10 Dog-Friendly Destinations in the Texas Hill Country

5. Dining with Your Dog

Photo: Freeimage/Eduardo Valerio

Many chain restaurants in the Hill Country are dog-friendly as well many local eateries with outdoor patios.

P. Terry’s on South Lamar is not only dog-friendly, but they also have doggy treats for your bone-loving buddy! Angel’s Icehouse in Marble Falls encourages your furry family to order off the dog menu.

Most Chipotle restaurants welcome your pup at their outside tables, as does The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Third Base Sports Bars, Tropical Smoothie Cafes, and Jason’s Delis.

Almost anywhere in Hill Country with an outdoor patio will allow your well-behaved and leashed dog to dine with you and your family. A quick check on each restaurant’s website will clarify if, and where, you can bring your sweet pooch.

6. Dog Parks, the Places to Go Bark-Wild

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Many “people parks” also allow for leashed pets, as well as off-leash animals. Parks designed specifically for man’s best friend can be beneficial for socialization, exercise, and general merriment for the whole family!

Off-leash dog areas can be fenced or unfenced. If unfenced, your dog should be within your verbal control and within your eye site. In Austin, there are quite a few such places for pooches to play; Bull Creek District Dog Park, Emma Long Metropolitan Park, Far West, Northeast District Park, and Shoal Creek Greenbelt. Outside of the city, many parks in surrounding Hill Country towns allow dogs to accompany you on your outdoor adventures.

For fully fenced fun, there are fantastic options around the Hill Country. Norwood Estate Dog Park in Austin is a large, well-shaded park and includes an area for smaller pups. Cedar Park is home to a five-acre park with three separately fenced play areas, a natural pond and features, and doggie showers. West Austin Park and Wading Pool is on the smaller side, however, it’s just the right size for humans to take a seat and still keep an eye on their playing pups.

7. Bring Your Pup to Golf and Shop!

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In addition to parks, dog parks, restaurants and bars, there are still more places to bring your furry friend for a day of fun!

The Domain and the Hill Country Galleria are upscale shopping destinations that welcome dogs. The pups are allowed in all of the common areas, and most of the individual shops. Exercise your dog while getting some retail therapy!

Laguna Gloria located in Austin is a historically significant location for an accomplished art school and outdoor sculpture garden. The emphasis is on education and appreciation of art at this beautiful location. Strolling the majestic grounds of Laguna Gloria with your dog is sure to have a calming influence on the whole family.

After shopping and finding some artistic treasures, explore your athletic side at Top Golf with your favorite furry teammate! The restaurant, bars, and driving areas all welcome your pooch to help lower the team’s handicap!

At the end of all these adventures, it’s time to unwind and relax with “yoga with your best friend” at Austin Doga. Improve your connection with your favorite pet, while you destress after all that shopping, art walking, and golf.

8. More Than a Day’s Destination, Fredricksburg!

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A top destination in the Hill Country for all kinds of visitors is Fredricksburg, Texas. In the heart of the Hill Country, Fredricksburg is host to a large variety of wineries, eateries, retail stores, luxurious lodging, and much more. This quaint German town also prides itself on being very dog-friendly!

Wine tours are a popular way to spend the afternoon in this Hill Country destination, and there are two wineries that welcome Fido as well! Becker Vineyards and Chisholm Trail Winery appreciate that the best pairing for a great day involves a glass of Tempranillo and a wagging tail. After visiting the vineyards, enjoy some local fare at several dog-friendly restaurants. Altdorf, Auslander, Hondo’s on Main, and Oval Oven (at Chisholm Trail) all welcome your doggy dining companion. Dogologie, a dog’s Disneyland, is a terrific shop on Main Street full of all things canine. From food to home decor to fresh snacks, this store has it all for your furry family member.

9. Resources to Plan Your Dog Day

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There are many helpful websites that aid in planning the perfect day with your pooch. Here are some of the sites with dog-friendly destination information: hillcountryoutdoorguide.com, dogtipper.com, bringfido.com, hikewithyourdog.com, and dogfriendly.com.

Questions about specific locations are best answered on the destination’s website or by calling the individual location.

10. Don’t Have a Pooch to Play? Adopt Today!

Photo: Elona Schreiner

There are countless amazing organizations to help you find your forever friend. Adoption centers also encourage fostering and volunteering at their facilities. A simple internet search can pull up the centers near you that best fit your needs. There are specific organizations for veterans, lovers of mixed breeds, large dogs, small dogs, etc. Adoption is a way to save that animal’s life and to help the center continue to serve other animals in need in your community.