Pet Friendly Activities in KC

Fun Things to Do with Your Dog in Kansas City

Do you enjoy long walks on beautiful trails? Good food? Music? We bet your human does too. That’s why we have put together this list of dog friendly places in Kansas City for you and your two-legged companion. You can enjoy a leisurely walk through one of the many dog parks in KC, grab a bite at a dog friendly restaurant in Kansas City, or even take your paw-ty pal to one of the many breweries and taprooms to unwind. 

Dog Friendly Parks and Trails

From short jaunts to long hikes, there are a lot of pawsome trails for dogs in Kansas City for you to stretch your legs. You can take your people on a charming urban stroll on the Trolley Trail through Brookside and Waldo neighborhoods with multiple friendly cafés, coffeehouses, and restaurants along the way, or get rugged with the 27.5 miles of multi-use trails at Lake Jacomo, trekking through deep woods, limestone bluffs and lakeside views where you can paws & reflect. When it heats up, you can also enjoy the Blue River Parkway trail which includes some shallow river crossings you can splash through before leading to some semi-difficult trails you can use to get your humans boundless energy out. Want an easy afternoon outing? Try the Hidden Valley Park trail, a 3-mile main trail with optional offshoots to extend your outing. 

Are you looking for paw-portunities to socialize with other pups? There is no shortage of great dog parks in Kansas City. Check out the Swope Park Off Leash Dog Park, part of the Swope Park area. You can enjoy some time at the park, then treat your human with activities at the adjacent park area, which is totally pet-friendly, which includes summer concerts and festivals. If you’re also into paw-kour and want to support a good cause, check out the Wayside Waifs Bark Park, an off-leash park that includes agility equipment, water fountains for both you and your people, time-out kennels if you need a break from the other dogs.  Access to the park park does require a membership, which grants you 24/7 access with a keycard so you can get out and enjoy the park on your schedule. All proceeds go to support Wayside Waifs local shelter operations. Kansas City Parks & Recreation also operations the Waggin’Trail Off Leash Dog Park which has agility equipment, tunnel runs and a walking trail. 

There are a lot more fetch-tastic outdoor dog parks in Kansas City and the surrounding area.

Dog Friendly Restaurants and Cafes

As a melting pot, Kansas City has a large food scene, from breweries, restaurants, food trucks and festivals. There are a lot of dog friendly restaurants in Kansas City to get your tail wagging. You can refresh yourself while your people enjoy a drink at places like Casual Animal Brewing Company and Border Brewing Company which have both indoor and outdoor seating (Individual restaurant policies about inside dining with pets may differ.) or the classic KC Bier Co. Grab a sweet treat the Mixed Mutt Creamery, which makes both dog and people friendly ice-cream. For coffee-lovers you can check out Thou Mayest. 

Looking for a bone-fide all in out outing for you and your humans? Check out Dog Park at CITYDOGs KC which offers a dog park under a bridge with plenty of shade and an ever changing line-up of local food trucks to tickle the senses. Another great option is the Bar K Dog Bar, a dog-friendly park and bar on the shore of the mighty Missouri River. Both attractions require day-passes and proof of vaccinations to keep everyone safe and happy.

Dog Friendly Shopping Centers & Tourist Attractions

KC is not just about parks and cafes; it also boasts several dog friendly places in Kansas City for you to enjoy a wide range of activities. Pack a picnic and enjoy some art on the expansive lawn of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, enjoy a unique get-away while feeling like a celebrity with a pup-erazzi following at the Kansas City Photography  Shoot, an Airbnb experience takes you on a guided photo-shoot tour of some of the best scenes in KC while snapping pictures of you and your people. Looking for an adventure that will also keep your human entertained? Check out the Kansas City Scavenger Hunt: Fountains, Fun, and Hidden Finds, an app-led scavenger hunt through Kansas City landmarks that can be completed in one go or broken down into smaller outings to keep the fun going. 

What Are the Best Places to Visit in Kansas City with My Dog?

Beyond the well-known parks and cafes, there are plenty of fun places to take dogs near me that might not be on your radar. When it comes to shopping, check out places like The Shops of Prairie Village which includes mutts-have shops for you to enjoy like On The Ball where you can get pampered with a paw-dicure or use a convenient self-serve bathing bay, Hollywood Feed and Scratch Gourmet Kitchen or you can meander through Brookdside, Waldo, The Country Club Plaza home to the mutts-have Three Dog Bakery (Be careful, these treats smell so good your person may be tempted!) and Zona Rosa, there are several great places to grab a bite with outdoor seating so you can people watch while your people eat. There’s also the unique Iron District a shopping district made of shipping containers or the West Bottom Flats (Leash required.) where you can help your bestie sniff out something unique at one of the antique shops and vintage stores. 

There are additional events such as Wayside Waifs Strutt With Your Mutt, holiday themed dog friendly events in Kansas City include Santa Paws Holiday Mart and Howl-O-Ween. Join other home-run hounds at Bark At The Park with the Kansas City Royals at the historic Kauffman Stadium.

Plan Your Next Dog-Friendly Adventure in Kansas City

Now that you know how many fun places to take dogs in Kansas City, planning your next adventure is as easy as a walk-in the park. Be prepared by packing a doggie bag including a portable pet water bottle, collapsible food bowls with lids, waste bags and pet-friendly wipes. Before you head out to one of the many awesome dog friendly attractions in Kansas City, consider stopping by Chipman Road Animal Clinic for a quick vet check to ensure your dog is ready for their next big adventure. Visit our website for more tips on dog friendly Kansas City activities and to book an appointment.