and 35 minutes by train from New York City, Philadelphia is actually close enough to the city for a dog-friendly day trip. Trading in one city for another might seem silly, but Philly truly is like a whole other world. 

This historic American city with a small town feel is jam packed with fun things to do and plenty of good eats. 

If you’re looking for dog-friendly things to do while there, we’ve got you covered! Check out our list of 10 Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Philadelphia and 16 Dog-Friendly Places to Eat in Philadelphia.

Getting there: 

Option 1: By train. Amtrak’s Acela train travels from Penn Station in Manhattan to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station all throughout the day. It takes roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes. 

Option 2: By train. Take NJ Transit from Penn Station to Trenton, New Jersey. From there, transfer across the platform to the SEPTA train.

Option 3: By car. Philly can be reached by car. 

Hudson Valley

When the concrete jungle has got you down, escape to the Hudson Valley for some fresh air, open space and a big change of scenery. Just up north from Manhattan, the Hudson Valley is dotted with small communities along the river. 

There’s the Victorian-era city of Beacon, with an eclectic art and food scene, the charming quintessential village of Cold Spring, lined with antique shops and cafes, and Sleepy Hollow, a colonial-era town full of literary events and street fairs. Wherever you head to, you really can’t go wrong.

Besides the local culture and good eats, the area is also home to hiking trails and lots of outdoor activity. It’s the perfect place to bring your furry friend for a break and a bit of fun. 

Getting there:

Option 1: By train. Take the Metro North train from Grand Central in Manhattan. 

Option 2: By car.  

Fire Island

What’s not to love about this 31-mile barrier island? It has pristine beaches, lots of outdoor dining, a lighthouse and no cars!

Just off the southern shore of Long Island, Fire Island is a haven if you want to relax, recharge and enjoy some time away, trading traffic for high tide. 

Head to the Sunken Forest, a rare ecosystem growing between two sand dunes, or enjoy a cold drink at one of the outdoor bars in Ocean Beach and Kismet. There’s a lot to enjoy with your dog by your side. 

Getting there:

Option 1: By train and ferry. From Penn Station in New York City, take the Montauk Branch of the LIRR to Mastic/Shirley for the William Floyd Estate or to Bay Shore, Sayville, or Patchogue to access ferry terminals.

Option 2: By car.  

Bear Mountain State Park

If you’ve got an adventurous pup with endless energy, then Bear Mountain is the place for you.

This dog-friendly state park has over 5,000 acres of wooded mountain terrain, a buttload of trails, and stunning views, including a 360-degree vista of four states (NY, NJ, CT and PA). 

The woodsy trails include short loops, as well as more challenging hikes, including segments of the Appalachian Trail, so there’s something for everyone. 

Bring comfortable shoes, bug spray and a picnic. 

Getting there:

Option 1: By train. Take Metro-North Railroad Hudson line from Grand Central station to Peekskill station. Then a 15-minute cab ride to Bear Mountain. 

Option 2: By car.  

Montauk

Head to Montauk, at the very eastern end of Long Island, 

Check out the historic lighthouse, munch on fresh lobster rolls, or hit up some of the pet-friendly shops, marked by the water bowls placed out front. 

The beaches at Camp Hero State Park and Montauk Point State Park are dog-friendly. While you can’t enter the lighthouse with dogs, you can see it in the background and enjoy the view from the shore. 

Other popular hang outs include Gosman’s Dock for seafood, trails and the dunes for hiking, and grub from the Ditch Witch food truck. 

Getting there:

Option 1: By train. Take the LIRR from Penn Station. 

Option 2: By bus. Take the Hampton Jitney bus.

Option 3: By car. 

Click here for more dog-friendly NYC info. 

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