Portland, Maine is a city with much to explore, from restaurants and retail to beaches, parks, and walking trails. The balance between the great outdoors and an ever-changing city skyline make Portland an excellent destination where visitors can have their cake, and their dog can eat it too.
Portland, Maine is a dog friendly city with numerous hotels and restaurants welcoming dogs to stay, dine, and vacation with owners.
Once you’ve had your fill of Portland’s culinary and cocktail scene, head out for a scenic coastal walk on Portland’s working waterfront, in one of our lush parks, or along the sandy beach. If heading into the city at night, treat yourself to dog-friendly live music performances on patios along the waterfront.
Our Dog-Friendly Portland, Maine guide is all you need for the perfect day with your dog. No great doggie date would be complete without a visit to Portland’s top premier boutique, Uncommon Paws. The most adorable mom-and-pop pet store in the area, Uncommon Paws focuses on pampering your pet. They offer only the best in food, toys, treats, apparel and accessories.
In this blog you’ll find:
- Dog-Friendly Adventures
- Dog-Friendly Dispensaries
- Dog-Friendly Galleries
- Dog-Friendly Dining
- Dog-Friendly Breweries & Tasting Rooms
- Dog-Friendly Hotel Accommodations
- Dog-Friendly Parks & Recreational Areas
Did we miss a great dog-friendly restaurant, retailer, or recreational location? Send us an email at info@portlandoldport.com or DM us on Instagram and let us know about your favorite dog hangs.
Dog Adventures in Portland, Maine
If you’re looking for different ways to spend your days in Portland, a dog adventure may be just what you need. Whether you’re a history buff looking to learn of great battles of Portland, a paddleboarder looking for Zen on the ocean, or a dog owner looking to meet other dog owners – Portland has you covered.
Maine Day Ventures is a real life pick your own adventure, featuring numerous tours to experience true Maine. To learn more about the colorful history of Portland’s past, grab your dog and join Maine Day ventures on any of their walking history tours in the Old Port, and historic West End.
Portland Paddle, launched off of East End Beach, offers visitors multiple ways to get out on the water with their dog. Guests can enjoy guided tours to Fort Gorges, rent kayaks and paddleboards, and even join a paddleboard yoga class. Portland Paddle is a family-friendly adventure, great for kids and dogs!
If you’re looking to explore one of Portland’s many islands with your four legged friend, head to Commercial Street and grab a ticket for a ferry ride from Casco Bay Lines. The closest island, Peak’s Island, is a great place to explore on a walk or rented golf cart. Dog friendly restaurants on the island include The Inn at Peaks, and Jones Landing (see more in the dining section of our blog!).
Thompson’s Point was voted Portland, Maine’s Best of Activity/Entertainment Venue of 2022, hosting numerous community events, outdoor concerts, and even a winter skating rink. Every Thursday in the Summer, Thompson’s Point features Summer Sunsets on the Point including food trucks, libations, lawn games, and activities for kids. Dogs are welcome. Thompson’s Point is approximately 3 miles outside of downtown Portland – while walkable, parking is available.
*For more ways to enjoy the outdoors with your dog, see our parks section further down.
Dog-Friendly Dispensaries
Since the legalization of marijuana in Maine, Portland has seen tremendous growth in both recreational and medical dispensaries. Peppered throughout the city, Portland is a marijuana enthusiast’s paradise. If you’re looking to elevate your day, look no further than these dog-friendly dispensaries.
Dogs always welcome at this 21+ recreational cannabis dispensary! CBD treats and water available to cure the pups cotton mouth. Located at 377 Saint John Street, you and your pup can stop by every day from 10am-8pm.
Don’t let the name fool you, the crew at Meowy Jane love dogs just as much as their feline inspiration. A combination recreation dispensary and boutique in the Old Port, Meowy Jane welcomes dogs to shop with owners for their favorite strain.
Dog-Friendly Galleries
An expert judge of taste, a day with the arts is just what your sophisticated pup may enjoy. In no short supply of fine art galleries, here’s the list of dog-friendly galleries in Greater Portland.
Richard Boyd Art Gallery has always been a dog friendly fine art gallery welcoming leashed dogs accompanied by their owners – some frequent canine art lovers they even know by name! Located just a quick ferry trip out to Peaks Island, the gallery has a water dish outside the entry door during the spring and summer months so canine friends have a place to drink water before they enter or as they leave the gallery.
Dog-Friendly Retail
Because a day spent shopping doesn’t mean your pup has to stay home! Let them join in on all the retail fun when you visit this dog-friendly location in Portland:
Committed to designing sustainable clothes that make you feel good inside and out, Toad & Co. in Portland’s East Bayside features the latest and greatest Toad&Co products, ToadAgain resale items, a curated selection of vintage goods, along with all their favorite third-party brands. Big on enjoying the simple things in life, embracing the silly, and letting go every once in a while, Toad & Co. is the perfect place for you and your pup to let loose and have some fun while shopping!
Dog-Friendly Dining
By the end of May, Portland enters into patio season with over 150 restaurants offering outdoor dining at decks, patios, and parklets. Enjoy the sea air and sunshine with your dog at the below dog-friendly locations.
*it is always recommended you double check with restaurants before you head out as their permissions may change.
Blyth & Burrows
An upscale cocktail bar set in the historic Old Port district with a nautical atmosphere, at Blyth & Burrows can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails and carefully constructed small plates as well as dog-friendly outdoor dining.
Seafood with a view is one of the best attractions of Boone’s Fish House on Portland’s waterfront. Boone’s features two large decks, adorned with brightly colored flowers and greenery, reminding you that peak Portland summer cannot be beat. Better yet, Boone’s welcome’s dogs on their patios. Watch the sun go down from the deck with a cocktail, and your furry companion. Who says dog dates can’t be romantic?
CBG is reminiscent of your dad’s basement back in the 80s and 90s. It’s a laid back spot with a yummy menu of comfort food like pork & potatoes, mac n’ cheese, and very tasty burger. No meal is complete without a signature White Russian. CBG is open late night, serving food until midnight. The best part yet is their outdoor patio with comfy mauve chairs and enough space for your dog to join you!
Who doesn’t love to travel? We know pups do! Well, Cellardoor Winery’s new sidewalk seating will have you feeling as if you and your pup have transported to the bustling and stylish streets of Europe! Stop by for wine tastings, bottle shop, cheese and charcuterie, gifts and more!
With ample outdoor seating, umbrellas for shade, views of the water, and great food, this outdoor restaurant is the perfect spot for you and your pup. In addition to clams, you can expect to find fish & chips, steamers, and lobster rolls, as well as other menu offerings if seafood isn’t your thing. They also have a killer drink line-up with painkillers, strawberry jalapeno margaritas, an oaxacan old fashioned, as well as local beers, wines, and more!
It’s always a vibe at Cocktail Mary, one of Portland’s finest queer owned and operated cocktail bars. Located at the bottom of Munjoy Hill, their outdoor patio is an excellent location for a frozen cocktail and people watching. Grab your best fur friend, and settle in for light noshing and a kiki, honey.
El Rayo is a laid back, surfer-feel taqueria in the heart of downtown. Their menu features bright, fresh flavors in tacos, burritos, and more! On hot days, cool down on the dog-friendly patio with one of their house margaritas, or a Tequila flight.
EVO uses the best in local Maine produce, fish, and meat to create beautiful and flavorful Mediterranean inspired dishes. Their Chef Matt Gin is a 3-time Food Network Chopped Champion. His dishes combine unique flavors inviting to both carnivores and vegetarians. In the summer months, their patio is dog friendly.
Flatbread Company is a family-friendly restaurant serving up delicious pizza pies, salads (named 2022’s Best of Award Winner for Best Salad) and desserts. It is a great location to enjoy their dog-friendly deck before jumping on the Casco Bay Lines for a ferry adventure to one of Portland’s islands.
Forage Market is a wood-fired bakery and café tantalizing the taste buds with some of the best bagels in town. Located on Portland’s newly developed Washington Ave, their outdoor patio is dog-friendly and a treat not to be missed.
The Garden Café – Portland Regency Hotel and Spa
Open during only the summer months, the Garden is a staff favorite for indulging in sunny Portland afternoons outside. The Garden offers fresh seafood, sandwiches, tasty cocktails, and some of the best service in town. The Garden Café welcomes your dog to join you in experiencing Portland like a local.
A Portland staple for 34 years and counting, Gritty’s Brew Pub serves up classic American fare with cold craft beers. Dogs can indulge with owners in summer months on the cobblestone of Wharf Street on Gritty’s back patio.
Gross Confection Bar turns into a pumpkin, or rather a bakery, overnight. Weekends, beginning on Thursday mornings, Gross Bakery provides take-away coffee and sweet and savory baked goods. Along Exchange Street, Gross has set up outdoor dining tables that welcome you and your dog to stop and indulge.
Food cart turned fan favorite, High Roller Lobster Company serves the classic Maine staple with a twist. In addition to traditional Maine lobster rolls, lobster tacos, lobster pops and more. Enjoy their retro diner inspired restaurant, with both front and back dog friendly patios. Don’t miss their personalized, and may we add badass, mural out back.
Join the Inn on Peaks for breakfast, lunch or dinner on the dog-friendly patio during the summer season. A lovely and quaint cottage-style luxury inn is the perfect way to experience Maine’s motto “the way life should be”. We recommend heading to Peaks in the evening for a quick trip including dinner and a sunset ferry ride back into Portland with your dog.
Jump on the ferry for a 15 minute ride past lighthouses, forts, and harborviews to Peaks Island. Once on the island, take a short walk to Jones Landing, the famed location of Portland’s reggae Sunday. Newly updated to include more amenities, Jones Landing has dog-friendly patio dining, live music and Milly Skillet’s food truck on site.
Voted Judges Choice by Portland Food Fights, Leavitt and Sons is a great local deli serving up stacked sandwiches made with Boar’s head meat and cheeses. Their dog-friendly parklet is a great place to *relish* your sandwich; don’t forget a tasty morsel for fido!
Little Tap House is a craft beer gastro-pub that serves up Maine farm-to-table fresh food to accompany their local tap list. In addition to a cozy interior that makes you feel at home, Little Tap House has a beautiful dog-friendly patio. Grab a beer, or cocktail during happy hour for an afternoon pick me up.
Off the fisherman’s docks and on the Portland Pier is Luke’s Lobster. A picturesque scene of moored boats, a wall of colorful buoys, and kites flying at Bug Light in the distance, Luke’s could only be described as classic Maine. Luke’s serves up fresh seafood, including Maine’s staple lobster rolls. Bring the whole family, including your pup, and enjoy the salty air on the patio or balcony.
Nosh’s bigger than life burgers and sandwiches find a unique balance in new flavor combinations and classic comfort food. No sandwich would be complete without their dusted fries and dipping sauces. Their summer patio on mid-Congress street is a great place to share a nosh with your furry friend.
The Porthole has become a local favorite for its daily brunch, weekend live music, and fresh seafood on the biggest deck in Portland. Its laid back atmosphere and classic Maine feel make it a great place to meet both locals and tourists for a Shipyard beer. Their patio is dog-friendly.
On warm summer evenings, live bands can be heard while walking down Commercial Street. Portland Lobster Company knows how to have a good time – from serving up only the freshest seafood to providing fun, dog-friendly live music events on their patio. If visiting Portland, Portland Lobster Company is a can’t miss tourist destination. If you’re local – you know the drill.
New on the Portland scene in 2022, REGARDS finds inspiration in the culture and heritage of the dinner table. A fresh take on locally sourced seafood and foraged provisions, REGARDS menu is not only aesthetically pleasing, but rich in flavor. Sip on any of the various mezcal or tequila offerings on their dog-friendly patio in the heart of the Arts District.
Shay’s Grill Pub is your one stop destination for $6 martini’s and too-good-to-be-true food like Coop’s weekly rotating fried chicken special. If fried chicken isn’t your thing, Shay’s offers tasty burgers, fresh salads, and other delectable dinner entrees. Grab your dog for the patio in the summer to enjoy exceptional service and even better prices.
An Irish Pub, kinda. The Snug is a Munjoy Hill tavern where locals commune in the cozy ambiance only neighborhood watering holes can provide. The Snug does not provide its own menu, but allows guests to bring food with them. Their central location to numerous Washington Avenue restaurants make the Snug a great spot to beat wait times or grab a nightcap. Dogs welcome inside, year round.
How does a patio party with beer and sausage sound? We’re saying “hell yea” too. The Thirsty Pig on Exchange Street offers an impressive local craft tap list and house-made sausages big enough to fill any stomach. Regularly hosting live-music on their back patio, the Thirtsy pig is a dog-friendly summer spot in Portland.
Three Dollar Dewey’s large tap list and extensive menu of tasty pub fare, including a large vegetarian menu, makes it clear why they were voted 2022’s Best Pub in Portland. Dewey’s is a local favorite for all things New England sports, and even some cornhole on their dog-friendly patio. Head there for an afternoon of hanging with your crew, dogs included!
In addition to being a chic Italian eatery offering small plates, seafood and steak, plus wine and extraordinary cocktails, ViA VECCHiA’s patio is also dog-friendly! You and your well-behaved pup can enjoy the historic brick and ivy-covered building overlooking cobblestone streets as you sip on a delicious aperitivo, or dine on authentic Italian dishes.
Wilson County BBQ, in Portland’s West Bayside, offers Portlander’s pit smoked hog, North Carolina style BBQ. Their interior is Mad Men meets industrial with brick walls, high ceilings, and retro furnishings. In warmer months, the host a large patio with fire pits, adirondack chairs, and picnic tables and is dog-friendly.
Offering a brick and mortar in the West End, and shaved ice cart on the Eastern Prom, frozen treat enthusiasts can indulge their sweet tooth on either side of Portland with Zephyr Ice. Offering pup cups with tiny milkbones, and a variety of shaved ice flavors for you – Zephyr Ice is all you’ll need on a hot day.
Dog-Friendly Breweries & Tasting Rooms
Competing with Portland’s 500+ restaurants is the ever growing craft brewing and distilling scene. Located throughout downtown Portland, and on the outskirts of city limits, Portland’s craft scene is unbeatable. Grab your dog and get to sippin’.
East Bayside Breweries & Tasting Rooms:
Apres, located in Portland’s developing East Bayside neighborhood, is Portland’s only craft seltzery. Apres offers seltzer and cool merch to go, but we recommend lounging inside their retro inspired tasting room. In summer months, Apres offers outdoor seating and welcomes dogs to hang.
Austin Street Brewery – Two Locations
Austin Street Brewery beer is so good, they needed two locations in Portland to pour! In town, Austin Street Brewery is located in East Bayside. They are an industrial open space, lush with plants and comfortable picnic tables. Weekly trivia and other events make Austin Street a great, dog-friendly brewery to hang out. Dogs are welcome in outdoor spaces during warmer months.
Learn more about their second location below.
Belleflower may be newer to the Portland brew soon, but they’ve certainly found their place in Portland’s East Bayside. Belleflower is a small batch brewery that likes their beers like your dog likes it’s rabbits- hoppy! While bunnies aren’t invited, your dog is welcome to hang on Belleflower’s patio in the summer.
Whether you’re skipping or recovering from alcohol intake, Root Wild Kombucha has you covered with a variety of cleansing, antioxidant rich kombuchas in their East Bayside Tasting Room. They have both canned and draft Kombucha, featuring flavors like Pineapple Jalapeno (a surprise fan favorite). Their outdoor patio, featuring an impressive living plant wall, is dog-friendly.
Get to know modern mead with your pup! Founded in the heart of a true craft brewing city, Maine Mead Works continues, with unique means, the mission of re-introducing to the world the oldest of all fermented beverages – Mead. Perfecting a highly distinctive beverage since 2007, both you and your pup can enjoy Maine Meads Works with their dog-friendly outdoor patio – including under their patio tent!
Lone Pine Brewing Company not only makes crisp and refreshing craft brews, but delightfully fizzy craft selzters. Their Portland location features a small tap room, and two outdoor spaces, a front patio and back lawn with picnic tables. Dogs are welcome in outdoor spaces. Lone Pine does not serve food, and recommends bringing with you, or finding a nearby food truck.
Goodfire Brewing is a hidden gem of Portland’s East Bayside. Serving a great mix of craft beer selections, Goodfire has an effortlessly cool vibe that invites guest to sit back and enjoy. In summer months, Goodfire’s patio is dog-friendly.
Rising Tide is truly a brewery inspired by Maine. Their family owned company partners with local farmers, and crafts their flavors to pair with the food pairing in mind (we’re talking oysters and fresh lobster!). Aside from the actual beer, Rising Tide is a fun location to hang with the locals, or bring a group and start the party yourself. In the summer, Rising Tide is dog friendly – encouraging Spot to join in on the corn hole games. The Galley mobile kitchen is on site year round.
You’ve heard of mocktails – but have you ever heard of puptails? Three of Strong brings tasty craft cocktails made from their own distilled spirits, and makes sure your dog feels included! Free puptails and discounted draft cocktails every Sunday. Grab your dog’s favorite leash and head there this weekend.
Industrial Way Breweries:
Located on the outskirts of Portland is a secret gem of local craft beer breweries: Industrial Way. Allagash, most known for the famous Allagash White Beer, is one of the great breweries in this location. Their tasting room and large patio are a great place to sip a cold beer with your dog in tow. Food on site by Bite Into Maine Foodtruck and others.
Austin Street Brewery – Two Locations
Austin Street’s second location is on Industrial Way. Similar to their Fox St location, Austin Street Brewery offers large outdoor space with comfortable seating that welcomes your dog companion. Enjoy patio vibes with a draft lager on a hot summer day.
The brewers of Battery Steele are dedicated to the artful craft of brewing and put their passion into every style they brew. Their shaded outdoor dog-friendly patio is the perfect stop of a self guided brewery tour of Industrial Way.
Definitive Brewing is an inventive brewery that offers your classic New England IPA in addition to a wide array of fruit fusion session ale’s, portals and more. Their patio is dog friendly in the summer.
Foundation Brewing Company is all about pup life! You can visit their tap room to enjoy a wide selection of craft beer (IPAs, Brown Ales, American Pale Ales, Pilsners, Sours and more!) while with your dog. Pupper-friends are welcome on the outdoor patio year-round on-leash and with you at your table at all times.
You can even get a glimpse of all the adorable furry friends via their Instagram @foundationpups!
Dog-Friendly Hotel Accommodations
The only thing better than Portland’s food and beverage scene is the hospitality – and we’re not just talking about the locals. Many of Portland’s top hotels welcome dogs with guests for an unforgettable Maine vacation. Some even go a step further, donating proceeds from pet feeds to local charities.
*pet fees mentioned are subject to change by individual hotels
A beautiful waterfront hotel in Portland, the AC Hotel boasts the only unobstructed views of Casco Bay. The AC Hotel allows dogs up to 75lbs and limits the total pet fee to $150 for extended stays. The AC Hotel is a short walk to the Eastern Promenade Trail and other Portland landmarks like the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Located on Commercial street amid the working waterfront, Aloft offers guests pet-friendly, creatively designed rooms and features for a wonderful Portland stay. Their pet policy allows for two pets, up to 50lbs with a one time $50 pet fee.
The CAMBRiA Hotel opened in Portland’s East End in the summer of 2022. This new luxury hotel offers modern touches, an incredible outdoor rooftop terrace, and on -site fitness center. The CAMBRiA welcomes your fur friends to stay with you. You can bring up to two dogs, weighing 100lbs for a one time fee of $75.
Canopy is one of Portland’s newest hotels, offering stunning rooms and a luxurious rooftop bar, Luna, with sweeping views of Portland’s waterfront. Canopy donates a portion of their pet fees to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. Canopy welcomes mid-sized, up to 50lbs pets for a one time fee of $50.
Hampton Inn Portland Downtown – Waterfront
Centrally located in downtown Portland, the Hampton Inn is an easy walk to a number of Portland Attractions, including the Old Port and East End. The Hampton Inn offers an indoor swimming pool to visitors not yet ready to brave the cold Atlantic waters. Book your room with up to two pets, for a maximum of $75 pet fee (dependent on duration of stay).
Hyatt Place Portland – Old Port
The Hyatt, located in the heart of the Old Port, is an excellent location to be in the bustle of Portland’s food and beverage industry. Offering numerous amenities, including indoor pool, one of it’s most notable features is their in house restaurant, EVO which has dog friendly outdoor seating in the summer. The Hyatt welcomes up to two pups per stay, provided the combined weight does not exceed 75lbs for $75 per stay.
The Inn at St. John is one of Portland’s few independently owned and operated hotels. A Portland landmark, and continually operating hotel since 1987, the Inn at St. John provides guests and their dogs with a warm welcome. Their pet policy includes a $10 cleaning service fee for each booked night’s stay.
Located at the top of beautiful Exchange Street, the Press Hotel is a relic of historic Portland newsrooms. Stunning art gallery, and vintage inspired rooms make the Press Hotel a one of a kind Portland stay. The Press hotel invites well behaved dogs to share accommodations with owners for $150 per stay.
The Portland Harbor Hotel prides itself on exceptional service, going above and beyond to create a one of a kind experience for you and your pet. One service of note are pantry nooks on each floor with Starbucks touchscreen machines available. The Portland Harbor Hotel invites pets to enjoy Portland with you for a $100/night pet fee.
Portland Regency Hotel and Spa
The Regency is a charming and historic 19th century armory turned hotel in Portland’s Old Port neighborhood. Offering amenities including on site luxury spa, and summertime al fresno dining in the charming Garden Cafe (see dining). The Regency is a dog-friendly hotel for a one time $75 fee.
The Westin Portland Harborview is an upscale hotel that offers guests historical charm in their renovated former Eastland Park hotel from the 1920s. The Westin Hotel treats guests to 24 hour room service and a luxury spa. The Westin welcomes dogs up to 50lbs to enjoy their time in Portland.
Dog-Friendly Parks and Recreation
Portland is home to many different outdoor activities and designated spaces to get out and enjoy the four seasons. Many of Portland’s parks and trails are walkable from downtown, making Portland a small urban jungle of green space and wilderness. It’s a great city to have a dog!
Back Cove Trail / Baxter Boulevard
Approximately 5K in distance, the Back Cove Trail is just outside of downtown and circles Portland’s Back Cove. You can continue the loop of the Back Cove Trail, or veer under the bridge and head toward the Eastern Promenade Trail, East End Beach, and Eastern Promenade. Two parking lots as great entry points at Hannaford, and Payson Park.
If walking the Back Cove Trail you’ll come across Payson Park, another great recreational area in Portland to let your dog run. The park has a playground, basketball courts, and softball fields. In the winter, Payson park is a favorite sledding spot. If driving, limited parking spots are available.
Kennedy Park
Kennedy Park is located at the bottom of Munjoy Hill in the recently developed East Bayside neighborhood of local breweries and taste rooms. Many Portland breweries are dog friendly in the summer months, including Rising Tide and Austin Street which are directly adjacent.
A hidden gem of the East End and Munjoy Hill area is Fort Sumner Park. Fort Sumner is a small overlook at the top of Quebec Street viewing the Back Cove. Fort Sumner is best enjoyed in the evening, indulging in a beautiful sunset with your pet pal.
The Eastern Prom has one of the greatest views in Portland, overlooking the Back Cove and out into Casco Bay. It is also a central location for Portland’s growing food truck scene. The East End has a large sloping lawn with picnic tables, and nearby tennis courts and playground. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon lounging with your dog.
East End Beach
The Eastern Prom leads down to East End Beach, a year long dog friendly public beach in the city. Grab the ball and toss it in the ocean for doggy swims. If you’re looking for more adventure, take the dog out for a kayak or paddle board with Portland Paddle.
The East End Beach is connected to the Eastern Promenade Trail, a paved waterfront trail to walk, run, or bike into downtown. The EPT connects from The Back Cove Trail, heading into Portland past the Narrow Gauge railroad and marina and onto Commercial Street. Once on Commercial it is only a short walk into the Old Port, or to the Casco Bay Ferry for a dog adventure on the water.
Congress Square Park is located in the Arts District in downtown Portland and hosts numerous public arts events like music, dance, and theatre. The park, which is backdropped by a colorful mural, has tables with umbrellas in the summer and smore fire pits in the winter. It is a great place to take a break with take out and your dog.
Post Office Park & Tommy’s Park
Located in the Old Port on either side of Exchange Street are Post Office Park and Tommy’s Park. A frequent location for local buskers, and a great shaded area of benches, these two parks are a great place to sit with a coffee, a pastry, and a dog bone from places like Gross Bakery to people watch with your dog.
Milk Street Picnic Area
The Milk Street pop up park is new to Portland for summer 2022. The enclosed dog-friendly picnic area in the heart of downtown has numerous picnic tables and games available. Grab a table with your dog and enjoy the sounds of the city while sipping a latte from Buzz Coffee.
Pleasant Street Park
A bit of a hidden gem, the Pleasant Street park is tucked away against Artemisia Café. This dog-friendly downtown park features beautiful murals and is also great for children, including toddlers.
West End – Historical Neighborhoods
The West End of Portland is woven with beautiful historic homes of Portland’s past. Enjoy a self guided walking tour to discover stunning architecture, small neighborhood parks, or the West End Cemetery. On the edge of the West End lies the Western Promenade.
Valley Street Dog Park
Down off of the Western Promenade near St. John Street is the Valley Street Dog Park. The dog park is fenced in and a great place to allow your dog to run. There is a covered shelter for dog owners, and water taps to keep your dog hydrated.
York Street Park
In the West End off of Tyng Street is the York Street overlook park. Overlooking the Casco Bay Bridge and city line of South Portland, this grassy slope is a great quick dog stop over if you’re in the West End.
Deering Oaks Park
Deering Oaks is a beautiful historic park just outside of downtown Portland. Within the park are various must see installations from the Victorian Duck House on Deering Pond, the Castle at Deering, and Black Hawk Statue. Additionally, in the summer Deering Oaks hosts a farmers market with local artisans on Wednesday and Saturdays. The park also has many areas for various forms of recreation from a children’s splash pad, to volleyball courts.
Evergreen Cemetery
A Victorian Garden Cemetery, Evergreen Cemetery is home to many notable Maine family names. The cemetery has many paved loops to work up a sweat walking your dog. The cemetery is across from and joins Baxter Woods walking trails. Evergreen Cemetery primarily has on street parking.
Baxter Woods
Baxter Woods is a beautiful 30-acre nature preserve with towering pines, pond and river views, along shady trails. The trails are great for outdoor enthusiasts of all fitness levels. The leash law for Baxter Woods requires dogs to remain on leash at all times during the months of April – July; outside of summer months dogs are required to be leashed only during 9am and 3pm.
Forerive Sanctuary & Connected Portland Trails
Foreriver Sanctuary is an 85-acre preserve and home to Portland’s only natural waterfall, Jewell Falls. Forerive Sanctuary is where the saltwater and freshwater meet, providing excellent opportunities to birdwatch. Other connected trails include Forerive Trail, and Capisic Brook Trail which leads to Capisic Pond Park.
