Well hopefully this week’s snow is the last. It’s about our third winter, and that’s enough for us here at Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies. We are hugely looking forward to the days where we are not constantly cleaning up muddy paw prints, warming up shivering pet parents, and all in all just spending more time collecting some vitamin D from the sun.
Here’s to hoping spring is here! We’re going to go through some of the best places in Ann Arbor, Michigan to take your dog. If you read on, you can learn about some dog-inclusive places and activities, or at least just locales that will let your dog hang out with you while you handle your business! Be on the lookout next week as we will cover one for Chelsea, Michigan as well. As always, feel free to pick our brains at your local Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies stores in Ann Arbor (2270 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103) or Chelsea (1192 S. Main St, Chelsea, MI, 48118). Each of our knowledgeable sales associates will have their own favorite places as well!
Hotels
Interested in a staycation, or just need to get out of the house for a while after you’ve been stuck in it for our annual 6 month winter? We get it. Check out the Red Roof PLUS+ in northern Ann Arbor. Obviously it’s pet friendly - two pets of any size are welcome for no additional fee. Pets cannot be left unattended in rooms. As far as hotels go, this is one of the best places for pets in Ann Arbor.
Rooms in The Red Roof PLUS+
The hotel is located at 3621 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 and has mostly good reviews, with a 3.7/5 with over 500 reviews. Rooms are (currently) starting at only $56/night, so this is a pretty good economical option in the Ann Arbor area.
Like the idea of a staycation, but not a Red Roof? Understandable - check out some local Airbnb’s, and add some of these activities and destinations to make your stay even more memorable.
Activities
There are tons of beautiful parks around Ann Arbor. If you feel like exploring on a sunny day, you can spend hours grilling at Gallup, or get lost in the wooded paths at the Arb for a day. Hard to go wrong with either of those options. But as far as dog-specific activities go, take a look at these two dog parks.
Swift Run is located at 2998 E Ellsworth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, US, 48108. It has separate sections for large and small dogs and is pretty massive. The only downside is that it can sometimes be muddy - but the upside is that there is plenty of room for all dogs, and as soon as the weather clears this place gets pretty crowded. It’s a good place for your pup to wear him or herself out before dinner.
For another option on the other side of town, check out Olson dog park at 1551 Dhu Varren Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, US, 48105. Can’t speak highly enough about this place - lots of friendly people and dogs year round, and surely more to come in the spring!
It’s worth mentioning both dog parks require dog tag park permits. Without permits dog owners can be fined and are held liable if their dog injured another dog. These permits also help keep the park clean, and make sure owners have given proper vaccinations to their pets so they don’t get others sick, and permits waive the liability if a fight occurs. For further information on requiring an off-leash dog permit from the City of Ann Arbor, please click HERE.
These four areas are definitely some of the best places for your dog in Ann Arbor…but how about some places that are great for you and allow your pup?
Restaurants
Without a doubt one of the best places for pets in Ann Arbor is Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, located at 120 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI, US, 48104. This local restaurant has a wealth of delicious food items for dogs AND their humans. Check out the dog specific menu and it’s easy to imagine your dog drooling over some of those dishes. They’ll also give your dog a water bowl to help with that! Dogs are allowed outside on the sidewalk, which during the summer will probably have a handful of other dogs there, including many more that will walk by. If your dog isn’t so great with other dogs, this may not be one of the best places to take them! Just a forewarning.
We also have to make mention of Homes Brewery. Located at 2321 Jackson Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, Homes has delicious menu of Asian-influenced street food, a rotating selection of unique beers, and most importantly a large outdoor patio area that’s dog friendly. As long as your dog is leashed, well-behaved, and attended to by you (the owner), you might even get the chance to be featured on their Instagram page, Dogs of Homes.
You can also check out Arbor Brewing Company just a few blocks over at 114 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI, US, 48104. They also have outside seating that is dog friendly and they’ll provide some water and a doggie bowl, but they don’t have a dog-specific menu to feed your fur family. As your dog prospers in the shade with some water, you can enjoy a selection of a few dozen crafted brews from this locally-owned and -operated restaurant, as well as a generous food selection at good prices.
All in all, you’ll find that most restaurants with outdoor seating are pet friendly - but Grizzly Peak seems pretty unique due to their menu.
We’d love to ask YOU what your opinion is on best places for pets in Ann Arbor. Got something to add to the list? Something we missed? A different opinion? We’d love to hear it!
Stay tuned for our review of Chelsea’s locations next week!