Chicago, United States
Dog Friendly Chicago
Where To Walk, Eat And Stay With Your Dog In Chicago
Chicago gives dogs an eighteen-mile lakefront to run and a string of great parks to work through, then warms them up in a patio city that takes dogs seriously. Lincoln Park runs the length of the North Side, Montrose Dog Beach is a proper off-leash stretch of Lake Michigan, and the 606 carries you clean across the Northwest Side on an old elevated rail line. This is our working guide: where to walk, where to eat, and the certified hotels that genuinely welcome them.
Where to walk
Dog Friendly Parks, Trails and Walks in Chicago
The lakefront parks, trails and dog beaches Chicagoans actually use. Tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
Lincoln Park
Lakefront's great park, North Side. Bring the lead and give the dog a good stretch in the Chicago air.
Grant Park
The city's front yard, Downtown, and a favourite with Chicago dog owners for an hour out on four legs.
Montrose Dog Beach
Off-leash lake beach, Uptown, easy to reach and good for a leg-stretch before or after the day's plans.
The 606
Elevated rail trail, Northwest Side, and a favourite with Chicago dog owners for an hour out on four legs.
Millennium Park
Downtown green, The Loop. Bring the lead and give the dog a good stretch in the Chicago air.
Humboldt Park
West Side park & lagoon, Humboldt Park. Bring the lead and give the dog a good stretch in the Chicago air.
Where to eat and drink
Dog Friendly Restaurants, Bars and Cafes in Chicago
Not just tolerated under the table, genuinely welcome: a water bowl, a spot by the fire, and no eyebrow raised when you walk in with a dog.
Carbon
A Bridgeport restaurant that keeps a proper welcome for dogs, worth a stop for a meal in Chicago.
Flo & Santos
Restaurant in South Loop, and reliably dog friendly, a go-to in Chicago when you have the dog with you.
La Palapa
A McKinley Park restaurant that genuinely welcomes dogs, an easy spot for a meal with the dog alongside.
First Draft
Bar in South Loop, and reliably dog friendly, a go-to in Chicago when you have the dog with you.
Philz Coffee
Cafe in Hyde Park, and reliably dog friendly, a go-to in Chicago when you have the dog with you.
Jackalope Coffee & Tea House
One of Chicago's dependable dog friendly cafes, in Bridgeport and glad to see a dog through the door.
Cody's Public House
A pub in Chicago where the dog is part of the plan, not left outside while you have a drink.
PB&J: Pizza Beer and Jukebox
A genuinely dog friendly pizzeria, a handy Chicago stop for a meal when the dog is with you.
Erie Cafe
A dog friendly cafe in Chicago, an easy spot for a coffee with the dog right beside you.
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Where to stay
The Best Dog Friendly Hotels In Chicago
Every hotel here has been inspected and ranked against the Dog Friendly Standard. No pay to play, no vague pet friendly badge, just the ones that earned their place, best first.
The full Chicago dog friendly city guide from the Roch Society goes deeper, with the best day trips, dog friendly services and the local rules worth knowing before you go.
Read the full Chicago guide →Dog Friendly Chicago · Good To Know
Is Chicago a good city to visit with a dog?
Chicago is a genuinely dog friendly city, with lakefront paths, two dog beaches and a big patio and brewery scene. Dogs can ride the CTA in a carrier, and many restaurants welcome them on outdoor terraces. The main things to plan around are the enclosed-carrier transit rule and the extremes of a lakeside summer and winter.
Can I take my dog on the CTA in Chicago?
Dogs are welcome on CTA trains and buses, but they must be fully enclosed in a carrier for the whole journey, whatever their size. The carrier has to fit on your lap or under the seat and must not block aisles or seats. Only assistance dogs may travel uncarried.
Are there off-leash dog beaches in Chicago?
Yes, Chicago has two dog beaches, Montrose Dog Beach and Belmont Harbor Beach, both with off-leash areas. Montrose is the largest at nearly four acres and hugely popular in summer. You will need a Dog Friendly Area permit tag to use them.
What is a DFA tag and do I need one?
A Dog Friendly Area tag is required to enter Chicago's official off-leash parks and beaches, including Montrose. You get one from participating vets with proof of current vaccinations and a city dog licence. It keeps the off-leash areas healthy, so it is worth sorting before you go.
Are dogs allowed in Chicago restaurants and bars?
Most Chicago restaurants and breweries with patios welcome well-behaved, leashed dogs in their outdoor areas. Some, such as Barrio in River North, even offer a dog menu. Indoor dining is generally off limits, so aim for a patio and keep your dog beside your table.
Where can I walk my dog off the lead in Chicago?
Off-leash is limited to designated Dog Friendly Areas such as Montrose Dog Beach and Wiggly Field, the city's first dog park. Everywhere else, including the lakefront trail, dogs must be on a lead. The lakefront and the 606 trail are still excellent for a long on-lead walk.
What dog friendly things can I do in Chicago?
The lakefront trail, Navy Pier's outdoor areas, the Riverwalk and the big parks all make for good days out with a dog. Many outdoor festivals and markets welcome them in the warmer months. Indoor attractions and museums are mostly assistance dogs only.
What are the rules for dogs in Chicago?
Dogs must be on a lead in all public areas unless inside a designated off-leash Dog Friendly Area. You need a city dog licence and must clean up after your dog. The off-leash areas also require the DFA permit tag.