Living with pets in the Tampa Bay area
Pets are family. Dog moms, cat dads, parrot parents, lizard lovers and animal owners of all sorts know this well. In the Tampa Bay area, where parks, beaches and outdoor seating are open year-round, pets certainly have a place — in fact, they have many places. From dedicated beaches to dog-friendly taprooms, from apartments with pet parks to world-class veterinary care, the cat is officially out of the bag: Greater Tampa Bay is a top spot for pet resources and recreation.
Unleash the hounds
Grab a frisbee, unhook the leash and prepare to sweat. Up and down the Gulf Coast, dedicated dog parks and beaches are in no short supply. The Davis Island Dog Park near downtown Tampa offers views of both the city skyline and Hillsborough Bay. A bit further north is the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Dog Park, where pets can run freely, play on recreation equipment and cool off with drinking water dispensers.
For a fence-free adventure outside the city, check out Honeymoon Island State Park’s dog beach. Canines can frolic freely on the white sands and clear waters at this park and are also allowed to explore the scenic nature trail while leashed.
Down near St. Petersburg is the Fort De Soto Dog Beach and Park, which, much like Honeymoon Island, is about as free-ranging and nature-filled as any dog desires. Other local spots include the Achieve Paw Park in Dunedin and the Safety Harbor Dog Park.
A bite to eat
After getting all tuckered out from a long day at the park, take a break and grab a bite from one of the area’s many pet-friendly restaurants.
The Sail Plaza on the Riverwalk in downtown Tampa offers a waterfront view with outdoor seating for dogs and their humans. The plaza’s all-day Yappy Hour lets them snack on dog biscuits or ice cream pup cups while dog owners enjoy a meal.
Whiskey Joe’s, located off the Courtney Campbell Causeway between Clearwater and Tampa’s Westshore District, has a dog-friendly beachfront with plenty of sandy coastline to roam. In Dunedin, the Living Room on Main features eclectic eats and décor, as well as outdoor patio seating on the street for good people- and pet-watching.
Visiting St. Petersburg? Check out Three Birds Tavern, a gastropub with a wraparound porch. A relaxing meal in the cooling shade of the veranda is sure to be a hit.
Other pet-friendly restaurants include Rick’s Reef in St. Pete, Gil Dawg Tiki Bar and Grill in Port Richey and the Tarpon Tavern in Tarpon Springs.
Pup-friendly bars
Only looking for a drink? Greater Tampa Bay is known for its breweries, coffeehouses, taprooms and bars, many of which allow pets indoors.
Two Shepherds Taproom in Tampa is a dog bar paradise. Serving a collection of some of Tampa’s finest local brews, Two Shepherds also gives dogs a seat at the table. Featuring both an indoor and outdoor play area, this taproom, with dogs featured prominently on its logo, is more than pet-friendly — it is pet loving.
In South Tampa, head over to Pups Pub, a sports bar with an off-leash dog park. Get the best photos of your Instagrammable pup while grabbing a drink from their full service bar and cheering on your favorite teams. Nikko’s Dog Barrrrr in St. Pete Beach sells pints, cocktails and squeeze toys. Rotating craft beers, sake and bowls of fresh crisp water will quench everyone’s thirst.
Mad Dogs and Englishmen, a ’60s-style London-esque pub in Tampa, serves up food, drink and an atmosphere friendly to both lovers of the Rolling Stones and rawhide bones.
Head across the bridge to Dog Bar in St. Pete, a combination of an off-leash dog park with a full bar. With over 4,500 square feed of fenced area to play and a Wooferee on call to supervise, your dog can have an entertaining and safe experience at this bar!
If searching for that cat café bodega experience, visit Sunshine Kitty Catfe in St. Petersburg. While guests cannot bring their own pet, they could leave with one. Adoptable rescue cats come paired with morning lattes to make this trendy spot an experience like no other.
In the dog house
The dog days of summer are the perfect time for a vacation. If taking a family trip and in need of a pet-friendly place to stay, GTB has no shortage of lodgings.
The famous Don CeSar hotel in St. Petersburg is one such place, going so far as to even offer treats, accessories and tips on dog-walking routes. For a small fee, guests can bring up to two of the four-legged family members to this unique and luxurious vacation spot.
Heading toward Tampa, the well-known Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is happy to house pets and even has a grassy area for them to enjoy. Trying luck at this place is a sure bet, but be warned — no poker-playing dogs allowed.
Further down south, the Anna Maria Island Inn features beachfront vacation rentals with pools, sunsets and plenty of R&R awaiting. This one-of-a-kind spot provides a full-family vacation no one will soon forget.
Came to visit and fell in love with the area? First, make sure the cat loves it too, then check out some of these pet-friendly apartment complexes in the area. Solaris Key Apartments in Clearwater has a dog park, a beachfront and a gorgeous view of the bay. The Bowery Bayside Apartments in South Tampa have a fitness center, waterfront access and, most importantly, the leash-free Bark Park.
Artistry St. Pete near downtown offers luxury living and a dog park with pet-washing stations. The Pierhouse at Channelside, Camden Westchase Park, Sur Club Apartments and Havana Square are just a few more of the many hundreds of accommodating homes in GTB.
Pet vacations
Of course, there are those times when pets simply cannot come along for the trip. Fortunately, pet owners can rest assured that they will be in good hands, as Tampa Bay hosts several highly respected and well-reviewed boarding services.
Fuzzie Buddies in Tampa offers boarding for pets of both the canine and feline varieties, and it offers bathing, daycare, themed rooms each with a TV or monitor and all the care and love pets deserve.
Dogtopia of Westchase has spa services and daycare, as well as webcams and long-term options for pet-parents. Preppy Pet St. Petersburg features climate-controlled play areas, grooming and services for small pets, including birds.
Remember, it is not goodbye — it is see you later.
Tail wags and purrs are what pet owners live for. Making sure they are happy makes their human companions happy, too. It is their world — the rest of us are just living in it.
By Ryan Walsh
