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Dog Activities to do in Vancouver

Having a puppy pal can be great. But when is there to do around the city? What areas are pet friendly and fun? Check out the following four Vancouver dog activities that you can do to spend time together!

1. Go to the Beach:

  • CRAB Park at Portside: You will find this unique park right next to the industrial port downtown. It’s a great spot to watch the massive container ships load and unload while your pup runs around and gets their exercise. Although, this isn’t a place for people to swim, but it is a great spot for dogs.
  • Fraser River Park: In the south-end of Vancouver, along Southwest Marine Drive, this park lies against the Fraser River. Dogs have free reign on the west side of the park and can get in some excellent river swimming.
  • Hadden Park: Sandwiched between Vanier Park and Kitsilano Beach, by the Maritime Museum, this park is the most perfect dog beach. The secluded slice of sand, lined with logs, driftwood and rocks, has great views of downtown and English Bay. Dogs seriously love this park.
  • Trout Lake Park: Out in the east side of the city, in the middle of an urban jungle, is this great little park; a pleasant retreat for people and pets alike. Fortunately for pets, the freshwater lake is closed to human fishies, so dogs rule the water.
  • New Brighton Park: In a slightly random location, by the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge, this park is an unusual combination of green space, industrial facilities and great views of the Burrard Inlet. There are nice beaches and a large amount of off-leash area. There is also plenty of family fun areas, such as the pool and playgrounds.
  • Spanish Banks West: The Spanish Banks are quite far out from the city, but you get a great view downtown and can breathe in so much nature. At the far end of Spanish Banks, past the last concession, you’ll find the dog beach. A great mix of grass, sandy, and rocky and backed by thick forest.
  • Sunset Beach Park: Right under the Burrard Street Bridge, this may be the most urban of Vancouver’s dog beaches. Here, downtown pups can swim in False Creek and play in the sand.

2. See the Dog Friendly Sites

The great thing about Vancouver is that there are so many outdoor activities to engage in. From the mountains, to the beaches, there are so many ways to get a true Vancouver experience on vacation, with your dog by your side. You can check out a guided tour of Historic Gastown (See: Forbidden Vancouver walking tours), check out the Aquabus to Granville Island for quirky local shopping, art, music and food, head over to the Mainstreet Farmer’s Market for local produce and hand-crafted baked goods, or visit the historic Sam Kee building (the thinnest building in the World.). Here are a few more things to check out in the area:

  • Hell's Gate Airtram -BOSTON BAR, FRASER VALLEY 43111 Trans Canada Hwy, 52 kms north of Hope, BC. Pets must be on leash. Pets are not allowed anywhere that food is served.
  • Burnaby Central Railway -BURNABY Confederation Park, 120 North Willingdon Avenue. Miniature railway rides and railway museum. Pets must be on leash. Please clean up after your dog.
  • Twilight Drive-In -LANGLEY 260th Street & Fraser Highway Open February to November. Pets must be on leash. Please clean up after your dog. Management reserves rights to refuse any animal.
  • Capilano Suspension Bridge -NORTH VANCOUVER 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver Open year-round. Pets must be on a short leash and under control.
  • Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre -NORTH VANCOUVER Located in Lynn Canyon Park at the end of Peters Road in North Vancouver. Natural history museum and temperate rainforest with trails. Dogs may be off leash but under control on trails south of Twin Falls Bridge. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome in the Ecology Centre, but no other dogs are.

3. Take a Hike

Many people who come to Vancouver do so with the anticipation of getting outside and experience the vast amount of nature that this city has to offer. Luckily, there are so many hikes that you can take your dog on with you! There is a variety of Dog Friendly Hikes in Vancouver with different difficulty levels and lengths! Another option is to head up to Whistler, only a 2 hour drive from Vancouver, it is a perfect getaway for you and your pup! Get outside and enjoy Beautiful B.C. this summer!

4. Good Eats for Pups & People

Vancouverites love food. There are so many restaurants here in the city and what’s even better is a lot of them are “dog friendly”. Side note: Vancouver has a lot of strict laws, like dogs cannot go in places that serve food. A fair rule for food safe, but that doesn’t stop dogs from being allowed on patios! Here is a list of some of the best places that you can bring your dog to eat:

  • Score on Davie Street: Score’s street-side patio is incredibly ideal for West Enders to bring their dogs and tie them up to the fence while they eat in the sun. Also, there is an endless supply of ice cold water for each dog (and owners).
  • Peckinpah – Gastown: Literally salivating just thinking about Peckinpah’s locally sourced Carolina-style BBQ... Peckinpah’s owners welcome dogs to be tied up on its street-side patio, where you’ll see lots of neighbourhood customers digging into a plate of ribs with their dogs beside them in the summer.
  • JJ Bean – Yaletown: If you’re feeling in the mood for a caffeinated pick me up, JJ Bean in Yaletown has a big coffee patio in the heart of the neighbourhood frequently haunted by dog lovers. Foodie Erin Ireland claims this as one of her favourite dog-friendly neighbourhood hangouts.
  • Local: With two awesome locations in Kitsilano and Gastown, Local is a great place to grab a bite to eat with your dog in tow. Both places offer a dog-friendly area where they provide water and you can tie your pooch up. While your dog relaxes, you can grab one of their many cocktails.
  • Wicklow Pub: Smack dab on the False Creek seawall, guests can enjoy the upper-floor patio while their four-legged pals bask on the adjacent extended patio, which has a water bowl and umbrellas to keep the little guys dry on rainy days.
  • Burgoo on Main: Burgoo, location in Mount Pleasant, features numerous patio tables with room for your dogs.
  • Tap and Barrel: Located beside the main (and massive) patio for dogs to chill while their owners enjoy a beverage or two. Water bowls and dog treats are available mass quantity. Finally, it’s also just across the street from the Bone & Bowl, one of the most stylist pet stores in town.

Reviews of Vancouver Dog Activities The best part of living in Vancouver is wide range of activities that you can do with your dog!