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From annual dog-friendly summer events to gardens that welcome dogs year-round, following are a few of the dog friendly botanical gardens from coast to coast where you and your dog can literally stop and smell the roses.

It’s been said that “Friendship is like a beautiful garden. The more you put into it, the more it grows.” Pet parents can nurture both their love of nature and their love for their furry family members with a visit to a botanical garden.

Botanical Gardens That Welcome Dogs All Year

NOTE: Dogs admitted to any botanical garden must remain on a leash at all times and be up to date on their vaccinations. Always plan pee stops away from displays and always scoop the poop. Check the website of the venue you plan to visit for any additional restrictions.

Dothan Area Botanical Gardens, Dothan, Alabama

An online map shows paths that pet parents and pooches can take at the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens that will lead them to a a virtual bouquet of floral beauty in such areas as the Azalea Garden, the Camellia Garden, the Hydrangea Garden, the Rose Garden and other areas of interest on the 50 acre landscape.

• Located at 5130 Headland Avenue in Dothan, Alabama.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara, California

Stemming from a love for dogs, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden not only offers and annual day of play for pups (Trail ‘n’ Tails, seen in the section above), but also the opportunity throughout the year for pups to stroll through the rain garden, the Campbell Trail, the Woodland Trail and other areas.

• Located at 1212 Mission Canyon Road in Santa Barbara, California.

Heathcote Botanical Gardens, Fort Pierce, Florida

Canines can contemplate the meaning of life in the peace of the Reflection Garden, wonder at the beauty of the Community Garden and much more at Heathcote Botanical Gardens.

• Located at 201 Savannah Road in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Naples Botanical Garden, Naples, Florida

Floridian Fidos can take a vacation around the globe without ever leaving the comfort of the Naples Botanical Garden.

Our buddies who bark can enjoy the beauty of bamboo and banyan trees in the Lea Asian Garden, the “Wood’s Blue Goddess” water lily in the Kapnick Brazilian Garden, swaying palm trees in the Kapnick Caribbean Garden and plants from The Sunshine State in the Florida Garden.

The Naples Botanical Garden is open to dogs only during designated Dog Walk Hours; be sure to check the website for hours and days, and to download the Dogs in the Garden waiver form.

Dogs are not allowed in the Smith’s Children’s Garden, Berger Shop in the Garden or in Fogg Cafe.

• The Naples Botanical Garden is located at 4820 Bayshore Drive in Naples, Florida.

Pittsburgh Botanical Garden, Oakdale, Pennsylvania

At the Pittsburgh Botanical Garden, our tail-wagging chums can traverse the trails that meander past a Dogwood Meadow, Woodland Gardens, a Japanese Garden, a Garden of the Five Senses and much more.

Located at 799 Pinkerton Run Road in Oakdale, Pennsylvania.

Zilker Botanical Gardens , Austin, Texas

Known as one of the most Fido-friendly cities in the United States, Austin’s Zilker Botanical Gardens invites two-and four-legged fans of floral finery to enjoy a profusion of petals throughout the year. (I’m also very familiar with this Austin garden since it is the closest dog friendly botanical garden near me.)

The 26-acre haven includes a Herb and Fragrance Garden, the Mabel Davis Rose Garden, the Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden, the Hartman Prehistoric Garden (above) and more.

• Located at 2220 Barton Springs Road in Austin, Texas.

Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk, Virginia

At Norfolk Botanical Garden, Sundays all year long are fun days for our furry friends.

Your dog can sniff 20 different species of hydrangea in a 1.5-acre garden devoted to the flower; pups and pet parents can feast their eyes on artistically arranged plants, fruits and vegetables in the Potager Kitchen Garden.

Tail-waggers can take a stroll among the calla lilies and hosta that bloom each summer in the Statuary Vista, a home to a series of 19th century statues carved from Carrera marble; and sunflowers and gayfeathers will greet two-and four-legged visitors at the Four Seasons Garden and Wildflower Meadow.

Restrictions: Dogs are not allowed access to the Children’s Garden or the Butterfly House or on trams or boats.

• The Norfolk Botanical Garden is located at 6700 Azalea Garden Road in Norfolk, Virginia.

Event-Only Dog-Friendly Botanical Gardens

While the above botanical gardens welcome dogs year around, either daily or on particular days of the week, the botanical gardens below welcome dogs only during designated dog-friendly events. As always, be sure to check with the garden directly for current policies and dates.

Tucson Botanical Garden, Tucscon, Arizona

Watch as your canine companion’s interest in flowers blossoms at Tucson Botanical Garden, which features Dog Days of Summer every day from June through the end of September.

Part of the gardens’ Summer Oasis Series, pups can admire the pretty petals of a plethora of flowers for a $3 pet visit dog admission fee.

Dog memberships, which are also available for $20, include unlimited daily visits throughout the summer months, a canine membership card with a ring to attach to your dog’s collar, and a discount $10 fee for each additional dog member.

• The Tucson Botanical Garden is located at 2150 North Alvernon Way in Tucson.

San Antonio Botanical Garden, San Antonio, Texas

In April, you and your canine companion are invited to cultivate a love for floral finery at the San Antonio Botanical Garden during Walk and Wag Market Day. The day features vendors and fun–but dogs must leave the gardens by noon and are not allowed into The Zachary Foundation Culinary Garden, the Family Adventure Garden or the Children’s Vegetable Garden.

Can’t make it to the spring event? You won’t be in the dog house with your flower-loving four-legged friend, as the gardens’ next dog-friendly event takes place every December for the Deck the Paws Parade.

• The San Antonio Botanical Garden is located at 555 Funston Place in San Antonio.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, Virginia

From pop classics to R&B and jazz riffs, families and their fur babies can enjoy toe-tapping and tail-wagging tunes performed at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden during Fidos after 5.

Part of the Flowers After 5 series, leashed dogs can visit the various gardens within a 50-acre area deemed one of the top 10 botanical gardens in the nation.

Along with welcoming dogs during select summer dates, on certain winter dates dogs can celebrate the holiday season at the venue during GardenFest for Fidos.

• The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is located at 1800 Lakeside Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.

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