artstuff

"The Gates" are coming.....

We would like to do a day trip to NYC to see The Gates in Central Park, and are planning on taking our dog, IGY, with us. He travels with us constantly, is use to crowds and is very people and dog friendly. IGY is a standard size (20 pounds) wirehaired dachshund.

Are there any "doggie" activities that we can take IGY to while we are in the city - upper west side/central park area - ie. doggie play park?

Are there any doggie friendly restaurants, where they might not mind IGY sitting with us at an outside table? Any doggie friendly stores?

We really don't want to leave him home by himself, especially since our destination is a park (filled with squirrels!!!)

Any thoughts on travelling with our doggie to NYC would be appreciated. Peace. >-

Robyn

Scarlett

Right next to the Natural History Museum is a great small Dog Park. You take your pup in and let him off his leash and he socializes with the other NY doggies. Everyone is nice, you will end up sitting on a bench and schmoozing with someone who is a dog lover too.
Central Park is doggie heaven, although they have to be on leashes, there are plenty to stop and sniff, nice walks and hills and places to sit and just watch the people and dogs go by..IGY will love it.
There are cafes and places all over Manhattan that are kind to pups and will bring him water and people will stop and talk and pet him...NYC is a doggie kind of town.
Have a great time, just remember, you have to pick up after him, they will fine you if you don't.
He cannot go inside a lot of stores, although Barneys was always welcoming to our Pup, a standard poodle.
Have fun!

Leona

Bloomingdale's allows dogs in the store.

And of course, there's always "Petco, where the pets go"!

HowardR

You're not going to find too many outdoor restaurant tables this time of the year in NYC. And, dogs (except possibly seeing-eye dogs) are not allowed inside restaurants.

HowardR

You're not going to find too many outdoor restaurant tables this time of the year in New York. And, your dog won't be allowed inside a restaurant.

nytraveler

For most of the year this would not be an issue. However, now, all of the outdoor cafes are closed - since who wants to sit outside when the temp is below freezing - also this is too cold for doggy to be out all day unless he is a St. Bernard.

I applaud the sentiment - but think that an all-day plan will not work. Have a look at the Gates, visit the doggy playground (which wil not have too much business at this time of year) and then head home. (If you're hungry you'll need to get takeout somewhere to eat on a bench - doggies are not allowed in any restaurants - or stores selling food - per the Board of Health. (They are not allowd in outdoor cafes either - you get around this by tethering doggy on the sidewalk just outside the cafe.)

bugswife1

Please don't do what I see other people doing - tie your dog up outside while you go inside to eat. I have seen many shifty looking characters eyeing unattended dogs. Just kills me how easily someone could have their beloved pet stolen by being so careless.
Personally, I would leave the dog home. The sidewalks are really crowded, the snow is filthy now, and it will really limit what you can do for the day. Do you have someone who can walk him so you can stick around the city for dinner and not have to rush home?

artstuff

Thank you, everyone, for your responses. I appreciate the concerns for my dog, and dogs in general.

IGY loves to go for walks - we take a 45-60 minute walk daily, even in the cold. He has an assortment of coats to keep him warm and safe (flourescent orange for hunting season). When we walk in town, I am careful not to let him walk on "ice melt" and I always have poopy bags in every pocket ready to clean up after him. I would NEVER leave him unattended - actually, my husband is looking forward to using IGY as an excuse for not having to be dragged through Zabars.

We often drive to a destination to take IGY for a walk (or, is he walking us?) So we thought on a nice day between February 12th and the 27th we would drive in to NYC to take a 1-2 hour walk in the park. We want to enjoy the art of Christo and Frederick Law Olmsted.

Thank you, Scarlett, for info on the doggie park. We will be sure to visit with IGY.

Leona, or anyone, do you have an address for Petco, or any other pet store in town where we can go if we need to warm up?

Peace,
Robyn

nytraveler

There is a sizeable (2 story) Petco on Broadway - the West side - on the corner of I think 90th - within a block or so in either direction.