Dog-Friendly Activities in Southington, CT

Witchdoctor Brewing Company is a dog-friendly brewery in Southington, CT. Fido is welcome to join you inside or at an outdoor table. They serve pints and mugs in-house, while growlers and cans are available to take home. Patrons can admire the handiwork of local artisans and listen to live music (on specified nights) as they sip their favorite beer. Their slogan, “The Cure for What Ales You," is a testament to the hard work they put into preparing, or curing, their beer so that they can bring it fresh to your taste buds.

Fido is welcome to join you for a beer at dog-friendly Kinsmen Brewing Company, located in Southington, CT. Dogs can accompany you beside an umbrella-shaded picnic table on the spacious outside patio. Overlooking the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, patrons can sit, relax and sample artisan craft beer such as Homeward Bound IPA or Yup/Nope Double IPA. Menu options include a wide variety of house-made pizza which can be prepared with a gluten-free crust, signature sandwiches, salads, and shareable appetizers.

Bring Fido for some off-leash fun at Southington Dog Park in Southington, CT. This clean, friendly off-leash dog park is a great place for your pet to play. The park is fully fenced, has benches and a separate small dog area. Please note that all dogs must be licensed and current on vaccinations. Children under 12 are not allowed inside the dog park.

The dog-friendly Van Wilgen's Garden Center in Southington, CT, is a family-owned garden store offering a wide selection of trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, houseplants, gardening supplies, bagged goods, and bulk landscaping materials. Fido is welcome to shop with you! Knowledgeable staff are available to help with gardening advice, making it a convenient destination for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

Sleeping Giant State Park is a dog-friendly area in Hamden, CT. Despite the name, this park is popular among hikers and people looking for a picturesque place to have a picnic. The name actually comes from the mountaintops resembling the image of a giant having a nap. You can wander the uneven ridges on one of the many hiking trails with Fido as long as he is on a leash.

Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk in Windsor, CT, has many stores that welcome dogs to join you inside. The dog-friendly stores include Anthropologie, Appleseed’s, Brighton Collectibles, Brookstone, Destination Maternity, Eddie Bauer, Francesca’s Collections, Gap, J.Crew, J. Jill, Kirkland’s Home, Lady Foot Locker, Leaps & Bones, L’Occitane, New Balance, Papyrus, Pottery Barn, Shoe Explosion, Soft Surroundings, Talbots, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Chico’s, Clarks, Coldwater Creek, Country Curtains, GapKids, Green Tangerine Spa & Salon, Sparkle and White House | Black Market.

Hoppers Birge Pond is a pet-friendly recreational area in Bristol, CT. Dogs are welcome on-leash at this facility. It includes a large, unfenced, open meadow crisscrossed with trails. In addition, you'll find over 2 miles of hiking trails through wooded areas.

Fido can exercise and socialize at Paw Meadow Dog Park in Simsbury, CT. This park allows Fido to run off the leash and features a separate small dog area for pups under 25 lbs. There are also many pet-friendly trails surrounding the park for a walk or hike.

Enjoy some exercise and a picnic with your pup at dog-friendly Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, CT. Explore the hiking trails with Fido in search of the bronze tablet marking Connecticut's role in the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution. Please note that pets are not permitted on the beach and must be leashed at all times during your visit.

Giuffrida Park is a dog-friendly outdoor recreation area in Meriden, CT. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you one of the six trails that range from easy to difficult. Stroll along the reservoir, picturesque meadows, and take in the beauty of your surroundings from the top of Lamentation Mountain and Chauncey Peak.

Leashed dogs can join you on a visit to Books & Company, a pet-friendly bookstore in North Haven, CT. They offer "new to you" used books, greeting cards, unusual gifts, locally-made crafts and more. While the new space isn’t large enough for a coffee bar, you’re welcome to bring your own coffee and treats—along with your pup.

Fido is welcome inside the taproom and on the dog-friendly patio (weather permitting) outside of Alvarium Beer Company, first craft brewery and taproom to open in over 70 years in New Britain, CT. Enjoy patio games and shuffleboard while trying a variety of craft brews. Visit their website for a schedule of visiting food trucks. Please be sure Fido is leashed and does not bark excessively while in the taproom.

The Farmington River Trail is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Farmington! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Farmington River Trail. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided map data for this trail to Bring Fido for informational purposes only. For more detailed trail information, please visit TrailLink.com.

Part of Paugnut State Forest and connected to it by the 2.1-mile John Muir Trail, Sunnybrook State Park is set on 464 wooded acres. This pet-friendly park in Torrington, CT offers plenty of trails, including five nature trails, and a pond to play and cool off in. Pack a lunch, wear comfortable shoes, and enjoy a memorable excursion with your leashed pup.

Black Hog Brewery in Oxford, CT is a dog-friendly bar that focuses on local agriculture when creating their unique, craft beers. At any time, you can choose from more than 10 seasonally rotating beers on tap. Black Hog Brewery doesn't offer a food menu, but often hosts food trucks on the weekends.

Topsmead State Forest is a pet-friendly recreation area that can be found among the Litchfield Hills in Litchfield, CT. In a past life, the park was the summer estate of Miss Edith Morton Chase and a number of buildings from yesteryear are still standing as they did one-hundred years ago. You and Fido can enjoy the hiking trails and picnic areas at Topsmead, but are not permitted to go inside any of the buildings.

Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in Cheshire, CT, is dog friendly and suitable for leashed pets. The off-road, multi-use asphalt trail is ideal for a casual stroll or bike ride with Fido. This route is flat, well-maintained and spans 5.5 miles from Cheshire to Hamden, before joining the Farmington Canal Greenway in New Haven. The trail can be accessed from many different points, and is easily traversed in smaller sections.

The Stratton Brook State Park Trail is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Simsbury! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Stratton Brook State Park Trail. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided map data for this trail to Bring Fido for informational purposes only. For more detailed trail information, please visit TrailLink.com.

Leashed dogs are welcome at West Rock Ridge State Park, a pet-friendly natural space in Hamden and New Haven, CT. You and Fido can enjoy the scenic views, numerous hiking trails, picnicking and more at this beautiful state park.

Wadsworth Falls State Park is a dog-friendly natural area in Middletown, CT, where you and Fido can enjoy hiking wooded trails with beautiful views. Make your way to the scenic Big Falls waterfall with your leashed pup, but please note that pets are not permitted on the beach or in the swimming pond.