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Exploring Pet-Friendly Philadelphia

By: Author Paris Permenter

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Rittenhouse Square in pet-friendly Philadelphia

Rittenhouse Square is more popular with sunbathers, readers, families, artists and even dogs than city founder William Penn ever could have imagined. The park sits in one of the Philadelphia’s toniest neighborhoods, aptly named Rittenhouse.
Credit: Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia™

Today we are off on the first of our “staycations” this week, hitting the road with Irie and Tiki…so we wanted to share a special guest post with you from Visit Philadelphia!

Pet lovers are crazy about their animal companions and spend $61 billion a year in the U.S. on pet services and accouterments to prove it. For those who love to spoil their pet but hate to leave him behind while traveling, pet-friendly Philadelphia proves to be the “purr-fect” getaway. Pet-friendly hotels, restaurants and retail shops welcome visitors and their animals in all sections of the city and its suburbs. With canine-friendly parks to VIP (Very Important Pet) hotel programs, it’s easy to bring furry friends along for the ride. Here’s how:

Four-“Bone” Hotels

  • At the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, dogs or cats weighing 15 pounds or less can bed down for the night at no extra charge. The hotel provides homemade dog treats at check-in and offers bowls, pet beds and even high-end bottled water. The hotel’s location offers ample dog-walking space and grass for pets and their people to enjoy along the museum-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Pets should not be left unattended. 1 Logan Square, (215) 963-1500, fourseasons.com/philadelphia
  • Pet lovers can stay at Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Philadelphia at no extra charge for their furry friends. Plus, there is no limit on the number of pets, as well as no restrictions on their size or weight. Food bowls, beds and leashes are also provided. 433 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-2111, monaco-philadelphia.com
  • Another Kimpton, the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia welcomes pets of all kinds, with no limit on size or weight. Animals are offered a VIP amenity upon arrival, bowls and beds in the room, as well as leashes and plastic bags. Pet sitting, walking and grooming services can be arranged via the Department of Pet Relations; the staff can also offer advice about nearby parks and pet-friendly dining. 117 S. 17th Street,  (215) 563-5006, hotelpalomar-philadelphia.com
  • Animals get the royal treatment at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel with its Loews Loves Pets program and VIP menu of services, as well as treats upon check-in. Not only does the hotel provide dogs and cats with loaner beds, bowls, litter boxes, leashes and collars, but they also offer a map of dog-walking routes, veterinarians, pet shops and other resources. The cost is $35 per reservation (two pets maximum per room), with pet-friendly rooms located on the sixth and seventh floors. Pet walking and sitting services are available for an extra fee. 1200 Market Street, (215) 627-1200, loewshotels.com/philadelphia  
  • The Residence Inn Center City welcomes pets, with no size or weight restrictions; however, the property does require that owners keep pets leashed while on the premises. Guests must pay a $250 non-refundable fee to cover the cost of an outside cleaning service. 11 N. Juniper Street, (215) 557-0005, marriott.com
  • At The Rittenhouse, pets of all shapes and sizes are invited to stay, and they receive water, food bowls and treats upon arrival. A $150 nonrefundable pet fee applies. While pets cannot be left unattended, the concierge is happy to make arrangements for a sitter for $15 per hour for one pet, $24 per hour for two. 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, (215) 546-9000, rittenhousehotel.com
  • Dogs can put on the ritz at The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, where pups under 30 pounds make themselves right at home for a non-refundable fee of $250 per pet, per reservation. The hotel asks guests to provide advance notice that a pet will be joining them on their trip. And, while on the premises, animals must be accompanied by their human companions at all times. 10 Avenue of the Arts, (215) 523-8000, ritzcarlton.com
  • The Sheraton Society Hill Hotel welcomes dogs weighing less than 40 pounds at no extra charge and simply asks that guests sign a waiver stating that the dog will not be left alone. Conveniently located close to walking paths along the Delaware River, the property offers Suite Sleeper dog beds. 2nd & Walnut Streets, (215) 238-6000, sheratonsocietyhillhotel.com
  • The Sofitel Philadelphia stays true to its French roots by welcoming pets to stay for no additional fee. Pet amenities like bowls, beds, treats and a room-service pet menu are also available. There is a policy of no more than two pets per room. 120 S. 17th Street, (215) 569-8300, sofitel.com
  • The Westin Philadelphia welcomes canine companions as long as the pet weighs 40 pounds or less. A $50 non-refundable fee and signed waiver are required. Dogs are not allowed in the room unattended when housekeepers are cleaning. Dog pillows and doggy bowls provided upon check-in. 99 S. 17th Street, (215) 563-1600, westin.com
  • Delaware County’s Brandywine River Hotel welcomes dogs in pet-friendly rooms for a $25-per-dog-per-night fee for those 20 pounds or lighter and a $45 fee for bigger pooches. Dogs must be crated when guests are not in the room. Route 1, Chadds Ford, (610) 388-1200, brandywineriverhotel.com
  • In Montgomery County, the Comfort Inn and Suites Pottstown is an award-winning hotel where pets can stay for a $20 (plus tax) charge per pet, per night as long as they’re crated while unattended in the room. 99 Robinson Street, Pottstown, (610) 326-5000, pottstownci.com

Chow Time

  • Fork, High Street on Market and Continental Restaurant and Martini Bar are just three of the many Old City neighborhood restaurants with outdoor seating open to leashed pets. Fork, 306 Market Street, (215) 625-9425, forkrestaurant.com; High Street on Market, 308 Market Street, (215) 625-0988, highstreetonmarket.com; Continental, 138 Market Street, (215) 923-6069, continentalmartinibar.com
  • At Rouge, right across from dog-friendly Rittenhouse Square, four-legged friends enjoy bowls of water and treats, while their human companions indulge in upscale bistro fare, including one of the best burgers in town. 205 S. 18th Street, (215) 732-6622, rouge98.com  
  • There’s room for more than just students in University City, home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. Pet owners can dine outside atthe White Dog Café and score a bowl of water for their pooch.3420 Sansom Street, (215) 386-9224, whitedog.com
  • Along happening East Passyunk Avenue, South Philly’s own restaurant row, the Italian eatery Paradiso Restaurant and Wine Bar and sushi spot Izumi offer outdoor seating and provide tableside water bowls for pets. Paradiso, 1627 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 271-2066, paradisophilly.com; Izumi, 1601 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 271-1222, izumiphilly.com
  • In leafy Fairmount Park, heaven for dogs and humans alike, the Valley Green Inn is a way station for dog walkers, bikers and pet owners, with plenty of outdoor seating available.
    Water bowls are available for dogs. Valley Green & Wissahickon Road, (215) 247-1730, valleygreeninn.com
  • In Manayunk, just west of Center City, dogs and their owners are always strolling along Main Street, lined with chic cafes, upscale boutiques and funky galleries. Jake’s and Cooper’s Wine Bar, Winnie’s Le Bus Manayunk and Derek’s are just three of the local eateries that provide a range of casual cuisine and bowls of water for Fido. Jake’s and Cooper’s, 4365-67 Main Street, (215) 483-0444, jakesrestaurant.com; Winnie’s Le Bus, 4266 Main Street,
    (215) 487-2663, lebusmanayunk.com; Derek’s, 4411 Main Street, (215) 483-9400, dereksrestaurant.com
  • At West Chester’s Teca, pets are welcome to belly up to the water bowl outside along busy Gay Street while owners enjoy tasty Italian fare. 38 E. Gay Street, West Chester, (610) 738-8244, tecawc.com

See Spot Sparkle

  • Bonejour Pet Supply & Dog Wash in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood caters to dogs and cats of all kinds. The boutique features healthy treats and chews, high-quality toys and a wall full of fashions for Spot and Fluffy. The shop carries a slew of far more practical items too, including collars, harnesses, leashes and carrying cases, along with natural and holistic foods and remedies. Pet bathing services come full-service or at a do-it-yourself station. 53 N. 3rd Street, (215) 574-1225, bonejourpetsupply.com
  • Northern Liberties’ Chic Petique draws those who truly want to spoil their pets “from the inside out,” as its focus is on natural foods and remedies. Shoppers find comfy beds, bowls, carrying cases, toys, leashes, collars and pet snacks shaped like pizza, sushi, meatloaf and other human foods. And, for the truly pet-obsessed, Chic Petique sells a large selection of pet fashions. 1040 N. 2nd Street, Unit 401, (215) 238-0981, facebook.com/chicpetiquephilly
  • A nonprofit offshoot of Chic Petique, Street Tails Animal Rescue is a dog adoption center. Also on-site: Thrift for Tails, Philly’s first second-hand pet shop, stocks gently used pet items and benefitting the rescue. 1030 N. 2nd Street, Unit 401, (267) 761-9496, streettails.org
  • With six locations around town, Doggie Style proves that pet-loving is good business. The shops provide high-quality products and services for pets, plus grooming services and pet adoptions. 315 Market Street, (215) 923-4333; 1032 Pine Street, (215) 545-4100; 1635 Spruce Street,(215) 545-5900; 604 S. 2nd Street, (215) 278-2275, 2101 South Street, (267) 687-8051; 1700 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 271-5200; doggiestylepets.com
  • For eco-friendly pet shampoos and coat treatments, owners head to Duross & Langel, a vegan soap maker in Philadelphia’s Washington Square West neighborhood. 117 S. 13th Street, (215) 592-7627, durossandlangel.com
  • In Bucks County, visitors to New Hope can take their pups with them to Jake and Elwood’s pet boutique to shop for a variety of pet supplies, stylish clothing and food. 122 S. Main Street, New Hope, (215) 862-2533
  • Concord Pet Foods & Supplies has been serving Chester County pets and their owners for more than 30 years. Carrying 40 brands of premium pet foods, as well as beds, toys and crates, the store prides itself on having “everything your pet needs.” Paoli Village Shoppes, 43 Paoli Plaza, Paoli, (610) 647-1811; 642 Lancaster Avenue, Frazer, (610) 644-6767; 2062 Newark Road, West Grove, (610) 869-8828; 804 E. Market Street, West Chester, (610) 701-9111; Commons at Thornbury, 62 E. Street Road, West Chester, (610) 399-0124,
  • Buzzy’s Bow Wow Meow in Montgomery County specializes in all-natural pet food and eco-friendly toys and bedding. Buzzy’s works with area shelters for dog and cat adoptions and houses cats in need of homes on-site. 701 Montgomery Avenue, Narberth, (610) 617-3300.

Pooch Play:

  • Rittenhouse Square is where all the downtown dogs go to sniff and be seen. Sunbathers, picnickers and pups share the lawn space in peace. 18th & Walnut Streets
  • The Schuylkill River Park Dog Run, is constructed from K9 grass, a revolutionary turf made specifically for dogs, and boasts small and large runs with frost-free water fountains and separate entrances. Along 25th Street between Locust & Delancey Streets, phillyfido.org
  • The Front & Chestnut Dog Park (also known as I-95 Park) is enclosed with short fences and attracts some informal romping. Front & Chestnut Streets
  • Between the Washington Square West and Bella Vista neighborhoods, Seger Dog Park is a smaller dog park and completely enclosed. 11th Street between Lombard & South Streets (entrance is on the Rodman Street side of the park), segerdogpark.org
  • In Manayunk, the two-mile towpath along the canal is ideal for dog walking. There are numerous access points along Main Street, including Canal Park, Lock Street, Rector Street and Green Lane.
  • Chester County is known for its open spaces, including French Creek State Park, nearly 7,800 acres of well-marked hiking trails (35 miles of trails within the creek alone), campgrounds and two lakes—truly a canine paradise. Leashed dogs are also welcome at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, a restored iron plantation with 848 acres of hiking trails and paths. French Creek, 843 Park Road, Elverson, (610) 582-9680,dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/frenchcreek; Hopewell Furnace, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, (610) 582-8773, nps.gov/hofu
  • In Delaware County, dogs on leashes can roam throughout the Haverford College campus, a beautiful setting with nature trails and a duck pond, while Smedley Park encompasses 120 pet-friendly acres of nature trials and picnic areas. Haverford College, 370 W. Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, (610) 896-1000, haverford.edu; Smedley Park, Paper Mill Road & Baltimore Pike, Springfield, (610) 891-4463,
  • Leashed pets are welcome at Valley Forge National Historical Park, a 3,500-acre park (with 30 miles of trails) that was home to Washington’s winter encampment in 1777. Washington and his troops first visited the site of Fort Washington State Park, where walking paths and a 3.5-mile hiking trail are open to leashed pets. Pet waste disposal stations are located throughout both parks. Valley Forge, N. Gulph Road & Route 23, Valley Forge, (610) 783-1000, nps.gov/vafo; Fort Washington, 500 S. Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, (215) 591-5250, dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/fortwashington/

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