It’s easy to find a pet-friendly hotel or restaurant in Sarasota County, as the area is home to a wide range of options, from beachside resorts to casual eateries.
Sarasota has something for every kind of dog owner, whether you and your pet are the outdoorsy adventuring type or if your furry friend is more of a spoiled pampered pooch who prefers the finer things in life.
Wet noses and sandy paws are always welcome in Sarasota because we think the finest vacations are the ones you can have with your closest friend.
Can I Bring My Pet with Me in Sarasota FL?
Sure, you can do that in Sarasota! While you’re here, both you and your pup can enjoy a wide variety of dog-friendly activities. While in Sarasota FL, you and your travel companions can enjoy a wide variety of activities together, from popular dog parks to dining and drinking to exploring wildlife parks and hiking trails — just remember to pack some water and waste disposal bags.
Red Bug Slough Preserve
Red Bug Slough Preserve | Playgrounds | Sarasota County, FL
This 72-acre park is one of Sarasota’s best-kept secrets, and it’s only a 10-minute drive from Burns Square. It’s like finding a hidden gem of old Florida in the middle of the suburbs, with magnificent animal trails, a butterfly garden, and a fantastic fishing dock. Dogs need to be kept on leashes at all times because of the rich biodiversity in the region.
Parking, a picnic area, restrooms, and a small playground are all provided.
Celery Fields
Birdwatchers flock to this marsh since it is considered among the finest in all of Sarasota County. From Burns Square, it’s roughly a 20-minute drive.
Small and large dogs are welcome here; however, they must be kept on a leash at all times to protect the area’s bird population. You may get some fantastic views from the top of the 60-foot hill at this walking destination.
For those seeking a greater challenge, there are other longer trails. Sunset is the best time to see it!
Fishing, picnicking, and using the toilets are all free options at this park.
Florida’s Myakka River State Park
About 30 minutes away from Burns Square, the beautiful 37,000-acre park of Myakka offers a plethora of pathways for a day of outdoor fun. The Myakka River winds its way through the park’s varied terrain of wetland, prairie, and pine forest.
Genuine Sunshine State fun awaits you! Most of the park’s pathways are dog friendly, provided that owners keep their pets on a leash no more than 6 feet in length.
Please keep your dog on a leash at all times when at the park, as there are a variety of animals, such as alligators and snakes, that could cause harm to an unrestrained pet but would be fascinating to watch from a safe distance.
There is lots of parking, a café, restrooms, and a gift store at the park. Costs range from $4 to $6 per vehicle, and the park requests that visitors pay with exact change.
Brohard Paw Park
Brohard Paw Park (Venice) – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Despite being the only dog-friendly beach in the area, Brohard Paw Park is still worth the 40-minute trip. This dog beach has a fenced area where dogs can play and have a bath before heading to the off-leash beach area.
Free parking, water fountains for both dogs and humans, dog showers, fire hydrants, leash posts, and benches may all be found here.
17th Street Paw Park
In this large park, your pet can really let off some steam. There is lots of shade provided by pavilions and trees, and fountains may be seen throughout.
Additionally, there are picnic tables and a small doggy obstacle course with ramps and platforms available for use at this dog-friendly park. The Street Paw Park is accessible from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and is located just ten minutes from Burns Square.
Arlington Paw Park
This repurposed baseball field is conveniently placed close to Arlington Paw Park, making it an ideal rest stop before or after a stroll in the grassy park with your pet on a leash. Water is available in both the small and large dog sections.
There are a few trees around the outside, but otherwise, your pet will need to be kept cool and their playtime shortened throughout the warmer months. It’s convenient to have access to local bathrooms. From Burns Square, it’s only a 10-minute drive to the Arlington park.
Venetian Waterway Park
Venetian Waterway Park/SellMobileHome
Connected to both the Legacy Trail and Caspersen Beach, Venice’s Venetian Waterway Park is a popular destination. A leashed dog is acceptable on the 10-mile paved trail through the waterway park, but keep in mind that the tarmac can get quite hot on sunny days.
Some of the parks are built up, but the trails along the Intracoastal Waterway are serene and rural, and you might see an alligator, a gopher turtle, or a native Florida scrub jay.
Lago Street and Lakeview Paw Park
Located about 20 minutes away from Burns Square, this dog park is shady and cool. There is a water station at the entrance, as well as seats and picnic tables where you may take a break while watching your dog play.
The nearest restrooms are conveniently located. This dog park is just next to Lakeview Park, where you and your pet may enjoy a stroll together while on a leash.
Canine Club at Gillespie Park
Gillespie Park | Parks & Facilities | Sarasota Parks and Rec
This dog park has two gated sections for pets and is located near the basketball courts at the intersection of North Osprey Avenue and 10th Street. Gillespie Park, named after Sarasota’s first mayor, John Hamilton Gillespie, a Scotsman, now includes a dog park with a dog club.
The park also features a pond, outdoor fitness areas, three tennis courts, a fitness trail, and tables. Outside of the dog park, leashed pets are welcome.
Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park Sarasota – Sarasota, FL
From Burns Square, a trip to this lovely Park will only take you five minutes. The park is completely on the lake and is fully shaded. As you stroll along, take in the sights of the marinas and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins. O’Leary’s Tiki Bar is a dog-friendly tiki bar located in the park alongside the playground, bathrooms, splash pad, and splash zone.
Payne Park
Payne Park Village in Sarasota
From Burns Square, you can reach Payne Park in a quick 5-minute drive or 20-minute stroll. The park features a shady path, numerous trees, some gentle hills, and a lake. A drinking fountain is located next to the main entrance. The park has a large playground, a skate park, bathrooms, disc golf, delicious food and drinks.
Bird Key Park
From Burns Square, Bird Key Park is a quick 10-minute drive across the lake. It’s a terrific place to fish and watch the sunset, and it even allows small and large dogs as long as they’re kept on a leash. Facilities consist of a public bathroom and two pavilions with picnic tables.
Outdoor seating is available at many Sarasota bars, and dogs are welcome. This list compiles some of our preferred alternatives to traditional sidewalk cafes.
O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill
O’LEARY’S TIKI BAR & GRILL, Sarasota
This is the only place in downtown Sarasota where you can get a drink on the beach; plus, it’s near Bayfront Park, where you and your dog can enjoy a nice stroll. Seafood and standard bar fare are available, along with some uniquely Floridian touches like fried alligator bites, in addition to beer, wine, and cocktails.
Mandeville Beer Garden
Located in the heart of downtown Sarasota FL, this beer garden welcomes both humans and their four-legged friends. Over eighty beers are available for immediate consumption, and many more are available in bottles and cans. Standard pub fare, including burgers, salads, and more, can be found on the restaurant’s menu.
JDubs
JDub’s Brewing Company
Leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor space behind this popular local brewery. Giant Jenga, cornhole, 4-in-a-row, and other board games, as well as other activities, make this a great spot to spend a day.
Big Top Brewing Company
This is yet another brewery in the region, and it has a huge backyard with plenty of games, including a giant beer pong table. A back area is available for customers to bring their leashed pets. It’s likely that you’ll discover a beverage that suits your interests among the 18 or more beers and ciders they have on tap.
Sarasota is flush with cafes and eateries that welcome dogs because of the city’s pleasant climate and the prevalence of outside dining. There are far too many to name individually, so we will stick to discussing our favorite haunts around Burn’s Square. If you need any further recommendations, don’t hesitate to get in contact with them.
The Fountain
The Fountain
Here in the basement of our vacation rental building is an Italian restaurant with a wine bar. They claim to serve the best pizza in all of downtown Sarasota FL; take their word for it and give it a try! Dogs are permitted on the patio’s covered seating area.
Burns Court Café
The sidewalk seating area, of the historic burns court, of this lovely European-style café is dog-friendly. There are plenty of umbrellas to keep your dog cool, and water dishes are available if your pet needs them. Daily live music complements the extensive beer and wine list and brunch, lunch, and dinner options.
Owen’s Fish Camp
Most diners may expect to wait between 30 minutes and an hour to get a table at this Burn’s Square staple. They have won awards for their seafood dishes and the restaurant’s laid-back, homey vibe. The terrace is pet-friendly, but timid animals shouldn’t be brought here because they can feel uncomfortable in the crowd.
Amore
Amore Restaurant
Fresh Start Café
Israeli-inspired breakfast, lunch, and baked goods are available at this café. Their frittatas and other egg dishes are legendary. The shaded patio is pet-friendly.
Savor the Dog-Friendly Atmosphere of Sarasota
The finest hotels, eateries, dog parks, tours, dog beaches, and doggie spas in Sarasota are all at your fingertips. So, take your four-legged pal with you and have some fun in this pet-friendly place.
Remember that Sarasota FL, has a lot of sunshine, especially in the summer. The pavement will be too hot for your pet’s paws if it’s too hot for your own, so bring a portable water bowl and some water for your pet, just in case.
As one can clearly see, there are several fun areas for you and your pets to enjoy the Sunshine throughout the greater Sarasota area! From restaurants to beaches and everything in between Sarasota Florida is a prime place for you and your furry friends to enjoy all that the city has to offer! This is Mark Kaiser with The Mobile Home Dealer and we help mobile home Buyers and Sellers get to a better place in life.
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