Other Dog Activities in Texas

Dog-friendly Zilker Botanical Garden in Austin, TX, is packed with rare and unusual plants, and the campus includes various themed areas you'll love to explore with your leashed pet. This garden is a unique collaboration between the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD) and the Austin Area Garden Council (AAGC). The garden is enjoyed by over 400,000 visitors each year and is open most days, but be sure to check their website in advance.

Sea Turtle Inc. in South Padre Island, TX, is a dog-friendly, nonprofit rescue center that rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured sea turtles. Dogs and cats are allowed in all indoor and outdoor public areas as long as they are leashed or crated. Visitors can sit in on a Turtle Talk or take a self-guided tour of the outdoor facility. While they are open year-round, outdoor tanks are covered when temperatures drop below 55 degrees, and turtle viewings are limited. Admission varies depending on the season, and hours are extended during summer months, so be sure to check their website before planning your trip. Note that they will only accept credit or debit cards for admission; no cash.

Leashed dogs are welcome on the pet-friendly San Antonio River Walk, a public park below street level with parallel sidewalks that are lined with restaurants, shops, hotels and other attractions in San Antonio, TX. Many of the outdoor restaurants and shops welcome dogs on their patios while you dine. Please call ahead to check if the specific business you wish to visit allows dogs, and please remember to clean up after your pet.

Lost Oak Winery is a dog-friendly winery in Burleson, TX, offering wine tastings. Leashed dogs are also welcome along the trails throughout the vineyard. Enjoy a picnic in the picturesque setting with one of their charcuterie boards paired with award-winning wine.

John Wayne: An American Experience is a dog-friendly museum in Fort Worth, TX. Fido is welcome to join you inside the exhibit halls while on a leash. Learn about John Wayne's life and legacy during your visit to the exhibit that is housed near the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Visit Pearl, a pet-friendly historical district and culture hub in the center of San Antonio, TX. This property that was once a brewery in the 1800s is now a complex featuring shopping and dining options, a farmer's market, an event space and more. Leashed and behaved dogs are welcome in most outdoor spaces except Gustav’s Geysers.

Take your Fido tubing with dog-friendly Lions Club Tube Rental in San Marcos, TX. Keep in mind that if Fido pops a tube you'll lose your deposit. Take some old canvas to put under him, or use dog shoes. You can ride back in the taxis, but it's usually limited to one dog per taxi, unless they are small. Enjoy this fun way to spend the day with your furry friend!

Bring your canine compadre to the pet-friendly Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District for a taste of the Old West. From the original brick walkways to the wooden corrals, every inch of the Fort Worth, TX, Stockyards tells the true history of the state's famous livestock industry. Leashed dogs are welcome to watch the daily cattle drives as long as they remain under control.

8th Wonder Brewery & Distillery is a dog-friendly establishment in Houston, TX. They welcome pups and their owners to enjoy WonderWorld, their outdoor beer garden and fun zone. Four-legged friends must remain on a leash at all times in the area. Beer options include lagers, cream ales, IPAs, Porters, and a large variety of Goses. You can also find housemade spirits at the bar.

The pet-friendly beer garden and taproom at Hop and Sting Brewing Co. in Grapevine, TX, is a hit among local dog owners who love craft beer. They brew high-quality, small-batch craft ales and lagers available on draft and in cans to take home with you. Your pup might even make a new friend at the brewery. Dixon has been accompanying one of the brewers, Brian, into work ever since he was rescued.

Dogs are welcome to join their owners at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, a pet-friendly area in Plano, TX. This 200-acre park features vast areas of natural beauty for walking, jogging, hiking, orienteering and other outdoor activities. One of the best spots in the park is the observation tower, offering you a lovely view of the city itself.

Luckenbach is a pet-friendly, Old West-style spot with a saloon and a souvenir shop in Fredericksburg, TX. The main attraction is the dancehall that showcases a variety of country artists. Leashed dogs are welcome inside the store and on the grounds, as long as there isn't a concert taking place.

Palo Duro Creek Ranch (previously Elkins Ranch) in Canyon, TX, is a dog-friendly, working cattle ranch in the Texas panhandle. You can marvel at the spectacular desert vistas, or reserve a jeep tour to explore the scenic canyons. Dogs of any size are allowed on the 1 or 2-hour tours, which are offered daily. Pups ride for free.

Allow Fido to join you for family fun when visiting dog-friendly Preston Trail Farms, located in Gunter, TX. Dogs are welcome at all open outside areas which include the pumpkin patch and barn. Preston Trail Farms is the ideal location for scenic Fall photos so be sure to bring Fido and your family dressed in their favorite seasonal outfits. From late September until the end of November, the Pumpkin Farm will offer visitors blossoming small green pumpkins right on the vine, hayrides, and a 6-foot hay maze. Aside from exciting Fall activities, this year-round attraction gives visitors the chance to take away fresh seasonal produce and visit the petting farm all year long.

Cross Timbers Winery is located in the Historic Brock Family farmhouse in Grapevine, TX. Bring Fido to their pet-friendly patio, where you can savor local wines by the glass, bottle or through tastings. Enhance the experience by pairing your preferred red, white, or blush wine with their enticing charcuterie board or delicious salmon cream cheese pinwheels.

Dogs are welcome in the open-air section of the American Windmill Museum. This pet-friendly attraction is the most extensive collection of windmills in the world. You can bring Fido with you to explore the numerous rows of outdoor windmills in Lubbock, TX.

Enjoy the feeling of relaxation at Hound Song Brewing Co in Columbus, TX. This dog-friendly brewery creates simple, tasty beers. Fido is welcome to join you for a drink on the patio. The brewery occasionally hosts food trucks on site.

Fire It! Ceramics is a pet-friendly business in Port Aransas, TX. Well-behaved, leashed pups are welcome to join you inside as you create your masterpiece. They offer a variety of ceramic pieces to choose from to paint, and they'll fire it up for you.

Furry friends are welcome at the dog-friendly Fort Worth Botanic Garden with a Membership + Pup Club combo. Members can bring up to two leashed dogs daily to explore trails, paths and lawns. Please note that dogs aren’t allowed in indoor areas, including the Rainforest Conservatory, Rock Springs Café, and rental venues.

Pease District Park is a dog-friendly urban park in Austin, TX, which features public trails, picnic spaces and sports courts. In accordance with City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, dogs must be leashed in public parks unless in designated off-leash areas. In Pease District Park, the off-leash area is between 24th Street and 29th Street. Dogs are not permitted in the interactive water feature or in the Treehouse in Kingsbury Commons. Your leashed pet can join you on a walk across Shoal Creek Trail or for an afternoon picnic on the grass.