Roam: Exploration for you and your pup in Phoenix

Ah, lovely warm Phoenix—Arizona’s capital city has so much to offer dogs and their owners. An unusual landscape provides refreshing terrain to traverse, the food scene is heavily centered around that chef driven quirky theme we all love, and an enormous list of hotels are totally cool with your pet tagging along.

Play

From Cave Creek Regional Park to Long Dog Wash Trail, this Arizona destination houses multiple outdoor opportunities. Now you have to figure out how to fit all the sites into your time frame!

• White Tank Mountain Regional Park is full of extensive trails and panoramic views, perfect for a day’s hike or camping. But the cactus-filled, desertous trails can prove to be daunting at times. Waterfall Canyon Trail is ideal for those bringing along furry companions, as it’s not terribly long, and has some fun obstacles and historical features, like ancient rock writings, along the way.

• Steele Indian School Park offers off leash areas so your pup can really stretch their legs. Not overly filled with frills, there’s plenty of turf and even adorably shaped concrete areas. Essentials like drinking fountains and solar lights are just enough extras for a simple day outside.

• Cosmo Dog Park houses a lovely lake among the 17 acres of the well-kept park—regular maintenance keeps this place in prime shape. Situated with numerous lights, it can be used at night, and washing stations, pet disposal facilities, agility playgrounds and four fenced areas are all part of the perks.

_Note:_According to Visit Phoenix, your pup must stay leashed while on any city trail, and cannot roam about at all if temperatures soar above 100 degrees—this is for their safety.

Eat

Many restaurants allow dogs to come hang on the patio, but these places offer a little something extra.

• Salute Kitchen Bar, you had us at “dog adoption events”. Every third Thursday, adoptable buddies are brought to the restaurant for one big adorable event. Bring along your own pup as well, because the patio is pet friendly, and the two of you can enjoy tapas, bruschetta and cocktails. Who knows, you might even fall in love and leave with a new addition to the family.

• Pedal Haus Brewery allows dogs to join their owners for excellent pub food, from Bavarian pretzels, burgers to ribeye topped mac and cheese. The menu is extensive while also featuring healthier options like their Haus Salad. But let’s face it, we really want the fish and chips with garlic herb fries.

• O.H.S.O in Arcadia makes dog biscuits from recycled beer grains, which are initially used to make an impressive array of beer selections. Come for the Beer Brunch and try the Fruity Pebble French Toast with lemon mascarpone and fresh berries—a massive brew comes on the side. Enjoy the canal views with your best friend on the patio.

Morning Squeeze, a great brunch and lunch spot in Phoenix, has a ‘Tail Waggers” section on the menu featuring gravy doused dog treats and mouthwatering scrambles. Humans can indulge in an extensive selection of waffles, omelets, burgers, salads, all prepped in a refreshing artisan way.

Stay

Arizona houses a whopping 221 dog welcoming hotels—you’ll have no trouble finding something that suites both of your needs.

• La Quinta Inn & Suites Phoenix Chandler does not require a pet fee and is overall quite accepting of pups of all shapes and sizes. Rooms are basic and clean, being generally consistent with the brand. We all love to generally know what to expect before arriving at a hotel. Also, on the lower end of the price spectrum, there’s a free breakfast too.

• Sheraton Grand Phoenix lets dogs under 80 pounds bunk for free in their swanky digs. Have two dogs? Combined they still have to stay under 80 pounds. Upon arrival, you’ll be set up with mats, food bowls, a cushy pet bed and waste bags. Outside, you’ll find sidewalks for walking your pup on leash.

• Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort is simply stunning, with expansive pools with water features and lush surrounding foliage. An extra fee is required, but this is an incredible option with onsite dining, poolside service, a spa and many ultimate vacation essentials.

The land of infinite sunshine is calling your name, so pack your bags and escape the frigid temps this season. What better way to spend some time with your dog, than visiting the intriguing region in which Phoenix lies?

Karyn Wofford is a “Mom” to her fluffy, sweet dog Halli. She spends much of her time traveling and advocating for Type 1 diabetes—and Halli sometimes accompanies her on her adventures. You’ll find Karyn’s work on sites like Mother Earth Living, and in magazines such as Diabetes Forecast.