10 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR PUP IN BOSTON (+ WHERE TO STAY AND EAT)
Note: This post is written in collaboration with Onyx Hotel in Boston. As always, all opinions are my own.
Traveling with pets adds another layer to the planning process – but the memories you’ll make with your furry best friend far outweigh the logistics you must go through to ensure a smooth trip. When I went on a road trip up and down the East Coast at the end of September it was my 4th trip with my puppy, meaning I can now confidently say I know the ins and outs of traveling with your pet and which cities are the most pet friendly – Boston just happens to be one of them.
Our time in Boston was very quick – cut down to about 24 hours after having a tire issue on the way into town and then needing to deal with getting it fixed the next day. But one thing we did learn was that Boston is a very dog friendly city. From the West End to the North End, to Back Bay and Cambridge there are no shortage of locations you can bring your dog. But first things first, where should you stay?
Which Hotels Should You Stay at with your Dog?
I have and always will be a fan of the Kimpton group of hotels. They are known for welcoming pretty much any type of pet you have while you’re on your travels, with no weight limit, meaning both my puppy and his brother (my sister’s new puppy) were welcomed with open arms when we arrived.
Our room at the Onyx Hotel, albeit due to the location ended up being tight, featured cool red accents, two large and comfy beds, a plush dog bed and bowls for food and water. Current COVID restrictions did mean that the downstairs bar was closed during our stay, but each morning we were greeted with coffee, tea and the cutest mini croissants in the lobby!
The day that we checked out I was given the opportunity to also check out the rooms on the penthouse level – which can give you an idea of the additional space you can get!
As the mentioned, the location did affect the size of the rooms that were available at the Onyx, but the physical location of the hotel was a huge bonus when we were ready to head out and explore around town.
Other pet friendly hotels:
Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel
90 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108
Kimpton Marlowe Hotel
25 Edwin H Land Blvd, Cambridge, MA 02141
Club Quarters Faneuil Hall Boston
161 Devonshire St, Boston, MA 02110
Boston Harbor Hotel
70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
The Lenox Hotel
61 Exeter St, Boston, MA 02116
Fairmont Copley Plaza
138 Saint James Ave, Boston, MA 02116
10 Activities You Can Do With Your Dog
Freedom Trail
The history-packed, 2.5-mile-long Freedom Trail is the perfect option to squeeze in a little historical sightseeing and a much-needed dog walk. Although the indoor attractions along the trail are not dog-friendly there is plenty you and your dog can see along the path itself (marked by a red brick line in the sidewalk and street) as it winds its way through the city.
Walking the Freedom Trail is a great way to acclimate yourself to Boston and its history, passing by 16 locations (including churches, meeting houses, burial grounds and more) which have been critical to the history and the beginnings of the United States.
When you arrive in the North End don’t forget to reward yourself with a cannoli from Mike’s Pastry and a treat for your pup from Polka Dog Bakery!
Boston Common
Dogs (and people) love parks, it’s a fact. So why not head to the oldest city park (full of beautiful green lawns and pathways) in the United States? In most of its 50 acres dogs need to be on leash, but there are areas designated where your dog can be off leash. If you are looking for more history and things to do make sure to check out the carousel, ponds (with all the cute ducks) and statues. I highly recommend picking up a coffee before you head over and be prepared for all of the zoomies!
Explore the cutest neighborhoods of Beacon Hill and the Back Bay
Boston doesn’t get any more quintessentially New England than in the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill and the Back Bay. From cobblestone streets to picturesque (and envy-worthy) architecture the neighborhoods are dotted with cute boutiques, row houses and independent shops – many of which have biscuits and bowls of fresh water for your pup. Plus, make sure you have your phone or camera handy because there are allll of the photo ops.
The Rose Kennedy Greenway
If you want more greenspace time with your pup head over to this 15-acre, 1.5-mile park, which stretches from the North End to Chinatown – it’s a great way to get from one side of Boston to the other, and when you need a little break make sure you hit up one of the food trucks along the way.
Explore the Charles River
During the warmer months this is the spot to be for rowing, canoeing, paddleboarding, kayaking and more – and many of those activities happen to also be dog-friendly! With seven locations spread around the area, Paddle Boston warmly welcomes dogs on its boats (and paddleboards), which is the perfect way (in my opinion) to explore any sort of city waterway! You can choose to go out on your own or book one of their tours to see the sunset or city lights.
Get in more water time in the Harbor
If you want to spend more time on the water taking in all the views with your pup look no further than Boston Harbor City Cruises. They have multiple cruising options (including a Historic Sightseeing Tour, Sea the Stars cruise, ferries and whale watching), allowing you explore Boston Harbor with your furry friend. If you are trying to stick to a budget, then check out the ferry line which runs between downtown Boston and Charlestown’s Navy Yard – there’s also a seasonal Salem Ferry as well! Tip: Don’t forget to bring a doggy life jacket!
Harvard Campus & Cambridge
There is something about Ivy League campuses that make me feel calm (and sometimes even smarter). Another bonus is that they are notoriously dog friendly and the perfect place for an afternoon walk and/or picnic – Harvard is no exception. From the paths winding through the historical buildings, to the open greenspaces, Harvard is a great place to take your dog for a walk.
After walking through and hanging out on campus make your way into the town of Cambridge, which we found was super dog-friendly – many of the shops allow pups inside and there are patios galore which allow dogs.
North End Walking Tour
When it comes to history and yummy Italian food, the North End is a must-see neighborhood. Due to the lack of space, many of the restaurant patios are not dog-friendly but there are a handful that are including Pauli’s and The Daily Catch.
Many of the sites on the Freedom Trail are also located in the North End, including Paul Revere’s House and the Mall with his statue and the Old North Church. The thing about the North End is if you are visiting on a weekend make sure you get up and get out early to walk around and explore. This area of town is part of the oldest, so the streets and sidewalks get super crowded (even in this time post-Corona).
Spend a day in Boston’s South End
The South End of Boston is the dog-friendly spot in town! There are multiple dog parks, dog-friendly patios, and many shops that allow you to bring your dog inside with you. Every week the SoWa Open Market (also dog-friendly) features over 200 artisans and vendors, across food, art and music, as well as some vendors that offer pet products and homemade treats. The market runs every Sunday from May through October.
Ride the T
Boston’s public transit – more affectionately known as the T – allows dogs (on leash and not in a seat) at all times except rush hour, which is definitely not common for major cities and a huge bonus!
This is the efficient and cost-effective way (it will only cost you a few dollars) to get around town. To ride the T – all the way from Harvard to the Harbor – you’ll need to purchase a CharlieCard or Ticket.
Places you can eat with your pet
The first indication that a restaurant may be pet-friendly is whether or not they have a patio. Now, every restaurant with a patio is not going to be dog-friendly, but luckily for us dog parents many of Boston’s restaurants throughout the city are dog-friendly! Below are some of my favorites.
**As always when traveling with your pup, make sure you call ahead to verify the dog-friendliness of the patios below, because you never know when policies can change!
Tatte Bakery
This spot (there are multiple locations throughout the city) is probably one of my favorite places to get coffee, pastries and just food in general. Everything I’ve had from Tatte is super delicious no matter what time of day, the interior is gorgeous and super Instagrammable and no matter what location you’re at (both inside and out) you’ll feel as though you have been transported to Europe.
Night Shift Brewing
Their 30,000 square foot location in Everett has the pet-friendly patio (make sure you’re not at the Boston location), and they host a weekly Paws + Pints event when all proceeds go to a local pet rescue.
87 Santilli Hwy, Everett
The Automatic Food & Drink
If you are all about taking a little step back in time this is the perfect place. The vinyl soundtrack playing in the background as you sip on classic cocktails and bar snacks is the perfect laidback Cambridge vibes.
50 Hampshire St., Cambridge
Bar Boulud
If you want more European vibes and food in your life look no further than this Back Bay bistro. The chef is one of the most revered French chefs in the U.S., and surprisingly the bistro is one of the most pet-friendly locations in town.
776 Boylston St., Boston
Area Four
Eat pizza like the president does (in either Boston or Cambridge). Obama himself stopped into Area Four for a slice on a previous visit to Boston and both locations have dog-friendly decks.
500 Technology Sq., Cambridge and 264 East Berkeley St., Boston
Coppa
If you’ve been in the South End taking in all of the sites and activities with your pup then it makes sense to have dinner at Coppa. The Italian enoteca, known for their delicious small plates, has a small patio that is dog-friendly and includes water for your fur baby. Just prepare yourself for all of the begging puppy eyes when your food arrives.
253 Shawmut Ave., Boston
The Friendly Toast
With a name like this you know that it would be included in my recommendations! It’s the perfect place to have breakfast for dinner (which is a perfect meal invention if I do say so myself), with the Back Bay and Cambridge locations both welcoming pets.
1 Kendall Square, Cambridge and 35 Stanhope St., Boston
J.P. Licks
Before I even left to head to Boston this place came highly recommended by my Boston dog parent friends! They are known for their house-roasted coffee and unique flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt (including Gingersnap Molasses and The Grinch’s Candy Cane in the winter, and Apple Crisp during the Fall), oat milk-based vegan options and dog-friendly treats (and bandanas) all throughout the city.
Have you traveled with your pet before? Let me know in the comments if you have any other great dog-friendly locations in the Boston area we should check out!