Dog Friendly Fredericton: Sit, Stay, Play!
Our 4-legged friends are part of the family, right?! So of course, they should get to enjoy vacation too.
Fredericton is a dog-friendly city where you will find water bowls and treats at many of our local business’s such as taprooms, patios, parks, trails, restaurants, shops, accommodations and even one of our art galleries welcomes your 4-legged family members in for a visit! Looking for where to sit, stay and play with your pup in Fredericton? We have you covered.
We all know a tired dog is a happy dog! Fredericton is blessed with an extensive trail system, over 120 km of riverside trails to explore, including some pretty sweet trails within Killarney Lake and Odell Park. Killarney Lake features a trail system that winds around the lake, a perfect way to escape the summer heat among the trees. Odell Park is a 300-acre oasis located in the middle of the city. An amazing place to walk, run, or have a picnic with your pooch. As is the case with most public areas, dogs must be leashed. To help plan your route, you can check out the Fredericton Trail Map.
Great views all around! Fredericton’s newest drinks & munchie spot is the Lighthouse by 540 (you can’t miss this spot…look for the Lighthouse downtown near the boat launch). The spacious deck that overlooks the gorgeous St John River is enough to get your pup excited! Have a drink from their craft beer menu, pair it with some tasty food, and take in the scenery. Your dog will be treated with a much needed drink! (water, of course!)
There’s nothing better to do in summer then relaxing on a patio with a refreshing beverage and your pup. The best place to start is at one of our Fredericton taprooms.Fredericton Taproom Trail showcases 11 local taprooms that dot both sides of the Saint John River. Most of these taprooms are pet friendly and welcome you and your dog to hang out on their patio for a cold one. A good rule of thumb in case you aren’t sure: always call ahead.
Did you say “fetch”? Picaroons Roundhouse came up with a cute and unique idea for your pooch, a “Stick Library”, with the idea of “fetch one, leave one” modelling this concept after the mobile libraries that you’ve seen around the city. It’s a great way for your puppers to be involved in their own social time!
IF your dog is like most, they LOVE playing and being near the water! Second Nature Outdoors have canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards for rent and they’d love to see your furry co-pilots! Note that while they allow pets in canoes, please be prepared to provide a PFD for your pet.
If you are looking for that perfect Insta photo of Fido, Fredericton offers a wide array of spectacular backdrops. Explore our historic downtown, from brick buildings in the Historic Garrison District to the amazing wall art on Queen & York Street; the grandeur of historic homes along Waterloo Row, the public arts pieces (over 30!) that span both sides of the majestic Saint John River, not to mention the many National Historic Sites including famous churches and last but not least, the oldest City Hall still in use in the Maritimes.
If camping is more your style, then feel free to bring along your furry companion as most provincial and national parks allow dogs to camp out with their owners, provided they are on a leash – the dog, that is! We recommend checking out Mactaquac Provincial Park, a short 20-minute drive from downtown Fredericton. In addition to camping facilities this park features numerous walking trails and the beautiful Mactaquac Head Pond – perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.
Hartt Island RV Resort (10 min from city centre) is great for families, with a large water park, mini golf, and it just so happens to be right on the Fredericton Trail system. About 20 minutes from city centre is Durham Bridge RV Resort. Situated on the lovely Nashwaak River with lots of cool activities for the whole family!
If your dog needs a little time off-leash, a good place to do that is at one of the City’s two dog parks, the Cityview Dog Park on Fredericton’s North Side, or Knowledge Park Dog Park on the South Side. It’s a great way for your pup to chase after a ball or play frisbee. About 15 minutes from downtown you’ll find the Hanwell Recreation Park. This park offers 3 varied loops, the longest of which is 4.5 km. Designated areas will notify dog owners as to where dogs can be off-leash, but if you are unsure as to whether to do this, err on the side of caution and keep your furry friend on a leash.
On a hot summer day even dogs enjoy a cool treat! Check out places like Queen Street Creamery’s Ice Cream Truck with their “Pup Scoops” or the Shake Shed Freddy’s “Pup Shakes” – your dog will be grateful, I promise!
Planning your vacation to the capital city? We have some awesome “Stay and Play” hotel packages, many of which are pet-friendly! For more great ideas on how to #ExploreFredericton visit our website.
Did we miss your favourite spot? Tell us were you love hanging out with your pup!
