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Adoption

Places to Take Your Foster Dog

The “meet cute” is what every modern romantic yearns for. It’s a combination of the perfect vibe and the right person that turns a chance encounter into the start of a wonderful relationship. At Atlanta Humane, we believe that our adoptable dogs deserve a good meet cute, too—to find their forever homes! Here are our top dog-friendly places to take your foster dog for an adventure, some enrichment, and to find love.

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Hikes

  • The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area has over 66 miles of wooded trails that spans Smyrna to Lake Lanier, and most parking areas have dog waste stations in case you forget your poop bag. The trails at Vickery Creek in Roswell are an area favorite. Once you are done with your hike, your dog can splash around in the creek!
  • Panola Mountain State Park and Arabia Mountain are connected sites about 20 miles east of Atlanta. Arabia has over 30 miles of flat, paved trails with entrances along the path to hiking trails. Some of these lead over to Panola Mountain, where you can take a leisurely walk by the lake.
  • Over on the west side of the city, the Cascade Springs Nature Preserve is a 125-acre park and one of the oldest forests in the city. If you have a pup who doesn’t like loud noises, this is a tranquil place to walk.

Parks

  • Woofstock Park in Woodstock has everything a dog can want at a park. There are enclosed areas for both large and small breeds as well as shade structures and water fountains. If your foster pup isn’t dog friendly, you can walk over to the Noonday Creek Trail instead. Some trails even lead to downtown Woodstock, where you can stop off for lunch or a beer at a local brewery.
  • If you are looking for a doggie version of Six Flags, the Newtown Dream Dog Park in Johns Creek is your park. Even though it is a smaller park, it has hoops, tunnels, sprinklers, and a spraying hydrant in addition to a short walking trail.
  • Southwest of the city, Canine Crossing is a dog park within a larger city park. Two separate dog enclosures, water areas, and shelters can all be found here, and the dog park is adjacent to a community garden and playground.

Breweries

  • Moon Dog Growlers loves dogs so much, it’s in their name. They encourage pups to visit and even let them in the building. And although it’s not a proper brewery, they have over 40 drinks on tap.
  • Over in Sandy Springs, Pontoon Brewing has a dog-friendly tap room. Their outdoor area is huge and covered with large trees to keep you and your pup cool.
  • Reformation Brewery has locations in Woodstock, Canton, and Smyrna. Their Woodstock location has a huge, wood chipped outdoor area to hang out with your pup and often holds local adoption events.

Outdoor Restaurants

  • Lucky’s Burger and Brew describes their restaurants as a place for dog-loving folks, and the restaurant was named for the owner’s dog, Lucky. All three locations in Roswell, Brookhaven, and Marietta are about as dog friendly as you can get!
  • Found in areas like malls that don’t normally cater to dog lovers, Lazy Dog Restaurants has three locations that welcome dogs on their large patios. They even offer a dog menu!
  • Heading to the lake with your pup? Pig Tales at Lake Lanier is located in the Aqualand marina, which is accessible for both boats and cars. They have a large, covered deck area that welcomes all well-behaved dogs.

 

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Hikes

  • Tucked in the Atlanta neighborhoods of Morningside-Lenox Park, the Morningside Nature Preserve is a hidden gem for dog lovers. Not only does the park have a few miles of hiking, there’s also a sandy shore along the South Fork Peachtree Creek to play in the water.
  • Paces Mill Park and West Palisades Trail is part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, which has over 66 miles of wooded trails that spans Smyrna to Lake Lanier, and most parking areas have dog waste stations in case you forget your poop bag. This is a scenic hike that offers some of the river’s best views in the city.
  • The Freedom Park Trail is a great place to start off a walk with your dog since the options of where to go next are endless. Feeling like a long stroll through the city? You can follow the 18 miles of the Stone Mountain Trail. Or maybe a quiet stroll around the park? The 1.4-mile trail ends at Freedom Park, which has paved trails and immaculate green space. How about some shopping and dining? You can walk right over to the Eastside Trail of the Atlanta Beltline.

Parks

  • Not only is Piedmont Park one of the best city parks in the nation, it boasts some of the best dog parks. There are separate enclosed spaces for small and large dogs as well as weekend concessions that include dog popsicles.
  • Sumner Park is a large, wooded community park in East Point with lots of trees and green space. It’s also home to the East Point Dog Park, which has multiple fenced areas, a gazebo for shade, and a small agility course.
  • Over east in Brookhaven, Skyland Park is a fun place to take your pup. It’s a small park next to a school with a walking path and an enclosed area with wood chips.

Breweries

  • Boasting a huge dog-friendly patio right next to the Beltline, New Realm Brewing is a great place to grab a beer, hang out with friends, and listen to music.
  • Over on the westside, Scofflaw Brewery is a family-friendly place to hang out and it has a huge dog-friendly patio.
  • A small, artisan brewery located in Chamblee, Contrast Artisan Ales has a patio where dogs are welcome. They offer some beers you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

Outdoor Restaurants

  • Over in the Old Fourth Ward, Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall is an outdoor-oriented restaurant perfect for dogs. With tons of wood-chipped outdoor seating, you can hang out and relax with your pup. It’s also right on the Beltline so you can go for a nice walk after your meal.
  • The Family Dog off North Highland is a sports bar with a large dog-friendly patio. Filled with large-screen TVs, you can watch the big game on the patio with your furry friend.
  • A little south of the city in Benteen Park, the folks at Reds Beer Garden love dogs – both hot dogs and furry dogs! Their large outdoor beer garden is a fenced area that feels like you are relaxing in a big back yard.

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