With spring and summer quickly approaching, more and more pet owners will be taking advantage of the nice weather with their furry friend in tow. From dog parks and walking trails to pet friendly patios and stores, the metro Atlanta area is home to several pet friendly neighborhoods ready to welcome both you and Fido.

North Fulton

The North Fulton area is filled with top-of-the-line dog parks and unique doggy destinations. Located in Johns Creek’s Newtown Park, Newtown Dream Dog Park serves as one of the top dog parks in the country. This doggy dreamland offers a one-acre park featuring artificial turf, benches, sprinklers obstacle courses, water stations and a series of walking trails. For even more puppy play, head on over to Waggy World Paw Park in Alpharetta. Situated behind the Alpharetta Community Center, Waggy World Paw Park features a beautiful 1.5-acre fenced-in park with three separate play areas: one for small dogs, one for large dogs and a bonus park that accommodates both. In addition to the dog park, visitors also have access to several paved trails throughout Wills Park for on-leash exploration. In fact, most of the trail systems throughout North Fulton are pet-friendly, including the Big Creek Greenway and the Roswell Riverwalk. For a bit of pampering, Perk-N-Pooch in Sandy Springs serves double duty as a pet groomer and coffee café.

Decatur

The northeast suburb of Decatur is quickly becoming an incredibly dog-friendly destination. The town itself is home to several dog parks including Adair Glenlake Dog Park and the popular Oakhurst Dog Park, which offers a clean and shaded wooded area with an open field for off-leash play. Along with dog parks, Decatur also boasts the highest walk score in the state with over 60 miles of walkable sidewalks. The low-traffic residential streets offer a perfect place for quick neighborhood walks or leisurely strolls through downtown. While downtown, pet owners can take advantage of the ample green space and several pet-friendly shops and restaurants. Leon’s Full Service, located in the middle of downtown, was even recognized for having one of the most pet-friendly patios in Atlanta!

Cumming

The City of Cumming is a “Gateway to Leisure Living” for both pet owners and man’s best friend with a variety of parks and outdoor activities. Fowler Park, the largest park in Forsyth County, includes fun for everyone with its playground, recreation fields, picnic pavilions and, of course, a very popular dog park. Fowler Park Dog Park is divided in two sections and provides plenty of shady areas and park benches. The park also offers easy access to a variety of walking trails, as well as the Big Creek Greenway. Further north, Sawnee Mountain Preserve offers a series of scenic hiking trails for picturesque on-leash walks, while the nearby Lake Lanier provides several surrounding beaches and parks for water-loving pups to splash and play.

Marietta

Atlanta’s largest suburb is also one of the most pet-friendly cities. The charming Marietta Square offers numerous restaurants and breweries with pet-friendly outdoor gathering spaces, as well as pet-friendly community events. Bordering the city, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park serves as a favorite destination for locals to hit the trails with their pup or play fetch in one of the park’s open fields. Local dog parks, including Lewis Dog Park and Sweat Mountain Dog Park, provide separate, fully fenced play areas for pets to mingle.

Woodstock

When walking through Woodstock’s quickly growing downtown area, be on the lookout for the “Dog Friendly Woodstock” sticker in the windows. Not only can pet owners walk around town with their furry friend, but they can also be welcomed inside several local shops and on the patio of some the city’s popular restaurants and breweries. Reformation Brewery is known for its pup-friendly outdoor area and even has an Instagram page showcasing its four-legged regulars. For some more outdoor fun, Woofstock Park offers an off-leash experience with separate large and small breed areas. The park includes shade structures, restrooms, benches, fountains and a trailhead connection to Noonday Creek Trail and Town Lake Pass Trail, which offer numerous trails for walks.

Intown Atlanta

Like most major cities, Atlanta has a multitude of places where pets are welcomed. Piedmont Park has its own off-leash dog park in the middle of town, offering three acres of play space and frequent events for both pups and their owners. One of the newest and most popular dog spots in town, Fetch is the city’s first full-service dog park bar. Now, you can socialize with friends, watch TVs or tailgate for sporting events and just hang out for hours in this fun setting with your pup in tow! And of course, you can’t go more than five steps anywhere on the Atlanta BeltLine without running into a furry friend of some kind. Popular intown destinations and events, including tours of Oakland Cemetery, as well as hiking in the Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area or participating in one of the many dog-friendly walks and races around town, are all things you enjoy doing with your best furry friend in Atlanta!

These are just a few of the top doggie destinations in Atlanta, but we know there are many more. If we didn’t include your neighborhood in our list, visit BringFido.com for top more information on pet-friendly places throughout metro Atlanta. Also, connect with us on Facebook or Instagram, or leave a reply below, to let us know where you and your pooch love to hang out in Atlanta!